CES 2007: Canon unveils four new camcorders

Three entry level models and a top-of-the-line DVD model

8 January 2007 16:03 GMT / By Amber Maitland

Canon is not letting Samsung steal all the camcorder news at CES and has unveiled three entry-level camcorders and a flagship model for its DVD range.

The DC50 DVD Camcorder records with a 5.39MP CCD sensor with an RGB primary Color Filters for still photos, and features Optical Image Stabilisation to correct camera shake by both gyro and vector detection methods.

The camcorder also makes use of Canon's new Quick Start Mode, whereby the camera can be left in standby to power up to shoot in less than a second.

A streamlined interface means that users can control playback, focus, exposure, and menu options from one place, and shooting scenes accurately has been made easier with the addition of level and grid markers that are visible through the viewfinder and make it easier to line up the shot.

It records to DVD-R/-RW discs that store up to 108 minutes of video on a dual-layer disc, and records in true 16:9 widescreen HR. The DC50 DVD will be available from late February and will cost around $800.

Also on display at CES are the new ZR-series camcorders, the ZR850, ZR830, and ZR800 MiniDV camcorders.

They all features 35x optical zoom, Canon's longest ever, which extends with a Smooth Zoom feature and is stabilised with OIS.

Designed for beginners, the new models have a joystick in the main panel display that makes it easy to navigate the menu; putting the camcorder in Easy Mode optimises most settings.

The ZR850 and ZR830 both feature still image shooting and PictBridge technology; they also record to SD or MMC cards.

The ZR850, which is black, will cost $330; the ZR830, which is dark grey, will cost $300; and the ZR800, which is deep blue, costs $280.