Canon ZR90 First Impressions Camcorder Review

by Mark Basset
Published on Feb 4, 2004 12:00 AM



The 2004 Consumer Electronics Show all brought news of the Canon ZR90 (Review, Specs, $229), the top camcorder in the new ZR line. The ZR90 improves on the ZR85 with the addition of a built in LED light and a 22x optical zoom lens. These improvements compliment a point and shoot MiniDV camcorder with still capabilities and Canon's 65 years of lens expertise. Similar to the ZR80 (Review, Specs, $284) and the ZR85, the lens of the ZR90 is constructed with between nine and sixteen layers of glass.

The ZR90 is 18 percent smaller than previously released ZR models, and the reduction of size adds to the camcorder's solid appearance and functionality. The ZR90 is designed to rest comfortably in hand for long periods of time. The abundance and positioning of camcorder function buttons like manual control, digital effects, and VCR playback are well formulated. Similar to other models in the ZR line, a design flaw of the ZR90's is the depressible jog dial that controls manual focus, shutter speed and the menu navigation.

Being the more expensive model than the ZR80 and the ZR85, the ZR90 has a Manufactures Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $699. The ZR90 is a good choice for novice and budget minded consumers who need digital still capabilities, and a built in LED light source.

Video Performance
The Canon ZR90 is constructed with a 1/6 inch 680K pixel CCD with 340K effective pixels, the same as last years ZR line, and the ZR80 and ZR85. Testing video performance on the floor of the consumer electronics show would be subjective at best, but it is reasonable to assume that the camcorder works the same as last years ZR65MC (Review, Specs, $259.99) and other models in the ZR line. Camcorderinfo.com's review of the ZR models found that video performance was strong in sun lit or well lit situations, but produced under saturated or muted images in poor lighting.

ZR90 processor speed was a performance test that could be conducted at the display booth. The ZR90 has a DigicDV chip and VIC circuit connectivity, the chip set adapted to changes in focal length, and zoom very quickly. The combination of DigicDV and VIC is described by Canon as a way to increase processing efficiency by minimizing the number or chips in camcorder.

The Front
Canon's classic 30.5mm is situated at the tops front of the ZR90. The Canon Video Lens has a large 22x optical zoom, a focal range of 2.8-61.6mm, and the Fstop steps are 1.6-3.6mm. Below the lens, nestled under and opaque plastic cover is a built in LED light. Below the light is a circular infrared sensor for light metering. Further down is a two channel microphone with wind-screening capabilities, and 12 or 16 bit sound recording. Underneath the microphone, is a gray rubber panel that covers and SVideo port and a DV port for Firewire connectivity. In previous year the cover was blue.

The Right Side
A newly designed suede strap on the ZR90, removes the pleather boarder that made previous years look slightly 70's. A gray plastic cover at the front of the ZR90 conceals an AV In/Out port and a USB cable connector. A new thumb rest near the mode selector switch was created by link a series of cylindrical ovals, which resembles a cone budding lengthwise from the camcorder housing. It's not only visually enticing but provides an intelligent ergonomic solution for what to do with your thumb when not engaging mode features or record.

The Back
A newbie feature on the back of the ZR90 is a toggle switch which limits access to manual and digital camcorder functions. Described as the little brother button or a way to keep your little brother from changing your pre-selected settings, it's designed to put the camcorder in full automation if users get lost in a slew of LCD menu choices or improperly configure manual settings. Above the little brother button, is the record button that rests atop a silver and green locking menu selector.

On the back of the ZR90 is a lithium Ion battery-pack which stores energy for nearly two hours of shoot-time. Under the battery is a 7.4 volt power cable input. The battery ejection button is on the upper right of the back of the ZR90.

The Left Side
The ZR90 is both a camcorder and a portable viewer, especially when the LCD is recessed in the camcorders body. Because the unit has a rounded look with large stainless steel playback buttons, when the LCD is lock in place screen side out, the camcorder has the look of a small, but wide video player. These four brushed steel dual-feature buttons control VCR playback and manual features. Rewind and fast forward are tape search selectors, the play button is the manual focus selector, and the stop button activates night shot and super-night shot which activates the LED light. Opening the LCD reveals a host of other buttons that control of the SD card and digital functions including: slide show button; card scrolling; digital effects; manual or automatic exposure; data code; and record pause.

