Rating: 
Summary: Defective Product-Avoid
Review: We bought this camera about 2 years ago. Shortly after buying it, the camera stopped functioning. The only way to fix Canon Camcorders is to send them to one of two Canon repair facilities. We sent it in and it was repaired under warranty. Annoying but fine. Now less than 1 1/2 later, and after light to moderate use, the SAME THING happened. We sent it back to be repaired and were told it would cost $145 to fix! What robbery. I might think of repairing it if I thought it wouldn't break again in a few months/years. Avoid Canon or at the very least buy an extended warranty.
Rating:
Summary: Compact and Economical ZR25MC Leaves Much To Be Desired
Review: When used as a camcorder, the image quality is quite good. And overall, it's quite easy to use. The following drawbacks, however, are noteworthy: 1. The built-in microphone sits too close to the tape deck and unless you use an external microphone, you will record into your video a constant annoying whirl/winding/humming noise that is *very* noticeable -- the whirling of the tape deck. 2. Digital still image quality is simply bad. Very bad. Furthermore, unless you have a separate MultiMedia Card reader, there is no way to transfer your digital still images to your computer as an image file. You would have to "playback" the digital still via the IEEE 1394 "FireWire" interface and capture it there. This product is very unsuitable for use as a digital camera. The strengths of this product: (a) relatively compact design, (b) light weight, (c) comparatively cheap. Bottom line: I will not choose to buy this product again nor recommend it to others.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing...
Review: Wish I had read a couple of the reviews here instead of the DV sites. I too purchased this camcorder based on its convenient size and decent reviews only to be shocked at the poor low light performance. Its not an anomally, its a REAL problem. My demands weren't very high: some pictures of the kid, maybe the dog, etc. Unfortunately the grainy video was just too noticable. I adjusted a lot of settings manually and I was able to improve the performance somewhat, but I didn't want to have to undo all the steps the next time I wanted to shoot outdoors. It would have been a real problem for my wife.BTW: When I say low light, I'm talking indoors in my living room like some other reviewers. I was not shooting in a dark environment, which is what the low light feature is for. Its a real shame, because it is a nice design and was relatively intuitive to use. And the price was certainly right... I'd give it 2.5 stars but I don't have that option here. I will say that if you plan on doing all of your filming outdoors in great light (sporting events, etc.) then you may want to consider the ZR series based on price, but for well rounded performance, look elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing...
Review: Wish I had read a couple of the reviews here instead of the DV sites. I too purchased this camcorder based on its convenient size and decent reviews only to be shocked at the poor low light performance. Its not an anomally, its a REAL problem. My demands weren't very high: some pictures of the kid, maybe the dog, etc. Unfortunately the grainy video was just too noticable. I adjusted a lot of settings manually and I was able to improve the performance somewhat, but I didn't want to have to undo all the steps the next time I wanted to shoot outdoors. It would have been a real problem for my wife. BTW: When I say low light, I'm talking indoors in my living room like some other reviewers. I was not shooting in a dark environment, which is what the low light feature is for. Its a real shame, because it is a nice design and was relatively intuitive to use. And the price was certainly right... I'd give it 2.5 stars but I don't have that option here. I will say that if you plan on doing all of your filming outdoors in great light (sporting events, etc.) then you may want to consider the ZR series based on price, but for well rounded performance, look elsewhere.
| 
