Canon VIXIA HF100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom by Canon
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Digital camera reviews of Canon VIXIA HF100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Digital camera Review: Best of the AVCHD Camcorders
Summary: 5 Stars
I spent a very long time researching small SD based high def cameras and ended up choosing the Vixia HF100. This after owning a Panasonic SD3 for a brief period last year. After a full weekend playing with the HF100 I am quite pleased with my decision.
My motivation for choosing this camera over the competition was Canon's very wise decision to include a standard microphone input (and manual audio controls). Why other manufacturers are removing this feature from consumer camcorders baffles me since good audio is such an important part of making good video! Canon also includes a mini hot shoe on the top of the device, and there's already a mini shotgun mic available (Canon 2591B002 DM-100 Directional Stereo Microphone for HF10 and HF100 Camcorders).
In many ways the HF100 is not much different from its competition. It's about soda can sized (although not as tiny as the new Panasonic SD9), has no view finder, and records video onto SDHC flash memory. Flash memory is so cheap right now that spending the extra money for the HF10 (with the on board storage) really isn't worth it.
VIDEO QUALITY & OPTIONS
Excellent and consistent with other cameras in its class. Color quality is rich and perhaps a little over-saturated (as most consumer cameras are) but there are settings to wind back the saturation a bit (like switching into cinema mode). Artifacts are minimal but remember that AVCHD is a highly compressed video format. Those looking for the absolute best quality in a consumer camera will want to look at an HDV tape based solution. There are settings for manual white balancing as well.
Low light performance is so-so.. Gets a bit grainy but you can make adjustments to compensate both in frame rate and shutter/aperture settings. There's also a mini-video light that can be turned on but it won't have room-filling range to it.
The camera has multiple video quality options but you'll want to select the highest quality as it's not on by default. I am getting about an hour of video on an 8 gig SD card in the highest quality mode.
The camera also includes three frame rate options: 60i, 30p, and 24p. All of these are processed at 60i so you'll need an editor that can remove the pulldown for true 24P.
BATTERY LIFE
Like every other camera in its class, the included battery is pretty lousy. It charges quickly but you'll only get about an hour or so of recording time. Canon does make an extended battery which I plan on purchasing soon.
CONNECTIVITY & EDITING
I am a Mac guy so those of you using Windows will have to comment below on your success with it. On the Mac side both iMovie '08 and Final Cut Pro 6 recognize video from this camera even if I'm just popping the SD card into my USB card reader.
If you're coming from the HDV tape-based world, capturing video from an AVCHD camera takes a little longer than you'll be used to. I've found multiplying the original video length times two is usually about the length of time it takes to capture with iMovie on my Mac Pro (I haven't timed Final Cut's conversion yet but will update this review soon). I'm sure this will improve over time as computers and software get faster, but don't expect instant gratification when you're ready to bring some video over to edit.
CONCLUSION
I bought this camera to supplement some of the work I do shooting HDV video on a 'prosumer' Sony HDV camera. If you're serious about producing HD video you might still want to consider an HDV tape based camcorder like the Canon HV20 or HV30. You'll get better and more consistent quality along with nearly universal editing compatibility. Those cameras transfer video back to the PC or Mac over firewire, a standard that's been around for over a decade. The HDV cameras can also run live video back to the PC for editing or webcasting, something you can't do currently with an AVCHD cam.
If, however, you're in the market for a small flash based camera look no further. The inclusion of a mic port along with the multitude of shooting options make this a great choice for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
Digital camera Review: Best rrom light performance ever seen
Summary: 5 Stars
I had been waiting for HF200 to get released to get the power of 24mbps recording and more pixels. However the reviews of HF200 in room light conditions have been poor. I have had bad experience with room light conditions with my Nikon D60, so I decided to go with the older model Canon HF100, even though the only thing I could get in that now was a refurbished unit. I decided to take a chance with the $500 refurb from tigerdirect as it came with a 30 day money back guarantee & 3 mo canon warrantee... Boy I am glad that I took this risk and got the HF100 over HF200 because HF100 is just pure AWESOME in recording in room light conditions. I have used it indoors at home at northlandz train museum and outdoors during dusk and each time the recording has been just great. I used 30p and 24p modes and there was not a spec of noise at all. The recordings look like daylight recording quality, they are that good.
