Canon VIXIA HFS100 HD Flash Memory Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom

Brand

: Canon

Model

: VIXIA HFS100

Lowest Price

: 869

Reviewer: Sidarta Tanu| Date:2009-06-21

Canon VIXIA HFS100 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.

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 cameras (it's slower than DSLR). 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
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. Dual shot mode (capture video and photo without having to change setting)
5. Very effective optical image stabilization (a combination of optical and image sensor stabilization)
6. Lens filter thread (58mm)
7. Autofocus is very fast and includes a very accurate face detection to keep people's face in sharp focus
8. Up to 12 hour recording in LP mode with 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 DSLR 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. Accepts up to 32GB SD card

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 internal 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 camcorder
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 data from Camera to computer (or use an external memory reader)
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 (though still cheaper than the HFS10 that has 32GB built-in flash memory)

In conclusion, Canon VIXIA HFS100 is targeted for those who are looking for a consumer camcorder with the best video quality that can also take photo with the best image quality and the largest megapixel to date for a canon camcorder (8MP). Basically, Canon Vixia HFS100 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 HFS100 (and whether any of these camcorders will fit your needs better than the HFS100). With the exception of HFS10, the remaining are less expensive than HFS100:

- Canon VIXIA HFS10 (32GB 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: Jaz| Date:2009-06-15

The Vixia hf s100 is an excellent camera. I just got it and I spent the weekend testing it. I didn't find any precise review for the postproduction workflow on Mac so I wrote my own for shooting in 24p mode. You will need fcpro 6.0.5 or fcexpress4. Connect the camera, select log and transfer with apple prores codec. The files will go into the scratch disk under the project name (mine is vixia test). All the files will be 29.97 fps interlaced (as a result of the way the camera deals with 24p in 60i).
Download a software called Jes DEINTERLACER, it's a freeware. drag and drop the files from the scratch disk and then select inverse telecine at 23.98 with direct export to apple intermediate codec. it' really fast. You'find the telecined files inside the same folder with the same name followed by the word PROJ (added by Jes). now put all the PROJ files in a folder you want, create a new project with timeline settings 23.98 fps, apple intermediate codec, import the folder with the footage (the one with the files ending in PROJ) and that's it. Start editing. You can easily go to pal or ntsc (my Vixia is NTSC) if you shoot 24p. I suggest to keep the color mode on when shooting in 24p. I haven't tested 30p or 60i as I don't need it. Hope this helps. The camera is an excellent one, nice in low light, nice audio quality from additional mic (depends on your mic quality, keep the levels automatic, much better than manual). I am super happy with the camera overall (as always when there is too much light it won't look good, I suggest an ND filter). Remember that if you want to go full quality HD you will need at least a class4 sdhc card (no need for the expensive class6). Also from my tests VOLTAICHD doesn't work very well to do the telecine. It is very slow (like 10 times slower than the process I just described) and the footage looks not good at all. So save the 40 bucks they want for it and use the free JES (what a nice piece of software....). The only annoing thing is that following my process you will phisically need the camera to be connected to your mac and you won't be able just to drag and drop the footage from the memory card (to do so you will need VOLTAIC to batch process the mts files created by the camera). Well, I'd rater get another memory card for the same price of the software and import the footage after the shooting. Good job Canon! ciao

Review from Review from Amazon

Reviewer: H. Kim| Date:2009-06-09

I consider myself a serious amateur videographer/photographer. I used many different brands of video cameras while working as a TV journalist in the 1990s. After leaving the TV news industry, I bid farewell to all those heavy video equipment. Currently, I have a Nikon D300 DSLR and a Canon XHA1 HD camcorder that are much lighter in weight and more compact in sizes. I'm happy with these prosumer products. I truly enjoy shooting these still/video cameras during my frequent travels/weekend outings.

The challenge came when I took my baby girl to Moab, UT and Aspen, CO for my family trip in May 2009. I had to carry my baby while my wife carried a big diaper bag... you know what I mean. I realized I couldn't carry my Canon XHA1/Nikon D300 combo while carrying my girl in a baby carrier. Anticipating all these challenges, I decided to buy an ultra-light, ultra-handy camcorder for the first time. Amazon sent me Canon HFS100 a few days before the trip. What a relief!

My experience with this Canon camcorder during the trip was amazing. I carried the camcorder in a tiny camcorder bag. Shooting was a breeze with my 2-year-old girl on my back. The image was as stunning as I could find from my Canon XHA1. Some people point out a picture quality at low-light situations, but I found it acceptable. I wanted to use a tripod from time to time to get more steady shots, but my baby didn't allow me to spend time for my serious videography. Without using the tripod, some shots turned out to be a little shaky but still editable. I only had one battery (didn't have time to order an extra battery), but each day I had enought battery life. I always shoot people/nature with video editing in mind using Final Cut Pro. I don't shoot 10-20 minutes nonstop. If you shoot wisely and selectively during your travel, you'll know even one battery will last entire day. All you need to do is to recharge the battery at a motel before you go to bed.

Although my evaluation on this camcorder is solely based on my recent family vacation, I've learned that I cannot carry full-sized video equipment to many travels and vacations. I recommend this camcorder to anyone who plans to travel with his/her family. Travel light, be happy.

My only disappointment with this camcorder is its seemingly excellent still feature. I tried 20-30 still shots with this camcorder, but found the picture quality is still incomparable to images from a dedicated digital still camera. Oh, well. Bring another Canon digicam if you really want amazing travel photographs.

Review from Review from Amazon

Reviewer: S. Kan| Date:2009-06-07

If you're looking for small camcorder with excellent picture and do not care much about the price, this Canon HF s100 is the one. Do not let one or two reviews hold you back, as we all know every video shooter need steady hand to take video, so why complaint.

Review from Review from Amazon

Reviewer: Lenjai| Date:2009-06-05

I currently owned 3 Canon digital cameras and am very happy with every single one of them. Canon's optics is second to none and the Vixia HF S100 demonstrated that. I have compared the Vixia to the Sony HD video camera and the only pro's I see were increase optical zoom, bigger HD space (if you own a PC/laptop you know HD tends to die from years of use), and better night shots (I do not anticipate on recording nocturnal activities of bats). Aside from features Canon supersede Sony in everything else. Also it uses SDHC memory cards instead of Sony's expensive Memory Stick.

Review from Review from Amazon