Canon ES75 Hi8 Camcorder with Color Viewfinder Electronics

Average Rating:

The thing I like most about this camera is its color viewfinder. To me, that is a good tradeoff for not having a larger LCD screen, because those typically drain your battery much faster. This was a good compromise--I can see things in color without cutting my film time short.

This camcorder is loaded with special features, and has a 700 power digital zoom! With it you can get as close to something as you want. You only need to rest your filming arm on something or get a tripod--otherwise you won't be able to hold the picture steady.

A Canon is always a good bet for a camera or camcorder, and they have definitely not let me down with this one. If you're looking for a good bargain but still want a respectable brand and some special features, look no further than the Canon ES75.

Both my parents and I love this camcorder. It's very easy to use -- no manual needed for the common functions. Even my mom can use it after I gave her a 1-minute lesson. The buttons are easy to reach and feel solid. The 22x optical zoom is the best in the industry, perhaps of any consumer camcorders sold in the States. I haven't tried the digital zoom yet, since I believe digital zoom, in general, is useless.

The included LiIon battery is good, but I recommend buying an extended battery if you plan to go on a trip. My ES970's older-style NiMH battery lasted about 2 years before showing degraded capacity. The Canon LiIon batteries will probably last longer.

This is a great camcorder, perfect for any family. Don't buy into the digital camcorder hype if you aren't going to edit your videos on a PC anyway. This Canon's price makes it deserve 10 stars.