Canon VIXIA HG20 AVCHD 60 GB HDD Camcorder with 12x Optical Zoom
by Canon
Our Price: $999.00
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $374.98 (click here)
Category: Digital Camera
See more product details
Customers in the UK,
buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: CanonModel: 3085B001AA
Color: Black
Product features:
- 24Mbps offers the highest bit rate in AVCHD for High Definition video - enabling improved color reproduction and tonality
- Record up to 22 hours of High Definition video to a 60 GB Hard Disk Drive
- Includes a genuine Canon 12x High Definition video lens
- Comes with a 3.3 megapixel full HD CMOS sensor (1920 x 1080) and a DIGIC DV II image processor
- Features Canon's SuperRange optical image stabilizer
- Pinnacle Studio HD V14 [OLD VERSION]
- Nero 9 [OLD VERSION]
- Canon CA570 Compact Power Adapter for Compatible Canon Camcorders
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon VIXIA HG20 AVCHD 60 GB HDD Camcorder with 12x Optical Zoom
Customer Review: Excellent Camcorder
Summary: 5 Stars
This is my first camcorder and I'm more than pleased with the overall quality. The picture settings are quite versatile. If you're interested in fine tuning the white balance, focus settings, audio settings, etc., you have the option. If you'd rather not deal with all the various settings, you can pretty much set everything to 'auto,' then point and shoot. Even though the menu is very simple to navigate and understand, I recommend giving the manual at least a cursory glance so you understand what some of the pre-settings mean, along with understanding your frame rate and mbps quality settings. The camera is equipped with a stereo mic which even has a 'windscreen' setting. This basically cuts the low end volume down to reduce wind noise. You can turn this off or on as necessary. You can plug headphones into the camera so you can hear the audio as you record. You can even pan the mic volume up or down and there is an indicator which shows your audio levels, where they should be and when it gets into the red (distortion). You can even plug in an external stereo mic to enhance your audio quality. From what I've seen so far, the picture is incredible. I don't have a PC powerful enough to handle high def video editing. My clips play rather choppy on my PC, but I only have a 1.6g Athlon and 2gb ram. Recommended hardware is 2.6g processor and 4gb ram. I would recommend a dual or quad core and a good video card. You can see some sample clips on youtube - search for canon hg20 and click on 'watch in HD.' Here's a good example: [..] :This clip appears to be in cinema mode.
If you're interested in some more in depth information, here's a good website for camcorder reviews: [..] They posted an in-depth review of the canon hg20: [..]
Another feature I like is the optional line level on the LCD. It shows a level line to help you keep the camera lined up with the horizon line. This camera also has an optional drop sensor that locks the hard drive if it senses it is falling. Pretty cool. I guess if you're filming on a roller coaster you'll need to turn this option off. The canon hg21 sells for about an extra [..] and gives you a 120g hard drive, a viewfinder and supposedly a better LCD. Other than that, it's the exact same camera. Personally, I couldn't justify the extra cash. To me, a 60g hard drive is plenty and although I would like a viewfinder, I probably wouldn't use it most of the time. The still pictures look good, especially for a camcorder. You can also snap still pictures while you're filming if you so desire. I gotta say, I love this camera. Now I just need a better computer. :P
<<<Update: 2/17/2010>>>
I read some reviews which indicated some people are having problems with file conversion and even with file transfer. I have successfully used a free file converter program by Extensoft: [..] It works. It's not pretty or fancy, but it's easy to use and does a great job for a free program. I still do not have a PC that can handle high def editing so I've simply used this freeware to convert files for youtube, etc. I do have an HD television now and watching my videos using an HDMI cable through this screen is pretty amazing. I haven't burned any DVDs yet, so I can't speak to that. I would think most people would be happy burning this high quality video to a standard def DVD. If you must have a finished product in HD, then money is no object for you and you already have a powerful PC with a blu-ray burner and a high quality video editing suite. Or a Mac and an external blu-ray burner. Lucky you.
As for file transfer, I had issues at the outset but I quickly fixed it. I'm pretty sure all I did was go to Administrative Tools/Computer Management/Disk Management. The list of drives in the lower right window will show you what drives are available to your PC. If the Canon is trying to use a drive letter that's already taken you'll just need to right click on it - go to Change Drive Letter and Paths and change the number to something unused. If you don't even see the Canon in the disk management utility, I don't know what to tell you. I'm running Windows XP service pack 2. I'm not sure about the other service packs and I haven't tried Vista or 7. I hope nobody is making the mistake of not plugging the camera into the power supply while trying to transfer files - as the manual clearly states you'll need to plug it in. I'm not fond of this feature, but it's not a big deal.
