Canon VIXIA HFS10 HD Dual Flash Memory with

Brand

: Canon

Model

: HFS10

Lowest Price

: 1129.88

Reviewer: Grimmy| Date:2009-06-18

Read the description for the full list of features; these were the features which made an impression on me.

Pros:
Takes great pictures and video, especially good low-light performance and continuous-mode shots.
Flash and video light included, although with the usual caveats about flash photography.
Good image stabilization, even in a moving car, although shake becomes quite noticeable when fully zoomed in. In a moving car, that is. But most of the photos taken in that situation were quite clear, except of course those taken using the night mode preset.
In addition to the usual "canned" modes (sports, beach, etc.) there are tons of manual settings, such as shutter speed, zoom speed, etc.
Video snapshot mode lets you take photos while recording video - although this feels a little awkward due to button placement.
Large internal memory.
Clear, bright LCD display.

Cons:
User interface takes a little getting used to, especially when trying to do things like deleting multiple photos. Without reading the manual, that is.
Software transfers videos easily, but doesn't have an option to transfer photos? I might have missed it.
Must be plugged in to power in order to transfer files. This can get annoying.
Location of photo button is not optimal (see photos). Feels a little cramped.
It's strange that most settings are unavailable when in dual mode. There's probably a logical reason for it, but it escapes me.
Sometimes has trouble focusing when zoomed in close.
Focal length is disappointing, even when fully zoomed out.
Location of HDMI, etc. ports is under the hand strap.
Bulky charger - brick-style, like a small laptop's. No external battery charger.
Trivial: No HDMI cable (needs a mini-HDMI connection), no neck/shoulder strap or cover included.

Although the list of cons seems long, they are mostly trivial, except for the focal length issue. This camera takes sharp, hi-quality photos and video, even in low-light situations without use of flash or video light.

Review from Review from Amazon

Reviewer: Sidarta Tanu| Date:2009-06-16

Canon VIXIA HFS10 is currently the top-of-the-line Canon consumer camcorder. It takes very good quality full HD video (one of the best among consumer level camcorders). The optical image stabilization is very useful and face detection is accurate. Autofocus is very fast and the menu system is intuitive. Low light capability is decent (but improved a lot by using the video light for video recording or internal flash for taking photos). The pre-recording mode is very useful for shooting sport, action, fireworks, child and other scenarios where it is often hard to predict when those Kodak moments will exactly be until it has happened/passed. It also has filter thread so you can install lens filter to enhance the video/image and to protect the lens. The LCD is very sharp and clear from wide viewing angle. It has a dual shooting mode where video recording and photo taking can be done without switching settings.

Taking photos with Canon VIXIA HFS10 is also very good. Image quality is very sharp with 8.59-megapixel CMOS image sensor that is also found in Canon DSLR. Taking photos in continuous mode is also very good (about 4 frames per second, comparable to DSLR cameras), however, the shutter response is nowhere near the DSLR (it's slower than DSLR), and I'm used to the DSLR almost no-lag shutter response so I will continue to use my DSLR cameras most of the time. For point and shoot customers, they won't notice the shutter lag (as it is the same if not better than most point and shoot camera) and they will probably be able to replace their point and shoot camera with this camcorder as it produces image quality better and sharper than most point and shoot cameras.

Pros:

1. Video quality (1920 X 1080 Full HD) comparable with many professional camcorder and is one of the best quality for consumer level
2. Image quality for photos are sharp and vivid (8 megapixel).
3. Zoom Covers super wide angle to semi-zoom (6.4mm to 64mm) before the 1.7x magnification.
4. Built in 32GB built-in flash memory
5. Very effective optical image stabilization (a combination of optical and image sensor stabilization)
6. Lens filter thread (I installed 58mm UV/Haze filter to reduce UV and also help protect the front glass element)
7. Autofocus is very fast and includes a very accurate face detection to keep people's face in sharp focus
8. up to 24 hour recording in LP mode (with 64GB total memory, 32Gb built-in, and 32GB SD card)
9. Innovative Pre-record mode is available (and never miss critical shots anymore)
10. Video snapshot mode (shot short movie clips and blend with music tracks)
11. Almost instant on and record (stand-by to recording in less than 1 sec and from off in less than 2 sec)
12. Continuous mode for taking photos is very fast (though the shutter lag isn't nearly as good as SLR cameras)
13. Record HD videos and take 6MP photo to memory card simultaneously
14. Small but bright video light and photo flash.
15. Built-in automatic lens cover
16. Wireless remote control included
17. Bright and clear 2.7 inch lcd screan (and the image is sharp)
18. Very easy to navigate the menu (even though there are so many options and settings available)
19. 24p cinema mode and 30p progressive mode included
20. pre-programmed video and photo mode (sunset, night, beach, spotlight, fireworks, etc)
21. Aperture priority, Shutter priority, and Program mode available (in addition to Auto setting)
22. Dual shot mode (capture video and photo without having to change setting)

