Sony DCR-SX63 16GB Flash Memory Handycam Camcorder with 60x Optical Zoom + 8GB Accessory Kit

Comments

1. M. White says:

   September 19, 2010 at 2:18 AM

   Review by M. White for Sony DCR-SX63 16GB Flash Memory Handycam Camcorder with 60x Optical Zoom + 8GB Accessory Kit
   Rating:
   I bought this camcorder for my bf birthday. He is a snowboard instructor and was wanting a camcorder to tape himself and friends while out riding. I bought this one because it was perfect for what he needed it for. He loves it! The camcorder fits right in his boarding jacket pocket! Yet the quality of the picture is pretty high up there. He has been more than happy with this new camcorder.
2. Bryan In CA. says:

   September 19, 2010 at 2:26 AM

   Review by Bryan In CA. for Sony DCRSX44 DCR-SX44 4GB Flash memory Handycam Camcorder with 60x Optical Zoom in Blue + 8GB Accessory Kit
   Rating:
   For the price this is a great video camera. Now it is definitely not the top of the line product but for someone like me that just wants to video some events and I am not really worried about lots of bells and whistles, this is a perfect camera.

   So, if you want fancy or HD, this is not your camera. If you want inexpensive way of videoing, I say go for it.
3. John Berry says:

   September 19, 2010 at 2:46 AM

   Review by John Berry for Canon FS200 Flash Memory Camcorder w/41x Advanced Zoom (Evening Blue) – 2009 MODEL
   Rating:
   This review is for people who have common sense about this technology and have done even a TAD bit of research before buying. I have been in the video/film/animation industry for 15 years and have used tons of equipment for everything from multimillion dollar productions, to rogue gorilla documentaries. This camera is for people who want to flip open something small and compact, shoot some video for memories and thas that. Pretty much ALL camcorders under 800 dollars are going to shoot interlaced video, and this one does as well. it has complete manual overide for focus and exposure. I read a review where a lady was complaining about filming a recital and the camera was going in and out of focus. No problem, set it to manual and problem fixed. There is no more .MOD file problems.. all files are read as .mpeg files now (you can download the newest software from the website) **EDIT** its come to my attention that some people are still getting the .MOD files extension. I am running windows XP service pack 3 on a PC and the program it installed is pixela imagemixer 3 version 4 and it automatically shows up as .mpeg 4 files.. so i dont know whats up and why that works for me, as i did nothing special or extra for that to happen..

   now onto quality.

   It is acceptable. Low light gives you grainy pictures and some ghosting. You will get this on pretty much ALL camcorders in this class. do NOT expect that if you spend another 100 dollars you will get a difference. If you want to see a noticable difference you will need to step up to the 800-1200 dollar range. Im sorry but thats just the facts. Another thing to be on the lookout for is called a frame buffer. Which EVERY camcorder over 100 dollars Should have.. you know, that telltale sign in video where when the camera moves back and forth the picture starts “waving like a flag in the wind”.. we’re good with that. The zoom on this camera is CRAZY good.. in general, optical zoom is good, digital zoom is bad.. this cameras optical zoom rivals most everything out there.. things i dont like. When you play your recorded videos on the camcorder, it will just play the next file without stopping, in one long stream.. this is cool, but i dont like not having the option to view one at a time. you HAVE to plug it in to the wall power when you transfer files to the computer. i dont like the record button on the end of the barrel.. the way i ALWAYS end up holding this camera is like how you hold a glass of water if you were pouring it out.. with my thumb on the top of the barrell.. i NEVER hold it “properly” (like a glass of water that im drinking).. its so tiny that holding it like that is almost cumbersome and unecessary.. In short i LOVE this thing for the convenience.. on standby it will boot up in 2 seconds.. AWESOME.. no tape, the small size, good battery life, relatively big LCD screen,external mic input and headphone all good.. needing a plug for computer connection, bad low light performance, bad management of video playback not so good.. all in all i REALLY like it…

   if you want the convenience of a TINY camcorder available at a moments notice, recording to a card instead of tape, a regular def video (most everything i shoot is for web or regular DVD which is regular def anyway) and a price thats not bad. this is for you

   Now, if you want a video camera for capturing high def home videos for permanent memories to keep forever and possibly burn to blu-ray, seriously, buy a high def, 3ccd progressive scan camcorder. Expect to pay around 1000+ dollars, but thats what you get. i dont understand the complaints that this is whats expected from this camcorder. You cant drive a civic around complaining it cant go from 0 to 60 in 2 seconds..
4. Johnny says:

   September 19, 2010 at 3:27 AM

   Review by Johnny for Canon FS200 Flash Memory Camcorder w/41x Advanced Zoom (Evening Blue) – 2009 MODEL
   Rating:
   I bought this camera a couple of weeks ago and it is small. Smaller than I expected, but that is not a bad thing, it is easy to carry around in a vest pocket or coat pocket. I didn’t download or use any of the software provided with the camera, I have Sony Vegas on my computer. One thing that I do recommend is downloading the free SDCOPY software you can find on the net. Check the widescreen box and it will convert your .MOD files to mpg files lightning quick. Now you should be able to work with them in just about any editing software. Use a card reader for the SD card instead of connecting the camera to the computer, makes life easier. I use a cheap one that came with my SD cards.

   Zoom is good, and a steady hand or tripod is highly recommended for longer shots. Quick to start up, the auto lens cover is great, battery life also great.

   I really see no problems with this great little camera, other than low light filming could be better, but not many of these cameras are great in low light.
5. V. Hutson says:

   September 19, 2010 at 4:21 AM

   Review by V. Hutson for Canon FS200 Flash Memory Camcorder w/41x Advanced Zoom (Evening Blue) – 2009 MODEL
   Rating:
   I have several Canon digital cameras, so when I decided to purchase a camcorder I immediately went to Canon. I waited a month for this new version. I wanted a small camcorder–and this is definitely small.

   I am a bit disappointed in the quality of the videos. For movies taken in full light I can hardly tell the difference between these movies and the ones I take with my Canon PowerShot A570 IS digital camera! Although, the sound is definitely better with the camcorder. For movies in dim light (I filmed my son’s Jazz concert), there was a huge difference so I decided to keep the camera.

   I would agree with the previous reviewer in that the control buttons on the LCD screen are practically useless in dark settings. I couldn’t see them during the concert I filmed.

   I also have a bit of trouble holding the camera because it is so small. I removed the “grip belt” strap it came with because I could not get it to fit securely and still allow me to adjust the buttons at the same time. It felt like the camera was going to slide off my hand. I now use the extra wrist strap that comes with the camera and while it doesn’t look as “cool”, I’m not worried about dropping the camera.

   My biggest hassel has been that the camera saves the movie files as MOD files which are a pain to work with! They will not import into most video editing programs (including Adobe Premiere Elements!), and the widescreen videos will not play correctly in Windows Media Player unless you convert the file.

   The camera comes with a software program to transfer, edit, and view the movies–but it is awkward to use and even with the conversion I still could not get the movies to import into Camtasia Studio 6, which is the program I use the most. So, after two days of internet searching this is what I found that works for me.

   1. I use a card reader to transfer the movie files onto my computer. This is much easier for me than using the program that comes with the camera.

   2. I downloaded a free copy of SDCopy, and I use it to convert the MOD files to mpeg files. If I check the “widescreen” box on the converting window the converted movies will play widescreen in Windows Media Player.

   3. The converted movies will import into Adobe Premiere, but they will not import into Camtasia Studio 6 (which is my goal). I can use Adobe Premiere to convert the files to avi files, but the process takes too long for me so I found a better and easier way.

   4. I purchased a MOD converter. The one I decided on was Daniusoft Mod Converter for $29. It works well. With a MOD converter, I can convert the MOD files to a bunch of other types that will import into other programs as well as play on other devices such as an ipod. I use it to convert the files I converted with SDCopy into .avi files that will import into Camtasia.

