Canon VIXIA HV30 MiniDV High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

Canon VIXIA HV30 MiniDV High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

The dramatic Canon VIXIA HV30 incorporates advanced features to bring knowledgeable and demanding videographers the ultimate in HD video and digital photo quality. The VIXIA HV30 is packed with Canon exclusive features you won't find anywhere else. C

anon's full HD CMOS sensor and advanced DIGIC DV II image processor deliver breathtaking detail and the best in color reproduction. SuperRange optical image stabilization and instant auto focus gives you the shot control high definition demands.

With the genuine Canon 10x HD video zoom lens and a host of other advanced features the VIXIA HV30 is sure to be your choice in high definition camcorders. And, with its HD and standard definition recording modes, you can make the move to HD without making your SD equipment obsolete.The VIXIA HV30 is easy to use and delivers the high level of performance you've come to expect from Canon. It's the next step in premium quality high definition camcorders for which sophisticated and discerning videographers have been waiting.

For tech-savvy, sophisticated and discerning videographers who demand a first-rate quality camcorder, Canon’s HV30 enables them to capture the ultimate in HD video and still photo quality. The HV30 offers the unparalleled combination of a 10x HD Video lens, a 2.96-megapixel CMOS image sensor, and a DIGIC DV II processor, all packaged in an elegant HDV camcorder.

Featuring Canon’s exclusive SuperRange Optical Image Stabilizer to stabilize a wide range of movements, a built-in video light to easily shoot in dark settings, and the new 2.7-inch multi-angle Vivid LCD acreen to view from various angles with true color representation and contrast, your shooting possibilities are now boundless.

Beyond that, you can capture amazing HD detail and color reproduction while achieving critical focus with Instant AF. Create the look and feel of Hollywood movies with the 24p Cinema Mode or choose 30p Progressive Mode to capture fast action with optimization for the web. With HD and SD recording modes, you can make the move to HD while retaining compatibility with standard definition equipment. The HV30 is easy to use and delivers the high level of performance you’ve come to expect from a Canon camcorder.-Read more...

Gorgeous images for an unbeatable price.

I have been incredibly happy with this camera. Even with its base settings it gives a gorgeous, clear picture, with great color. On top of that it has plenty of custom settings to tweak your image. I've had it for weeks and I still haven't figured out how to get the most out of it.

It has component, and HDMI outputs, alongside the standard AV, and firewire jacks. It also has a mic input, and a viewfinder (which a lot of models are dropping nowadays). The LCD does it job, but when you're outside the viewfinder is invaluable.

I've been using this thing a lot and I'm constantly impressed by the way it captures an image. And it's got a price point that's hard to say no to. I know this isn't a very technical review but all I can say for a fact is that this thing is more then any home user will ever need, and great for a entry level videomaker.

Good Camera at a good price

I bought this camera to replace an old Sony I had. So far the camera has delivered on all it's marks. Editing with Final Cut Pro is simple and capture is as expected. I have recommeded this camera to a friend who is in the market for a new one. I went with this model because it uses DV tapes which are cheap and makes backup easy. -Read more...

Canon VIXIA HG-21 AVCHD 120GB Hard Drive HD Camcorder with 12x Optical Zoom

The Canon HG21 AVCHD Hard Disk Drive camcorder sets a new standard for High Definition, delivering optimal image quality, long shooting times along with the extraordinary ease and versatility when viewing video on television or a computer. Capture amazing HD video with even greater detail and color reproduction with its innovative 24Mbps capability, and the addition of a video-capable SDHC card slot plus the extended 120 GB internal Hard Disk Drive allows you to now record up to 45 hours of video onto the internal hard disk drive so there’s no need to worry about running out of space. And, like all Canon VIXIA camcorders, the HG21 features: a Canon HD video lens, FULL HD CMOS Sensor, and Canon’s exclusive DIGIC DV II image processor. Create the look and feel of Hollywood movies with the 24p Cinema Mode and even use Canon’s select Photo Grabbing function to capture still images from previously recorded video. If online video posting and sharing interests you, the HG21’s 30p mode provides the perfect frame rate for the web and delivers clarity for fast-action subjects.

The HG21 offers the unparalleled combination of Canon’s exclusive SuperRange Optical Image Stabilizer to stabilize a wide range of movements, Instant AF for accurate focusing that’s critical when shooting in HD, a built-in video light to easily shoot in dark settings, and the Canon exclusive 2.7-inch Multi-angle Vivid LCD Screen to view from various angles with true color representation and contrast. The HG21 features the latest HD technology, excellence in Canon optics and engineering in a compact, sleek design that delivers the high level of performance you’ve come to expect from Canon.

"First of all, this is my first camcorder. We do have the ability to use our small Canon digital camera in this mode but this is a far cry from that. I was excited to get one of the first even though I figured I would be taking a slight gamble as I am not exactly that informed on the subject and wonder about the wisdom of getting a product that is not yet proven.

So far, so good...Our grandchild had a birthday the very day this thing came in so I was determined to figure things out in order to capture the event. I figured that we paid a premium price to have the high HD quality so of course I shot in the highest mode. I only had time to charge the battery and skim through the book but I am happy to report that the quality of the videos was simply outstanding. In my opinion, the easy part is taking the pictures...set it to the quality and mode and fire away. Then, the question is, what to do afterwards...This is the hard part.