This thing rocks under low light conditions at 24,30p even 60i is pretty good.
Buy it before they go totally out of stock, even the refurbs seem to be very good...
The only minor issue: battery life of only 70 minutes or so, but one can always buy a spare one.
I own a PS3 and this things works gr8 with it. I will never have to burn a single DVD again... I am not a big fan of editing video. I just record and save the files on my external hard disks and watch them directly on my PS3. Quick and easy with a flash card to HD transfer using USB card reader. Finally my ps3 has some gr8 use!!!
Digital camera Review: Beware - Vegas Platinum and AVCHD
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm sure some of you will be annoyed with me for writing this; however, several reviewers have written how they are happy they are with using Vegas Platinum 8 to "handle" the AVCHD. I'm not writing this to distract from Canon's HF100; however, the lack of clarity by previous reviewers will likely result in more people buying Vegas with the assumption that it edits and Creates AVCHD projects. It Doesn't.
This IS a big deal now that other software packages DO allow you to Create edited AVCHD projects that can be placed on a standard 4.7 or 8.5 GB DVD, which gets BluRay formatted by the software (such as Vegas Pro or Pinnacle Studio 11) and can they be played in most BluRay players; or you can transfer that image to a flash memory card or a PS3's hard drive for playback in a PS3. Vegas Pro (which is quite expensive) can do this and so can Pinnacle Studio 11; but Vegas Platinum cannot.
Beware! Vegas Platinum 8, which costs a hundred dollars, does not Create AVCHD projects. At best it will create an HDV project from your AVCHD files; or it will create an edited Non-High Definition DVD.
Sony didn't ever explicitly state Vegas Platinum 8 does not create AVCHD projects; yet they say It Edits AVCHD for project creation. I am VERY upset with Sony over this.
If you buy a HD camcorder; what's the whole point if you output to Non-High Definition?! Save your money and don't buy a High Def camcorder or if you do buy a AVCHD camcorder then DON'T buy Vegas Platinum!
Digital camera Review: Broke on second day
Summary: 3 Stars
Mine broke on the second day of light use. The image in the LCD viewer and the recordings are now completely black (and yes the lens cover is opening). Otherwise, it looked promising. Also note, the proper spare battery is the BP-809S not the BP-809B as the title on amazon would have you believe. I'll update on how my replacement unit fares.Digital camera Review: CANON vixia HF 100
Summary: 5 Stars
I highly recommend this camcorder but you need to be clear what you are ordering. I have used this for over a month and the videos are of high quality, something you would expect from Canon. The camcorder is very light and easy to use; in fact it has an Easy setting for those who don't want to use the many settings. It makes almost no sound. Canon has many options and some are quite involved. The standard battery that comes with it lasts about one and a half hrs., just keep it charged (takes about 2-3hrs to charge it). I use a 16SDHC flash card which can record for 1-2 hrs depending on the quality setting. This easily downloads directly to my computer through an sd port. The stills are very good, equal to 4-5 megapixel cameras if used correctly; they are also easily downloaded The Pixela Image Maker software is acceptable although there is better software on the market. You can view directly on a regular or HD TV using the camera through the appropriate connection. It comes with a small remote.
Now here is where you must be careful. To edit and store HD quality videos, you need a powerful computer with plenty of memory and the appropriate graphics card (check this before purchasing if you want to make HD DVDs on your computer). You can buy the optional Canon DW-100 to burn HD DVDs directly from the camcorder. Burning standard quality DVDs is no problem but then why buy HD? Of course you need an HD TV or computer screen to view it in HD as well as a HD DVD player if you don't want to directly connect the camera. Think about all of this carefully. The Canon model that makes standard videos on a flash card is a lot cheaper.
The instruction book is written in a condensed format so you will need to read it carefully probably several times. I got the HF 100 instead of the HF 10 because I didn't see the need for the built in functionality in addition to the flash card. Have fun but be prepared.