RARE EARLY SAMPLE UNIT Canon ZR/CV11 MiniDV PRE-RELEASE? UNBADGED JAN 1998 For Sale

This is a particularly unusual Canon ZR/CV11-family MiniDV camcorder with several characteristics that distinguish it from later retail examples.

• Manufactured: January 1998
• Serial Number: 2610000038
• FCC ID: AZDPRECIS
• Made in Japan
• NTSC
• MiniDV
• No visible model badge or ZR/CV11 branding on the exterior

Canon announced the CV11 in February 1998, with release planned for late April 1998.

This camera, however, is marked January 1998, placing its manufacture several months before that announced retail release.

I have been researching early Canon ZR/CV11-family cameras and comparing serial numbers, dates, markings, and physical characteristics from other examples dating from later 1998 and into 1999.

The serial number on this camera is particularly early:

2610000038 — January 1998

I have not located another matching January 1998 retail example with this serial-number range and unbadged exterior.

The camera also has a handwritten blue "84" marking directly on the tape mechanism.

This is not a modern sticker or added label. The marking appears to have been written directly on the mechanism at some point in the camera's history.

Another notable difference is the absence of the UL marking found on later retail examples I have examined.

Taken together, the following characteristics make this camera particularly interesting:

• January 1998 manufacturing date
• Extremely early serial number
• Unbadged exterior
• FCC ID AZDPRECIS
• Made in Japan
• Handwritten "84" marking directly on the tape mechanism
• Absence of the UL marking found on later retail examples

These characteristics may indicate that this camera was an early pre-release, evaluation, engineering, demonstration, press, or other non-standard sample rather than a normal retail production unit.

The exact original status of this camera has NOT been officially confirmed by Canon.

I am not representing this as a confirmed Canon prototype.

The description above is based on the camera's physical characteristics, manufacturing date, serial number, FCC identification, and comparison with other early ZR/CV11-family examples.

The buyer is encouraged to conduct their own research and evaluate the photographs and information provided.

The camera has been tested for basic operation and has been observed to:

• Power on
• Display an image on the LCD
• Produce an image from the CCD
• Zoom in and out
• Respond to camera controls
• Load MiniDV tape
• Record video onto MiniDV tape

Full tape playback and audio recording/playback have not been independently verified and should be considered untested.

Because this is a vintage camera from the late 1990s, no guarantee is made regarding functions that have not been specifically tested.

Vintage used condition with cosmetic wear consistent with age and previous use.

There are scratches, scuffs, marks, and other signs of use. Please examine all photographs carefully for the best representation of the cosmetic condition.

The camera is being sold as pictured.

This camera may be of particular interest to:

• Canon collectors
• Vintage camcorder collectors
• Early MiniDV enthusiasts
• Digital-video historians
• Vintage-camera researchers
• Collectors of pre-release or evaluation equipment
• Anyone interested in the transition from early consumer digital video to mainstream MiniDV

The January 1998 manufacturing date is the primary reason this camera stands out.

For comparison, I have located later ZR/CV11-family examples manufactured throughout 1998 and into 1999, but this January 1998 example predates those retail examples by a significant margin.

1× Canon ZR/CV11-family MiniDV camcorder

Camera only unless otherwise shown in the photographs.

Please carefully review the photographs, including the serial/FCC label and the visible characteristics of the camera, before purchasing.

This is a research-interest/collector item, not a normal modern used camcorder.

The unusual January 1998 date and other characteristics are the reason for the listing's collector interest. The camera's exact historical status has not been confirmed by Canon, and the buyer should not purchase this item based on an assumption that it is a confirmed prototype.

Please ask any questions before purchasing.

Thank you for looking!