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Canon ZR850

Canon ZR850
Canon ZR850Canon ZR850Canon ZR850Canon ZR850Canon ZR850Canon ZR850Canon ZR850Canon ZR850Canon ZR850Canon ZR850
alaScore 83

234 reviews

Apr, 2024

alaTest has collected and analyzed 234 reviews of Canon ZR850. The average rating for this product is 4.0/5, compared to an average rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders for all reviews. People really like the size and image quality. The portability and price also get good comments, but some have doubts about the connectivity.

usability, price, portability, image quality, size

connectivity

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Camcorders the Canon ZR850 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 83/100 = Very good quality.

See all Canon Camcorders

Review analysis

(Based on 234 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (47% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (26% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (14% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (5% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (8% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

usability
  Show positive (83%)Show negative (17%)(Show all)
price
  Show positive (88%)Show negative (12%)(Show all)
portability
  Show positive (82%)Show negative (18%)(Show all)
image quality
  Show positive (66%)Show negative (34%)(Show all)
size
  Show positive (81%)Show negative (19%)(Show all)
design
  Show positive (97%)Show negative (3%)(Show all)
battery
  Show positive (79%)Show negative (21%)(Show all)
durability
  Show positive (59%)Show negative (41%)(Show all)
zoom
  Show positive (75%)Show negative (25%)(Show all)
reliability
  Show positive (64%)Show negative (36%)(Show all)
viewfinder
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
color
  Show positive (71%)Show negative (29%)(Show all)
memory
  Show positive (75%)Show negative (25%)(Show all)
connectivity
  None yetShow negative (100%)(Show all)
More features

Showing 234 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

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Showing 1 - 186 of 234 Show Reviews: in English

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Canon ZR850

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 176 user reviews of Canon ZR850 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.1/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.9/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.com. People really like the size and image quality. The price and portability are also mentioned favorably. Reviews are divided on the durability. Some have doubts about the reliability.

usability, portability, price, image quality, size

reliability

86% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Brian Chen (pcworld.com)

ZR850

 

The Canon ZR850 ($329 as of May 11, 2007) is an inexpensive MiniDV camcorder that's ideal for beginners who want to produce home videos. Equipped with a 1.07-megapixel CCD (charge-coupled device), this camcorder has long battery life and captures...

Easy to use Has several shooting modes

Mediocre video and photo quality Joystick is inconveniently placed

The Canon ZR850's ease of use, good battery life, and array of shooting modes make it an ideal camcorder for shooting home videos. Though its image quality pales in comparison to that of higher-end camcorders we've tested, the ZR850 delivers a fine set...

May, 2007
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Expert review by : Phil Ryan (cnet.com)

Canon ZR850

 

Canon's new top MiniDV model, the ZR850, continues the ZR tradition of offering affordable, easy-to-use wide-screen movie-making, though low-light performance is still subpar.

New, easier-to-use menu system with joystick control; impressive color in good lighting; wide-screen LCD; built-in lens cover; low price.

No accessory shoe or microphone input; bottom-loading tape compartment; doesn't support analog-to-digital conversions; not enough stabilization at full zoom; poor low-light performance.

Canon's new MiniDV top model, the ZR850, continues the ZR tradition of offering affordable, easy-to-use wide-screen movie-making, though low-light performance is still subpar.

Feb, 2007
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Expert review by : Easy Camcorder (easycamcorders.com)

Expert Review

 

The Canon ZR850 ($329 MSRP) represents apex of the new ZR triforce released this year, marching in front of the step-down ZR830 and entry-level ZR800. But will this leader prove to be a valiant one? It has more juice in the video quality department and...

Compact, - Inexpensive, - Reliable media

Cheap construction, - Compelling mic jack on the entry-level ZR800

May, 2007
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Expert review by : John Neely (camcorderinfo.com)

Canon ZR850 Camcorder Review

 

The winds of change are blowing, and they've swept away Camcorderinfo.com's 2006 camcorder of the year, the Canon Elura 100. The company will not renew the Elura line for 2007. That leaves Canon with only three models holding the MiniDV torch: the...

The Canon ZR850 is shaping up to be one of the best budget buys of the year. The video quality in bright light was clearly better than the other ZRs, not just in resolution but in color performance as well. The big choice you'll have to make is whether...

Mar, 2007
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Expert review by : John Pastor (connectreviews.com)

The Canon ZR850 camcorder, reviewed and put to the test.

 

Canon is always one of the first name brands I think of when camcorders come into my mind. I recently had a chance to take a look at one of their miniDV camcorders, the ZR850.

Good video under ample lighting ; Easy to use interface and controls ; Large 2.7" LCD screen

No microphone input ; Motor noise from tape mechanism in audio ; Still imaging only in 4:3 mode ; Not too good low-light performance

All in all, the Canon ZR series of camcorders are perfect for those quick moments you need to capture on video, like a vacation or wedding. The camcorder's navigation isn't too overwhelming for the amateur videographer. The ZR850 is available now at...

Nov, 2007
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Expert review by : Michael Perlman (washingtonpost.com)

Canon ZR850

 

The Canon ZR850 ($329 MSRP) represents the apex of the new ZR trio this year, in front of the ZR830 and entry-level ZR800. But will this leader prove to be a valiant one? It has more juice in the video quality department and a larger still image...

May, 2007
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Expert review by : Brian Chen (macworld.com)

Canon ZR850 camcorder

 

Though this camcorder's image quality pales in comparison to other models we've tested, the ZR850 offers a fine assortment of features and capabilities for its price.

Easy to use; includes built-in lens cover; has several shooting modes

Mediocre video, still-shot, and audio quality; joystick is inconveniently placed; no microphone or headphone jack

Light and compact, the ZR850is designed to fit firmly in the palm of your hand. The zoom button is conveniently placed so your index finger can reach it. A small joystick and two buttons built into the casing that holds the camcorder’s 2.7-inch LCD...

May, 2007
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Expert review by : John Neely (reviewed.com)

Canon ZR850

 

The Canon ZR850 comes equipped with a single 1/6" CCD, though it manages to pack a little more resolution into that size than the other ZR models. While the ZR800 and ZR830 have a gross pixel count of 680,000, the ZR850 squeezes in 1,070,000. What...

Mar, 2007
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Expert review by : Phil Ryan (cnet.com.au)

Canon ZR850

 

Canon's new top MiniDV model, the ZR850, continues the ZR tradition of offering affordable, easy-to-use wide-screen movie-making, though low-light performance is still subpar.

New, easier-to-use menu system with joystick control; impressive color in good lighting; wide-screen LCD; built-in lens cover; low price.

No accessory shoe or microphone input; bottom-loading tape compartment; doesn't support analog-to-digital conversions; not enough stabilization at full zoom; poor low-light performance.

Canon's new MiniDV top model, the ZR850, continues the ZR tradition of offering affordable, easy-to-use wide-screen movie-making, though low-light performance is still subpar.

Feb, 2007
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Consumer review (newegg.com)

Good for the price

 

I bought this to replace an older Canon model that stopped recording about 1 month out of warranty. It uses the same batteries and supplies. Firewire interface not a problem since my old camcorder used it too. Just bought a second one since we left the...

Small size, Easy to use, low price

Still picture resolution is very low

Mar, 2008
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Price comparison for Canon ZR850

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