   Bottom line: Do your research and decide if this is for you. The FS100 received so many good reviews that I can’t help but wonder if the video quality of that camera is better than this one. Perhaps someone will post information that answers that question.
6. Mika R. Hutchison says:

   September 19, 2010 at 4:31 AM

   Review by Mika R. Hutchison for Canon FS200 Flash Memory Camcorder w/41x Advanced Zoom (Evening Blue) – 2009 MODEL
   Rating:
   I ordered this so I can record our vacation to the beach on my husband’s leave from Iraq. I’m not terribly familiar with various camcorders but after much research I decided on the Canon FS200 and I’m quite pleased. I LOVE that it has flash memory as I can easily carry extra cards and swap them out as needed. It didn’t take too long to charge and has a great battery life. The picture quality is great, mic picks up sounds well and the zoom is fantastic. I love how small and lightweight it is. The price is good too. I’m very happy with this camcorder.
7. Steven M. Mcguinness says:

   September 19, 2010 at 4:42 AM

   Review by Steven M. Mcguinness for Canon FS200 Flash Memory Camcorder w/41x Advanced Zoom (Evening Blue) – 2009 MODEL
   Rating:
   I bought this camcorder on May 15, 2009 to replace my Canon ZR200 camcorder that stopped playing tapes about 5 months ago. I loved my ZR200 and the plethora of tapes that I filmed using it. I still believe that tapes are the best form of archive known today!

   This review will focus on the features outlined at the product’s web-site. I congratulate Canon’s marketing staff at providing this outline.

   1. Ultra-Sleek, Compact and Lightweight Design
   
   The product is very sleek, compact and lightweight! The UPS scale at my office weighed the camcorder, battery and SDHC card at a mere 9.8 oz.
   
   I love the Red color and waited an extra month until this color was available. Due to it’s light weight, I recommend that you always use this w/ a tripod or monopod to provide the best video quality.

   2. Canon Exclusive: Genuine 41x Advanced Zoom
   
   This zoom feature is only available in the wide screen mode. It provides a wide-screen effect, giving you an extra 20% viewing area w/out an additional lens. In std (4:3) mode, you the best optical setting is 37x, which is almost as good.

   3. Canon Exclusive: DIGIC DV II Image Processor
   
   This processor has been around for several years now and delivers a superb shot and video using the optical zoom settings. Using the digital (2000x) zoom settings it does not seem to help as much. However, I was able to capture some good video at approx. 500-1000x zoom using the digital setting. Thank you canon!

   4. Superb Shooting Control – Video Snapshot, Quick Start, Quick Charge, Dual Shot and More
   
   The shooting control is superberb. However, you have to turn the dial to change between video and photo mode. I believe my last canon allowed simultaneous filming and picture taking.

   5. Stunning Digital Photography
   
   The photo’s I took were as best as I could have hoped for at 1024×780 resolutions. As you would expect from Kodak, the colors were fabulous and the light recognition was very good. I still haven’t figured out how to get the 5 pics / second (burst mode) working.

   6. 2.7″ Widescreen LCD
   
   This helps a lot in video play back. I have 20/20 vision and can clearly see the clips I just took. I also LOVE the replay mode, which moves from clip to clip until you press the pause button or reach the end.

   7. Pick the Color to Suit Your Style
   
   Sunrise red is HOT. I’m glad I waited a few extra weeks for it.

   8. Additional Features…

   The lithium Iron battery lasts 3-5 hrs, depending on camera use. I still bought 2 extra batteries for $35 total and don’t have any plans to start using them soon. 3-5 hours is amazing in comparison to the HD camcorders, which give you an hour of footage at best.

   The USB high speed terminal is nice, but it took me a few hours to figure out that you need to put the camcorder in PC transfer mode. The default mode is DVD burner mode, which I find to be an oversight by the focus group. They should know that 90% of US customers want to import the clips into their PC, not Canon’s DVD burner. This oversight dropped my review from a perfect 5 stars to 4 stars.

   I discovered that the headphone terminal outputs a mono signal, causing the right earphone to emit an irritating buzzing sound. Thank goodness I was not wearing a head set.

   I have not tested the audio input jack. However, I anticipate better results than their output jack.

   I only tested the Pixel’s software video capture feature, which failed to capture my wide screen video correctly. Thanks to the SDCopy shareware utility, I was able to capture my Wide Screen footage correctly. I hope they provide this feature in their sofware soon!

   After doing some testing I discovered that you can film almost 5 hrs. in low quality (3 mps/sec) mode, lmost 3 hrs in st. quality (6 mps/sec), and approx 2 hrs. of footage at high qualify (9 mps/sec) at the setting on an 8GB SDHC card.

   I did not purchase the extended warrantee because there aren’t many moving parts.

   I congratulate canon’s product design staff for providing a product that I will enjoy using for years to come.
   
   When you capture the video into your PC, you need to have it plugged into the power jack. Otherwise, it will not work. Hence, I suggest that you purchase a USB/HD Card reader with this device.

   With the cost of a 16 GB class 6 SDHC card at $40, I don’t know how canon expects to sell their FS22 (32 GB internal memory) or FS21 (16 GB intenal memory) at the price they are asking.

   This is truly a fabulous product!
   
8. Ryan Brigante says:

   September 19, 2010 at 5:24 AM

   Review by Ryan Brigante for Sony DCR-SX44 Flash memory Handycam Camcorder (Red)
   Rating:
   This camcorder does everything it should. For a palm-sized camera, 60x optical zoom is impressive. It comes with 4 GB of internal memory, and it takes Memory Sticks and SD Cards up to 32 GB. This makes its memory sources more versatile than any other palm-sized cam that I’ve seen.

   This year’s model, the DCR-SX44, comes with an LED Light on the front of the camera for added lighting in low-light situations. One of the biggest complains about last year’s model, the DCR-SX40, was that it had nothing to assist with low lighting. Clearly, Sony addressed the customers’ concerns, and I like that.

   Other nice features: a switch-on lens cover (button on the side), zoom-in microphone (audio zooms with video), and nice color selection (red, blue, and silver).

   It comes with everything you need in the box: battery, power cable, A/V cable, USB cable, and some optional software (which I have not touched).

   Uploading videos online straight off the camera is easy. If you want to edit with Windows Movie Maker, you will need to convert video files from MPG format to WMV format. Simple solution: download WinFF file converter for free, and it converts movie files in a matter of seconds. Then you’re good to go.

   To those who criticized the video quality: Don’t buy a standard definition palm-sized camera and expect high definition video. If you did that, then it’s your own fault that you’re disappointed. For a SD camera, the picture quality is FINE.
9. Ruben Rascon III says:

   September 19, 2010 at 5:40 AM

   Review by Ruben Rascon III for Sony DCR-SX44 Flash memory Handycam Camcorder (Red)
   Rating:
   Since its purchase on Monday, April 6, 2009 at my local Best Buy, I’ve been very satisfied with this wonderful, portable camcorder.

   Before I purchased this camcorder, I used to produce videos with both my Hitachi VM-E635LA 8mm and RCA CC6262 VHS-C camcorders, and while videotaping was simple, capturing and editing on a computer became both troublesome and a hassle, but thanks to my Sony HandyCam DCR-SX41, computer-based video editing has never been any easier for me.

   For those who are expecting High Definition video, this camcorder is NOT for you as it records in 720×480 Standard Definition on the highest recording setting [HQ].

   Keep in mind, if you are looking into purchasing this camcorder, I highly recommend setting the recording setting to HQ for the best picture quality, as some who’ve reviewed this camcorder have mentioned poorness in picture quality.

   Pros: At a first glance, the camcorder is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and is lightweight and portable enough to take anywhere. The battery life is excellent and gives you up to two hours [if your camcorder's recording mode is set to HQ] when fully charged and to make this camcorder an even sweeter deal, it comes with 8 Gigabytes of internal, solid-state flash memory, [much like USB flash drives] which means no internal moving mechanisms, adding longevity to the camcorder’s life. The Sony HandyCam DCR-SX41 also has a Pro-Duo Memory Stick slot for memory expansion, adding extra hours to capture those once-in-a-lifetime moments. This camcorder also has a responsive LCD touch screen for easy access to changing various camcorder settings, including recording modes, picture settings and white balance. The Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens delivers excellent picture quality [again on the HQ setting] for such a tiny camcorder. Finally, this camcorder is quite durable for its size. I’ve dropped mine at least three times in a year’s time and it still works like the day I’ve unboxed it.