I have an Intel Mac and IMovie 08 so I read other reviews of similar cameras and figured out how to move the shots from the camera to the computer. No problem. In my opinion, and that is what these reviews are all about, if you are shooting at the highest quality, you better have a lot of room on your hard drives, and, or, prepare to spend a lot of time on the back end moving your videos off the camera and on to disks or the drives. I did not have much hard drive space left on my Mac so perhaps that fact made things seem very slow. On the other hand, because I wanted to shoot in the highest quality, the wait and trouble were worth the investment...Remember, I am just at the edge of knowing what I am doing so you must consider that my skill level is still very low by comparison.

The great thing about this camera, in addition to the fact that the HD videos are breathtaking, is that the built in hard drive is 120 gigs...wow! that is equal to 82 of the smaller 3 inch DVDs! About 45 hours of recording time on lower quality and near 11 hours or so in the highest quality...so, unless you get nervous about hard drive failure, you can go for a long time without having to move them off the camcorder.

After doing a little reading and fiddling around, I hooked the camera up to our HD TV and was pretty much able to use the little remote device and see the videos. Simply outstanding...most shots were taken in the house with average lighting. One of my concerns was reading that low light might cause grainy videos but I did not find this to be the case....I suspect this could be the case when shooting in extremely low light but I cannot see this ever becoming an issue. I was too impatient to actually link into the HD ports of my TV so we settled for using the ports at the front and went to the game port...I do not think this was actually in HD but it still was just incredible. Later, when I played back some videos on our HP Vista computer and just was blown away with the quality...I had gone outside and take videos of the hummingbirds on our feeder and could not believe how crystal clear the shots were.

The 12X optical zoom is very close to walking up to the subject...very nice. The image stabilizer works great as I never used a tripod and still saw no real shaking. I did notice that you can negate image stabilizer when using the camera on a tripod so that was something I was a little concerned about.

One addition thing that may concern some...apparently these hard drive camcorders could suffer damage to the drives if used at an altitude of 9800 feet and above. If you are a serious mountain climber or plan to be above 9800 feet, you might consider other options.

I am very interested in reading other reviews. So far I am very pleased...no camera will ever be perfect and do all things so, regardless of the quality or cost, there will always be some element of compromise. I have already ordered another battery as well as an SD card for it. The battery life is short of two hours so trips out in the wild pretty much would demand more power. Most may not feel the need to have another battery but I cannot imagine missing any great shots...you pay too much for these things not to be able to use them to their fullest extent...maybe another review when I actually know what I am doing!"

Canon VIXIA HFS100 HD Flash Memory Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom

Canons top-of-the-line, new VIXIA HF S100 Flash Memory camcorder gives you everything you expect from Canon. It has a powerful, new 8.59-megapixel Full HD CMOS Image sensor plus Canons latest DIGIC DV III Image Processor.

Add a Genuine Canon 10x HD Video Lens and the highest bit rate in AVCHD, and youve got a camcorder that delivers spectacularly realistic HD video and photos. You can record to removable SDHC memory cards for quick and easy sharing, also enjoy fast, silent start-up and operation.

The Canon VIXIA HF S100 camcorder lets you shoot like a pro with assist functions including new zebra patterns, color peaking, a Custom Key and Dial, and shooting modes, including 24p Cinema Mode for video that looks like a big-screen movie.

The VIXIA HF S100 incorporates some of Canons most exciting new functions, including Genuine Canon Face Detection for perfect focus and exposure, even with faces looking down or sideways, Pre-Record that captures video 3 seconds before you press the record button, and the new Video Snapshot Mode for saving your memories as a series of 4-second video clips set to music. Shoot extraordinary video and photos with the VIXIA HF S100. Canon USA 1-year limited warranty included.

"I have shot with all types of cameras for many years, my last camera was a Sony FX1. This camera out performs the Sony, the images are beautiful. AVCHD has been a bear to figure out but I found a workable option using FCP. look up finalcutprotips for the work flow tip. "

"I was going to give the camera 4 stars but I realized this camera is a consumer grade camera shooting better than most pro grade cameras so I really can't knock some of it's short comings, such as the mini shoe connection which I had to buy an adapter for, stupid idea, manual focus is not that easy to work with, which will be up to me to get a handle on and no native 24p but It has a great feature set that is so easy to work with that I have to give it 5 stars. Buy it."

"If you're new to video, it's a commitment. Taking good videos requires concentration, and at least a little bit of practice. Though the camcorder is truly compact, the supporting equipment is an order of magnitude more bulky than with today's point and shoot digital camera."

"You can slip an excellent point and shoot in your pocket; video demands a case for the charger, cables, optional video light and power supply at a minimum. Then there's the mandatory downloading and editing."

"This camcorder has so many features and choices that you'll need to refer to the manual and once you understand the way the menu system works, it's fairly intuitive. There are five resolution choices for video. Similar for stills."

"On the other hand, you can start creating videos and stills out of the box; they may not quite match your preferences though. The complexity of the options shouldn't stop anyone; you don't have to take advantage of all the features. To get what you want, you'll need to spend maybe an hour with the camera and manual. The you can pretty much ignore the details if you wish." -Read more reviews...