Canon VIXIA HF10 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 16 GB Internal Flash Memory and 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom by Canon
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Digital camera reviews of Canon VIXIA HF10 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 16 GB Internal Flash Memory and 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Digital camera Review: Everything you could want in a camera.
Summary: 5 Stars
Great camera!!! Has too many features & controls to list AND it comes with an EASY BUTTON. The easy button puts the camera on full auto. All you have to do is point and shoot.If you are a real video phobe you can make all sorts of adjustments to do just about anything you want. If you are an amateur with the easy button you can shoot great videos. If you are more advanced you can tweak the video in many many ways. I am thrilled with this camera.Digital camera Review: Excellent AVCHD Camcorder
Summary: 5 Stars
I have had quite the myriad of camera in the time I've been doing video. I started using my Kodak Z812 IS Camera, which is a great camera, but takes less than steller video - even if it is 720p. I upgraded to an Aiptek Action HD Camera that offered 1080p video along with a host of other features. While this was a definite improvement over the quality of the Kodak, it was sorely lacking in many areas. Namely, the video was extremely jerky, you couldn't zoom the camera without the sound of the zoom being recorded, and the quality was less than steller. So, with a big trip to New Orleans on the horizon and an increasing interest in video I sprung for the Canon HF 10. I read a lot of reviews before I made my purchase. For me I knew I wanted a couple features but didn't care about others. As you read below, you'll find out why I made the HF10 my choice.
But first of a summary. The HF10 is a AVCHD Digital Camcorder that records up to 1440*1080 (widescreen) @ 12 Mbps or 1920*1080 @ 17 Mbps. It records sound in stereo through front microphones or through a direct stereo in line and encodes video in Dolby Digital Stereo audio. It has a 12x optical zoom. It has 16 GB of built-in flash memory as well as a slot for adding a SDHC card. It is capable of taking still photos at up to 3 megapixels (2048*1536).
Here's what I like:
* Size: For me size was a huge issue. I want something I can carry around in a pocket, and the HF10 delivers. While it's a little tight to put into a pants' pocket, it does fit easily into a jacket. Although other models, including the Canon HG10 offered a lot more capacity with their built-in hard drives, for me size drove me to consider only flash-based models.
* Internal Memory/Flash Memory: I originally was interested in the HF100. It's identical to the HF10 except that the HF100 has no internal memory, therefore requiring you to always have a flash card on you. The problem was that I needed the camera fast, and Amazon couldn't guartee two day delivery on the HF100, so I got the HF10. In hindsight, this worked out. A number of times I have forgotten to grab a flash card out of my computer and have been really glad there was internal memory to record to. Although I prefer recording to flash drives (it's much easier to pull out a flash card and plug it into a reader than it is to hook the camera to my computer, plug the camera in, switch it into disk mode, etc.) the internal memory is nice to have in a pinch.
* Three different frame rates: 24p, 30p, and 60i. I hate interlacing - really really hate it. For me, most of my videos are going to end up on the web somewhere and therefore interlacing is just an annoying bother. I wanted a camera with a progressive mode so I wouldn't have deinterlace video before putting it to the web. The HF10 excels in this area, with three frame rates. 24p, which mimics film, 30p, which puts together 30 full frame images per second, and 60i, which puts together 60 half-frame images per second. I've used the 30p setting almost exclusively although I've messed around with the 24p setting for run and the 60i setting when shooting high-motion footage. This feature alone made it stand out to me.
* Varied encoding rates - You can record at 5 Mbps, 7 Mbps, 12 Mbps, and 17 Mbps. I've only used the two highest settings when doing video, but since I sometimes record audio only the 5 Mbps setting has been nice when I'm recording something just to strip the audio out since it allows you to store a lot more data on the internal memory or flash card. The advantage to the 12 and 17 Mbps modes is that depending on what your editing software allows you can either record in 1440*1080 (which is similar to the HDV standard) or 1920*1080. When I first started Final Cut Express hadn't been upgraded to support 1920*1080 editing so I had to use the 1440*1080 mode.