   Cons: While this camcorder is great, there are some things that it lacks. Being since this is an entry-level camcorder for the consumer, it is not expandable for external audio, such as adding a shotgun, handheld or lavalier microphone. It also lacks a headphone jack for previewing audio, and while the Sony HandyCam DCR-SX41 has a built-in speaker, it is not the best for previewing audio from your videos directly from the camcorder itself, and while the Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens delivers great picture quality [again on the HQ setting] auto focus can be troublesome at times during low-light conditions [especially when your camcorder's picture setting is set to auto (I highly recommend using the Twilight setting, which reduces focusing issues in lower-lit places)].

   Despite the camcorder’s down-sides, the Sony HandyCam DCR-SX41 is overall a very good camcorder for what it’s worth and is great for entry-level, amateur film-makers and freelance videographers.
10. mmmmna says:

    September 19, 2010 at 6:08 AM

    Review by mmmmna for Sony DCR-SX44 Flash memory Handycam Camcorder (Red)
    Rating:
    I have owned this camera for but a few days, certainly haven’t become familiar with EVERY feature. I still own a Sony DCR-TRV840 (a digital 8mm tape based camera) and this DCR-SX44 will eventually replace the TRV840.

    As a technical consumer, I always review any default settings for devices I purchase; I immediately set the recording mode to highest quality.

    Pros: Small size (barely larger than 2 of the old TRV840s 8MM tapes in their storage cases), touch screen menuing system (minimal buttons on the camera), 60x zoom is optical (much more zoom is available if digital zoom is enabled – at the expense of image resolution), several optional battery capacities, a lot of features to suit novice videographers (spot metering options, face detection, slow shutter for low light recording, white balance, telephoto or Macro modes, guideframes (1/3rd rules), ‘Zoom microphone’ enable, 16:9 or 4:3 recording mode, self timer, media format, view/delete/protect images, more). One added feature: a Reset button, in case you go too far using those menus!

    Cons: Cannot take a snapshot WHILE recording (my old TRV840 could do that), small still photo size (640×480, = VGA, VGA sized digital photos were a breakthrough back in the late 1990s), any USB connection requires LCD display to be opened (cannot use USB with the LCD closed), user option buttons are flush with surface of the case and are impossible to determine by feel (for turning on the recording light, playback, backlight, disc burn), small size camcorder forces a small sized LCD display, cannot add a carrying strap – no loops for straps, support for cards larger than 32 GB is not guaranteed (32 GB SDHC support is guaranteed (I’m quoting the manual – the Sony user manual uses the term GB, not GiB)), unusual connector on the camera for A/V outputs (lose the supplied A/V cable and you need to contact Sony for replacement – try doing that in 5 years), pricey batteries if going for larger capacity than stock battery.

    All in all, for under $250, this is a good family camera, offering room for experimentation, with direct to flash recording capability.
11. Fochizel says:

    September 19, 2010 at 6:46 AM

    Review by Fochizel for Sony DCR-SX44 Flash memory Handycam Camcorder (Red)
    Rating:
    I wanted a simple little camcorder, so of course I first got a JVC HA camcorder. I tried it and found it difficult to deal with the big files, and if you are not a super model they leave you looking a little unflattering. Seriously, do I need anyone seeing that mole?

    So.. When I looked for a standard def cam, I decided on this one after playing around with several other makes. I liked the simple controls and size. The batteries last a long long time, and with an 8gb SD card, I can take videos FOREVER it seems, even in HQ mode (Recommended). AND THANK YOU FOR SD SUPPORT SONY! Finally Sony is joining the rest of western civilization in this regard. I can not comment on Sony’s software because I use something else.

    Optics: Best I have found in this size range.
    
    Video quality: Exactly what you can expect for SD (which I perfer).
    
    Battery live: Great.
    
    Size/Weight: Great (not much bigger then a Flip)
    
    Software: N/A

    After Playing with several different makes/models (8 in all) I found the DCR-SX44 to be the best for my needs. This DOES come with a USB cable and everything else you need.

    Hope this helps.

    P.S. I am generally a Cannon guy, but they really do not do as well with their camcorders.
12. RJLII says:

    September 19, 2010 at 7:43 AM

    Review by RJLII for Sony DCR-SX44 Flash memory Handycam Camcorder (Red)
    Rating:
    Our 1995 Sony camcorder finally bit the dust so it was time for a new one. We only use the camcorder for personal use so we were looking for another basic, easy-to-use camcorder in the $250 range. After spending some time researching camcorders the Sony DCR-SX44 camcorder seemed like a perfect fit.

    PROS:
    
    Ease of use
    
    Extremely lightweight and small
    
    Internal memory with optional memory slot
    
    60x optical zoom
    
    Built in lens cover

    The menu and controls are pretty intuitive so you will be shooting video in no time. This unit is so small that it’s almost too small for large hands to comfortably operate. Fortunately the somewhat small grip is offset by the light weight, which makes extended filming less shaky and fatigue free. I like the onboard memory as well as the option to use SD/SDHC cards. The zoom was very well done, it’s amazing how close you can get. I appreciate the variable zoom that makes it easy to control whether you zoom slow or fast. The one knock on the zoom is that you will need a tripod if you expect to zoom in alot, there is no way a living breathing human can hold this still when zoomed all the way. That’s more a compliment to the 60x than lack of stabilization though. When not zoomed in the stabilization is fine, not great but adequate enough for a budget camcorder.

    CONS:
    
    Video quality
    
    Light for low light conditions looks cool but is basically useless

    The first thing I did was set the camera to auto and put it on the highest video quality. After recording a video indoors I played it back on the TV. Not good. Very grainy, out of focus, and dark. I knew low light indoors video would be a problem, so I went outside in full sunlight and played around. Back to the TV and again, not good. All the images in the video were soft with no sharp lines and appeared to be slightly out of focus. At this point I knew I had to be doing something wrong so I started over.

    I recorded a multi-situation video (including full sunlight, shade, indoors lit, and indoors low light conditions) using each and every camcorder setting available. I then played these directly to the TV, burned them to a DVD, and downloaded them directly to my computer to view. All versions were soft and fuzzy. I then compared the video quality to DVD’s I burned from videos made by our 15 year old Sony tape camcorder. The Sony DCR-SX44 overall video quality (indoor and outdoor) was no better (and sometimes worse) than our old middle of the road camcorder.

    (Please note, I have an HD capable TV but do not have HD service, so I do not watch, am not spoiled by, and am not expecting HD quality video)

    CONCLUSION:
    
    I wanted to like this camcorder as the brand, style, options, cost, and ease of use matched everything I was looking for. However a camcorder with poor video quality is fatally flawed in my book. It is possible I got a defective unit, but reading other reviews it appears I’m not the only one. I returned this camcorder and got my money back. After doing some more research it appears that for another $50-$100 or so I can make the monumental jump to HD and skip the dying technology that is standard definition.
13. Dean M. Freel says:

    September 19, 2010 at 8:34 AM

    Review by Dean M. Freel for Sony HDR-CX550/V 64GB Flash Memory High Definition Handycam® Camcorder with Wide Angle 10x Optical Zoom and 12MP Image Capture featuring a 3.5-inch Widecreen LCD + 16GB Deluxe Accessory Kit
    Rating:
    This is a really good deal. The extra battery alone saves you $50 and covers the cost of the entire kit. The 16GB Memory card is another item worth the price of the kit, just by itself. The Tripod you get is a Full Size tripod (54inch). I didn’t realize that fully until the package showed up and it was 3ft long. The carrying case you get is a Sony product and of very high quality. Even the HDMI cable is of high quality — Belkin with 1080p rating. Unbelievable package deal really. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that you get a flagship Sony HD camcorder, which I totally love. It does shoot in complete darkness 0 lux, something I didn’t think they did a good job of advertising. This HD Flash Camcorder is small, as small as any that I have seen — that still have a decent Optical lense. LCD screen is beautiful, a touchscreen that responds well, and you can see it in full sunlight. The “Golf Shot” is really fun to play around with, probably not of much real use, but really fun to play around with. If there was a drawback to this camera, it would be the limit of only a 10 times zoom. I find that most of the time I don’t need more than 10X (plus 10X is about all you can do and still hold the shot steady with your bare hands, I have an older Sony Handycam that has 40X zoom and at 40X you can’t hold it steady without a tripod), but every once in awhile I find myself wanting a little more zoom. The seller (Ace Photo Digital) sent it on time. It arrived packaged well nothing broken or crumpled, no complaints at all on the purchasing or shipping process. I don’t know how long they will offer such a good deal, you may want to grab it quick before they figure out that the deal is too good. You are going to buy an extra battery and SDHC card anyways, might as well get the carrying case, tripod, HDMI cable, filters, etc…
14. Lori Brees Eakland says:

    September 19, 2010 at 9:25 AM

    Review by Lori Brees Eakland for Sony HDR-CX550/V 64GB Flash Memory High Definition Handycam® Camcorder with Wide Angle 10x Optical Zoom and 12MP Image Capture featuring a 3.5-inch Widecreen LCD + 16GB Deluxe Accessory Kit
    Rating:
    Lovin’ this camcorder!
    
