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The ZR700 is the current (as of March 2006) top-end model in Canon's ZR line-up of MiniDV camcorders. Like the ZR500 and ZR600, the ZR700 has been redesigned to be slimmer and lighter than previous ZR models. The ZR700 also offers a revised feature set, along with some significant upgrades over its ZR400 predecessor.

The most apparent improvement is the joystick navigation system, which makes the ZR700 simpler and more convenient to operate. Despite a reduction in the chassis dimensions, the foldout color LCD screen is fractionally larger at 2-7/10 inches, offering you the option of recording in Canon's widescreen high-resolution mode. This is ideal for people with widescreen TVs. If you have a standard TV, video recorded in widescreen mode will be displayed on your TV in letterbox format.

The ZR700 offers the same optical setup as the other ZR models, with a 1/6-inch CCD that delivers 340,000 effective pixels in standard 4:3 mode. In 16:9 widescreen mode, the resolution is boosted to 450,000 effective pixels for video. While this is a smaller resolution than the old ZR400, video performance remains consistent. In well-lit environments, expect the ZR700 to deliver sharp images with accurate colors. This is the only model in the new ZR line to offer a built-in video light, which makes the ZR700 more adaptable for use in poor lighting conditions.

The ZR700 retails for about $100 more than the entry-level ZR500. In addition to the video light and a larger digital zoom, the ZR700 offers the ability to capture digital stills at a maximum resolution of 1,024X768 to either MiniDV tape or SD card. This stills resolution is slightly lower than the older ZR400, but the image quality captured by the ZR700 is ample for posting on the internet or attaching to e-mails. Like the other ZR models, the Canon ZR700 proves to be a good digital camcorder value for the money.

Warranty
1 year parts and labor