Canon VIXIA HFS100 HD Flash Memory Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom
From the ManufacturerCanon has a well-known and highly-regarded reputation for optical excellence, advanced image processing, superb performance and technological innovation, built on our legendary photographic and broadcast television lenses. Based on that experience, we bring the latest in high-definition camcorders. The Canon VIXIA HF S100 Flash Memory camcorder is one such example. The VIXIA HF S100 delivers brilliant video and photos through a new Canon exclusive 8. 59-megapixel CMOS image sensor and the latest version of our advanced image processor, DIGIC DV III. It combines lightweight, compact size and the ease and convenience of Flash Memory. This technology, the same used in advanced laptop computers, MP3 players, PDAs and cell phones, allows the VIXIA HF S100 to record up to 6 hours of crisp, high-definition video to a removable SDHC card. You have extended available recording space and more flexibility in file transfer and playback. What’s more, the VIXIA HF …more
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13 comments
Jennaya on July 24, 2009 at 1:51 am
1.0 out of 5 stars
Don’t Buy This Camera
I bought this camera and here was my experience.
1. Took it out of the box and turned it on – immediately noticed the LCD had a dead pixel.
2.
Timmy on July 24, 2009 at 1:57 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
Canon VIXIA HFS100
Outstanding product. I have an iMAC computer. It is very compatable. Easy to use connect the USB & forget it. All the work is done for you.
Humaira on July 24, 2009 at 2:27 am
I have owned a small wedding videography company for 5 years and after using the HFS10 for a week I am incredibly pleased with it. Please note the HFS10 is identical to the HFS100 except the HFS10 also comes with 32GB of internal flash memory. If you want the smallest camcorder you can get without sacrificing video quality in any way, than this is the camcorder for you. I am amazed at how small this thing is while still having a professional grade lens. This is the same Canon lens as on their GL2 which is probably the most popular entry level professional camcorder ever (which I have owned for a few years). Pros: 1. ) Professional camera lens with superb HD video quality (even in low light situations). I cannot express enough how amazing the pictures look. 2. ) Accepts up to 32 GB of SDHC Flash memory A. ) Flash memory is instant. No waiting for tapes to wind or hard drives to spin. The camera goes from off to red light recording in less than 2 seconds. B. ) Flash memory helps keep the camera small. C. ) Flash memory protects data from being lost due to the camera being dropped or hit (a real problem with hard drive cameras). 3. ) The still picture quality, even with the built in flash, is unbelievable for a camcorder. I feel like I am shooting with my Rebel XTi. 4. ) I love the auto open and close lens cover. It only opens when you are actually shooting. If the camera is off or if you are reviewing it immediately closes. 5. ) Menus are very easy to navigate. Cons: 1. ) Doesn’t come with an HDMI cable. Since it doesn’t take a normal sized HDMI cable I think there is no excuse for that. 2. ) Doesn’t come with a battery charger. You either have to spend $50 to get one or recharge batteries using the camcorder itself. 3. ) No internal memory, however it’s $200 more for the HFS10 for only 32GB of internal storage and that is way too much. It should have only cost an extra $100. Unless you need to be able to record more than 2. 5 hours of shooting without changing SDHC cards, then get this camera because a 32GB class 6 SDHC card only costs $100. 4. ) Only comes with the BP-809 battery which doesn’t even last an hour. So you will need to buy the BP-827 which costs another $150. The BP-827 does stick out from the back just a slight bit, but not even an inch and is totally not noticeable nor does it add any real weight. 5. ) 10X optical zoom is a little slim for my liking. I am used to 20X. This camcorder is basically a professional lens barrel with an LCD on the side which gives you the best picture quality possible while keeping the size incredibly small. I cannot encourage you enough to get this camcorder.
Winfield on July 24, 2009 at 3:40 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
On the edge…
Short and sweet. The Vixia FH s100 is, hands down, the best investment I have made in a long time. I purchased this camera to make the move to HD without spending a fortune in…
Shoshanah on July 24, 2009 at 4:34 am
First off, the HD quality is amazing. I’m not a professional, but it looks like broadcast quality to me. I really like the camcorder, it fits comfortably in my hands. The controls are easy to use, and the lcd is bright and easy to see. It is not nearly as small as the Canon VIXIA HF100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom, but its quality makes up for the bigger size. Its size is really almost all lens, the lcd and electronics don’t add much space to it. I spent a lot of time trying to decide between the Canon VIXIA HFS100 HD Flash Memory Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom and the Canon VIXIA HFS10 HD Dual Flash Memory w/32GB Internal Memory & 10x Optical Zoom. The only difference between the two devices is the 32GB built-in memory. While that might sound like a nice feature, 32GB for $200 extra is ridiculously expensive. Also, 32GB is not that much if you are recording @ full quality. I found a solution which gave me A LOT more memory at a fraction of the cost. I got a MoFoto 500GB Portable Photo & Video Storage to backup the SDHC cards when they fill up. This gave me over 460GB more storage space than I would have gotten with the Canon VIXIA HFS10 HD Dual Flash Memory w/32GB Internal Memory & 10x Optical Zoom. I’m really happy with my solution. This also saved me a lot of money over buying anotherSanDisk 16gb Extreme® III 30MB/s Edition SDHC High Performance Card. I agree with other reviewers that the battery it comes with doesn’t last very long. Get the Canon BP-827 Lithium Ion Battery Pack for Vixia HG 20/21, HF11/10 & 100 Camcorders, even though it’s way over priced. I’ve ordered mine. If you want to see the quality, just google for HFS100 sample footage, there is a lot starting to show up on the web/youtube. Bottom line, buy this. I couldn’t find anything better, and I’m really happy with it. You get some amazing quality at a reasonable price.
