Small camera with a small power-adaptor. Low price. Easy to use. Decent image quality when there is enough light.

Bottom-loading door is a hassle when changing tapes and makes it near impossible to use with a tripod. Head-clogs and eats tapes when not cleaned (Sony tapes seem to prevent this). Auto focus is hyperactive (seeking when it should not).

This camera is great for the price. It has a microphone-in jack, analog-in, and fits nicely in my computer bag as a backup DV deck as well as a lightweight camcorder. It can have a major problem with head-clogs if I use anything other than Sony tapes, and will eat tapes during FF-RW if the heads and pins get dirty. I almost trashed my ZR-20 within the first year due to these problems, but decided to take Best Buy up on the service-contract I had uncharacteristically selected at the time of purchase. After the service/cleaning, which took several weeks, the camera worked like new again and is still working today.

Customer Service

I had this serviced at Best Buy in late 2002/early 2003 after it started eating tapes and complaining of head-clogs. It has worked well since then. I use it as a backup DV deck when I travel.

Similar Products Used:

Sony TRV-900; Sony PD-150; Sony VX-1000; Panasonic AG-DVX100A; JVC GY-DV300UZ; JVC GR-DVL300; Canon XL-1; Canon GL-1

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placement of buttons autofocus poor picture

this camera is a total pile of poop! the battery burned out after to months of use. the autofocus is crap. it focuses in and out without a need to. the firewire connection broke after only a few uses. I have used many camcorders over the years and the one brand that consistantly sucks is canon. I you are looking for quality picture and a lasting camera buy sony or jvc.

Compact, intuitive menus, good ergonomics: button placement, straps etc.

Low light performance, odd lens size.. won''''t accept many aftermarket filters.

A good mid-level digi-cam with plenty of features. Won''''t record with the quality of high-end equipment naturally, but much better than first thought. I use mine mainly for sports action video so a compact design coupled with rugged field performance was key. As well I have a remote helmet-cam so it required the analog input - a feature that lesser models don''''t have. The ZR-20 has good optics, video is quite clear. I''''d stay away from using the digital zoom too much, as it tends to blur at extreme speeds or zoom levels. I have it in a fanny pack while skiing or mountain bikeing, and it weighs so little that there''''s no adverse effects. The low-light performance could be better though; zero Lux would be preferred. Also if only Canon would make lens diameters in a "standard" size - it''''s nearly impossible to find aftermarket filters.

Customer Service

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Similar Products Used:

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