The battery this camera comes with only lasts about 90 minutes. That's pretty sad, but that's what you get with today's technology. The trade-off is we get to play with high def video for cheap. Sure, you can buy Canon's replacement battery (BP 827) for approximately [..], or perhaps you could check out other options. [..]: Right now they have a compatible version of the BP 827 for [..] USD. It will not show you how many minutes of battery life you have, however, there is a basic LED display on the battery that'll let you know how it's doing. There is also a DC port right on the battery and you can plug the Canon power supply into this to charge it. Pretty cool.
One last thought, I don't know what Amazon is smoking, but they're currently listing the price on this camera as [..]!! Hilarity! I sincerely hope nobody is buying this camera for that price. This is currently on B&H for only [..]. (No I don't work for batteryfly or B&H - just trying to help another consumer with a budget).
Description of Canon VIXIA HG20 AVCHD 60 GB HDD Camcorder with 12x Optical Zoom
The Canon HG20 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 60GB internal Hard Disk Drive allows you to now record up to 22 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 HG20 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 HG20's 30p mode provides the perfect frame rate for the web and delivers clarity for fast-action subjects. The HG20 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, and a built-in video light to easily shoot in dark settings. The HG20 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.Camcorders
Digital Cameras and Photo Categories
Bestsellers in Camcorders
Panansonic PV-L671 VHS-C Camcorder with 3.0" LCDPanasonic; Digital Camera
Sharp VLWD255U MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5'' Viewscreen, Smart Media Slot and Built-in Digital Still ModeSharp; Windows NT; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Panasonic PV-L751 VHS-C Camcorder with 4" LCD and PhotoShot Built-in Digital Still CameraPanasonic; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
JVC GRDVL805U MiniDV Digital Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still ModeJVC; Windows NT; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
RCA CC6373 VHS-C AutoShot CamcorderRCA; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
JVC GR-DVM50U Digital CybercamJVC; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
RCA PRO854 Hi8 CamcorderRCA; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Sony DCRTRV310 Handycam Digital CamcorderSony; Windows NT; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Hitachi Hi8 Video CamcorderHitachi; Digital Camera
Hitachi 8mm Camcorder with 2 1/ 2" LCDHitachi; Digital Camera
Similar digital cameras and accessories
Sima SL-20LX Ultra Bright Video Light (Black)Sima; Digital Camera
Best price: $25.99
Price in other shops:
SanDisk Ultra 32GB SDHC Card (SDSDRH-032G-A11)SanDisk; CE
Best price: $29.99
Price in other shops:
Professional 37mm Digital Video Hard Lens Hood With Cap For Sony XR520 XR500 HD1000 CX550 XR550 CX500 Canon HF20 HF200 HG20 HG21 HF10 And other Camcorders with 37mm Filter SizeA&R; Digital Camera
Best price: $9.80
Canon BP-819 Lithium Ion Battery Pack for HF10, HF100 HF S & HF M Camcorders (Retail Packaging)Canon Video; Digital Camera
Best price: $81.35
Price in other shops:
Azden High-performance (SMX-10) Stereo Condenser MicrophoneAZDEN; Azden; AZDEN; Electronics; Musical Instruments
Best price: $73.99
Price in other shops:
Tripp Lite P570-006 6ft HDMI to mini-HDMI, Digital Audio - Video Cable, 6'Tripp Lite; CE
Best price: $3.35
Price in other shops:
Canon BP-827 Lithium Ion Battery Pack for Vixia HG, HF S & HF M Camcorders (Retail Packaging)Canon Video; Digital Camera
Best price: $123.00
Price in other shops:
Professional PRO 72" Super Strong Tripod With Deluxe Soft Carrying Case For The Canon VIXIA HF S10, HF S100, HF200, HF20, HF11, HF100, HF10, HG21, HG20 Flash Memory CamcordersClearmax; Digital Camera
Best price: $18.29
Canon 2590B002 CG-800 Lithium Ion Battery Charger for 800 Series Batteries (Retail Packaging)Canon Video; Digital Camera
Best price: $52.00
Price in other shops:
EastStar Pro Li-ion High Capacity Intelligent Camcorder Battery Pack to Replace Canon BP-827EASTSTAR; Digital Camera
Best price: $8.01