I love your review, but I have one question that I just can't seem to find answer for. Vixia records in 60i, and not in 50p like "european" standard cameras. But what is the difference? Every camera here in Europe has 50p standard and everybody tells me not to buy 60i because it is interlaced and it records lesser quality videos.Every video that I would take with this camera would end up in Adobe Premiere and then export it in probably 720p,24/25/30fps format. Would you recommend me this camera?
@rawproduktionz I use Class 6 cards (it won't accept Class 10). SanDisk, Lexar, and Panasonic have all worked great for me. Stay away from cheap cards or Class 2.
Very helpful. I have this camera and My videos aren't super sharp. Are you using the auto focus? What frame rate are you set at? How is your camera set up to get such sharp video?
@sharonstahl Hi Sharon. This video was shot using the highest quality (MXP) Vivid Color in cinema mode at 30pf with the Image Stabilizer on. I used auto focus for most of what you see in this video and have found the manual focus to be pretty good once you get used to it. I still use this camera every week for something. It's size and quality make it handy.
This was great! Thanks for sharing! =) i'm totally looking at getting this camcorder. How is the zoom on it? Does it still stay relatively sharp even when it gets into the digital zoom?
@kitkat39 I turned off the digital zoom. I don't use it and don't think any video camera can do it well. The HF200 does stay sharp throughout it's optic zoom range. Glad you liked the review and thanks for your comment.
'The battery is easy to get at' ??? Not with a tripod it isn't and the SD card cover jams on a release plate too. A review should pick up on these things, if it's an ad call it an ad, if it's a review tell it how it is.
@grcanning It is very poor design, but the camera is excellent quality - I own one- no regrets, but the manufacturers will never learn if this stuff is not pointed out and reviews are the place to say it. But anyway, regards to you.
turn off the instant focus to avoid that focus problem. It has an IR assist focus lens (the little side square lens) and the camera will give it priority when on and when it cant find something to bounce the IR off of, it will do a weird seek thing. Great for normal use but not ultra wide scenes like that. Even a camera this old (now) still is on par with today with exception of it being about 2x fat.
Thank you for the great review of the Canon camera. I'm looking at, I believe, the updated version HF S200 and was wondering if my laptop will be too slow to edit the AVCHD video. The laptops harddrive spins at 5,200 rpm. Thoughts?
@markosborne10 your video should be encoded in H.264 with AVC sound, and youtube will pick it in no time. Otherwise it will be re-encoded by youtube and couldn't degrate the quality or takes like ages.
Hello, reader. If you started reading this, don't stop or else. I hate people who post these kind of comments but.... Post this to 16 videos in 30 minutes and promise your self to never listen to these kind of comments or make one up. But this one is real.If you don't post this, a boy with no head or legs will show up in ur room at midnight kill you. Everyone will forget u. start posting. the timer will start as soon as you finish reading this. yes I do hate these coments
@markosborne10 Export your movie from your editing program at the best setting possible before you upload it to YouTube. I shoot at 720/30p and keep the frame rate at 30 or 60. I used the H.264 codec as well.
great review so detailed i own a hf 200 i learned so much more now. i wish you reviewed the panasonic tm 700 that is one i am deciding to get i might sell my hf 200 for the panasonic would you think that is a good choice
I'm seeing your're into cameras so i have a question so maybe you or anyone can help me wich it the best camera : GY-HM100U (JVC) or HDR-XR520VE (SONY). Thank you
The HF20 does not have an internal hard drive, it has internal flash memory. As to light sensitivity, the prior generation HF100/10/11 is almost twice more sensitive. It does not matter whether one uses 24p with slow shutter speed or not, more sensitive is more sensitive. Good review overall, thanks.
Yeah man I have this camera and you need a strong computer. For me the playback is laggy though. So when Im in post I just edit to the music to it can fit perfect. But this is an amazing camera though.
hi i m student of media studies and i m thinking to buy cannon VIXIA HF200 to make documentaries and other reports. can u plz tell me that it cannon HF200 is best in budget and my needs. i need good battery timing, sound annd basic needs to make a documentary, i have seen ur review but i need to know that is there any other cannon camcorder with same price and good features,,,,
the focus problem on that one shot was the lake in the background. Even tho you zoom in, the sun is still gleaming out any chance of finding a focal point
Awesome review! Great with a lot of samples, and an occasional funny image here and there... The 3 second feature sounds really useful too. I think I'll get me one of these. It would be cool if you did reviews of some of the 35 mm adapters too. I'm not sure if they are any different... thanks a lot! :)
@tttnytttny For Canons digital photo cameras you can use RemoteCapture software, but I'm not sure it works with HF200. With RemoteCapture you can control many of your camera functions from the computer.
