ZR40 vs. ZR65 vs. other cameras

Got a couple of questions
1. Is there a noticable difference between the ZR40 and the ZR65 (if the extra hundred would be a good deal, then so be it)
2. Do y'all think that the ZR40 or 65 produce satisfying results, or is the quality below par with what you'd like for the price.
3. Are there any better cameras at around the same price ($400-600)

Thanks

 

I have a zr40, and after I turn off autofocus, set my AE effect and use adobe premiere's jitter correction I end up with a decent looking shot.

However I would like to see a shot comparision between the two cameras

 

I bought a zr40 because it was cheap.
I owned it for 20 days and took it back.
The sound is no good for a movie you would
have to redub the whole thing or talk right
into the camera mic. I got a sony dcr-trv340
and I can hook an external mic to it and I
get great sound quality, I don't think any
canon camcorder can get sound through a external mic so I would say go for the sony.
I would say picture quality is probably
slightly better on the zr40 than on the
dcr340, I think my blue screen was a little
harder to do with the sony but it was still
doable. if that is all you are worried
about. good luck.

 

Um, you can connect an external mic to the ZR40.

 

I'm using a ZR25 (same chasis, just older version) with an Azden SMG-1X condessor. No problem works great!
I've had the ZR25 for about a year-and-a-half now. Very happy with the results.
(Still wouldn't mind having a GL2 though )

Have fun!

 

So can you or can't you hook an external mic to the ZR40 or 65?

 

You can.
There is a mic input.
Canon even makes a condeser mic for it, but any miniDV camcorder suitable mic should be OK.

One thing to keep in mind is that the mic connector is a 1/8" jack, not XLR. I don't know of a single camera in this price range that has an XLR input. Most pro mics have XLR outputs, so if you want to use a pro greade mic, you just need an audio mixer or adapter. (I'm using an off the shelf adapter and it works fine.)

Have fun.

 

you most certainly can use an external mic.

btw, canondv.com has all sorts of info on most of their cameras there.

you already working on another movie McD?

 

The ZR45 and ZR50 have had complaints about excessive tape chassis noise... this is something you should test before buying... insert a tape and record, and listen to the tape noise.

I actually bought the ZR50MC and returned it the next day once I found this out for myself. I exchanged it for the Sony DCR-TRV18 and couldn't be happier for the price.

Sony generally dominates the quality in the Sub-$4000 category... on up to the DSR-PD150... but Canon dominates above that price mark.

Also, the Zeiss optics on the lower end Sonys are so much crisper than the Canon's under normal lighting conditions.

 

What do you mean another movie JD? Anyway, can you get good quality from the ZR series if you alter the light (which I was going to do anyway), and if so, what kind of light or light setup helps to optimize your results? Hehe even more questions. I know that you get a certain humming from at least the earlier models in the ZR series, is this fixed with the 40 or 65, or will a mic help? Thanks guys you've been a lot of help.

 

*bump*

 

Anybody, anybody at all?

 

From what I can tell, the noise issue was actually introduced in the ZR40 generation of cameras.
I don't notice any significant motor noise with my older ZR25.

In anycase, a condenser mic should get rid of the issue altogether.
It will pick up sound from in front of the camera (mic) but not from the sides, above or below.

Have fun.

 

by "another movie" I mean, you guys up there have been working on movies here and there, right? (you've sent me scripts and stuff in the past, but I've never been able to make it up).

Just wondering how things are up on the north side

 

Well JD, things haven't been going so hot, we've sort of gone in over our heads previously. Lord knows we may have done it again, but I think this one is more likely to work.

 

I dislike the Canon consumer (ZR) series. They look, feel, and are used like a toy. I'll bet their video quality is quite good, but I truly dislike the LOOK and FEEL of these cameras.

Go Sony. I recommend the TRV-25 or TRV-50 (if you have a nice thick billfold), but most of the Sony (MiniDV) cams are nice. I suppose the D8 series is also alright, but they are downright ugly.

Call me jaded because I hate the look of a camera, but I just don't feel like a professional when I'm behind a camera that was made to be advertised as "Fun!" "Family!" "Perfect for vacation footage!"

~Neszis~

 

Anyone know anything about the JVC DVL 720 or 820. These look nice too.

 

The general consensus around the forums is to avoid JVC, they tend to pick up problems as time passes.