MiniDV camcorder: Canon ZR40?

Eug

Lifer
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)
 

John P

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
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I have a Canon ZR30 MC. I would suggest getting the ZR45 or ZR50 with the Memory Card. I use mine all the time to capture quick stills that I email to my parents and use for CD label and SVCD menu backgrounds. For instance, my kid hit a home run one game - I captured a series of stills to the MMC - pasted them in order to an email- and sent it off to my parents - the whole process took maybe 5 minutes. The quality is not very good, but it is a nice option to have. Plus, it's a pain to carry both the camcorder and the still digital camera. I usually take along one or the other.

I really like the size of the Canon's. I coach my kids is soccer and baseball, and always missed video taping them because my camcorder was too big. Now I just stick the ZR30 in a fanny pack and pull out the "coach cam" when I want to tape. The higher quality cameras usually have wider lenses, making them bulkier.

I can't vouch for the quality of Canon's. I had to bring it in to be repaired a little after a year since I bought it- luckily my Amex Blue covered the $250 repair bill. I was told by the technician that the quality of Canon's is on par or better than others overall though, he doesn't see many in for repairs.

 

merlocka

Platinum Member
Nov 24, 1999
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I was --> <-- this close to picking up a ZR45 until I started reading several comments about motor noise being picked up by the internal mics.

I spoke to a few local camera/video shops which sold them and one guy checked into it with Canon. He said that if I buy one and it has motor noise I could return it for a new one... within 30days. After that I'd have to send it back to Canon and they would decide if it was broken. I didn't like that answer because some people said it might get worse over time so I never got one.

 

John P

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
2,426
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Hmmmm, never noticed motor noise on the ZR30. Doing a quick search for "zr45 & review" on google I see the same complaints that merlocka mentions from a few people on epinions and amazon. I don't see any complaints on the professional review sites. This one even has a audio recording from a ZR50:

dvspot review: Canon ZR50 MC

So it looks like YMMV on this problem.
 

Eug

Lifer
Mar 11, 2000
24,013
1,630
126
Yeah, I've seen some mention about tape noise on epinions or whatever, but then again, I see it with a number of different models, so I wonder if that's not really a differentiating feature.

However, I do see why they're complaining. The tape noise movie on that review site does illustrate how annoying tape noise can be. I wonder if it would make sense getting the ZR50 with the directional mic option. Does the ZR40 work with external mics thru its AV port? Or is the AV port only for audio and video simultaneously. I know the hotshoe isn't powered on the ZR40. It is on the ZR50MC, but it's proprietary for Canon stuff. Are non-proprietary mics significantly cheaper?
 

VTrider

Golden Member
Nov 21, 1999
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I've also been deciding on the ZR40, 45 or 50 Canon MiniDVs for some time now. I'm aware of the 'motor noise' pickup problem, but it seems like it's a relative thing. Some people don't care at all or it seems like it is no biggie, others seem to be driven crazy from it? From what I've been reading, the gain on the internal mic increases in low audio situations, therefore the motor noise is heard.

I imagine if you are recording a little baby sleeping or something, this might be a concern. I imagine though that most of my recordings will have audio (music) editied along with the video so this won't be a problem hopefully. Other than that, unless you are recording a totally silent scene this motor noise pickup problem shouldn't be an issue.

I've read though that this problem is usually solved by adding an external mic. One person even opened up the housing where the internal mic is and added padding somehow - it solved his problem for him.

-VTrider