* Optical Zoom - The optical zoom on the HF10 is really nice. It allows you to zoom in and out at varying rates with varying acceleration. Combined with the nice image stabilization you can actually manage to get decently steady hand-held video.
* Picture Quality - For a consumer grade camera, the picture quality of the HF10 is outstanding. Not surprisingly it suffers a little bit at low-light levels but...
* Manual Adjustments - One feature I do like, especially for low light situations, is the ability to make manual adjustments to the video. The automatic settings often want to make dark scenes lighter than they actually are, and using the exposure control I can lower the exposure resulting in better quality video with true blacks.
Other Features I either don't like or could live without
* There is a built-in video light, but it's off angle and very white. If you're actually close to use it, it'll take every drop of color out of whatever object you're shooting.
* One could say that it would be better if the HF10 had a 5.1 Dolby Creator instead of just a stereo creator, but 5.1 single point microphones are somwhat pointless.
* The HF10 has a built-in camera, but it's not great. The built-in camera is nice in one respect, you only have to carry one camera. But it's only 3 megapixel at 2048*1536, which isn't ideal if you're looking to integrate photos into a HD video production. Plus, the flash isn't real good. Truth be told, video cameras are good at video, photo camers are good at photos.
* The LCD screen is nice and it rotates, but a viewfinder would have been nice as well. The nice part abou the rotating LCD is that you can do self-recordings real easily. The problem is that if you're using the rotating LCD to show the subject what you're taking video of, you can't see the subject through a viewfinder. I know a viewfinder would have added size and price though, so it's a very acceptable trade-off
* The battery life is alright, but not fantastic. The basic battery that comes with the camera provides about an hour of recording time at the highest resolution. They offer another battery that provides longer recording, but it's rather expensive (100+). I ended up being a third-party imitation that does the trick just fine.
* Other recordings modes would have been nice. By far my biggest annoyance is the lack of modes for shooting other than 1440*1080 or 1920*1080 content. The only one I'd really like is a 1280*720 @ 60 fps mode for handling high motion.
Overall I give the HF10 high marks - I'm extremely satisfied. A few minor quirks, and the simple fact that its a consumer grade camcorder aside, this has been a great camera for a home video enthusiast.
Digital camera Review: Excellent Family Camcorder
Summary: 5 Stars
Don't let the few negative reviews out there fool you, this camcorder is amazing for family recording.
Pros:
- Just the right level of storage built into the camcorder, with room to grow in the SDHC card. Do you really want to come back from a vacation with 8 hours of video? Really? Cause I think 30 minutes into reviewing your footage you will be kicking yourself. I could be wrong, but I don't think so...
- This thing is tiny, about the size of a can of coke. Its so small in fact, all camcorder bags we looked at were cavernous in comparison to it. We ended up purchasing a Lowepro SLR Lens case to hold it. Fits like a glove.
- In bright to moderate light, the video quality is just amazing. It really is. Sharp as can be and the 12x optical zoom really grabs picture detail. HD really shines on this recorder.
- I was expecting poor stills, but they are actually pretty good. Not as good as a $300 camera, but so good I would think twice about bringing a regular still camera on a vacation.
- I have seen some complain about the ergonomics. I just don't get it. Pulling the hand strap tight so that the top of the strap rests directly below your knuckles, situates the camera so that it rests on the fleshy part of your palm, your thumb naturally lands on the record button and your index finger lands on the Zoom rocker. Perfect!
- It's dead silent. When you record in a silent room, you record silence. There is no click of a hard drive or purr of a tape unit.
Cons:
- Get the large capacity battery. Just get it. Don't debate, just buy it. Its not really an option.
- In low light you get some picture noise. It picks up available light very well, but also introduces noise. A Sony recorder is green in low-light, so pick your poison.
- On a Mac, there is really no way to nicely disconnect the device. I just eject the internal and SDHC mounted drives and pull the plug. No problems yet, but you do get the warning telling you not to do that...
- No travel charger. I picked one up, but this is an option because you can use the power adapter and charge via the recorder.