Cons:

1. Only 10x optical zoom (not sure why Canon doesn't make this top-of-the-line camcorder 20x or 30x optical zoom)
2. No seamless recording transition from one memory to the other memory
3. Included batteries only last about 75-90 minutes of recording time
4. Shutter response still not as fast as DSLR
5. Low light performance is average (improved if using the video light or internal flash)
6. A bit bulky compare to many other flash memory camcorders
7. Not the lightest camcorder but still lighter than DSLR cameras
8. 24Mbps recording mode has many restriction (require fast speed flash memory, and not all DVD player can playback)
9. No touch screen LCD
10. Non-standard accessory shoe terminal (better than none though. can use VL-5 video light or DM-100 microphone)
11. Must plug in ac adapter to transfer internal memory data to computer
12. No optical viewfinder
13. HDMI cable not included
14. Doesn't come with external battery charger (use the camcorder to charge the battery instead)
15. Top-of-the-line price

In conclusion, Canon VIXIA HFS10 is targeted for those who are looking for a consumer camcorder with the best video quality with a lot of internal flash memory (32GB) that can also take photo with the best image quality and the largest megapixel to date for a canon camcorder (8MP). Basically, Canon Vixia HFS10 is currently the top-of-the-line Canon consumer level camcorder.

Also check out the following Canon camcorders that has comparable main feature (Full HD video and DIGIC DV III image processor) before deciding to buy Canon VIXIA HFS10 (and decide whether any of these camcorders will fit your needs therefore avoid paying the premium that Canon VIXIA HFS10 command):

- Canon VIXIA HFS100 (no internal flash memory, 10x optical zoom, 8.59-megapixel CMOS image sensor)
- Canon VIXIA HF20 (32GB internal flash memory, 15x optical zoom, only 3.89-megapixel CMOS image sensor)
- Canon VIXIA HF200 (no internal flash memory, 15x optical zoom, only 3.89-megapixel CMOS image sensor)

Sidarta Tanu

Review from Review from Amazon

Reviewer: Kevin Nicholls| Date:2009-06-16

The Vixia HFS10 is an upgrade for me, coming from the Canon VIXIA HG20 AVCHD 60 GB HDD Camcorder with 12x Optical Zoom. I've been enjoying the HG20 for a few months now, so being able to dig in to the new features on a 2009 model camera has been a real treat.

Right off the bat, the video image quality on the HFS10 is incredible. Hands down, the best I have ever used. Facial recognition is blazing fast and accurate, even when people are moving reasonably fast. Recording in low light indoors produces bright and clear results. Recording in very bright light outdoors produces a razor-sharp picture with virtually no halo effects or bleeding. This is where Canon really shows off the new Digic 3 processor.

The 10X optical zoom is smooth, and doesn't lose focus easily when zooming in and out. However, at this price point, 10X is certainly on the lower end of the spectrum of what's available. While that's disappointing, the image stabilization definitely makes up for it. At full zoom, the image stabilization compensates for normal "jitters" exceedingly well.

On the still image side, the Digic 3 is able to bring some nice surprises, as well. The "real" pop-up flash works better than expected for indoor shots. For most point-and-shoot scenarios, the HFS10 will stomp all over Canon Elph cameras, and comes pretty close to what you'd expect from a PowerShot (albeit, at a different overall resolution).

Again, the image stabilization really shines with still pictures. But one thing I did notice, is that the HFS10 seems to do "strange things" with still images in low light. Things that should have halos (e.g. sunsets) don't, even with different CP and UV filters.

Speaking of filters, the HFS10 has a 58mm lens barrel. So, you have tons and tons of filter options at every imaginable price point. Out of habit, I threw on a SUNPAK CF-7034 UV Ultra-Violet Filter that I had lying around my SLR gear bag along with a spare cap. Though I'm not real big on Tiffen glass, I also tried out a Tiffen 58MM Circular Polarizer, which produced really interesting results with some nature videos.

Anyone who has used a previous generation Vixia or Canon still camera will feel right at home with the menu system. The layout is basically the same, and functions are right where you'd expect them to be. For those not familiar with Canon cameras, getting used to the menu system is very easy.

