Canon ZR85 First Impressions Camcorder Review

by Mark Bassett
Published on Feb 2, 2004 12:00 AM



On display at the 2004 Consumer Electronics Show was the Canon ZR85, which is one step up from the ZR85. The most significant upgrade in middle camcorder in the ZR product line is the inclusion of an SD card for high resolution stills. The ZR85 is a point and shoot MiniDV camcorder with still capabilities that benefits from Canon's 65 years of lens crafting excellence. Similar to the ZR80, the lens of the ZR85 has between nine and sixteen layers of glass.

The ZR85 is 18 percent smaller than last years comparable ZR, but the size reduction doesn't negatively impact the camcorder's appearance or functionality. The ZR85 is a solid, well designed camcorder that rest comfortably in hand. The assortment and arrangement of external function buttons like manual control, digital effects, and VCR playback are well conceived. Like other models in the ZR line, one of the ZR85's design flaws in the depressible jog dial that controls manual focus, and is the menu's navigational tool.

A slightly more expensive model than the ZR80, the ZR85 has a Manufactures Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $599. The Z80 will appeal to novice and budget minded consumers who need digital still capabilities, but not a built in LED.

Video Performance
The Canon ZR85 is outfitted with the same 1/6 inch 680K pixel CCD with 340K effective as last years ZR line, and the ZR80. Testing video performance on the floor would be subjective at best, but logic dictates that the camcorder performs similar to last years ZR65MC. Camcorderinfo.com's review of the ZR65MC, said that the video performance excelled in sun lit or well lit situations, but produced under saturated or muted images in poor lighting.

The speed of the automatic mode's processor could be evaluated at the display booth. Built with a DigicDV chip and VIC circuit connectivity, the ZR85 adapted to changes in focal length, and zoom in a fraction of a second. The processor chip set combination is described by Canon as increasing the unit's processing efficiency by minimizing the number or chips in camcorder.

The Front
Canon's now classic 30.5mm lens tops the front of the ZR85. The Canon Video Lens has a large 20x optical zoom, a focal range of 2.8-56mm, and Fstop steps from 1.6-3.2mm. Below the lens is a gray brushed surface that features the Canon logs superimposed in white, this is a color scheme change from the ZR80 and is carried to the ZR90. Underneath the logo is a capsule shaped vertical infrared sensor. The sensor divides the top of the two channel microphone and has wind-screening capabilities. The microphone records in 12 or 16 bit stereo sound. Beneath the microphone is a gray rubber panel that conceals an SVideo input/output and a DV port for Firewire connectivity. In previous years this plastic cover was blue.

The Right Side
The right side of the ZR85 has a newly designed all-suede strap that improves on previous years by removing the pleather boarder. At the front of the right side of the ZR85 is an AV In/Out port and a USB port for video conferencing and still transfer is covered by a gray plastic cover. The ZR85 has as a bottom loading tape mechanism, and a gradual progression of plastic ovals when protruded farthest from the camcorder at the mode selector, creates a thumb rest when you're not adjusting those features or engaging record.

The Back
Featured on the lower right hand side of the back of the ZR85 is a toggle switch that disables manual control and a host of digital functions. Unofficaily named the little brother button by demonstrators on the floor, it's designed to simply by limiting access in the LCD menu and manual settings. Above the little brother button, is a record button layered on a silver and green locking menu selector.

On the upper right of the back of the ZR85, is the battery ejection button. The ZR85 has a lithium Ion battery-pack with nearly two hours of shoot-time. The camcorder also can be operated with an included 7.4 volt power cable.

The Left Side
The ZR85's left side can be transformed from a camcorder to a portable video viewer by locking the LCD screen first into the housing. Canon placed four brushed steel dual-feature VCR control buttons above the LCD , which give the ZR line a multi-purpose look. Rewind and fast forward are also tape search selectors, the play button is also the manual focus selector, and the stop button turns on the night shot. When the LCD is open several other buttons offer control of the SD card and digital functions. There is a slide show button, a card scrolling button, a button for digital effects, one for manual or automatic exposure, and one for record pause.

