Canon VIXIA HF100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
by Canon
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon VIXIA HF100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Customer Review: AVCHD is no problem for Sony Vegas 8.0 Pro and Dual 2Ghz
Summary: 5 Stars
If you've been doing research, you know that most people say that AVCHD is a nightmare to edit and render. Not so! You need Sony Vegas 8.0 Pro and a fairly new computer. Editing and rendering is slower than with HDV, but it's not a nightmare at all. Can't afford Sony Vegas 8.0 Pro? At least download the trial version to see what you're missing.
If you want to speed it up, shoot in XP+ instead of FXP--rendering takes 1/2 the time.
1) Shoot in 30p. Looks amazing and no deinterlacing required in post to be viewed on the web.
2) Do not use the software that came with the camera, Pixela Image Mixer. It wants to change the files to M2TS which, for some reason, turn out all garbled in Sony Vegas. Remove the card from the camera and put it in a card reader and transfer the MTS files directly to your computer.
3) Drag and drop an MTS file into Vegas
4) Edit
5) Render (if you shoot in 30p, then render in 30.000 frame rate (do not render in 29.970--it will give you a jittery video))
For Youtube rendering: There is a general consensus as to the settings that are best:
Search Youtube for:
"how to make your videos high quality using sony vegas"
Customer Review: art easy
Summary: 5 Stars
I shoot small-time art videos, mostly. Documentaries, dance performances, musicians' performances.
I've owned numerous camcorders, my favorite being a tape-based top of the line Sony. Actually, my recent DV tape Panasonic is a sturdy and good camera. I use it for backup and for 2 cam shoots. But the Canon HF100 has been splendid and met every expectation.
Am using a Macbook and LaCie external hard drive. I think you know that with the SD-based system you're going to want a ton of storage. I learned Final Cut Express. The books I ordered were somewhat of a waste inasmuch as I finally learned the procedures via video tutorials.
Anyway, the Canon has been a pleasure. At the highest-quality setting it has enough HD clarity to establish that you're using an excellent camera . My sole complaint after months of shooting is that the trigger is poorly placed. But I like the toggle control and the menu is direct. It's tiny and that means it goes with me everywhere. I don't agree that the battery is inadequate. I bought an extra battery and rarely use it. Overall, it seems sturdy; well made. The mic works well, too. I've been happy with the all-important audio.
Customer Review: Incredible package
Summary: 5 Stars
One of the neatest things about this camera is the ability to shoot a full 1920x1080 HD movie, remove the flash card from the camera and plug it directly into the PC. Plays back in full HD, with full stereo sound immediately.
As for the HD quality, it's as good as anything I've seen on commercial TV.
And even though there are hundreds of options you can setup, I like the fact that I'm just two buttons away from shooting (the power button and the start button) ... so it's always ready to capture, even when I'm not.
The built in screen is incredibly clear, and the integrated joystick lets you set a custom option very quickly.
A unique feature that I've come to enjoy is the ability to take hi-res stills while filming a video. A separate button, on top of the camera, controls still shooting. Best of all, you can pre-set the desired resolution of the still image to be different than that of the video.
And finally, this thing is ultra-compact and ultra-light. That means I can take it anywhere and everywhere ... always ready to capture full HD. And in addition, it imports into both Pinnacle Studio 12 and Sony Vegas Platinum.
Customer Review: Great video quality, battery life not so much
Summary: 5 Stars
I've purchased this camera because I use my car at track day events and wanted a camera that I could mount to the inside of the car to shoot HD footage of high-performance driving offense that I attend. This camera is not a good choice for that simply because it gives a lot of shake and it shows up in the footage. The still camera is great and the flash is strong. The video looks good if the cameras hand held or on a tripod, but if you move the camera around too quickly, you get a little bit of ghosting in the images. Like any video camera it will appreciate and use use as much light on the subject as you can get. I do recommend it because I had a hard drive based camera prior to this and it was a battery gobbler and ran hot as hell. This one runs cool and while the battery is not great, it's much better. I also like the tiny SD cards because they're cheap, fast and easy to handle. I also purchased a wide angle lens adapter which screws right in, works great. And I also purchased a depth of field (DOF) adapter which allows me to get a very good film look. Again that screws right into the threads on the front of the camera. I like it and will continue to buy the brand.Customer Review: Bad reviewers have no clue
Summary: 5 Stars
The Canon Vixia HF100 is one of the best bargain high definition cameras I've ever used. The picture quality is fantastic, it has a good range of features and it takes 16 and 32GB RAM SDHC cards, all standard. No need to mess with high priced Sony memory sticks and an amazing picture and superb sound.
- I edit video with a 64 bit system so you can edit the video there.
- Any good professional system will use the m2ts files that it creates, unlike mov files which are a major pain.
- I would never use the included software, which is no-frills and not why you're buying the camera for the most part. If the hardware stinks, no free software or paid will help
- For $100 you can get excellent video editing software. I ended up with Vegas Pro which costs more. Very confusing but powerful. Others exist like Pinnacle, etc.
If your camera isn't relatively sharp, you may wish to exchange it. As you can see, most of us get great quality and the durability has been superb so far. It does use 4 although I use 6 rated SD cards by Transcend and PNY and it has worked flawlessly. Don't use super cheap SD cards and you will love the results.