    I purchased this camcorder in May and have been become familiar with it’s basic functions. I’m lovin’ it. The resolution is awesome for both still shots and video. The zoom isn’t as good as my old Sony Hi8 camera but I understand that as an HD camera, it can’t have that 700x zoom. Still, I’m quite satisfied with the zoom. The wide-angle feature is so nice – a noticable difference. I’m extremely pleased with the lightweight, small size. I specifically wanted a camera with a eye-piece viewfinder because sometimes, depending on the lighting, it’s difficult to see in the LCD screen. I’m happy to have both types of viewing. I like the immediate playback capabilities and LOVE the “Highlights” feature. Let’s say you’re at the zoo with your family…you’ve taken several shots throughout the day. Hit “Highlights” and it will play back snippets of what you’ve recorded. So cool. Some reviews I’ve read talked about a blue dot…not a big deal. It depends on the angle of the light but after I started playing with the camera, who even notices. It pops up so rarely. I also LOVE the feature that I can take snapshots while I’m video recording. AND they’re nice quality (my old Sony camera had that capability but the quality was so poor – pictures were grainy.) But this camera is 100% improved. Also, I LOVE the feature where you can capture a still shot at any time out of any video footage. I appreciate the fact that I can record on the internal hard drive or on the SD card. I do video photography as a hobby (vacations with my cousins, etc.) and I’m just lovin’ this camera. And I’ve become aquainted with only the basic features. I have so much more to learn. I’ve been a Sony customer for a long time and this camera did not let me down. It’s awesome!! The deluxe accessory kit was WELL worth the extra $20 I paid for it. The extra battery is a must. The battery will hold about 70 minutes recording time but the LCD will pull it down before the end of the day. So if you’re recording alot, a second battery is necessary. The carrying case is nice – another “must have.” The lenses? not at all. The filters? Well, I using the clear one to protect the camera lens. But for the price of $20, it’s worth every penny. Again, I’m so happy with this new camera.
    
    Lori from Tacoma, WA
15. Brandonhyl says:

    September 19, 2010 at 10:17 AM

    Review by Brandonhyl for Sony HDR-CX550/V 64GB Flash Memory High Definition Handycam® Camcorder with Wide Angle 10x Optical Zoom and 12MP Image Capture featuring a 3.5-inch Widecreen LCD + 16GB Deluxe Accessory Kit
    Rating:
    I just received my Sony CX550v with the extra goodies that this kit features. For the extra price it is well worth it. Especially for the battery which cost upwards of 60 – 70 dollars on it’s own. This gives you everything you need to get started plus more. I priced a comparable kit at Crutchfield and the price came out to be around 100.00 dollars more. Hopefully this gives you peace of mind.

    The Sony CX550v is an amazing camera. I used this for corporate videos at my previous job and liked it so much I decided to get one for personal use. The only down side is the lack of manual audio level control, although they have a “normal” and “low” audio option. Remember to get a mic that has its own manual audio level control or you will not like the outcome. The slow motion feature is awesome, I just wish it recorded longer than 5 seconds. All of that aside this camera gives you great picture quality. I can’t forget theface detection during video recording is amazing. I shot a wedding using this camera and caught some great moments of the bride and groom for them to have as stills.

    Here is a short video I did for my previous employer using the CX550v: [...]
16. Lisset S. Mendoza says:

    September 19, 2010 at 11:16 AM

    Review by Lisset S. Mendoza for Sony HDR-CX550/V 64GB Flash Memory High Definition Handycam® Camcorder with Wide Angle 10x Optical Zoom and 12MP Image Capture featuring a 3.5-inch Widecreen LCD + 16GB Deluxe Accessory Kit
    Rating:
    i loved this product, i loved the camera, and all the things it came with it. For only $20 more i got a lot more things. It was totally worth the price, the lens weren’t as good as i thought they’d be, but i don’t mind everything else was awesome!!!!!!
17. Naveed M. says:

    September 19, 2010 at 12:11 PM

    Review by Naveed M. for Sony HDR-CX550/V 64GB Flash Memory High Definition Handycam® Camcorder with Wide Angle 10x Optical Zoom and 12MP Image Capture featuring a 3.5-inch Widecreen LCD + 16GB Deluxe Accessory Kit
    Rating:
    This Camera is a MUST buy! ESPECIALLY with the awesome extra kit. Trust me and trust Sony, you will not be disappointed with this purchase.
18. Regular Guy says:

    September 19, 2010 at 12:49 PM

    Review by Regular Guy for Canon VIXIA HF100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
    Rating:
    I’ve done more research on mass-marketed high-definition camcorders than any person with a job really should. After weeks of combing and considering the pros and cons of AVCHD vs. HDV, HDD vs. tape vs. flash, I decided on the HV30, since I was persuaded by arguments about and examples of video quality, especially in low-light. Got the HV30 and, indeed, the picture quality is stunning. The sound, though, was a great disappointment. Since I’m fond of capturing quiet moments – the subtle sounds of, say, my four-month-old daughter sleeping – the high-pitch whine of the tape motor present in my recordings with the HV30 proved to be a deal killer. (I’m well aware of wide range of solutions to this problem, from external microphones to post-production techniques, but I’d ideally like to avoid carrying around additional equipment and I only have so much time to spend on this hobby – I’ll leave in-depth editing to those more dedicated, working towards different ends, and/or without family commitments.)

    I should have stuck to my gut instincts and bought the HF100 the first time around. After sending the HV30 back (thanks to Amazon’s excellent return policy), I purchased the HF100 and am simply delighted. Video *and* audio are pretty darn good if not excellent. Maybe someone can split hairs and demonstrate the “artifacts” present between video recordings of this AVCHD camcorder vs. an HDV one, but I simply can’t see a difference when played at normal speed. The difference in sound recordings between this flash-based camcorder and comparable motorized machines is, to my ear, both obvious and dramatic. So if you’re sensitive to white noise or if you’re interested in minimizing/eliminating sounds from the recorder, think hard about the kind of camcorder you buy and what you’re willing to tolerate or accommodate in terms of additional equipment or post-production.

    A final note/aside on my own take on the HF10 vs. the HF100: I appreciate the allure of the black-body HF10 in terms of aesthetics, but I actually find the dual flash memory feature to be a turn-off. I’d personally rather just manage a single, removable media card. Seems like a minor inconvenience to deal with both internal memory and removable cards when recording hours of footage before transferring/backing-up to a PC (while traveling, perhaps?). I’d preferably swap and label cards. But this, of course, is a matter of individual preference and habit; I include my thoughts here in case anyone hadn’t given this aspect some consideration.
19. Lon J. Seidman says:

    September 19, 2010 at 1:19 PM

    Review by Lon J. Seidman for Canon VIXIA HF100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
    Rating:
    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.
20. Jerry Tieng says:

    September 19, 2010 at 2:18 PM

    Review by Jerry Tieng for Canon VIXIA HF100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
    Rating:
    This is my first video camera and I am a geek so please pardon me if I get a little technical as I’m the kind of guy who shops simply by comparing specs.

    Before this, my only experience with video cameras where those that I borrowed from friends and family over the years to cover the occasional family event – I prefer shooting with a still camera. I have been shooting with SLR’s for the past 25 years (all Nikons from the FM2 to the D3) so I am biased towards prints presentation and web sharing. This makes me a johnny-come-lately into the camcorder world.

