Canon U.S.A. Inc. on Wednesday took off the wraps on six new Mini DV camcorders aimed at consumers. The company will release in February new entry-level ZR100, ZR200 and ZR300 models, aimed at entry-level camcorder consumers with prices from US$349 – $499, while it will introduce in March new Elura 80, 85 and 90 models, priced from $549 to $699.
The new Elura camcorders feature megapixel digital still image shooting capabilities in addition to their video recording ability. They also feature 16:9 Widescreen shooting modes. Zoom capacity on the Elura 80 and 85 models is 18x optical, and the 85 model also features a mic terminal and “Super Night Mode.” The Elura 90 gains 20x zoom and a built-in mini video light. The 85 and 90 both feature built-in flash for still photos. All models write still images to SD memory cards. The Elura 80, 85 and 90 will cost $549, $599 and $699 respectively.
The ZR line is designed for beginners, and the ZR100 and ZR200 both features 20x optical zoom. The ZR200 adds SD card slot, XGA photo recording capability, compatibility with PictBridge printers and selectable focus points. The ZR300 adds 22x optical zoom, a wide-angle converter and “Super Night Mode.” All ship with power adapter, A/V cables and batteries; the ZR200 and ZR300 models also gain remote control and USB cable. The ZR100, ZR200 and ZR300 cost $149, $399 and $499 respectively.
Canon’s Web site had not been updated with information about the new camcorder models as MacCentral posted this article.