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Rick Rizner
Canon's entry-level camcorder is the cheapest that we reviewed ($350) and comes with some very useful features, such as an 18X optical zoom, a flip-up color viewfinder, and an accessory shoe that can hold an optional $70 video light. But for a camera aimed at beginners, it's not easy to use.
To be fair, there's a lot to commend the ZR80. It sits comfortably in the hand, and it's easy to hold and shoot with for long stretches. The buttons on the side and back are well placed so they won't be accidentally pressed in the middle of filming. And at just over 20 ounces, it is one of the lighter cameras we tested.
But the excessive number of...