The SD Card slot runs vertically along the back of the LCD. Below this slot are a menu button and a depressible jog dial. The menu button brings the option screen to life in the LCD, specifically digital effects and manual features like the white balance. The depressible jog dial navigates the menu and pushing the spring loaded mechanism into the camcorder choices a setting. The dial also focuses in manual and alternates between manual exposure steps. The dial is small sided and in a inopportune location for shooting, because when supporting the camcorder with a hand on its base the dial isn't accessible with your thumb or forefinger.

The Top
The top of the ZR90 has a viewfinder which extends 80 degrees, nearly perpendicular to the camcorder body. This allow users to shoot with the viewfinder while looking down, and is useful for shooting people or objects when they're below the user. The top of the ZR90 has a cold-accessory port that works with a self-powered spot light. That means no external microphone capabilities. This is a drawback for anyone one concerned with true sound recording. At the back of the ZR90 is a 1/16th inch raised toggle switch that controls the telephoto to wide of the 22x optical zoom. The toggle is slightly awkward, but positioned in good proximity to the record button and the electronic shutter which is located an eighth of an inch behind the zoom toggle.

Picture & Manual Control
Automatic Control
The ZR90's DigicDV processor adeptly handles full automation, and ample manual controls are appreciated. A Selectable Focusing Points feature aids the processor when there are multiple principle in frame, users decide which focal point is desired, and the processor automatically optimizes image at that focal length.

Overall Manual Control
The Canon ZR series has maintained significant manual control over picture throughout the years. Users of the ZR90 can manipulate focus, exposure, shutter speed and white balance. Gain control and audio controls are defaulted to the processor. The one negative is the mechanism which controls these functions, the depressible jog dial. The dial is small and located in a poor position.

Zoom
There is a strong 22x optical zoom on the Canon ZR90, and 65 years of lens design has resulted in the development of a terrific zoom. A shortfall is the unsightly redesigned zoom control that only offers two zoom speeds. That said, the toggle switch provides accurate telephoto to wide action in either slow or fast zooms.

Focus
The depressible jog dial focus control on the ZR90 is a let down. A manual focus ring would make this a great camcorder, especially with the simplicity of engaging manual focus. It's focal adjustment control that is a source of stress because of the location and size of the dial..

Exposure (Aperture)
Like manual focus the ZR90 has manual exposure controlled with a brushed steel button above the LCD and the depressible jog dial. The AE shift feature has fifteen steps of exposure which are displayed in number format on the LCD or in the viewfinder. A design enhancement of location or size would add to the functionality of this feature.

Shutter Speed
Shutter speed is set through the LCD menu on ZR90. The steps of speed are - 1/60, 1/100, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, to 1/2000th of a second.

White Balance
The ZR90 is a consumer point and shoot camcorders, with standard white balance settings. Alternating between auto, manual, indoor or outdoor is done within the LCD menu.

Gain
The Canon ZR90 offers no manual gain control.

Still Performance
The ZR90 shoots XGA high resolution stills at 1,024x768. The pictures are stored to SD Card or Media Card. A Switch Assist mode shoots panoramic images. The camcorder also has records motion JPEGs at 320x240 or 160x120 pixels. An outstanding feature of the ZR90 is that there is no interruption of tape recording when taking a still picture. Dubbed Simultaneous Photo Recording, the camcorder will shoot 640x480 stills without pause of frame. The Exif feature stores image data setting for print optimization and the ZR90 can print directly from any Canon printer.

VCR Mode
The ZR90's stainless steel rewind, fast forward, play, and stop buttons are located directly above the LCD. This is well thought out, and because of the superior design of the camcorder, when the LCD is locked screen side out the ZR90 becomes a self contained playback device. VCR mode has all the features you need with the exception of a frame by frame shuttle.

Low Light Performance
Low light evaluation of ZR90 could not conducted on the floor of CES. The ZR90 features the same 1/6th inch 680k CCD as in previous year's ZRs, and despite the quality Canon lens, the size of the CCD resulted in poor low light performance in the past. It's logical to assume that the new ZR90 performs like its predecessors that produced excessive picture grain in low or moderate light. The ZR90 is rated for shooting at 2 LUX (night-mode) and has a suggested minimum LUX requirement of more than 100-the booth was well lit with both halogens and incandescent.