    2008 saw the confluence of our first HDTV, Canon’s release of an affordable true HD-resolution camcorder, and cheap flash-memory storage. So it finally hit me that *right now* is the time to get into recording life’s sweet moments on “tape.” (And at 16:9 1920×1080 resolution at that! I’m a geek remember?)

    I live in a developing country in Asia where new gizmos are always late to market and priced 30-50% more so the only way to find what I want is to shop online by specs. I’ve compared and read every user review of all the available models from Sony, JVC, Panasonic, and Canon and the recently-announced and released HF100 sure got everything right on paper! I received my Amazon package 2 days ago and I’m happy to report that this little gem is EXACTLY what I wanted and expected!

    These are what I was looking for and which, happily, I got:

    1. Flash-memory based recording on SD
    
    I can’t deal with tape nor am I comfortable with a spinning drive inside a piece of equipment that I might drop. Sony’s Memory Sticks don’t fit my world and with Transcend Class 6 16Gb SD cards priced at only $74, the HF100 is perfect for my workflow! (I spend 10-16hrs a day in front of a PC.)

    I’ve decided to shoot all my material using FX mode and a 16Gb card is good for 2hours worth of video. (Side note: the standard BP809 battery is good for only about 1hr so you better get an extra one.)

    2. True HD quality
    
    I still have to get myself a HDMI cable but the component-out signal on my LCD is crisp and more than what I expected! To my eye, it’s as good as the prosumer-level models that I’ve been wanting to get but can’t justify.

    3. Fast focus
    
    The focusing works darn well. It’s not 100% but it’s very close. And this is from a guy who’s spoiled by the fast- and multi-point focusing of pro-level DSLR’s and lenses.

    4. OIS
    
    Generally works, you gotta give it a half-second or so to stabilize and the LCD viewfinder is a great way to balance the unit with 2 hands. Once you zoom all the way to 12x though, I recommend using a tripod esp when shooting for long periods of time (like stage performances).

    5. Output files
    
    The files are saved in MTS format and after Googling for half an hour, I was able to download a couple of freeware transcoders and converted a 46-second 89Mb 1920×1080 clip and downsized it into a 16Mb 848×480 XVid AVI which is gentler on my Mediagate MG-350 hard disk media player. I intend to archive all originals on BluRay and downsample the files to make it easier to share, think YouTube, Windows Media Player, hard disk media players, iPhones, etc…

    6. Size and build
    
    Yep, it’s really the size of soda can and very, very insconspicuous. It has metallic gun metal finish and, although not as aesthetically pleasing as the black HF10, it’s better-looking than the pics on the web. The size is a welcome change from the routine harassment I get from overzealous mall security who thinks I’m out to make a quick buck selling pictures of mall scenes and/or architecture everytime I fish out my so-called ‘professional’ DSLR. I shot all day today and no one even noticed. The build is perfect, like what we’re used to expect from high-quality, super-miniaturized products from Japan. For what it’s worth, the unit I got is labeled Made in Japan.

    7. User interface
    
    I haven’t read the manual yet as the basic camcorder stuff is easy. But I concur with the observation that the START/STOP and CAMERA/VIDEO RECORD/PLAYBACK switches could have been designed better. I prefer the Sony approach where a rotating collar representing the different modes rings a big round red button. The on-screen menu can be better but it’s liveable. I’m so used to the intuitive interface of Nikon cameras so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that (just) some of the quirkiness of Canon’s camera interface design can also be found on their camcorders. For example, there are way too many clicks to get a clip deleted. I also wish that scrolling through the clips is fast as browsing through a digicam’s thumbnails.

    8. Optics
    
    Based on what I see on the LCD TV, they’re great! I’m a wide-angle shooter so my next purchase is a 0.5x wide angle converter, but I’m now hesitating against buying the $50 models as they may not do justice to the camcorder outstanding optics. Information on photographic lens quality such as resolving power, MTF charts, etc.. are readily available online but there seems to be less on video-related optics so I gotta spend some time finding the right one for this.

    9. Control layout
    
    I think the layout is okay. The AV jack, HDMI jack, and composite jacks are on 3 separate sides, I hope they can put them all on one side in the next iteration. Oh, the tactile feel, location and size of the photo capture button is awkward. Coming from a DSLR, how I use/misuse this button often results in blurred pictures esp when in dim light. There’s just no way of releasing the shutter without causing camera shake. But then again, why use a camcorder as a camera?

    10. Audio
    
    I think the audio recording is okay, it records my narrative clearly. I haven’t shoot enough to judge how audio from the subject sounds like but I will attend a beach wedding in a couple of weeks, so I’ll report back on how the wind filter and audio pickup performs in such an environment.

    I’m truly happy with this purchase. After 2 days with it and experimenting on post-production workflow, I’d rate this product a 10/10.

    Get one!

    —

    2008.05.01 Update
    
    Start up time from stand-by is 1sec. Start up time from dead cold is 6 seconds regardless of your flash capacity (I tried it on 1, 4, and 16Gb) and regardless of how many clips are already in it.

    Finalists on my list before I got the HF100 are the Sony HDR-CX7 and the Panny SD9. They’re worth taking a look and the reviews should tell you why I chose the HF100 instead.

    I’ve just finalized my AVCHD to DVD workflow and it basically involves transcoding from MTS > AVC (Using DGAVCIndex) > MPEG2/DVD (Using ConvertXToDVD & AVISynth). I don’t have a Blu-Ray player yet so I’ll figure out that workflow some other time. Checkout http://www.videohelp.com for all the tips and tricks you’ll ever need.

    I think my DSLR’s will see a lot less action in as far as shooting family is concerned.

    —

    2008.05.03 Update

    For easy 1-step conversion of AVCHD files to DVD discs, one probably has to use commercial software such as iMovie, Nero 8, ULead 11, etc…

    The geek in me was somehow drawn to open source/freeware software I found via the http://www.VideoHelp.com forum, specifically as illustrated in this thread – http://forum.videohelp.com/topic346331.html.

    I learned (over the past few days) that AVCHD recording saves your material as an MTS file which you’ll find in the STREAMS subdirectory. MTS files combine the actual AVC video (MPEG4/H264 format) and AC3 audio into a single ‘stream.’ As such, you need to demultiplex or split up the streams into their individual video and audio components before you can get any transcoding done (conversion from one format to another).

    To demux the MTS file, I used a software called DGAVCIndex (downloadable via a link in the above thread) and a utility called AVISynth which acts as a frameserver or translator to a final software that creates your final output. The final software I chose to use are VirtualDub for creating DivX- or XVid-encoded AVI files which you can view on your PC. On the other hand, I use ConvertXtoDVD to create DVD discs that I can view on any DVD player out there.

    Yeah, that made my head spin too!

    Anyways, that’s DGAVCINDEX to split, if you don’t split you won’t get anything done. AVISYNTH to act as a pre-processor for the split files – add fade-in/out, resize, sharpen, adjust color, etc… CONVERTXDVD takes that pre-processed files and convert/burn the output directly to DVD.

    Those are all freeware but the commercial stuff aren’t too expensive either. I just hope that the little explanation helps you better understand/appreciate the conversion process. I heard that it wasn’t this easy dealing with AVCHD files as late as a year ago.

    Happy shooting!
21. Adam Dachis says:

    September 19, 2010 at 2:52 PM

    Review by Adam Dachis for Canon VIXIA HF100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
    Rating:
    The HF100 is a good camcorder. It takes better photos than I expected, as Canon’s camcorders generally take anywhere from terrible to almost acceptable photos, and the video quality is nice and sharp. The image stabilizer is wonderful, low light performance is all right, battery life is okay, and compression efficiency and quality is very good. Let’s get more specific.

    I’ll just go in order of where I started and add anything else I can think of along the way. You don’t want to use this camera for still photos. In fact, you’d be better off printing a frame of your video in many cases. Nonetheless, the photos are usable in most situations and the flash doesn’t ruin them like it used to. It can make them less-desirable and I have yet to find an easy way to disable it (though there does appear to be one that isn’t working for me–yet). One weird thing is that switching to photo mode doesn’t let you take a picture right away. I have to press the video record button, let the camera tell me I’m not in video mode anymore, and then I can press the photo button with success. This may not be the case on all cameras and since I rarely take photos these days if not with my DSLR, I don’t really care. But it’s a nuisance and just bizarre. Lastly, it’s sort of annoying to have to switch modes to record/play back videos and photos. There are four modes. There should be two. There are two separate buttons for photos and videos. If I have to switch modes, the video button should work as a photo button as well. It’s just weird that they separated the buttons AND the modes. Two separate buttons is how I prefer it, without every having to switch modes unless I want to move between play and record.

