I am looking for an HD video camcorder.

[savvy]

What would you recommend? I am looking at around the 700-1200 USD range. I've tried to read a couple past threads, but I am not sure if they apply to today's newest models.

 

[jpeyton]

I picked up a Canon Vixia HF100 yesterday. First thing that surprised me about it was how TINY it is. Glowing reviews on Newegg and Amazon.

Does 1920x1080 and 1440x1080; 60i, 30p, and 24p. No moving parts; records onto an SD card (Newegg has 16GB Class 6 SDHC cards for $65, which are good for 2 hours at maximum quality). Standard battery lasts about 75 minutes; extended batteries are available. Feels well built. No viewfinder; everything is done through the LCD. Has component, HDMI, and RCA output. Takes good 3MP still photos; built-in flash, and built-in video light. Has a hot-shoe for the optional HQ microphone. 12x optical zoom with built-in IS. Very responsive.

 

[Kaido]

I have a Canon HV20 and love it. The latest version is the HV30, which mainly adds 30p recording. I have a thread about it and some recommended accessories over here:

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...id=65&threadid=2147163

Although that HF100 that jpeyton recommended looks pretty awesome...small size and no tape whine on the built-in mic. Plus you don't have to deal with tapes, just a memory card, which is definitely a plus.

 

[savvy]

Will a class 4 card suffice for it? Or is the 6 MB/s (class 6) significantly better? I have never used flash memory for a camcorder before.

 

[savvy]

Also, is the Canon BP-819 1780mAh Li-Ion Battery necessary for it, do you believe? I think I read in some reviews that the battery life is not too great.

 

[Shawn]

Canon HV10, HV20 or HV30.

 

[jpeyton]

Class 4 is fast enough for maximum quality. I don't really feel the extended batter is necessary for me; I'd rather just get a second standard battery. The standard battery lasts about 75 minutes; I rarely record that much at once. The extended battery sticks out and ruins the compactness of the camcorder.

 

[gsellis]

Canon HV30 or Sony HC-9. While more effort, you always have a tape backup that you don't need to worry about a head crash losing your video.

 

[wwswimming]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
I picked up a Canon Vixia HF100 yesterday. First thing that surprised me about it was how TINY it is. Glowing reviews on Newegg and Amazon.

$799 at the Egg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16830120239

jPeyton, your signature is On the Money.

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: wwswimming
jPeyton, your signature is On the Money.

No it is not. It is incorrect. Why don't we leave this to P&N.

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: wwswimming

Originally posted by: jpeyton
I picked up a Canon Vixia HF100 yesterday. First thing that surprised me about it was how TINY it is. Glowing reviews on Newegg and Amazon.

$799 at the Egg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16830120239

jPeyton, your signature is On the Money.

Shows $649.99 now, huge price drop.

I like recording on SD cards. If you have a PS3, you can just pop the SD card from the camcorder directly into the PS3 card reader and it will play the AVCHD files perfectly. Macs and iMovie also recognize AVCHD files without a hitch. You will need mucho processing power if you plan on editing and converting the video, however.

16GB SD cards can hold 2 hours of 1920x1080p video and you can fit a few dozen of those in your coat pocket. 16GB class 6 SDHC cards are about $65 right now, and falling.

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: wwswimming

Originally posted by: jpeyton
I picked up a Canon Vixia HF100 yesterday. First thing that surprised me about it was how TINY it is. Glowing reviews on Newegg and Amazon.

$799 at the Egg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16830120239

jPeyton, your signature is On the Money.

Shows $649.99 now, huge price drop.

I like recording on SD cards. If you have a PS3, you can just pop the SD card from the camcorder directly into the PS3 card reader and it will play the AVCHD files perfectly. Macs and iMovie also recognize AVCHD files without a hitch. You will need mucho processing power if you plan on editing and converting the video, however.

16GB SD cards can hold 2 hours of 1920x1080p video and you can fit a few dozen of those in your coat pocket. 16GB class 6 SDHC cards are about $65 right now, and falling.

That is a kick butt price for HD.

To support AVCHD, most folks will need the newest version of most editors (and some advanced editors require an alternate workflow to get the files in - Mine requires using the JVC P2 HD workflows and an AVCHD tool). I saw $69 for Studio Plus at Fry's with rebates for upgrade and other to be $0 after you got any MIR's back.

 

[imported_Goo]

I have the Sanyo HD1000, smallest in class, battery go 2+hr, 4GB SD will record 40ish min of full HD 1080i.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: Goo
I have the Sanyo HD1000, smallest in class, battery go 2+hr, 4GB SD will record 40ish min of full HD 1080i.

