Canon Elura 100 or Canon ZR600 Camcorders

Question

I'm looking for reviews on either of the camcorders given in the subject line. I'm wanting to know how well or not they work using iMovie. I'm new to this, so I'm a little nervous and not sure how to do all this. I've read reviews online but having looked at a few postings, there are many knowledgeable people here. So I bet some people can help with this dilemma. Thanks for the help.
iMac G5   Mac OS X (10.4.7)  

Answer 1

David, I read the review you linked to. Wow, it's almost as detailed as the Canon's User Guide. It seems to me that everything the reviewer says about the Elura 100 is true. It just comes down to a matter of which detractors you can live with.
Cynthia, I asked myself this same question just 2 months ago. Only I had it between the Elura 100 and ZR700, because I need the AV in for converting my old analog Super-8 tapes to digital. I chose the Elura 100 because of the larger CCD. I looked at usa.canon.com and compared the two models, and the Elura seemed like the slightly better camera. The above review seems to corroborate. That review is highly critical of the Elura 100's physical layout. You just have to play with the two cameras in the store to see if this is a problem for you. The biggest layout difference is whether or not you have buttons on the flip-out LCD. The reviewer is critical of the Elura's button layout and complains that you have to look at the buttons to use them. For me, that's no big deal. I figure having all buttons on the back means it's at least possible to use the camera with one hand; if there are functions below the LCD then you HAVE to use your left hand to use those buttons. To me, that means even more distraction when you are taping. The Elura's joystick is tiny, but I haven't had a problem controlling it. This really just comes down to your personal preference and fine motor control. (Arthritis, for example might make the decision for you.)
I haven't used the ZR600, but my guess is it works the same with iMovie as the Elura 100. After you record to a miniDV tape, you just connect the camcorder to your Mac via Firewire. The camera does NOT come with the Firewire cable, so make sure you have one or buy one. In iMovie you click on the camera icon, cue the tape, and click Import. It's that simple. I think all miniDV camcorders with Firewire work the same. Since the Mac has iMovie, the Canon video software is only for PC. (Canon knows not to try to re-invent the wheel.)
The Elura 100, ZR600, and ZR700 can record onto SD card. They use the card for stills or low-res video clips (for email attachments). The Canon software for Mac is for the SD card functions only, where you connect via USB. The larger CCD of the Elura 100 gives a little better resolution on the still pictures. I do not know if the ZR600 has it, but the Elura 100 has a fun feature called "Card Mix." If you install the Canon software you have access to 7 images that you can write onto your SD card (via USB). Select an image to frame your video and activate it while you tape using the D.Effects button. It's very silly. I used one with birthday candles across the bottom of the screen when I taped my son's third birthday party.
So far I have used the Elura 100 to tape my daughter playing outside and my son's birthday party. I couldn't use a tripod at the party because I had to place the camera too close to the scene, so I held it and walked around the action a bit. I am impressed at how steady the footage is compared to my old analog tapes (no image stabilization). It's certainly not Hollywood, but it's less bouncy and jerky than I expected, given how much I was moving around.
I have also used the camera to upgrade my old footage. I plugged the AV cable from the Elura into my Sony Super-8 and recorded onto miniDV tape. Then I used the Elura to import the footage into iMovie. I did some light editing and made a DVD in iDVD. I was impressed that the video quality of my DVD looks as good as the original Super-8. In the past, all I could do with my Super-8 was record to VHS, resulting is seriously inferior video quality (why did I even bother?). If you get a DV cable you can use the Elura as a pass-through and save miniDV tapes, but I haven't used this feature because I want my old tapes to be on digital tape.
So, my short answer to your question is that both cameras work fine with iMovie. The Elura is a slightly better camera with more features than the ZR600. But if physical layout is more of a priority, you may prefer the ZR's controls with some buttons on the flip-out panel below the LCD. If you like the ZR600 but want to convert old videos to miniDV, then look at the ZR700. I chose the Elura 100 and am completely satisfied with what I got for my money.
FYI: I am not a professional. I am just a mom who likes to scrapbook and take family videos. And play with my Mac.
Happy hunting.