Canon VIXIA HF10 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 16 GB Internal Flash Memory and 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

Long review: 10 min.| I got the HF11 video camera in urgent need for a specific occasion.
The 60th fireworks event of Suwako lake / Nagano Prefecture in Japan on 15th August 2008. (offical sale start in Japan)

As the overall package Canon with its long term experience in Imaging seemed like "The natural Choice to make".

The HF11's navigation is intuitive and exactly as the digital camera products.
Most users are able to use the product within minutes !!
The video camera integrates a huge amount of intelligent functions that ensure the quality of your video experience.

- image stabilizer,
- light sensitivity sensor,
- profiles
- variable zoom speeds,
- remaining battery status info,
- alignment markers in the screen


On top of that the video cameras body weight with 380gr. and the size of your favourite beverage is well acceptable even for ladies or kids hands.

The HF11 does not come with any major usability hitches but for video editing features you might want to look into additional software editing and codec converter solutions like Divx, Xvid etc. to be able to share the joy with your friends on DVD etc. The package contains all possible cables but NOT the ultra compact HDMI cable connection.


The major salespoints of this video camera are

- Imaging quality (resolution and smoothness of video)
- Canons colours
- Usability
- Usability and
- Usability

My subjective opinion is that the Imaging quality is unlike anything I have seen before and easily justifies the product alone.


HF11, HF10 or HF100, which one should I get ?

If you cant compromise video quality for anything get the HF11 with its 24mbps recording mode and be rest assured you have the extra stretch when you need it f.e. in low light scenarios and the best model on the marcet in the personal camcorder class.

Otherwise, if you can life with good quality and the same usability and other features as the big brother than you can make a deal by getting the HF10 or the HF100.

The intelligent functions and the exceptionally good design make the HF100, the HF10 or the HF11 the natural choice for beginners, amateurs and entry professionals.

This is the quality customers are expecting from a long term Imaging company like Canon !!


As requested from comments I have shortened this review.

Please see my How to guide (http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/syltguides/fullview/R1350ZLGI7U7TP/ref=cm_sylt_byauthor_title_full_1) for more details.

This camcorder is simply great. Small, excellent video quality, and an extremely convenient storage. Like many other costumers, I was divided between the HF100 and HF10 models, but here is a definitive difference that, after two moths, made my choice the right one: I've lost a very important recording with a defective Transcend SDHC 16gb card when plugging it to my computer. So, first of all, I recommend buying cards from traditional brands, to avoid headaches. Second, as the HF10 has 16gb of internal memory, you're able to record to it and then copy the files to the SDHC card with the camera, before plugging it to the computer. With this simple procedure, the operation of transfering files to the computer becomes safer, as you have a backup.

The Canon HF10 seemed a good choice for mounting on a motorcycle during a vacation trip due to the flash drive memory. Few moving parts, light weight, etc.. Someone else had said that he'd gotten this camcorder and tried a handlebar mount without success due to vehicle vibration. Therefore, I bought a tankmount, thinking it might be less susceptible to shakes. Plus, shooting through the windshield would provide it some protection from bugs and rocks. Unfortunately, this lovely little instrument is so light and my V-twin engine so enthusiastic that most of the video that I shot while the engine was running is blurred from irritatingly to horribly. Perhaps I should have contrived a body harness or helmet harness? The thing took wonderful stills, although it is so small and light that when zoomed in it is like trying to aim a small handgun. My previous camcorder was a full size VHS unit, so I wasn't expecting to have to concentrate on steady aim quite so much. Handheld videos came out well. The bundled software is not good at viewing the videos. The rendition it gives on my computer screen seems to be a rough approximation of the actual content. Perhaps it's my computer and not the software? The software is very limited, too. It won't let you copy video files from the computer to DVD. It only seems to allow direct copying from the camera to DVD. I haven't looked for better software yet. The included battery charger requires plugging in to the camcorder itself with the battery installed. It also allows operating the camcorder on external power. To charge batteries while using the camcorder with a spare battery requires an accessory charger.

I purchased this camera about 2 months ago and my family has really enjoyed it. For a high-end general purpose home camcorder, I think the picture and sound quality are excellent. My friends have been very impressed when I plug the camera directly into my 40in. LCD HD television using the included component cable. Instead of worrying about HD DVDs, burners, players, etc., I just transfer the files to my computer, back them up on an external hard drive, and when I want to watch them I can transfer them back to the camcorder and plug it into the TV. The m2ts file format can be a bit tricky to work with, but there are free and/or inexpensive ways to convert to other file formats if necessary. Eventually I will probably make the leap to Blu-Ray for storage purposes when the prices come down.

I've had this camera for about a month and have shot numerous short videos in a variety of situations using the Easy mode. I'm very pleased with the results thus far.

The good:
Video quality - I couldn't be happier with the overall results
Image stabilization works well
Zoom is smooth and can be done very slowly or very quickly
Handles low light really well (I was able to get the fireworks the neighbors were setting off at 10:30 at night)
Start up time - you're shooting after only 5 or 6 seconds when booting up cold, faster if it's in suspend mode (which ends after 10 minutes or so of disuse)
The camera's weight and size are remarkable
Solid construction

The okay:
Still images
Audio quality with built-in mic
Software support (I use Premiere Elements 4.0 which to date doesn't support the native AVCHD files - I have to downsample to DV-AVIs... but I'll still have the originals for when the software catches up)

The bad:
Battery life (with the default battery, though isn't a problem with the highly recommended extended-life battery)
Once card or internal capacity is reached, you have to manually switch the camera over to the other through the settings

Overall - totally worth the money (even with the bigger battery and a fat SDHC card). I know that I'm going to be able to enjoy the quality of the video I'm shooting for years to come.