I am down to the Sanyo HD1000 or the Canon HF100. Can someone recommend one over the other and why?

 

[OzzieGT]

My experience with the XACTI cams is the video quality can't really come close to a more "full size" camcorder like the Canon. That might be different with the HD1000, but if you are serious about your video, get the HF100.

Also be aware that with the flash / hdd cameras like the HF100, the picture quality isn't as good as a tape camera like the HV20 or HV30. However, it is a lot quicker and more convienient to record and play back videos...no fast forwarding or searching required.

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: OzzieGT
My experience with the XACTI cams is the video quality can't really come close to a more "full size" camcorder like the Canon. That might be different with the HD1000, but if you are serious about your video, get the HF100.

Also be aware that with the flash / hdd cameras like the HF100, the picture quality isn't as good as a tape camera like the HV20 or HV30. However, it is a lot quicker and more convienient to record and play back videos...no fast forwarding or searching required.

I am reserving judgement on the HF100. The datarate is almost double of the earlier AVCHD cameras, so it might be good.

But if you are 'serious', get a JVC P2, Canon HL-2, or a RED

 

[randomlinh]

how's the HF100 in low light? We don't really need one I guess.. but it'd be cool to have I have an old panasonic .. GS120? the 1st or 2nd gen 3CCD miniDV ones. It feels so old... and cost more than the HF100

 

[rh71]

So the HF100 has been out a few months. Any idea when the next iteration will come?

I remember when I bought my SD400 digicam, they came out with another one a few short months after and wasted some good change in comparison. I know there will always be newer, but if it's shortly to come, I want to wait.

 

[troytime]

i bought an hf100 after reading this thread (used my work credit card and called it a 'marketing experiment haha)

man, what a fricken AWESOME camera

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: rh71
So the HF100 has been out a few months. Any idea when the next iteration will come?

I remember when I bought my SD400 digicam, they came out with another one a few short months after and wasted some good change in comparison. I know there will always be newer, but if it's shortly to come, I want to wait.

164 days, 7 hours, and 32 minutes until they release the HF200.

Originally posted by: troytime
i bought an hf100 after reading this thread (used my work credit card and called it a 'marketing experiment haha)

man, what a fricken AWESOME camera

Agreed. Pick up a fat SDHC card if you haven't already. If you have a PS3, it will play the files right off the card.

 

[pervisanathema]

..

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: pervisanathema
I have a Sony HDR-SR11.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webap...Id=8198552921665291500

I almost went with a Vixia HF100 but I am glad I didn't. The SR11 has a several things the Canon does not such as a viewfinder, a high resolution touch screen LCD, and (subjectively) superior ergonomics. Camera also has an infrared light and can shoot night video (think night vision goggles). The camera gets excellent reviews for its image stabilization and auto mode. Also, can't say enough good things about the quality of the LCD and the ease of use the touch screen provides. You can FLY through the settings with ease and the menus are nicely laid out.

The two biggest features I miss from my Sony HC7 are slow-motion shooting and night vision. Night vision was a fabulous feature to have because it actually worked extremely well, especially considering the price range. It's not a feature I used on a regular basis, but it was really, really neat to have. That and slow-mo, you just can't replicate it as well in post with other cameras.

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: pervisanathema
I have a Sony HDR-SR11.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webap...Id=8198552921665291500

I almost went with a Vixia HF100 but I am glad I didn't. The SR11 has a several things the Canon does not such as a viewfinder, a high resolution touch screen LCD, and (subjectively) superior ergonomics. Camera also has an infrared light and can shoot night video (think night vision goggles). The camera gets excellent reviews for its image stabilization and auto mode. Also, can't say enough good things about the quality of the LCD and the ease of use the touch screen provides. You can FLY through the settings with ease and the menus are nicely laid out.

The two biggest features I miss from my Sony HC7 are slow-motion shooting and night vision. Night vision was a fabulous feature to have because it actually worked extremely well, especially considering the price range. It's not a feature I used on a regular basis, but it was really, really neat to have. That and slow-mo, you just can't replicate it as well in post with other cameras.

One of my favorite features is starting to become "spot metering". I used it on 6/7 during a 3 hr shoot of a band. As dusk and dark came, I was able to still shoot, pull up spot metering, and 'touch' a band member's face on the screen to adjust for the light conditions (outdoors, with open sky behind, and the sun already behind the building to my back).

 

[jpeyton]

I was only joking about the HF200 announcement.

Here is my favorite HF100 video.

 

[rh71]

For those with the HF100, what case did you buy for it? I have some amazon.com credit but they don't seem to carry any cases that are made for it specifically.

Will this work ok? link