At the back of the LCD, running veritically along the body is the SD Card or Media Card slot. Below this slot are the menu button and a depressible jog dial. The menu button opens the options screen on the LCD, and provides access to digital effect and manual features like the white balance settings. The depressible jog dial scrolls through menu by pushing the spring loaded plastic control up or down. Pushing the mechanism into the camcorder housing designates options. The dial also controls manual focus and exposure steps. The dial is on the small sided and in a difficult location to access when shooting, because it's placed nowhere near your thumb or forefinger if they're supporting the base of the camcorder. This is a common way hold a camcorder so as to keep the image from jumping.

The Top
The ZR85's viewfinder extends a full 80 degrees from the camcorder body; allowing users to shoot with the viewfinder when subjects are at a low angle. The is a cold accessory shoe at the top of the ZR85 that can be only be used with a self-powered spot light. The camcorder isn't designed to work with external microphones, and external microphones as a rule provide better sound than onboard mics. At the back of the ZR85 on the right side is a protruding toggle switch that controls the 20x optical zoom. The toggle is ungainly, but positioned in good proximity to the record button and the electronic shutter. The electronic shutter is located an eighth of an inch behind the zoom toggle and a user's forefinger can easily control both features.

Picture & Manual Control
Automatic Control
The ZR85 performs adequately in both manual and automatic, or a combination of the two. The DigicDV processor delivers power to adapt to changes in focal points, zoom, and lighting under well lit conditions. The Selectable Focusing Points feature helps the processor choice optimal focal length when there are multiple principles in frame.

Overall Manual Control
The ZR85 offer nearly every manual control option-focus, exposure, shutter speed and white balance. Missing are gain control, and audio controls. The drawback is the depressible jog dial that controls adjustment. The dial is too small and hidden at the bottom of the back of the camcorder.

Zoom
The Canon ZR85 offers an impressive 20x optical zoom, and increase over the 18x zoom on the ZR80. Canon optics have been a standout feature in the ZR line for several years, and this powerful optical zoom on the ZR85 doesn't disappoint. The zoom control has been redesigned but is still slightly awkward, although it provides good control over variable speed zooms. Unfortunately, there seemed to be only two zoom speeds.

Focus
The ZR85 allows for easy access to manual focus, but has a road block for adjustment. The depressible jog dial is the tool to make focal changes, and not a focus ring. While the 30.5mm lens is on the small size, a manual focus ring could add to the functionality of the camcorder.

Exposure (Aperture)
The AE shift or manual exposure control on the ZR85 is manipulated the same way as manual focus. An outstanding button on the exterior of the camcorder engages the option, and designation is made with the depressible jog dial. Moving this dial to the front left of the camcorder or adding another similar but large control would be an improvement. Fifteen steps of exposure are displayed numerically in either the LCD or the viewfinder.

Shutter Speed
The LCD menu on ZR85 sets the shutter speed. Steps of speed escalate incrementally - 1/60, 1/100, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, to 1/2000th of a second.

White Balance
Nearly all point and shoot camcorders have auto, manual, indoor or outdoor white balance settings. True to form the ZR85 white balance settings are controlled through the LCD menu.

Gain
The Canon ZR85 offers no manual gain control.

Still Performance
The ZR85 takes XGA high resolution stills at 1,024x768. The images are stored to SD Card or Media Card. A Switch Assist mode allows users to take panoramic pictures. The camcorder takes motion JPEGs at 320x240 or 160x120 pixels. An well designed feature of the ZR85 is there is no interruption of tape recording when taking a still picture. Dubbed Simultaneous Photo Recording, the camcorder shoots 640x480 stills without freezing the frame. An Exif feature saves image data setting with each picture for print optimization, and the ZR90 can print directly from any Canon printer

VCR Mode
Large stainless steel rewind, fast forward, play, and stop buttons on the ZR85 are located directly above the LCD. Placement is top notch, and makes the ZR85 a compact, yet attractive playback device when the LCD is locked screen side out. VCR mode on the Canon ZR85 excludes a frame by frame shuttle.

Low Light Performance
The Canon booth at CES was lit with both halogens and incandescents, as a result low light performance of the Canon ZR85 could not be evaluated. The ZR85 has the same 1/6th inch 680k CCD as previous year's models, which performed poorly in low light despite the quality camcorder lens. The small CCD resulted in excessive grain in low or moderate light. The ZR85 is rated for shooting at 2 LUX (night-mode) with a suggested minimum LUX requirement of more than 100.

