Camcorder HDR

With the Canon VIXIA HF R100 Flash Memory Camcorder, you'll find that high definition video has hit new levels of convenience, ease, performance- and value. The VIXIA HF R100 records to SD memory cards and features Canon's Smart Auto. A Genuine Canon 20x HD Video Lens and Dynamic IS works in combination with our sophisticated Canon HD image processing to deliver the sharp, vivid, lifelike video you want to see on your HDTV. Advanced Video Snapshot lets you create 2-, 4- or 8-second movie clips, with music, that are perfect for sharing. And advanced easy-to-operate control features of the VIXIA HF R100 help to make high-quality video that can turn the casual shooter into the family cinematographer, at our most affordable HD price.

Technical Details

-Records crisp high definition video directly to removable SD memory cards
-Ultra-Sleek, Compact and Lightweight Design allows you to take your camcorder with you anywhere
-Genuine Canon 20x HD Video Lens delivers unsurpassed image quality
-Canon 2.39-Megapixel HD CMOS Image Sensor captures video at 1920 x 1080 resolution
-Canon DIGIC DV III Image Processor provides the ultimate in color and imaging performance
See more technical details

 "Great image and features but the autofocus makes some noise in quiet scenes" 2010-08-18
By Monkeyboy (Smithers, BC)
At least one reviewer mentioned that the camera makes a clicking or whirring noise when recording quiet scenes. This is true and is due to the autofocus. When switched to manual focus the noise goes away completely. This doesn't help matters much, but if you're recording something that doesn't require constant focus changes (e.g. far away objects where the focus is at infinity anyway) then you can let it focus automatically first then switch it to manual focus before starting recording. If you're into video editing and plan on having music or narration over the original audio track then I wouldn't consider the noise a point against buying this camera.

Noise aside, the 'Instant Autofocus' really is instant. I let it focus on my hand very close up and as soon as I pulled it away it snapped the other end of the room right into focus.

Other than that the camera is great for the price. The picture is amazing on the highest quality setting but still very good at the lowest setting. The automatic lens cover (though fairly ubiquitous now) is awesome. It comes out of standby almost instantly and allows you to start recording while barely missing any action. The 20x optical zoom is quick and great to have as it makes composition more versatile. The camera itself is tiny (and I have small hands), so it's very easy to hold and operate.

One thing to note about the image stabilization is that when you're playing back something in slow motion (that was recorded using high zoom) the image can look slightly wavy and distorted occasionally, but it's not that bad (due to the image stabilization doing its job). When watching at normal speed, though, it's unnoticeable. If you plan on doing a lot of slow motion playback, I'd recommend using a tripod with the image stabilization turned off.

Battery life is pretty much what the Canon specs state, which is decent but not amazing. I'd recommend buying a couple more (if you're out in the boonies with no electricity) on [...] or Amazon. DON'T buy Canon batteries as they're way overpriced. I got a 1700 mAh battery and car/wall charger for $15 on [...] and haven't had any problems.

The manual states that not all HDTVs will work with the camera when using an HDMI cable. I have a 32" Toshiba and it doesn't work. It could be the model or the brand, who knows. The camera does work fine with the supplied component cables. This doesn't bother me as I usually transfer the video to my computer and put it on a flash drive, which I then plug into my Blu-Ray and play from there. It's a much better interface as I can use the remote just like I'm watching a movie and don't have to fuss with the limited camera controls.

Overall I'd highly recommend this camera, especially if you live in the U.S. where everything is so ridiculously cheap. I live in Canada where prices tend to be a bit higher and many companies don't ship here or the customs fees basically negate any savings from the lower base price.


 "Decent Picture, Audio annoyances" 2010-07-05
By Mike
I Received the HFR100 as an early birthday gift and at first it seemed alright. But then i really started testing it,and came up with an overall conclusion to the camera. It's not all it's cracked out to be, and could be better for the price.

Reasons:

The 60i Frame rate is pointless. If you're going to shoot shoot with this camera shoot in 24p or 30p. At highest quality it's not too bad... If you're in bright light scenarios. Once you get regular light (i.e. a typically lit indoor room, or a room with natural light coming in) and low light, it gets really grainy. I also realized that you don't get 1080 unless u use the FXP 12mbps mode. Otherwise it's slightly less resolution and not true 1080.

But the biggest kicker that made me really dislike this camera was the noise that comes from the camera and manages to seep into your video. Unless you're shooting a loud scene, you will notice an audible, fast, repeating "Clacking" sound seep into your video. This was the killer for me. I plan on using my next camera for some semi-professional projects. The part that I don't get is why it makes this kind of noise from a Flash Based camera!?