The only thing that really took some adjustment was using the "time machine" feature that lets you go back and record something that happened three seconds in the past. It works flawlessly, but adjusting to the delay in the viewfinder was really difficult for me to get used to.

Also new for this year: logical port placement, and decent quality port protectors! The HDMI, USB, and component connectors are on the right side of the camera and have a sturdy plastic door to protect them, instead of the flimsy rubberized plugs on last year's models (and they're no longer behind the LCD!). Strangely, Canon has chosen to move the battery release behind the LCD, making it a bit awkward to switch out batteries.

The included Canon BP-807/808 battery consistently gives about 90 minutes of continuous use. I was happy to see that last year's batteries are compatible, so I've been using a Canon BP-819, which gives just over 200 minutes. Although the BP-819 is a larger battery, it's almost flush with the back of the camera when installed.

Of course, the included software is trash. I installed it for the sake of reviewing it, but really, if you're looking to spend this kind of money on a camera, you owe it to yourself to spend another couple hundred on decent video editing software. As a Mac user, iMovie does a passable job, but takes forever to do its various conversions from AVCHD. I stepped up to Final Cut Express 4, which works perfectly with this camera. Of course, there are many options for Windows users as well.

The biggest shortcoming -- and this is huge if you travel with a laptop -- is that Canon still seems married to the idea that you can't export pictures or video from the internal memory without plugging in to AC power. I can't for the life of me figure out the logic behind this. If you have a fully charged BP-819 (or even an 807, for that matter!), that's not nearly enough power to copy over some still pictures, in Canon's estimation. Of course, you can save everything to SD and just pop the card out, or do camera-to-card-to-computer copies, but it's ridiculous that you can't import ANYTHING from the internal memory without being plugged in to a wall.

Were it not for that, I'd be comfortable overlooking the other minor imperfections and giving this a solid 5 stars. And, if you're not planning on doing more than recording and watching your videos when you're away from home, consider this a 5-star review. But if you're planning on uploading a few videos and / or pictures while you're on vacation (or something more professional, like mobile editing), don't plan on doing it without access to AC power.

All things considered, though, if I was looking for a camera in this price range, The Vixia HFS10 is the first and only camera that would be on my list.

Review from Review from Amazon

Reviewer: SC20| Date:2009-06-15

Although a little pricey it is worth the extra money when considering a Flash Hard drive and memory card slotted device over a typical internal hard drive. The reason is the capability on this camera is second to none regarding over all picture quality. There is a little latency when panning about quickly but the image catches up quickly as well when you stablize your shot/frame. The still images are incredibly surprising in both color and clarity and switching between the two, almost seemless. It has the ability to use a combination of the internal hard drive and the SD memory card slot where you can save your still images to one storage device and your video to the other and visa-versa or everything onto the same storage device. This is an excellent multi-purpose camera and since it is all Flash memory, it's a snap to upload to your computer for editing/viewing etc. without having a bunch of mini DVDs around. It is palm sized but packs a lot of quality for such a small consumer camera. You will not be disappointed!

Review from Review from Amazon

Reviewer: Lon J. Seidman| Date:2009-06-15

So many other great Amazon members have written excellent reviews of all of this camera's key positives and negatives. I will instead 'focus' on something this camera has that truly sets it apart from others in this price range - its ability to help you learn key concepts to becoming a better videographer.

The HFS10, like any good consumer camcorder, features an excellent facial recognition system, lightening fast auto focus, built in lens cover, etc. But it also has enough manual control to give aspiring amateurs their first lessons in controlling image and audio quality manually.

The manual control set includes white balance, focus, audio, shutter speed, and aperture settings. These controls are not buried in a host of menus - they can be brought front and center when needed. Each component can be turned on separately, allowing you to learn one concept (white balance for example) while the camera still automatically handles focus and exposure.

Canon also included a microphone port - something which nearly every consumer camera is now abandoning. Thankfully Canon knows that good video requires good audio! One of the first steps to 'upping the game' is using external microphones to enhance and focus the sound coming into the camcorder.

The bottom line is that Canon has produced a camera that's very easy to use right out of the box, yet also serves as a tremendous learning platform for aspiring hobbyists (or even future filmmakers) to learn about the key concepts of professional video production.

If you have a loved one showing some talent in video production and are looking to graduate them out of a Flip camera, this is the camera to consider. Along with a book on amateur video composition of course.

Review from Review from Amazon