Despite the trend towards tapeless DV camcorders, Canon has released three new MiniDV models for 2008, including the entry level ZR900. It's hard to fault the Canon ZR900 when it comes to price: this MiniDV camcorder offers one of the least expensive ways to enter the world of digital video recording. While this is clearly a basic unit aimed at budget consumers, it offers a couple of features you wouldn't normally expect to find on an entry-level DV camcorder.

The optical set up is standard budget fare. The ZR900 is equipped with a 1/6-inch 680,000 pixel CCD. The zoom function, however, offers a notable upgrade on last year's entry-level Canon MiniDV, the ZR800. The ZR900 features Canon's new Advanced Zoom. This combines Canon's Optics with Canon's proprietary DIGIC DV Image Processor to achieve an expanded zoom without loss of image quality. In other words, it boosts the camera's 37x optical zoom to 41x, without the same level of image degradation as you experience with a digital zoom. If you prefer, you can shut off the Advanced Zoom and retain the still impressive 37x optical zoom.

A feature we didn't expect to find on an entry level MiniDV camcorder is the microphone port for attaching an external mic. The port can also function as a headphone jack for monitoring sound as you record. The 2-7/10-inch widescreen LCD monitor offers 112,000 pixel resolution and doubles as a video light. Rotate the screen to face your subject, and it will emit a soft light to boost exposure in low light situations. It's an interesting feature and neatly incorporated into the DV camcorder, but its effectiveness is extremely limited. This camera's low light performance is in line with most other entry-level units--that is, poor. Employing night mode increases the level of grain and reduces the response time of the camera's autofocus. This is a camcorder far betted suited to recording a soccer game or beach vacation videos than dimly-lit scenes at night.

As well as standard 4:3 recording, the ZR900 also offers widescreen recording in true 16:9 aspect ratio. Another upgrade over last year's ZR800 is the inclusion of Canon's Quick Start feature. This conserves battery power by keeping the unit in stand-by mode when not in use. As soon as you want to start shooting again, the unit is ready within one second, fast enough that you'll never worry about missing the action.

Like the ZR800, this MiniDV camcorder lacks a SD card slot for capturing stills. For that, you'll need to look at the higher end ZR950. The ZR900's digital image stabilizer does a decent job at eradicating minor shakes during handheld recording, though, and we also liked the easy to navigate menu system and overall handling of this unit. In addition to an Easy Mode that allows you to simply point-and-shoot, the ZR900 offers a number of preprogrammed auto-exposure modes, including portrait, sports, snow, beach and sunset. You can add a number of image effects to jazz up your videos, including a soft skin detail that makes portraits look more flattering. For basic video recording, the Canon ZR900 MiniDV camcorder offers good value for money.

Pros: Inexpensive, advanced 41x zoom, easy to use, port for external microphone or headphones
Cons: Poor low light performance, no SD card slot, no accessory shoe

Warranty
1 year, parts and warranty