Canon Introduces New Mini-DV Camcorders

By Ian Bell February 17, 2005

Each new camcorder features Canon’s exclusive DV Photo Plus system, a combination of features and technology that allows users to achieve high quality video and high resolution photos, with exceptional quality, color and clarity, in a single product.

Incorporated into each new model are four key technologies that collectively raise image quality, camera performance and user satisfaction. This fierce foursome includes:

— Genuine Canon optics within the zoom lens that contributes to sharp, clear, colorful images and high magnification for amazing close up shots;

— A megapixel CCD image sensor that offers higher resolution with finer detail than image sensors with less pixels;

— Canon’s exclusive DIGIC DV image processor that applies distinct processing for video and photos to maximize color and sharpness;

— Print & Share push button that greatly automates transferring images to a computer and printing photos with a Canon or Pictbridge compatible photo printer.

With widescreen televisions growing ever more popular, Canon has responded with a high-resolution 16:9 Widescreen video recording mode found on both the ZR400 and Optura 50 and Optura 60 camcorders. Now consumers can capture high-resolution 16:9 home videos with up to 33 percent more picture than standard video and enjoy them on a widescreen television for a superior home theater experience. All models use the full width of the CCD image sensor to record sharp, clear images in widescreen, which is not found on all digital camcorders today. While shooting, the viewscreen on each camcorder displays video in a clear widescreen style, free from distortion. Each model also records video in the standard 4:3 TV aspect ratio.

The new Canon ZR400 Mini-DV camcorder offers for the first time in an entry-level model a 1.33-megapixel CCD, which provides consumers with higher quality video and still photos. The new ZR model demonstrates Genuine Canon Optics with a 14x Optical Zoom Lens and image stabilization. Included with the camcorder is a Canon 0.6x wide attachment that increases the field of view by approximately 40 percent, which is helpful for including everyone in a large group of people, the span of an interior room or the scope of a landscape.

Supporting the belief that consumer camcorders should be easy to use, Canon’s new ZR400 model offers users a compact design that is sleek enough to be carried anywhere and an EASY control switch that sets the camcorder in full automatic mode for point and shoot simplicity.

The ZR400 camcorder records high-resolution 16:9 widescreen video and uses the full width of the CCD by filling the entire screen with crisp, high quality images.

For added convenience, users can shoot simultaneous stills to the provided MultiMediaCard while taping video without interruption. Printing images from the ZR400 model is also a snap due to the Print and Share function, which allows quick and easy direct printing to a Canon brand PIXMA, SELPHY or CP series photo printer or any PictBridge compatible photo printer.

The ZR400 will be available in mid April at an estimated selling price of $549* and will come bundled with a rechargeable NB-2LH battery, a 0.6x wide attachment, remote control, 16MB MultiMediaCard, a power adaptor, USB and stereo video cables, shoulder strap and Canon’s Digital Video Solution CD for select Windows and Apple computer operating systems.

The Optura series of MiniDV camcorders come bundled with a rechargeable NB-2LH battery, remote control, 16 MB MultiMediaCard, a power adaptor, cables for stereo video and USB transfer, shoulder strap and Canon’s Digital Video Solution CD for select Windows and Apple computer operating systems. The Optura 50 and Optura 60 Mini DV camcorders will arrive in retail stores in March, with an estimated selling price of $799 and $899, respectively.

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