The ZR90 had integrated a built in LED and a super night mode in attempt to improve on low light quality. The features seemed to function well, although the area was illuminated to 150 LUX, so the LED was ineffective. The light is a welcome addition, however, no digital enhancement are going to take the place of a large CCD-especially if it's designed by engineering teams with 65 years of experience.

LCD/ Viewfinder
The ZR90 has a 2.5 in color LCD screen with 112,000 pixels of resolution. The LCD image is colorful and rich. Menu fonts are sized and spaced in a way that they don't crowd the display or the viewfinder. The LCD has full rotation and angulations abilities. The color viewfinder angles to 80 degrees and in great for shooting ground level. The addition of a nice eyecup would be a boon for those who wear glasses.

Audio
With the amount of background noise on the floor of CES, an accurate sound evaluation was impossible. However, built in microphone do not provide quality sound. A Canon representative noted that in motion picture production boom microphones are used because of proximity to the subject and away from camera motor noise. Unfortunately the ZR90 accessory shoe is only for spotlight.

Handling
Canon's ZR90 is a pleasure to hold, and the new ergonomic thumb rest supporting the record button brings intuitive feel to the camcorder. The ZR90 has a new suede strap that cradles the camcorder in the user's hand. The ZR90 feels substantial and not like a toy. The stainless steel buttons and brushed gray colors give functionality an attractive appearance. When operating the ZR90 it's easy to steady the camcorder for long periods of time. Less weight and extra viewfinder angulations creates new shooting postures. A bottom loading tape mechanism and small eject switch detract from the otherwise well designed camcorder. It will likely be a source of frustration for tripod users. Improvement on design could also be made on the depressible jog dial. An increase in size and perhaps the addition of a second dial for manual control near the front of the camcorder would lend itself to access by a users thumb. In fact the Optura Xi (Specs, $799.99), a recently released consumer/prosumer camcorder from Canon, has made this change. High quality, sturdy plastic covers and port placement is another well thought out aspect of the ZR90.

Ports
The ZR90 has 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

The ZR90 has several other features, one of which is the Skin Detail Function that softens skin tones, eliminating the facial or tonal irregularities on tape. With the motion JPEG function still grabs from tape are possible, as is digital footage conversion, albeit at a postage stamp size.
16:9 widescreen mode
The ZR90 has digitally stretched wide screen.
Webcam
Supplied DV Messenger software and an included Firewire cable allow video chat with Microsoft Messenger.
MPEG
NA
Analog to Digital Pass Through
The ZR90 can transfer an analog signal from a VCR or television to DVD, or directly to the SD Card as a motion JPEG.


Comparisons
The flagship of the new ZR line is the ZR90. It adds a larger zoom, and a built in LED to the features of the ZR85. All the camcorder of the ZR line have the same CCD size and video and low light performance. The price of the ZR90 is near the $700 mark, and as a result must be compared to the Panasonic PV-GS120 (Review, Specs, $479), a three CCD camcorder. Three CCDs will likely dwarf the ZR90 in video and low light for around the same amount of money.


Who's it For
Point and Shooter's
The ZR90 is a good choice for a point and shoot camcorder with still capabilities, and the built in LED help in low-light situations.
Budget Consumers
The ZR90 is on the expensive side for such a small CCD. Other companies are offering much more in terms of video and low light at the same price.
Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid
The ZR90 has an SD Card but still resolution is a mere 1,024x768.
Gadget Freaks
The ZR90 is more along the lines of a stripped down MiniDV point and shooter.
Manual Control Freaks
On the ZR90 manual control is minimized by the control mechanism.
Pro's/ Serious Hobbyists
The low light performance could be an issue in pro shooting situation.

Conclusion
The top of the ZR line, the ZR90 is a good point and shoot camcorder with a small CCD. The stands out features are the zoom and lens, and well designed and strong construction. The addition of an LED is welcome, although it doesn't take the place of a larger CCD. Unfortunately there are no external microphone capabilities.