    I’m extremely critical about video quality, and my first impression wasn’t all that positive when I saw the video that came out of the HF100. After I shot in decent light, shot a series of different subjects and lowered my expectations a tiny bit I felt differently. (I’m used to shooting on a Sony PMW-EX1, so expecting that kind of performance out of a consumer HD camcorder was very unrealistic.) The video quality is quite nice. Comparing it to my previous, smaller handheld (Sanyo HD1000), it’s slightly sharper but lacking the nice contrast the HD1000 provides. That’s fine because it provides a lot more data to work with in post, but at first I felt like the video didn’t look that good because it seemed kind of…flat, I guess. Nonetheless, the video quality is quite good–especially after you’ve spent some time working with it.

    Shooting modes are plentiful but not as good as they seem. The HF100 shoots in 30FP and 24FP modes, which is basically fake 30p and 24p. The footage it records is still interlaced, but once you de-interlace it looks pretty close to 30p and 24p footage. But it’s not, and you can sometimes tell, and that’s unfortunate. But I’m guessing 1080p didn’t make it into this camera because it couldn’t handle the heat of the sensors in such a small body with very little room for ventilation. The only 1080p camercorder offered at this physical size is a Panasonic, and it’s not actually 1080p. It uses standard definition sensors and up-converts the image. If you’re looking for the closest thing to 1080p in a small camcorder that you can get at the moment, this is what I’d go with (and did). Sony has a few nice options, too, but I like the images produced by Canon’s consumer sensors over Sony’s and Canon’s cameras use SD cards rather than MemoryStick, which ties you to buying Sony Products or throwing away your flash memory when you switch.

    You can fit a lot of video on an SD card these days, even in high definition. The Sanyo HD1000 I used to own fit even more, but the Canon HF100 fits an even two hours on a 16GB card. Even if you don’t want to pay for a 16GB and go with an 8GB card, you can still fit an hour. I don’t think the battery will even let you shoot for two hours . Storage that large is more for if you’re not going to be able to import between charges.

    Speaking of charging the camera, it does so fairly quickly. I think it only takes a couple of hours after the first one. It’s never been a problem, though I wouldn’t mind if the battery lasted a bit longer. What is a bigger inconvenience, however, is transferring the footage from the camera. The camera MUST be plugged in to the power adapter when transferring or it will refuse to do so. This is very aggravating because it means more cords and that you have to take your power adapter everywhere you want to transfer footage. If you’re a laptop user you will not like this. I wouldn’t like this as a desktop user either but that may just be me. Anyway, the trick is to get a card reader and use that instead. If you have a laptop with an ExpressCard slot this is especially easy. Either way, just make sure you get a card reader with support for SDHC cards over 8GB.

    Moving on.

    Coming from the HD1000, which is about as stable as Michael Jackson, the HF100 is wonderful. It’s about the best stabilizer you can expect from a handheld camera, and is amazing considering how small it is. No complaints, only praise. It makes your shaky shots look fluid.

    And the instant auto focus they promise is, almost all of the time, instant. It’s pretty nice.

    Low light performance is okay. It’s about what you should expect from a consumer-grade camcorder. It’s not bad by any means, but isn’t perfect. It’s done a great job in the majority of the locations I’ve had it. Unless people complain about the light being too low for their own eyes, the HF100 should do a pretty good job. I’d like it to be incredible and jaw dropping, but it’s a consumer HD camcorder. It does very well for that.

    Battery life is sufficient, but it could be better. I’d like to be able to shoot for over two hours, maybe three. One and a half (give or take) isn’t as much as I’d like, but it hasn’t caused problems. Still, I’d like to see battery life–but who wouldn’t?

    The video compression is hardly noticeable, and if you want to notice it you have to move the camera quite a bit. I’m making all my comments about the highest quality mode, by the way. It’s efficient enough to give you about 7.5 minutes of full-quality video per GB of storage. I think that’s fair.

    As for the sound, it’s not bad. I might even say it’s good for a built-in mic. I think these mics are getting much better than they used to be, because I remember when they were painful to listen to. Now they’re loud, you can hear what you need to hear (in most situations), and the noise you get along with the audio you do want isn’t that bad. In fact, I would probably call the sound this camcorder records good.

    Lastly, the controls are a bit weird at times but Canon’s been known for weird controls. I already mentioned the odd controls for switching modes. Menus are kind of split up in a strange way and the quick change controls, through the little joystick controller on the LCD, isn’t as quick and easy as it was most likely supposed to be. If you’re shooting in automatic this is all pretty much moot, but if you like to change things now and then you might find the controls a little frustrating. I’ve been through all kinds of HD cameras over the past couple of years and I think Sanyo does this the best with the HD1000. It uses a system that worked quite well in previous models, but made it more solid in the HD1000. Nonetheless, nothing is perfect. I certainly would not discount the HF100 because of the weird controls. For the most part, they’re good. There are just a couple of choices that seem completely bizarre and inexplicable.

    Overall, it’s a very good camera. It’s not the camera I want, but it’ll do until they figure out how to do what I want in a mini cam . Ideally, I’d like something like the HD1000 but with a stabilizer and autofocus system as perfect as the HF100′s. The sharper image quality wouldn’t hurt, either. I’d like it to do true 24p, or at least 30p, at 1920×1080. In fact, if I could have 720/24p in the HD1000 (currently it does 30p and 60p, which is great) with the Canon autofocus and image stabilization I’d be very, very happy. But for now, the HF100 is a very good option for me and probably a much better option for people who aren’t as horribly picky .
22. D. D'Eugenio says:

    September 19, 2010 at 3:49 PM

    Review by D. D’Eugenio for Canon VIXIA HF100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
    Rating:
    I can’t speak to the tech side of the camera, in the end it’s about, does it do what I need it to do at the price I’m willing to pay? After reading and reviewing 102 cameras (yes I did), I was more confused than ever. I finally I had to admit my short coming with this type of technology and consult a video/mac (I’m a MAC user) professional with no bias. After hearing what my needs are and I use MacBook Pro (with the Intel chip) he strongly recommended the Canon HF100. the reasons he gave:

    Seamless with Mac computers and ALL PC based computers
    
    Works very well will all editing software. (I’m using Final Cut Express)
    
    No moving parts (were are sportsmen and want an HD that is durable (there is a higher risk with a tape drive or DVD camcorder of failure)
    
    Removal of the 16gb SD(separate purchase $140.) Plug it in to a computer and download your video. While you continue to shoot by using a second chip (time saver)
    
    Only 1 second between pushing the rec button and recording.
    
    Lightweight (no hard drive)

    The tech stuff and features are outstanding, however, what mattered is it going to perform for me. We took it out on our boat for the day with seas 3-4 ft. The Canon HF100 performed extremely well. The stability in relation to a lot of swells was great, the color (brilliance), longevity of the 16gb SD, the battery (BP-819 not included, Canon includes the BP-809) were also incredibly!

    You can read all the tech stuff online and narrow it down based on specs. Sorry I can’t help with that. What I can share with you is what happens after you buy it and whether or not it performs. This camera is the new standard. It will perform.

    This camera is featured on the apple.com website, confirming its compatibility.
23. Pelagic says:

    September 19, 2010 at 4:41 PM

    Review by Pelagic for Canon VIXIA HF200 HD Flash Memory Camcorder w/15x Optical Zoom – 2009 MODEL
    Rating:
    The video quality is superb, as is ease of use. Here are a few hints and things I noticed. The battery out of the box will not power-on the camera and needs some minutes of charge to even show 0%. You can operate the camera from the charger but the battery is not being charged, says the manual.

    There are two 1920×1080 picture quality modes: MXP at 24 mbps and FXP at 17 mbps — and three at 1440×1080: XP+, SP and LP, at 12, 7 and 5 mbs, respectively. I believe it defaults to LP out of the box, which is 1440×1080 at 7 mbps. I suggest you select FXP to get true 1920×1080 resolution. Upping to 24 mbps might be a good idea only if you are going to do a lot of post editing — I can’t see an improvement over FXP. Recording times with a 16GB card are 1:25, 2:05, 2:50, 4:45 and 6:05, respectively.

