|
Works seamlessly with iMovie on my MacBook.Note: It comes with the USB cord, which is used for transferring photos. I have used this camera to record many home movies, along with some student films and shorts. Mine did not come with the Firewire cord, used to transfer video onto the computer. For its price, it has excellent quality, and is incredibly easy to use for an average person. It doesn't have any of the professional features, but it's got a great zoom and good picture/sound. I had to buy this separately, which was an extra 20 or 30 bucks. Also make sure your computer has a Firewire 400 port before buying, many newer ones, notably the MacBook Pros, cut that port out.
The camcorder is used by the Wood Turners club for demonstrations video and displayed on a large TV. The menu for setting up the camcorder is fairly straight forward, however if the supplyer had provided documentation with the camcorder, it would have been easer to set up. The picture quality is very good. I had to purchase a seperate video cord to transfer the picture to the TV which I knew was not provided. I had assumed that documentaion would be included. Don't assume anything.
According the Canon, the ZR850 suggested retail price is $299. Amazon is currently selling it for almost $800. I am not sure if Amazon has the solid gold version of this camcorder, but beware to all Amazon customers that you can find this product way cheaper elsewhere.
Zoom is very good and so is the video and video playback quality. So far so good. It is versatile since you can also take pictures and save them onto an SD card. I have had this camaera for over a year and have recorded many many hours of video. Controls are easy and user friendly and well placed. Picture quality could be better but is perfect for the unexpected shot. Night light sucks though, you litterally have to be 2 ft in front of it to see anything in the dark.
I have owned this camera for 18 months which makes it a dinosaur in this digital age so there's probably not even anyone out there who will read this review, but in the slight chance that there is. This video camera is not your best option for low light/indoor use. In this price range (I paid $250), I woud consider a comparable Sony to get a little better indoor video quality. Outdoors and in brightly lit spaces this camera is better than it's competition thanks to its higher resolution sensor.
|
