[Treebeard]

OK. I'm in the market for a entry level camera. I don't have a lot of money, but I don't want a piece of garbage that turns out awful-looking tripe.

The ZR20 is Canon's new entry level, replacing the ZR10. As far as I can tell they have pretty much the same specs, although I've heard that the ZR20 is better in low light conditions.

Has anybody used this camera yet. I can't find any reviews on the web either (I guess it's too new, even though it came out in April and the July magazines will be out soon).

I need some info quick too. I basically need (or rather, really really really want) to make a decision within the next two or three days. I'm going to a demo in South Carolina next weekend (today is Thursday) and want to be able to take some footage, possibly to make a documentary. The weekend after that, I'm going to a conference in Chicago (and want to tape some of the meetings). And then the week after that, I'm going on vacation to Alaska. This last is the reason my wife gave me the go-ahead to buy the camera. I also told her we could take our four different wedding VHS tapes and combine and edit them into one nice one (since the ZR20 has analog in). Add to that, we're planning on having kids in the next year or so, and the deal was clinched.

1) Basically I need to know if the quality is decent. How transfer to VHS and vice-versa is. If the ZR20 is in fact basically a repackaged ZR10, what are people's experiences with the ZR10?

2) Also, what are the best places to buy? I would guess the web (since they're generally cheaper, and there's no sales tax). But which ones give warranties. Any? How long? Customer/tech support? Reliability?

3) If the ZR20 is no good, is there something out there offering better quality for less or the same money? Sony? JVC? I want to stay in the $600 range. (I've seen it on the web for $559 plus $20 S&H.)

All help is greatly and fundamentally appreciated. I don't want to make a blunder. If this turns out well, and the camcorder is wonderful, my wife will slowly but surely get sucked into my expensive and geeky but fun world of Mac-based gadget-playing. She has been saying that our iMac (fall 1999) should last us for four or five years, but if this goes well, we might be looking at a new iMac whenever it gets a SuperDrive. Hee hee!

So do your part in helping to expand the Mac's marketshare and give me your info pronto!

All info/opinions are greatly appreciated! Thanks!

hi. i have a canon zr25mc, it's the next model n the zr line after the z20 you're talking about. what sets it apart is the addition of a multimedia card for use in capturing still images using the camcorder (although u can still capture still images on tape). anyway, i just want to tell you that the camcorder works flawlessly. i've made a couple of home movies with it (and my trusty imac 400 dvse). i didnt encounter any problems importing footage, or bringing back to tape my finished imovie. everything was smooth sailing. as far as transferring vhs tapes, i dont have any experience on that as i dont have any vhs tapes to convert into dv. but i'm sure that will work great as well. all in all, i think canon's zr line of mini-dv camcorders are great.

[JEB]

I saw the ZR30 and thought it was great that it has the buttons that light up (the ZR10 did not
have);
Have you found out the still-shot resolution specs? I thought about this camera, but am now
testing out 2-to-3 megapixel still cameras with my computer and printing up on fine glossy
paper this past week . ..
I tried the ultra-small Canon Elph 100 (2.1 megapixels) and thought it was a cool little
camera, esp for the size. It prints a fairly nice color / b-w picture (using an Epson 740i /
high quality setting / glossy photo paper = great stuff; just like real glossy film)
However; I returned it to Staples today (they have a 14 day no questions policy) -- and
bought the Kodak 4800 (3.1 megapixs) -- WOW -- there is a remarkable, amazing photo
quality with a 3 megapix camera! The 2 megapix, again is very very nice.
We want nice shots for our family, and for a future investment, it seems well worth it to go
with a 3 megpix.
For Video / Still -- you may want to have just a ZR30 if you are only needing photos for
(lower-resolution) needs ie informal snapshots for friends, or internet publishing. I saw a
ZR10 hooked up to an iMac DV (snow) and thought it was the coolest; you could control the
camera with the iMovie software.
If anyone finds out the specs for a DV cam as far as still shot outputs, please say so here!
:]