- Mar 11, 2000
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If this post isn't appropriate here, feel free to move it to off-topic.
So I'm looking to get a camcorder. The Canon ZR40 looks like it might be the ticket. It's inexpensive, reasonably good video quality (or so they say), and doesn't bother with a memory card for digital stills. Considering I already have a Canon G2 still camera, I don't need to be able to take photo stills in my camcorder.
Would the ZR40 be the best bang for the buck? Other models/brands? My needs for a camcorder are modest since I wouldn't be using it a whole lot, but one thing I definitely do need is an AV input, since I want to covert some of my old VHS tapes to digital. This is a make or break feature - if I can't convert my old VHS tapes then I don't want the camcorder. Another bonus is that it seems to take the same batteries as my Canon G2.
Link to ZR40MC
Comparison with other Canon models
The only thing in my price range that I might consider upgrading to is the ZR50MC, because it allows for more accessories. The Optura 200MC costs too much and is overkill for my purposes.
Specs:
Power supply (rated): 7.4 V DC (Battery) 9.5 V DC (DC IN)
Power consumption: 3.1 W (using viewfinder), 3.9 W (using LCD screen)
Television system: EIA standard (525 lines, 60 fields) NTSC color signal
Video recording system: 2 rotary heads, helical scanning system DV system (Consumer digital VCR SD system). Digital component recording
Audio recording system: PCM digital sound - 16-bit (48 kHz/2 ch.) 12-bit (32 kHz/4 ch.)
Image sensor: 1/6" CCD (charge coupled device) approx. 460,000 pixels (approx. 290,000 effective pixels)
Tape format: Videocassettes bearing the MiniDV mark
Tape speed: SP: 3/4 ips (18.81 mm/sec.) LP: 1/2 ips (12.56 mm/sec.)
Maximum recording time (with an 80-min. cassette): SP: 80 min. LP: 120 min.
Fast forward/rewind time: 2 min. 20 sec. (with a 60-min. cassette)
Lens: f/1.6 - 2.9, 18x power zoom, 2.8 - 50.4 mm
Focusing system: TTL autofocus, manual focusing possible
Minimum focusing distance: 3 ft. 3 3/8 in. (1 m), 3/8 in. (1 cm) on maximum wide angle
Maximum shutter speed: 1/8,000 sec.
Minimum illumination: 0.5 lx using the Night program during tape recording
Recommended illumination: More than 100 lx
Filter diameter: 30.5 mm
Viewfinder: 0.44 in., color LCD (approx. 113,000 pixels)
LCD screen: 2.5 in. measured diagonally(approx. 112,000 pixels)
Microphone: Stereo electret condenser microphone
DV terminal: Special 4-pin connector (based on IEEE 1394)
Video terminal: 1 Vp-p/75 ohms unbalanced
S-video terminal: 1 Vp-p (Y signal), 0.286 Vp-p (C signal)
Audio terminal: Input level: -10 dBV/40 kohm, unbalanced. Output level: -10 dBV, less than 3 kohms, unbalanced
Operating temperature range: 32 - 104º F (0 - 40º C)
Dimensions: 2 1/4 x 4 x 5 1/4 in. (57 x 102 x 134 mm)
Weight: 1 lb. 2 1/2 oz. (525 g)
So I'm looking to get a camcorder. The Canon ZR40 looks like it might be the ticket. It's inexpensive, reasonably good video quality (or so they say), and doesn't bother with a memory card for digital stills. Considering I already have a Canon G2 still camera, I don't need to be able to take photo stills in my camcorder.
Would the ZR40 be the best bang for the buck? Other models/brands? My needs for a camcorder are modest since I wouldn't be using it a whole lot, but one thing I definitely do need is an AV input, since I want to covert some of my old VHS tapes to digital. This is a make or break feature - if I can't convert my old VHS tapes then I don't want the camcorder. Another bonus is that it seems to take the same batteries as my Canon G2.
Link to ZR40MC
Comparison with other Canon models
The only thing in my price range that I might consider upgrading to is the ZR50MC, because it allows for more accessories. The Optura 200MC costs too much and is overkill for my purposes.
Specs:
Power supply (rated): 7.4 V DC (Battery) 9.5 V DC (DC IN)
Power consumption: 3.1 W (using viewfinder), 3.9 W (using LCD screen)
Television system: EIA standard (525 lines, 60 fields) NTSC color signal
Video recording system: 2 rotary heads, helical scanning system DV system (Consumer digital VCR SD system). Digital component recording
Audio recording system: PCM digital sound - 16-bit (48 kHz/2 ch.) 12-bit (32 kHz/4 ch.)
Image sensor: 1/6" CCD (charge coupled device) approx. 460,000 pixels (approx. 290,000 effective pixels)
Tape format: Videocassettes bearing the MiniDV mark
Tape speed: SP: 3/4 ips (18.81 mm/sec.) LP: 1/2 ips (12.56 mm/sec.)
Maximum recording time (with an 80-min. cassette): SP: 80 min. LP: 120 min.
Fast forward/rewind time: 2 min. 20 sec. (with a 60-min. cassette)
Lens: f/1.6 - 2.9, 18x power zoom, 2.8 - 50.4 mm
Focusing system: TTL autofocus, manual focusing possible
Minimum focusing distance: 3 ft. 3 3/8 in. (1 m), 3/8 in. (1 cm) on maximum wide angle
Maximum shutter speed: 1/8,000 sec.
Minimum illumination: 0.5 lx using the Night program during tape recording
Recommended illumination: More than 100 lx
Filter diameter: 30.5 mm
Viewfinder: 0.44 in., color LCD (approx. 113,000 pixels)
LCD screen: 2.5 in. measured diagonally(approx. 112,000 pixels)
Microphone: Stereo electret condenser microphone
DV terminal: Special 4-pin connector (based on IEEE 1394)
Video terminal: 1 Vp-p/75 ohms unbalanced
S-video terminal: 1 Vp-p (Y signal), 0.286 Vp-p (C signal)
Audio terminal: Input level: -10 dBV/40 kohm, unbalanced. Output level: -10 dBV, less than 3 kohms, unbalanced
Operating temperature range: 32 - 104º F (0 - 40º C)
Dimensions: 2 1/4 x 4 x 5 1/4 in. (57 x 102 x 134 mm)
Weight: 1 lb. 2 1/2 oz. (525 g)