Canon ZR930 1.07MP MiniDV Camcorder with 37x Optical Zoom
by Canon
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Our Price: $499.95 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $219.00 (click here) Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon ZR930 1.07MP MiniDV Camcorder with 37x Optical Zoom
Customer Review: Beware MAC users
Summary: 2 Stars
We bought this camera in July 08 and this one was a great choice for us ... until we bought a Mac Book Pro in December. This camera was not compatible with iMovie. Our Mac wouldn't recognize the camera at all. I called Apple and talked with their support reps and they said the same. I brought in the camera to the Apple store and they plugged it into their computers to test it there and the same thing happened, which is nothing. It was very frustrating to have a new camera and a new computer and not be able to use them together. Ultimately, we bought a different camera. However, if you are not concerned with using Mac's software, this is a fine, basic camera. I would suggest to anyone looking to buy a camcorder to seriously think about buying one that takes still photos also. I didn't think I cared about that, but ultimately, I wanted the ability to do both.Customer Review: amazon's description is incorrect
Summary: 2 Stars
this is not a gripe with the product or the seller but with amazon which stated in description "also compatible with SD cards" which unfortunately is not true. i ordered this product thinking it had all the features of the 950 plus an external mike jack but this unit is missing a still capture feature that I desired since I'll be traveling and only want to carry one camera. so this is going back. one other reviewer mentioned the lack of SD card (which I only now discovered). so if you want a camcorder to take stills onto SD, look elsewhere. If you want an external mike and a greater zoom, then this wins out over the ZR950.Customer Review: Condensation sensor addressed by Canon repair
Summary: 1 Stars
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).
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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!
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Customer Review: Nice specs, can't make it work
Summary: 1 Stars
I returned the first camera for replacement and I am about to return the second. Neither one would be recognized by my new XP Pro Dell computer or two other XP machines using 2 different firewire cables. Dell says my computer is working properly and Canon says they know of no similar problems with the new ZR930. I'm NOT saying it's a bad camera. I'm saying I know of three totally different XP computers that doesn't see it as an input device.Customer Review: Junk
Summary: 1 Stars
I purchased this in April of 2008 through Amazon. Within about 6 months of owning this camera, playback had lines going through the picture. It's hit or miss to get it to play properly. I've used a cleaning tape and that doesn't help. Since it's out of warranty, it's $161 to fix. It only cost $225 new... I can buy a different camera for about the cost to fix this trash. Oh, and the battery has no life either.