    When the camera is OFF, pressing the DISP button (on the camera body) will show battery capacity in minutes and percent. Pressing DISP when ON turns the LCD to max brightness. IOW, you can set the LCD brightness for normal indoor use with the menu and instantly set it bright for outdoor use. Handy.

    The CINE mode seems to digitally soften the image; there may some color change but I didn’t notice it from the shots I took in a park. The PF30 and PF24 rates show a jerkiness when panning as you would expect from a lower frame rate. I think these rates are simulated because all recording is done at 60i. For example when I played back PF24 stepping one frame at a time I saw the same image for 3 steps, then the next. (The “3 steps” varies with both PF24 and PF30.) OTOH, PF24 is useful in low light situations as it permits the HF200 slow the shutter speed down to 1/6 sec.

    Previous Canon users will find the menu system easy and familiar, similar even to their still cameras. The joystick is “big” and has a positive, definite feedback feel to it. Menu navigation seems easier and clearer than earlier Canons I’ve used. There is even a Large Font choice. Good!

    The Power On button is deep in a groove that makes it unlikely to accidentally turn on. But with your right hand in the nice grip you have to use the left to press it On – my fingers don’t reach. No loss, you need the other hand to open the LCD panel anyway. The zoom lever on top is a middle finger control. The adjacent Photo button is for a trained index finger. Record, at the back, is thumb operated. You can also use an LCD panel button to Record.

    The Quick Start feature means you can close the LCD to save power (runs at 1/3 normal) and be ready to shoot in about 1 sec after opening it. Note, if you close the LCD panel while recording it will continue to record — so slamming it shut does not stop the shot.

    The still photo features are quite amazing. The resolution is 3 megapixels, but a very good 3mp! You can shoot continuously at 3 or 5 frames/sec. And you can shoot at the same fast frame rates with flash! The flash is actually a high-power white LED, not a xenon tube. There is a separate warm-white LED for video that works OK to 5-6 feet.

    There are the usual auto white balance, auto exposure, instant focus features and so on that you can read about above. There’s face detection for proper focus. They all work very well. I like the Vivid color setting for most all shooting – video and photo. It is a slight pump in saturation that helps if you mainly view using your laptop LCD. Instant AutoFocus is aptly named. There is a fairly large IAF sensor next to the lens for this purpose. The 15x zoom, a first for me, is fully useful all the way out. Impressive.

    Battery life (BP-809) takes a definite second place to 16GB storage. I just checked and it indicates 100%, 94 minutes. But you can of course buy larger batteries. (I use the smaller BP-808 battery from my FS100 SD video cam as a backup.) With the Quick Start feature (can be turned off) power is used between shots and this will generally use more juice that actual recording. Figure 3 to 5 times battery vs video: one hour of video needs 3+ hours of battery cap. Unless you buy a charger you must charge in the camera. Only one sample so far, but it seemed to take a little more than an hour to charge from 0%.

    The supplied Pixela software is minimal. You can combine up to 99 shots into an M3TS file. It can be played on video players like Popcorn Hour and the WD HD TV player. (I have both and strongly recommend the $99 WD over the $230 PCH. The PCH can connect to Internet servers, its main claim to fame.) These players can also play the MTS format directly copied from the SD card but there is a 1-2 sec delay between each shot. Pixela lets you pick and chose shots, trim a given shot, and add titles and audio. I don’t know how to get past the 99 shot limit with Pixela — I made about 170 shots in the park yesterday.

    All in all, I luves it.
    
24. Katie Moter says:

    September 19, 2010 at 5:13 PM

    Review by Katie Moter for Canon VIXIA HF200 HD Flash Memory Camcorder w/15x Optical Zoom – 2009 MODEL
    Rating:

    I need a HD camcorder for my new born baby, but with a limited budget. So I compared canon HF200, Sony CX100 and Panasonic TM20R since they are all in sub 600 range. I tried all of them in local stores and finally settled with canon HF200, although it’s a little bit more expensive than cx100 and TM20R.

    The sensor of HF200 is the biggest one among these three, 1 /4″ (1/5″ for CX100, 1/6″ for TM20R). It guaranteed best resolution, 2.99 Megapixels ( 2.3 M for cx100, 1.14M for TM20R) and in my experience larger sensor also helps lower the noise in dark environment. Indeed, minimal illumination condition for HF200 is 0.4 lux, much better than thre other two. I took a couple of sample shots in local stores and the picture from HF200 for dark environment is acceptable. Sony cx100 is barely acceptable and Panasonic TM20R is total crap, not even as good as my webcam.

    After I finally bought HF200, I never regretted! The video quality is just superb. For the 1920×1080 quality videos, it has two modes: MXP(24Mbps) and FXP(17Mbps). To be honest I can’t tell the quality difference between these two. I guess unless you are gonna do massive editing, FXP is good enough for daily usage. So on a 16GB sd memory card, I can record 135 minutes 1080p HD video.

    The still image shot quality is quite good too, and it’s powered by the 15x optical lens(35mm equivalent: 39.5 – 592.5mm). It gives you a very handy telephoto camera and the image stabilization works very well on the long focus end too. Last weekend with this camera, I easily took some nice pictures of two bears far far away from me. Most of other HD camcorders only have 10x lens.

    All the button and menu are well designed. It’s very easy to use and I don’t even need to read the manual. LCD panel is in good size too.

    Canon Face Detection is also a very nice feature. The same high quality Face Detection technology used in Canon digital cameras is now available in Canon High Definition camcorders. Up to 35 faces can be detected automatically, and 9 detection frames can be displayed at one time. Face Detection ensures razor-sharp focus and natural, accurate exposure of the chosen subjects.

    Okay, let me also mention some cons. First, like one of the other reviewer said, the software coming with it sucks! It can only edit the original format from the camcorder and output to same format instead of other more popular formats. Thanks god the newest windows media player support the video files directly from the camcorder. You can just use the usb cable or pop the sd memory card into a card reader and copy all the .mts file into your computer and rename them into .m2ts, then by double clicking it windows media player opens it right away. However, windows movie maker can’t handle them, and you can upload .m2ts file to youtube.com but the sound of the video will be cut off after a couple of seconds. So if you want to edit your videos and share your videos, probably you need buy a converting software like total video converter

    One thing I forgot to mention, Its twin brother canon HF20 has exactly all the same configuration as HF200 except with 32GB interal memory. However HF20 is almost 200 bucks more expensive than HF200. Now the SD memory card is so cheap. I suggest you to buy HF200 with a 16GB or 32GB SD card. Just don’t forget to use class 4 or up SD card.

    To summarize, overall it’s the best entry level HD camcorder. With the price drop alert subscription from http://www.pricetrace.com, I got it from amazon.com for only $560.5. It is worth every penny.
25. Chimel says:

    September 19, 2010 at 6:05 PM

    Review by Chimel for Canon VIXIA HF200 HD Flash Memory Camcorder w/15x Optical Zoom – 2009 MODEL
    Rating:
    Great camcorder, but get a bigger battery such as the BP-827, the default one makes a nice backup.

    The software provided sucks, and you have to figure out by yourself which program does what: The main interface can upload videos, but not play or edit them, as it does for photos. It also creates a clutter of Start menu shortcuts in Windows that you don’t need since these programs are called by the main program, ZoomBrowser. About the Pixela video editing software provided, well, let’s just say that it’s better forgotten…

    Only 15 music tracks in wave format are provided to use as soundtrack.
    
    There is also a Canon online photo storage offer that you probably don’t need if you already have a blog or email provider.

    The good thing is that the AVCHD format of this camcorder is supported by Windows Media Player 11 (at least on my Vista Ultimate machine). Not sure if it’s native to Windows or if it came with other software I installed. The MTS file extension was not supported, though, you need to add it manually: Open a MTS file from Windows Explorer, choose “Select an installed program”, select Windows Media Player and the checkbox to remember it.

    Transferring the videos using the software provided is very cumbersome (cantbearsome really): You need both the USB and power cables, and clicking your way through a few screens on the camcorder before the transfer can start. I could start the photo transfer from either the camcorder or the computer, but only from the computer for videos.

