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| Brand: Canon
Category: Photography
List Price: $269.99
Buy New: $269.98
You Save: $0.01
New (20) Used (1) from $222.22
Rating:  18 reviews
Sales Rank: 1031
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Optical Zoom: 48
Display Size: 2.7
Maximum Focal Length: 96.2
Minimum Focal Length: 2.6
Shipping Weight (lbs): 4
Dimensions (in): 3.2 x 5 x 2.7
Warranty: 1 year warranty
MPN: ZR930
Model: ZR930
UPC: 013803090086
EAN: 0013803090086
ASIN: B00114163O
Release Date: February 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Seemed great until I tried to upload to computer June 22, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
At first I reviewed this camcorder with 5 stars; however, once I tried to upload to the computer I realized that the firewire port does not work and I have to mail the camcorder back to the manufacturer. This is extremely annoying. It is a good camcorder to use in that it is extremely easy, the viewfinder is very clear and controls instinctive. I have a little trouble with the zoom (getting it to move smoothly), but I think that's because I'm a lefty and you need to use your right hand for it. Other than that, this is my 4th camcorder (over the course of 20 years) and if it uploaded properly I would be completely satisfied. It was easy to buy accessories at a low price, and the battery seems to last a long time. There are fancier camcorders but odds are you can't do better for the price IF the firewire works.
Very good for the price June 9, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
This the best video camera I've seen for under $500. Well made and pretty good image quality. You won't want to be shooting for big screen HDTV, but for the web and viewing on the computer this is the best you can get for the money. The plug-in for an external mic is very useful. So useful in fact that I'm still surprised so few cameras offer it. You'll get _much_ better sound quality with a good external mic, so it's a good thing to have. The only reason I didn't give this camera five stars is that it could really use a mount for an external mic or a light. That would make this camera perfect for the price. The lack of a mount is annoying, but the only negative to an otherwise fine camera.
Good value for the $$ May 30, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Seems like a good value for the money. Has most of the features you need to take video of the family and on vacation. For serious video you need an HD, but for 95% of the videos most people take this camcorder is fine. I rated it four stars for the value for the dollar, of course high end camcorders will give superior results for those that require it.
 Condensation sensor addressed by Canon repair May 29, 2008
4 out of 7 found this review helpful
UPDATE JUNE 23, 2008:
To update my rating, I give 1 star to the condensation sensor design, 5 stars to the rest of the camera.
After 3 weeks turnaround, Canon returned the camcorder to me. They graciously covered cost of shipping when I first called in the issue, and they e-mailed me a UPS slip to sent to the New Jersey facility. I've done some early tests on the repaired camcorder and it seems the condensation sensor is not as finicky as before. They said it was 'repaired', but didn't specify whether they dialed down the sensitivity or disabled condensation sensor altogether. Good thing the warranty lasts for a full year. :-)
Outside of this repair issue, this is an excellent camcorder. Has a microphone input, great video quality, and very easy to upload video. I hope to enjoy using it for many years to come. Will continue to test it before arrival of our first child due in September! :-)
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
Through casual use, the condensation error has come up more than 75% of the time I've tried using it. I think the sensor is oversensitive in order to protect the camera, but at at unreasonable cost to the consumer, because it is no longer useful for "convenient" use.
I am not using it in highly humid environments, so this is particularly frustrating. I have missed several important video footage occasions due to uncooperative condensation error. Stay away from this camera. I have emailed Canon about this problem and I'll update here when I get more news from them.
UPDATE JUNE 17, 2008:
The camcorder arrived June 4 in NJ facility, but they haven't been able to track the camcorder down (should only have taken 3 to 5 days). I just sent the following email to Canon Support (with minor edits).
---- EXCERPT START ----
Hello Sir/Madam,
I'm writing to ask Canon USA to take necessary steps to expedite our camcorder repair issue.
Kelly from NJ service center is looking for our ZR930 that arrived by UPS on June 4 (almost 2 weeks ago). The camcorder still has not been found. We are expecting our first baby very soon, and we are getting extremely anxious!
The camcorder suffers from a hypersensitive condensation fault, and was only 35 days old when I sent it for service. It is practically new, as I've only taped 3 hours of footage. The condensation fault has appeared almost 80% of the time I've tried to use it, a very poor performance record. I have asked NJ facility to reduce its sensitivity or disable the condensation sensor altogether.
I cannot rely on this camcorder to tape my new baby given the current condensation warning behavior. We have already missed the taping of my wife's PhD convocation and our last chance to see the space shuttle on the launchpad in Florida due to the condensation warnings. (Outdoor conditions were no different than a regular day at the baseball stadium)
Please let me know what actions will be taken by Canon USA. We simply want a working Canon camcorder that does not give false or conservative condensation errors on a regular basis. While the user manual mentions the issue, it gives no indication to the user that these faults can be so frequent, and if so, on what basis (i.e. specify the exact humidity and temperature fluctuations and conditions necessary to trip the sensor). Otherwise, this camcorder will forever feel like a "hit or miss" recording device. Even cell phone cameras can reliably take low quality images. (The key here being "reliably").
We are deeply disappointed with Canon USA on this particular issue (we are Canon digital camera fans) and desperate to hear from Canon about our camcorder. The cynical side of me feels oversensitive condensation warnings in MiniDV camcorders is the current marketing ploy to encourage consumers to adopt the newer and more expensive hard drive based camcorders which yield larger profit margins. Such condensation issues were not as prevalent with older MiniDV camcorders before flash based camcorders came along. Please prove us wrong, Canon!
I hope to hear from you asap!
---- EXCERPT END ----
Need to know info May 28, 2008
15 out of 15 found this review helpful
I recently purchased the zr830 and found a number of issues with it. If you wish to compare that review you can read it on my profile rather than me re-hashing it here.
The zr930 is a step forward though and is certainly worth the price quoted here. They changed the interior configuration to a more box like shape allowing them to maximize the space and fit as much technology inside as possible. Due to this not only have they included a mic port but they have been able to adjust the AV output to double as a headphone jack so you can monitor sound. Both of these features are necessary as they have failed to fix the sound problem that has dogged this line of cameras for a number of years. The motor noise can still be heard on playback if you use the built in mic and thats really the only area that this camera loses a star. The 35x zoom of last year has been increased to 48x and the picture quality is sharper and brighter than previous models.
I've never had any issues with connecting it to my PC. I did not use any of the software that was included as its usually junk they just want to force you to use. I hooked it up to my PC, my computer immediately recognized it and then I used one of my other programs to start it up.
Extra info:
If you are new to camcorders there are some things you should take into consideration.
Name brand BATTERIES are expensive. While there are cheap ones that you can get for around $10 online these are cheaply made chinese generic versions. They take A LOT longer to recharge and generally only last about 6 - 10 months. The name brand usually lasts around 18 months but as I found out the other week can cost $100. There's is no reason that the battery on an item like this should cost nearly half of the original item price. I would expect a battery to cost $30 at most.
Another unexpected experience you'll come across is the sheer amount of space that will be taken up on your computers hard drive by a video transfer. Only yesterday I went to transfer 20 minutes of tape and it used up 5 gigs yes thats GIGS of space. If you are like me and you need to have all of your video accessible and on your computer then make sure you have a hard drive with the necessary capacity or at least prepare to invest in a new external one for video storage.
In conclusion. This is a great budget cam and if you invest in a good external mic I don't think you could do much better.
4 out of 5 Satisfied.
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