Additionally i don't like that you can't put on additional lenses, the auto focus is pretty slow to react. Image stabilization is useless even slightly zoomed in (Dynamic IS helps a little but not much). No place for a light attachment. The microphone input is nice, but if you're using a wireless mic, the camera person is going to have to hold in his hand or pocket the receiver.

I didn't try the editing software that came with the Camera and used Final Cut Pro instead. It worked fine with that using the "Log and Transfer" option. FCP works with the files just fine. The drawback to the file format that this file uses is that it needs to be converted for a mac to read it by default. Didn't try any other programs to view the video so i can't comment on which programs will work on the Mac.

Bottom Line: If you are just shooting to shoot family vacations or something that may not be seen by a bunch of people? This isn't that bad of a camera for that. However if you care about the quality and the ability to do more than just point and shoot, skip this and spring for a higher model like the HF-M30.


 "Great camera But" 2010-06-14
By John P (Albany, NY)
THIS CAMERA TAKES GREAT HD VIDEO.
It is simple to use and connects by hdmi directly to your TV. The video is stunning. Please , I don't want to hear that the cable did not come with the camera. When you buy the camera order the cable. I purchased three on Amazon for $.59 each and the shipping still cost more than the cables and they work great. Buy an extra battery they also can be found inexpensively along with an external battery charger.

My only complaints about the camera are the wide angle at zero zoom is pretty tight ( I should have checked the specs more carefully ) and since the camera only has the lcd screen - pointing it in bright sunlight and getting what you want in the picture can be a challenge. Practice shooting without using the screen until you know where to point it without looking at the screen.( its digital and does not cost anything to practice ) By the way the camera stays in the zoom position it is in when you turn it off and when you turn it back on it is still in the same position. The size and weight make the camera pocketable if you are wearing a mans shirt with pockets just put a neck strap through the hand grip to prevent accidents

That being said, understand unless you have made or are going to make the investment in a HD dvd player and HD dvd burner , software that can edit and burn HD video disks you will only see DVD quality video on the disks that you burn. The software that comes with the camera did not need to be in the box. Go buy hd editing software.

Final verdict. Good camera, light weight, small but not to small, great quality video, still pic quality good for what it is ( steal frames from video just as good ) just understand the HD camera is just the beginning if you want HD on your tv screen ,unless your tv has a card reader then you store your HD video on HDMC cards and eat the cost of cards.


 "Warning, lacks Mac software" 2010-06-06
By Wade Roush (Boston, MA)
REVIEW REVISED 6/8/10

I've been using the Vixia HF R100 camcorder for a few days now and the camera itself works fine. But I'm giving it two stars (up from one in the first version of this review) as a way to ding Canon for leaving out software that would make it more practical to transfer and use video files on a Macintosh.

The camcorder comes with software from Pixela that lets you transfer files from the camera to a Windows PC, edit your videos, and export to common formats like WMV or MPEG-2. But it doesn't include a Mac version of this software -- if you want that, you have to go to Pixela and buy it separately for $100. I don't see why Mac owners should be penalized, and there's no warning in the product description that the software supplied is Windows-only.

If I'd done more homework before my purchase I would have learned that the Vixia HF R100 records in a newish high-definition format called AVCHD and outputs a file format, "mts," that can't be viewed or edited directly on a Mac. You have to import and convert your .mts files using Pixela, Roxio's Toast, or an editing program like iMovie or Final Cut Pro before you can work with them. None of this is explained in the advertising for the Vixia or even in the instruction manuals.

My whole experience with the software side of the Vixia makes me ache to be back in the land of Apple products, where everything just works.


 "Great camera" 2010-06-04
By Missy (Hanover, PA United States)
This digital video camera is great for a person on the go. The images are clear, the size is small enough to fit in my purse, the video is sharp, the camera images are very clear also. The zoom feature gives you the ability to get close without moving or changing lenses. The camera is hard to stablize due to it's smallness, a slight move creates an obvious shake effect. I prefer to use a tripod with the camera or at minmum a monopod which allows me a more fluid motion in my movies.


Read more Canon VIXIA HF R100 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder - 2010 MODEL

Transcend 16 GB Class 6 SDHC Flash Memory Card TS16GSDHC6
Lenmar DLC2L Digital Camera Equivalent to the Canon NB-2LH, BP-2L5, NB-2L Batteries
Canon HTC-100 Mini-HDMI Cable for Canon HD Camcorders
Lowepro Edit 120 Camcorder Bag (Black)
Lowepro Clips 100 Camera Bag for Digital Video Cameras (Arctic Blue)