Sabella on July 24, 2009 at 4:42 am
3.0 out of 5 stars
Batteries are expensive and hard to find
I bought this camcorder two weeks ago. It works as advertised. Be advised the 1.7 zoom feature cannot be activated if the camcorder is recording.
Xena on July 24, 2009 at 5:12 am
I’ll try to cover what others haven’t. Yes, the images are sharp and the colors are faithful. That goes for both video and stills. I’ll try to post an image of a flower as an example of a still shot. Posting video’s problematic. One of the key reasons I chose this camcorder is its still image capabilities. I followed other reviewer’s recommendations and purchase the separate battery charger and BP-827 battery. And I purchase the optional video light, VFL-2 which is light and small. If you’re new to video, it’s a commitment. Taking good videos requires concentration, and at least a little bit of practice. Though the camcorder is truly compact, the supporting equipment is an order of magnitude more bulky than with today’s point and shoot digital camera. You can slip an excellent point and shoot in your pocket; video demands a case for the charger, cables, optional video light and power supply at a minimum. Then there’s the mandatory downloading and editing. This camcorder has so many features and choices that you’ll need to refer to the manual and once you understand the way the menu system works, it’s fairly intuitive. There are five resolution choices for video. Similar for stills. On the other hand, you can start creating videos and stills out of the box; they may not quite match your preferences though. The complexity of the options shouldn’t stop anyone; you don’t have to take advantage of all the features. To get what you want, you’ll need to spend maybe an hour with the camera and manual. The you can pretty much ignore the details if you wish. The screen image is readable, even in bright sunlight. And even better with a little tilt to put it in shadow. The controls are OK though the zoom is just a tad awkward for my stubby fingers. Record/Stop is convenient and the camera sits well in your hand. No big deal. Tougher I suppose if you’re left handed. I have a couple of 16G, class 6 SDHC cards because they’re at the right price point. They’re good for 1 hour 18 minutes at the highest resolution and that pretty well matches the included battery capability. That’s a LOT of video, though an hour of video may end up as only a few minutes of edited material worth keeping. So far I haven’t figured out how to get the video directly off the flash card so it can be edited with the software. I have to download it from the camera using the included software. It may be a problem with the Corel editing software I’m trying to use. The included software seems to have limited editing capabilities, but that may reflect my inexperience as a user. The manual for the software is lengthy, but so far, not particularly useful. (added 17 May 09, With more time the Corel Video Studio 12 is perfect, cheap, and has all the features I need and I’ve been able to pull the video directly off the SDHC card without using the camera, very convenient). The zoom’s what you’d expect. The optical zoom is magnificent. The digital has two setting, one to 40X and one to 200X. The 40X setting’s good, the 200X looses a lot and I really can’t imagine a useful application, perhaps very great distances with infinite focus. Only the optical zoom works with stills. What I like best: great images, the 3 second “pre-record” feature, beautiful stills, OK sound with the built-in microphone, pop-up flash and video light, and yeah, again crisp images. What I don’t like: not crazy about the software, no separate charger, no case or good case recommendation (see below). Trivial compared to what I like. Finding a suitable case wasn’t obvious. Tough search. I’m happy with a USA Gear Pro Series “Gear S-6″ for $14. 95 from Amazon through Accessory Genie. See my reviews of that case and the Case Logic TBC-5 Medium Case I didn’t like for this application.
Valerian on July 24, 2009 at 5:59 am
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Camera So Far…
This is the first videocamera I’ve ever owned since my parents huge, clunky VHS camcorder. I’ve had the camera for a few weeks now and am very satisfied with it.
Osric on July 24, 2009 at 6:49 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best bang for the buckSkill: Event Videographer
Product Usage: 6 months (5 projects made with it)
Pros:
1) Exceptional HD Video quality (especially outside in daylight)…
Anonymous on July 24, 2009 at 9:44 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
The video looks so real !
I bought this camcorder after careful review of all the camcorders out there. I wanted to buy a camcorder that had good reviews and good quality video.
Van on July 24, 2009 at 10:26 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
Vixia- excellence/ software- garbage
Just bought the Vixia HFS 100. The camera is everything Canon says it is. The enclosed software however, is garbage at best.
Umeko on July 24, 2009 at 12:47 pm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply remarkable
I bought this camcorder to take on a family vacation to the Carribbean for all seventeen members of my extended family.
Huela on July 24, 2009 at 3:18 pm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Canon VIXIA HFS100 HD is as close as you can get to professional camcorder in terms of video quality
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).