LCD/ Viewfinder
The Canon ZR85's 2.5 in color LCD screen has 112,000 pixels of resolution. The LCD displays a bright, clear image, and display the fonts don't clutter the screen. The color viewfinder is adjustable to a full 80 degrees-near perpendicular. If you're shooting subjects near the ground or at table height, the large angle will allow you to utilize the viewfinder. A drawback is the thin plastic eye cup, which limits access to those who wear glasses.

Audio
The ZR85 has a built in microphone that is standard in for the industry, and inadequate for capturing good sound recording. Testing in the loud Canon booth, with its circus performers and cheering audience was impossible. The microphone provides stereo 12 or 16 bit recording. An area for improvement would be the inclusion of the ability to add an external microphone-the ZR85 accessory shoe is for spot lights.

Handling
The newly designed ergonomic thumb rest that abuts the record button is one element that makes the ZR85 a joy to hold. Canon's ZR85 has an intuitive feel and handles great. The ZR85 sits snuggly in hand with a new suede strap, and the high quality plastic and steel lends itself to a substantial feel and not like a plastic toy. The ZR85 has excellent balance for holding the camcorder for long stretches of time. The addition of a viewfinder that extends to an 80 degree angle and a reduction of weight lends itself to the implantation of new shooting posture styles. Detractors include the depressible jog dial and the bottom loading tape mechanism which has a small awkwardly placed eject switch. The switch is located in the corner of the bottom of the camcorder-tripod users be aware. Feature modifications on the Canon Optura XI, a recently release consumer/prosumer camcorder from Canon, have adeptly added an additional dial near the lens for manual adjustment. Port placement the sturdy plastic covers that conceal ports are another well thought out aspect of the ZR85.

Ports
The ZR85 offers a Mini AV in / out jack, which is also the headphone jack, an SVideo In/Out, a USB connector, and a Firewire port.

Other Features

Other features of the ZR85 include a Skin Detail Function to soften skin tones, and eliminate the facial or skin tonal imperfections on tape. Motion JPEG allows still grabs from tape and postage stamp sized digital footage conversion to SD Card.
16:9 widescreen mode
The ZR85 has digitally stretched wide screen.
Webcam
DV Messenger software and a Firewire cable allow video chat with Microsoft Messenger.
MPEG
NA
Analog to Digital Pass Through
The ZR85 can transfer an analog signal from a VCR or television to DVD, and can directly duplicate that content if your PC has a DVD burner, or directly to the SD Card as a motion JPEG. .


Comparisons
Compared to other models in the 2004 ZR line, the ZR85 has the best features for the money. Although CCD size and video and low light performance are standard throughout the line, and the ZR90 has an LED light. For the money the ZR85 gives users all the features of the more expensive model, including an SD Card, except the LED. The difference in price could be applied to the purchase of an accessory spot light that will likely provide better lighting than the LED.

Sony's DCR-TRV19 (Review, Specs, $372) was the number one video and low light performer at the 2003 CamcorderInfo.com Select Awards. The camcorder outperformed last year's ZRs, yet had significantly less. The new Sony camcorders have a decrease in CCD size; cacorderinfo.com looks forward to comparing Sony and Canon models in the near future.


Who's it For
Point and Shooter's
The ZR85 is a good choice for a point and shoot camcorder with still capabilities, as long as the majority of taping occurs in well lit areas.
Budget Consumers
The ZR85 is a fair value for a top notch lens, a well built housing, and a fast processor with an SD Card for XGA stills. The camcorder will work best in optimal lighting conditions.
Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid
The ZR85 has an SD Card but still resolution is a mere 1,024x768.
Gadget Freaks
The ZR85 is more along the lines of a stripped down MiniDV point and shooter.
Manual Control Freaks
The abundant manual control on ZR85 is limited by the control mechanism.
Pro's/ Serious Hobbyists
The low light performance could be an issue in pro shooting situation.

Conclusion
The middle of the road in the ZR line is the ZR85. The camcorder works well as a point and shoot camcorder with a small CCD. Canon's quality optics namely the zoom and lens, and strong construction are noteworthy positives. The ZR85 has the same still quality as the ZR90 without the LED light. This model offers the best feature for investment ratio.