- Image stabilizer is just okay. At full 12x zoom, you really have to work to be still and pan slowly. The device is very light, so there is not much mass to keep it steady.
Notes:
- On the Mac OS, I found iMovie to work pretty well. It makes intermediate files which are about 5 times larger than the raw AVCHD files. To save hard drive space, I backup the raw files to DVD and delete the intermediate files when I have finished my edited home movie
- Interestingly enough, if you copy the video to the SDHC card and plug that chip into a PS3, you can browse your RAW footage directly on your HDTV. (I know many of you don't have a PS3, but if you do, its a huge Bonus). Instant reviewing of content!
- If you buy Toast 9 and buy the HD plug-in, you can create a Blu-Ray video disk. This allows you to put 20 minutes of HD Video on a REGULAR DVDR. If you put this disk in your PS3, it will allow you to watch your footage with DVD Menus. This uses the RAW footage, so you get very sharp video. This ONLY works on a PS3!!! As an added bonus, if you put this DVDR into your Mac and launch iMovie, iMovie will actually act as if that DVDR is a camcorder and prompts you to import the video as if you were pulling from the camera. Pretty Swanky if you ask me.
Overall, my opinion is that this is the best consumer grade HD Camcorder currently on the market.
Digital camera Review: Excellent HD Camcorder. Happy with Canon!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been researching HD camcorders for the past month. Debating weather to go with a Sony HD camcorder or the Canon HF 10. I usually go for Sony on electronics. I have a digital camera from them and it is the best one I have ever owned.
I just wanted a camcorder for just everyday shooting for fun. Such as possible YouTube, kids in my family, etc. I am also going on a trip to DisneyWorld in March and wanted a portable one for that. After reading about the types of camcorders available, I knew I would get a HD camcorder. It will become out dated in less time, and can have it for a least a few years. I also knew I didn't want to deal wiht buying tapes, dvds, etc.
After reading reviews, and watching reviews on YouTube, I decided to go with the HF 10. I didn't like the whole touch screen controls on the Sony, and that you have to hook it up to a dock to do everthing, such as charging, and uploading the videos. Also, the memory cards that they use tend to be more expensive then the SD cards the Canon uses. I campared the HF 10 with the HF 11 and decided the newer model did not have that much more to offer then the HF 10.
I recieved it yesterday, and I am so happy. It is the perfect size, and so easy to use. I didnt' even look at the instruction manuel. The controls are easy to learn. In minutes I had the settings configured, and was shooting. I have a SD slot on my Mac so I don't even have to hook up the camera to the computer. Works great with iMovie. I am so happy I didn't have to deal with the software that it came with and could just use my Mac programs. I haven't used the software that came with it, so I don't know how it is. The clips I shot came out great, and I had it posted to my webpage in minutes. This camcorder works great with a Mac. Definitly recommended for Mac users.
I haven't got a chance to use all the shooting settings, I just use the easy setting, and it seems to work great in a lot of different conditions. But, it does have nice choices for different settings. I am looking forward to trying the Fireworks setting in Disney.
It comes with cables to hook up to your TV, and a USB cable to connect to your computer. However, it does not come with an HDMI cable. I purchased it seperatly. The only bad thing about the HF 10 is it comes with the standard charger that you hook up directly to the camcorder. I purchased the wall charger seperatly, so I can just take out the battery and charge it. Most of the stuff that the camera came with I just left in the box, and bought the accessories I wanted. That it the only downside, it added about an additional $60 to the total price. I also think the battery could have a longer life, but that can be purchased seperatly. If you don't need the upgrades that they made to the HF 11, the HF 10 is definitly recommended. But if you have the extra money then go with the HF 11 since it is basically the same camcorder.
Digital camera Review: Excellent HD camcorder
Summary: 5 Stars
I have a Sony DV with Hi8 tapes. It is a little bit dated. I bought Canon HF10 2 months ago. It is great. Image quality is amazing. Very easy to use. Build-in memory. You can always buy one memory card to double the memory size. It is very quiet when filming. DivX can play AVCHD files. Editing, you need the software with the camera or buy one.