Canon VIXIA VIXIA HF100 Digital Camcorder - 2.7" LCD - CMOS Deals: Compare, Review & Buy on PriceGrabber.com

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Description:

From Canon's long history of optical excellence, advanced image processing, superb performance and technological innovation in photographic and broadcast television cameras comes the latest in high definition camcorders. Now, with the light, compact Canon VIXIA HF100, you can have stunning AVCHD format recording with the ease and numerous benefits of Flash Memory. It's used in some of the world's most innovative electronic products such as laptop computers, MP3 players, PDAs and cell phones. Add to that the VIXIA HF100's Canon Exclusive features such as our own 3.3 Megapixel Full HD CMOS sensor and advanced DIGIC DV II Image Processor, SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization, Instant Auto Focus, our 2.7 Widescreen Multi-Angle Vivid LCD and the Genuine Canon 12x HD video zoom lens and you have a Flash Memory camcorder that's hard to beat and unmistakably Canon.

Quick Glance

Recording Media: Memory Card

LCD Screen Size: 2.7 in

Video Resolution: 1920 x 1080

Interface Type: 1 x USB, 1 x HDMI, 1 x Microphone, 1 x Audio/Video Out, 1 x DC Power In

Camcorder Type: Palm Held Camcorder

Image Stabilization: Optical

Summary

Product Title: Canon VIXIA VIXIA HF100 Digital Camcorder - 2.7" LCD - CMOS

Manufacturer: Canon

Lowest Price: $949.99 from Amazon.com

Power Score: 4.2 | 30 Reviews

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Product Reviews (14)

For 2008, this is THE HD camcorder to beat!

Strengths: Superb image quality, compact, lightweight, great feature set, incredible price (~$600!)

Weakness: None significant (somewhat convoluted user interface for special functions, somewhat short battery life)

I have been researching AVCHD camcorders for almost a year. When HF-100 was announced in January, it seemed that the AVCHD had finally arrived. I have had it for two months now and have shot over 20GB (2.5 hours) of HD video at max quality. If you wish to switch to tapeless HD, this is the camcorder to beat (and HF-11 will be the one to beat it). Incredibly compact, the most significant quality...
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By vasic - Aug 15, 2008

The one to compare other AVCHD camcorders to

Strengths: Excellent HD video quality, small size, good ergonomics, 30p, 24p, & 60i modes with Cine mode (progressive is 60i converted), headphone & mic jacks (BIG plus!), HDMI out, uses flash memory

Weakness: battery life (BP-809) less than 1 hour, No HDMI cable included, no view finder, proprietary mini-hot shoe (not standard), poor software pkg, built in led video light has slight blue cast

This is Canon's 3rd gen AVCHD camcorder and their first using solid state flash memory (using SDHC class 6 card). I've been waiting for a flash memory, full 1080 HD camcorder for awhile. I didn't want to deal with mini dv tape, hard drive, nor DVD media. Transferring the footage from SD cards (via SDHC reader on USB2) to my pc only takes a few minutes. I also considered the 3 CCD (and smaller sized) Panasonic HDC-HS9, but based on my research, the Canon (with 1 CMOS sensor) is said to have better video quality - which is one of the most important feature of a camcorder.

First thing I noticed - the video quality and color is excellent in a well lighted environment but also pretty good in low light (compared to previous camcorders I used). The built in single LED light is surprisingly bright (up to about 10 feet and in a narrow area). It also casts a slight blue color. I guess for those moments when a light is needed in a pinch, this light would do. But I use an external Sima SL-20LX led video light instead and it works great with this camcorder. However, I have to use a video bracket to attach a standard shoe video light and external mic (The built in hot shoe does not accept standard sized accessories).

The camcorder's settings are easy to setup with logical menus. You access it using the joystick which is on the LCD screen. Besides the "Easy for dummies" mode, there are "semi-manual" controls like AV (aperature priority) to control aperature size and TV (shutter priority) to control shutter speed. There are other presets like "fireworks", "sports", "night" ,etc similar to Canon still cameras - if you ever are in that situation. There is "cine mode" which adds a "soft, film look" and can be used independently or together with 24p and 30p modes. Using both makes the video look better and film like - if you like that look. There is the 1080-60i mode if you like the "harsher" video interlaced look too. Note that there is NO 720p nor SD modes on this camcorder - only full 1080i.

Another thing I liked about this camcorder is the microphone input and headphone jack, which you just don't see in consumer camcorders anymore. The built in mic, which is in front, records great sound for a built in mic. There is also a sound meter so you can monitor the levels. Another thing I liked is the playback of videos on the flash card. Since the video is non-linear, you can delete the scene if you don't want it. The scenes show up as thumbnails on the lcd. This is helpful if you need to free up space on the memory card.

I knew before I purchased this that there wasn't much editing software out there that supports AVCHD. I am now using trial versions of Magix Movie 14 and Sony Movie Studio 8 - which are "consumer" level video editing apps. Pinnacle Studio claims it handles AVCHD but there is no free trial so I didn't try it. So far the Magix Movie 14 and Sony MS8 seems to handle the video well. Personally, I like Sony MS8 interface and workflow.

This is the best consumer camcorder I've used. I love everything about the camcorder - its size, ergononics, features, video workflow, and of course, video quality. If you are looking for a compact, full 1080, flash memory Hi-Def video camera with great picture quality, this is the one to buy (or at least, to compare the others against)!

By robsf23 - May 28, 2008

Canon VIXIA HF100 Flash Memory Camcorder

Strengths: No tape noise, Compact Size, Canon Quality Lens, Option of no internal memory to keep cost low compared to HF-10, Excellent color reproduction

Weakness: Manual control is bad to useless as all the controls are menu driven, Need for powerful computer for post processing, No view finder as it helps when it is very sunnny outside. High capacity Battery

I was looking for a compact HD camcorder did lot of research, It was hard to pick the winner from the new line of HD cams from Canon for 2008. HV30, HF-10 & HF-100. Even though AVCHD is new format I picked this since it did not have any moving parts like Tape based or HD based camcorders, Lasts long less prone to defects and no tape noise in the recordings. True full HD quality nice colors...
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By Anonymous - May 22, 2008

Good HD camcorder

Strengths: Light weight, good video and photo image

Weakness: A bit expensive when compare with Panasonic

I spent time to compare HF100, Sony HDR-CX7 and Panasonic HDC-SD5/9. Sony may give similar image quality but the memory card is too expensive. The Panasonic is cheaper than HF100, but the expert’s comments are not encouraging. After using HF100 for two weeks, I am quite satisfied with its performance and price. The image for both video and photo are very good. It is light weight and easy to...
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By chanwan - May 16, 2008

Beyond expectation

Strengths: very fast focus, great video quality, great image stabilization, light

Weakness: quite grainy on low light (everything is) but the auto focus still fast.

I will definitely recommend this product. Sony has a demo on our area and tried out the CX-7. The HF 100 is way fast and way sharp. The sony I think is more adptable to low light conditions due ot its magnificent Carl Zeiss lens - but in my opinion canon's electronics has a comfortable lead. Much of the complaints is buying extra software to read the recorded AVCHD format. Well I dunno about Macs...
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By Priest67 - May 15, 2008

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