    My suggestion: Don’t install any of the software, it’s easier to just copy the files from a card reader to your hard disk using Windows Explorer. You can get a multi 23-in-1 card reader for about $20, finally get rid of this useless floppy drive, and add a front USB port to your PC!

    The camcorder in this offer does not ship with any card, you need to buy one separately. 16GB is good enough for medium quality. If you need higher quality or continuous shooting, you should probably get two cards, like a 32GB card for long capacity and a smaller one as a backup while uploading the videos from the first card. Transcend SDHC Class 6 cards are from a good brand at decent prices.

    The default BP-809 battery provided is good for 1 hour of recording, I suggest you match your battery model to the duration of your memory card. For instance, if you have a 32GB card that can store 3 hours of video (at highest quality), get the BP-827 battery that provides 3 hours of battery life.

    One more thing: This camcorder is VERY small and light, and its true HD resolution means that it is hard to shoot without making jumpy videos, you need to hold it with 2 hands or more. The built-in stabilizer can only help so much, and will not save you from the butterfly effect: A wing beat on the other side of the planet WILL shake your video. On the other hand, nobody can see the difference if you shot your video drunk or sober, so enjoy the beer. I found a tripod helpful (when shooting from a static location is OK), any tripod should do because the camcorder is so light.

    If you need a bag, the Lowepro Edit 110 is just the right size and fits the camcorder with the largest battery, an extra battery, the power adapter, the remote and as many SDHC cards as you need. The camcorder manual also fits in, but it’s a pity it’s so thick, as it includes 3 languages (English, French, Spanish). There are 23 languages on the camcorder’s menus. Cables won’t fit. BTW, the camcorder ships without a HDMI cable, you need to get your own if you have a AVCHD-compatible TV and you want to playback on TV directly from the camcorder. Not necessary if your TV has a card reader or is connected to your computer.

    Lastly, check your computer rig, you may need an extra large disk (1-2 TB) to store these videos, and more than one if you need to keep the original AVCHD videos for post-production: DVD backups just won’t do for this kind of files, unless you have a Blu-ray writer. If you don’t need to keep the AVCHD files, burning DVDs is the best way to archive your movies. Just remember that even in HD, DVDs are highly compressed (meaning losing a lot of the quality of your original AVCHD files.) $13 will get you a very basic USB IDE/SATA external adapter, a cheap way to use obsolete hard disks to archive your videos.

    Windows 7 update (01/26/2010): While you still need to install the driver tools in Vista Ultimate for MTS playback, none of this is required for Windows 7 Ultimate, it can play the MTS files natively and the Import Wizard will start automatically as soon as you insert the SD card in your computer’s card reader.
26. Shannon L. Dizmang says:

    September 19, 2010 at 6:48 PM

    Review by Shannon L. Dizmang for Canon VIXIA HF200 HD Flash Memory Camcorder w/15x Optical Zoom – 2009 MODEL
    Rating:
    I Believe this camera is great. It’s just above your average models. I’ve used for a week now filming basic family stuff, kids sports and it works great. It shows great video through a the HDMI cable on my HD TV as well (cable does not come with camera).

    The problem I have now is trying to get my computer to read the files. My memory is full and need put on DVD now. After doing some research I found out that camera requires new software and for whatever reason Canon does not provide the proper software to do this with the camera. The files that you will be dealing with, will be CPI or MTS files. I’m not very savvy about this stuff, but I understand now that I have to buy a new program that will read these files and because they are fairly new files, there isn’t that many programs out there yet. The programs range from $75 and up, so now you can add this to your cost. After my research every new HD camcorder brand is pretty much having similiar problems.

    http://www.internetvideomag.com/Articles_2008/022408_HD_Video_Editing.htm
    
    I just stumbled across this. I hope you have a new, big, powerful computer to operate this camcorder as well, if not, your looking at another $1000 for a computer to handle this thing. This camcorder is ahead of it’s time right now. Pc’s and software are trying to keep up with them.

    To look for software, google video editing software, to get a good idea what you’re up against.

    Like I said, so far the camcorder itself works great. I see a bunch of people complaining about the low light filming being grainy, but if you have ever owned a camcorder, you will know that they all do that. unless you spend over $2000-$2500 for a one.

    I gave this 3 stars only because I’m not happy that Canon didn’t provide the proper software in the box in the first place.

    If any of you ever had any problems with this or found a better solution, please let me know or leave comments.
27. Paul Schwan says:

    September 19, 2010 at 7:00 PM

    Review by Paul Schwan for Canon VIXIA HF200 HD Flash Memory Camcorder w/15x Optical Zoom – 2009 MODEL
    Rating:
    After reading many of the earlier reviews I took the plunge and purchased the Canon VIXIA HF200 flash memory camcorder. I upgraded from a Canon mini-DV camcorder because I had purchased my first HDTV from Amazon last Christmas. Of course, I needed an HD camcorder with my new HD television!

    I use a Sonnet 21-in-1 multimedia reader&writer Express Card/34 and pop the SD card in to transfer the video clips to my MacBook Pro. Using iMovie ’09, this works great. iMovie ’09 recognizes it without flaw, and with this software I can choose the clips I want to download from the SD card to my laptop. I use iMovie ’09 to organize my videos, and I make the initial selections of clips that I want in each project using iMovie ’09. Then, I export to Apple’s Intermediate Codec and open this export file in iMovie HD. I prefer the timeline in Apple’s older version of iMovie. I also purchased Final Cut Express 4, but haven’t cracked that product yet, as it’s much more complicated than what I’m used to in iMovie. So, for now, I’m bringing video clips in with the latest version of iMovie, then downconverting and editing in iMovie HD; this works great. I’ll eventually learn Final Cut Express and move forward in my video editing hobby. I share all of this because I didn’t realize until I read in David Pogue’s Missing Manual book (iMovie ’09 and iDVD) that I could still use iMovie HD with a flash memory video camera and the AVCHD codec. I’m glad to have discovered this.

    As others have said, getting AVCHD encoded video clips into a computer takes LONGER than real-time because of the converting that must take place. My mode of operation with a Canon mini-DV camcorder was to fill a 60-minute tape, then transfer it to the laptop when convenient. I would get it started and come back 60 minutes later to 60-minutes of video ready to edit. Now, I come back 90 minutes later instead. Transfer seems to take about 1.5 times the length of the clips, give or take. For me, this is not a problem when I use my usual transfer and edit process.

    If you’re looking for instantaneous transfer of files in useable form, though, flash memory won’t give it to you — at least with this camera. Others have stated, and I found directions in David Pogue’s book stating that it’s possible to transfer the files to the computer’s hard drive for LATER conversion to useable form for editing. I haven’t done this yet, and I would be nervous about deleting the clips from my flash memory card until I had them converted, could see them, and had them backed up on another hard drive. That’s when I clear the flash card and re-use it for new video clips. I’ve had too many lost data situations in the past and I guess I’m a bit overly cautious when I have once-in-a-lifetime video that I don’t want to lose. I believe in multiple copies of precious data, video data included. I get around this limitation by having two 16 Gb flash memory cards which, in best mode on this camera, gives me about 1.5 hours of video per card. I have yet to fill one before transferring video.

    I also have multiple firewire and/or USB hard drives which I use for backing up video. If I take a long trip I’ll just buy a handful of SD chips, along with the two batteries I already own, and shoot away. Each evening it’s my practice to download to hard drive anyway, back that up to an external drive, and this seems to work for most situations. It’s less expensive to do this with mini-DV tapes (which provide one backup source), but when precious video is involved I don’t mind paying for a few extra 16 Gb chips. They’re pretty inexpensive on Amazon.com.

    I recommend this camera if your habits fit mine, or if you’re looking for great-looking video on an HDTV. I have a lot to learn about this camera to get the most out of it, including the editing process. It will serve me for many years to come, as did my Canon mini-DV standard-definition camera.

    APRIL 10, 2010 UPDATE:
    
    I’ve received many nice comments and questions via Amazon, so many that I decided it might be helpful to create a video to show how I move video from a memory chip to my MacBook Pro laptop. If you’re a Mac user you might find this helpful. I use iMovie 9 and this tutorial explains the process using that software.

    Video (be sure to click on the full screen button): [...]