View this article at: http://www.macnn.com/articles/05/01/05/canon.mini.dv.camcorders/

Wednesday, Jan 05, 2005 12:10pm

Canon debuts six new Mini D...

Canon today introduced a new line up of entry- and mid-level Mini DV camcorders. Due next month with prices starting at $550, the company unveiled the Elura 80, Elura 85 and the Elura 90 as well as new entry-level models (ZR100, ZR200 and ZR300) with prices starting at $350. Canon now offers high resolution 16:9 Widescreen shooting mode in its new Mini DV camcorder line up, FireWire connections for easy connectivity, and other features. Canon's new 'two-in-one' Elura 90 ($700), Elura 85 ($600) and Elura 80 ($550) camcorders offer consumers the ability to capture both Mini DV digital video and digital camera photos using a 1.33 megapixel CCD image sensor.

Canon's latest generation of Elura camcorders now feature an LCD backlight as well as increased zoom compared to their predecessors. The Elura 80 and Elura 85 models now feature 18x optical zoom lenses, while the Elura 85 model adds a microphone terminal and Super Night Mode. The Elura 90 camcorder features a 20x zoom, a built in mini video light, and a wide attachment. The Elura camcorders include a wireless remote control; compact power adaptor; USB cable; stereo/video cable; a shoulder strap; NB-2LH Battery; and a 8MB SD memory card.

Designed for beginners, Canon's ZR300, ZR200 and ZR100 camcorders offer a new streamlined design that is slimmer, more compact and lighter than previous ZR camcorders. Canon's new ZR100 ($350) and ZR200 ($400) camcorders now feature 20x optical zoom lenses. The ZR200 model, additionally, adds an SD card slot, XGA photo recording capability, PictBridge compatibility and selectable focusing points, while the ZR300 camcorder ($500) offers a higher 22x optical zoom and a wide converter as well as features Super Night Mode. The ZR camcorders will ship with a compact power adaptor; stereo/video cable; and NB-2LH Battery. The ZR 200 and ZR300 models will also come with a remote control, and USB cable, while the ZR 300 camcorder also includes an 8MB SD memory card and a 0.7x wide-angle lens attachment.

Each of the new Elura and ZR camcorders are PictBridge compatible, facilitating direct printing with Canon's CP330 and CP220 dye-sub card photo printers, Selphy SD700 photo printer, and both Canon PIXMA branded inkjet photo printers and photo all-in-one's as well as any PictBridge compatible printer.