Canon VIXIA HFS10 HD Dual Flash Memory w/32GB Internal Memory & 10x Optical Zoom - 2009 MODEL
by Canon
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon VIXIA HFS10 HD Dual Flash Memory w/32GB Internal Memory & 10x Optical Zoom - 2009 MODEL
Customer Review: Missing the mark...
Summary: 2 Stars
Pros:
- Fantastic HD recordings in high light situations.
- Superb 8 Megapixel still images in photo mode, in high light situations.
- The ability to grab 6 Megapixel stills while recording an HD movie.
- Mini video light for those somewhat dark and close shots.
- Silent zooming... no noticeable motor noise.
- Great stereo recordings.
- Insanely close-up, fully focused, macro shots.
Cons:
- Poor low light performance (stills and video).
- MUST have power adapter connected when camera is attached to USB port.
- Menus and Functions are unavailable in Dual Shot mode.
- Sounds like a loose marble inside when the lens cover is closed.
- Mini video light appears bright, but is not powerful enough.
- Mini video light makes images and recordings appear with bluish tint.
- Self timer buried in menus and has to be turned on for every use.
- No stitching mode for still images.
- Camera is incapable of focusing in low light situations (stills and video).
- LCD display only rotates 270 degrees.
- Good luck finding a "correct" spare battery.
- Shoulder/neck strap not included.
- Flash blows out image when too close.
- Menu system is not intuitive and can be confusing.
- DC IN and AV OUT terminals located in a clumsy location.
- DC IN and AV OUT terminal covers awkward to work around.
- Remote does not allow switching between play and record modes.
- Raw .MTS movie files are not directly playable on a Mac (lack of a QuickTime codec).
- Non-removeable hand strap.
- Lack of image and movie editing and stitching software (for Mac).
- Somewhat slow playback processor.
- Focal length for wide angle shots, is way too close.
If you are looking for a basic camcorder to do HD recordings, this cam may be what you are looking for, but don't count on it for much more than that.
Going by all the reviews and hype, I was excited about receiving my new S10. But after working with it for a while now, I can safely say that I am somewhat disappointed with this camcorder. It blatantly "misses-the-mark" on pricing and several key features. Many of the features it does offer are buried in the "Functions Menu", are difficult to locate and just don't work the way you would expect.
The biggest and worst problem I have with this camcorder is the focal length. In the fully zoomed out position, subjects are still far too close up for any type of useful shooting. This applies to still images and video. You are forced to step back about an extra 8 feet in order to get the same type of focal length that you would get with any standard digital camera. This causes MAJOR problems when shooting in close quarters, like a small room or within crowded surroundings.
The camera also has a major problem when using the flash. I have tried numerous settings, but the camera refuses to adjust the intensity of the flash. If you attempt to do any type of close up stills and you require the flash, this camera just won't do what you need it to do. Close shots are consistently blown out, unless you are standing about 5 feet away from the subject.
I was forced to speak with 3 different people at Canon (First a Tech Support rep, next a supervisor and finally a Customer Relations rep), for a total of 1.5 hrs on the phone. Due to Canon's inability to supply consumers with the proper information, via the Canon website, to make an informed decision on purchasing accessories for the new Vixia HF-S10, I purchased 2 incorrect batteries and was unable to return 1 of the them. The Customer Relations rep was finally able to correct my frustrations with this problem.
I am seriously disappointed with Canon for releasing a mainstream product, such as the S10 and NOT having the correct accessories in stock and available for use with this camcorder. On top of that, going by the website, all the accessories that are marked as "compatible", are NOT truly compatible for this camcorder. Listen up Canon, just because an accessory, in this case a battery, may fit and power on a camcorder, does NOT mean that it is "compatible". The batteries that I purchased and now are stuck with, do NOT properly fit in a Vixia HF-S10 (BP-808 and BP-809). The Canon website did not provide the appropriate information to make an informed decision about which battery to buy. Also, the battery that is correct and shipped with that camera (BP-807), is NOT EVEN AVAILABLE for purchase separately and from what I was told, it will never be available. If you need a spare battery, spend the extra bucks and purchase the BP-819. It fits the best out of all batteries offered and gives a higher mAh for extended recording times.
I could go on and on about the pitfalls of Canons latest and greatest endeavor into the consumer HD market. From my perspective, it appears that Canon rushed this product to the masses in order to get in on the HD ground floor marketplace and to keep paces with some of the other major HD camcorder manufacturers.
Bottom line: In my honest opinion, if you must have a Canon product and you are looking to jump into the HD realm, either wait for the next revision of this camera and let Canon iron out some of the issues or look elsewhere to fill your HD appetite.
Customer Review: Great Camcorder - Lousy Extraction
Summary: 1 Stars
The Canon Vixia HFS10 is by far the best camcorder that I have used, but it sits unused after I ran into one essential problem. You cannot extract the videos off the camcorder with standard and professional software - such as Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 or Adobe Elements. You can try iMovie but I spent 5 hours extracting a 3 minute clip. So, once you use the internal flash memory - you're stuck. In order to record more, you must delete everything and cannot preserve anything.
Is it fair to blame Canon? Yes. Or is this Adobe's problem? Yes. I blame both. I blame Canon because the software that they provide with your purchase does not extract videos (only the pictures). I blame Adobe (and others) because they are supposed to be the best. I blame both because after one year - neither has fixed the problem so don't count on quick resolutions. Every company blames the other.
My point: Stay away from this Camcorder unless you are were lucky enough to do video editing with Final Cut Pro (which works). However, I find it ridiculous that I would have to spend an additional $1000 to get video off a $800 camcorder.
Customer Review: Good Camera - Useless Software
Summary: 1 Stars
The HFS10 camerea (in EU is Legria HFS10) is easy to use and provides excellent recordings (photos as well). It has some problem with autofocusing in low light environment, but it is a good camera.
However the bundled Pixela Imagemixer sotware is Useless:
I have serious sound problems (during editing videos, and the saved video as well)
Theres is no sotware support neither from Canon, nor Pixela.
There is no upgrade possibility for an enhanced Imagemixer version
The User Interface is extremely poor (for example Adjustin Volume)
If you want to save your videos, or edit them the camera is useless due to the sotware bundled.
Customer Review: Horrible if you care about audio
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought this camera about 5 months ago because I heard the picture quality was great, which it is, but I also was intending on taking advantage of the 1/8th inch mic input in order to use a shotgun mic. Every time I use this feature an extremely loud beeping noise goes off when the access light blinks. Really really apparent and impossible to get any good audio. Other people seem to have the same problem: [...] . The audio attenuator helps a little but doesn't eliminate the problem. I called Canon and they basically said "that's how the camera is supposed to work." What?! Thanks Canon. Go with the Sony consumer HDs. I've never had any problems with them.Customer Review: Not reliable at all
Summary: 1 Stars
Just have owned my S10 for 14 months, but now it just died. the bad news is that it's just out of warrenty. I regret i didn't buy the extended warrenty. The estimate repair fee will cost $231.
I believe i have totally recorded video no more than 20 hours.....now it's just dead. I can't believe Canon's product is so unreliable. Won't buy Canon's product anymore. totally rip off.