HF200 is great video camera but don't expect some good photo qaulity.
Nice review. I purchased this camera but there is only one thing wrong. Do I need to convert the avchd in order to view it on sony vagas, and after effects? Because anytime I put it on it is really compressed and choppy.
@tttnytttny I think what you need is the proper software. All your doing is viewing the camera remotely. Hooking it up with a USB port is fine but you need a decent program to record the images with. Photo Booth on a Mac can do it, are you on a PC?
Hi Glenn, Great review, thanks for the info. I am looking at purchasing a HF200 mainly because of the numerous manual features. Can you confirm the ease of using the manual focus is on the HF200? Usually 'prosumer' cameras have them on the lens ring however this one does not. Can you focus with a remote (to alleviate camera shake)? Ultimately, is it easy to manually focus?
@millsy351 It's not hard to use the manual focus. The toggle on the LCD is used instead of a focus ring and it has a focus assist. I wouldn't recommend it for street use though, it would take to long to get the focus right.
Hey what would you recemend, hf200 or hv40 if i was paying $150-$200 more for hv40 for indie film making? im using cs3 so i dont know how i would convert the hf200 format to use (its avchd i believe right?) i will be getting external mic either way so i dont see the sound issue being a problem, more of the format the hf200 uses wehre the hv series uses tapes. Please help :]
@rsmms Tapes are perfect if you ant to archive your footage. Much more so than anything digital. I do prefer the ease of SD cards though. It's kind of a personal preference thing. Both of the cameras you mentioned are good although I've shoot with only an HV30.
Hi Glen, Thanks for this review. I'm in the market for a new camcorder. At the moment I own the old Canon DC230 (Mini dvd) My wife and I are trying to decide between the Canon HF200 and the Sony CX150. I cannot find any reviews on the Sony CX150. Could you please do a review on the Sony CX150 and wich would you prefer between Canon and Sony. Thanks.
@Phunk123 I haven't had a chance to shoot with that SONY but have used SONY's many times and have been happy with the quality. If I ever get my hands on a CX150 I'll definitely do a review.
Glen, great to see a video shot by a professional with extensive experience, nicely done. I have a client who wants to do some streaming. Will this camera output live video? What other cameras in the sub-prosumer category might you recommend? Thanks for your time.
hey im having frame rate issues with this camera and im having trouble finding the answer. just hoping you have the answer. when im recording and play the video back on the camera it looks fine, but when i import it onto my computer using the software it came with, the frame rate is horrible. i have only had this 1 day so far, and i've only shot indoors and at night so its all lamp lit. im really not sure what setting to put it on. any help would be appreciated. thank you.
It would be hard to say what the problem is. I've never used the software that came with the camera and I've always believed supplied software is not the best. Are you using a PC? Have you tried Movie Maker?
ah there we go, i asked several people for they're help, one suggested that its the program i was using and that i should use a different one. so i did, and it all works just fine now. so yeah it was the program the camera came with that was faulty.
I've used Pinnacle before with good results. I'd hate to see you have to spend more than you need to but it's not to expensive. I'll have a look at your problem and try to give you a better answer this weekend.
Actually, dont spend a penny, Handbrake is a free program for PC and Mac, and can convert the video to a mpeg format, while still retaining all of the quality. It even de-interlaces the footage as well.
The camera shoots in AVCHD format and uses a .MTS extension. You won't be able to view them as video files until you import them into a video editing or file conversion program and save them to a different format. There are some free programs out there that could do this for you. Are you using a Mac or a PC?
Thanks for a very complete review. Will forward this to my son, who bought an HF20 and is expecting hsi first child any day now. Nice to know that switching to 24p seems to solve many of the low light complaints.
The mic is just bad for outside. for filming pets and kids and family stuff the built in mic will do the job. But he's right getting another mic is the way to go.
You are tops..............Very professional, and you covered all of my questions..........One thing, and you must know this............I enjoy making short movies, mostly horror related, and I have been doing this with a pan ag dvc20p, 3 ccd 1/8" sensor.......but it has a very vague looking outside image..........maybe this is just HD, but I paid over 1500 US for this supposed, Professional camera...........any comments........and thanks;
This is the best review of this camera I have seen so far that shows examples of everything even the audio. 5/5! I've been researching to buy a camcorder for months and I'm finally buying this one right now. Ordering it to get it in time for Christmas. :)
Hey thanks for this review. It was the best review of all that I have read or watched and I am very happy with the purchase of the HF20. I referred this link to others looking to be closed on this camera. You should be in sales! ha ha. Thanks again.
This is THE BEST review i ever saw for vixia HF200. You have covered a lot of points in detail which the others havent. e.g. the 3 second recording feature and its real purpose (rather than other reviewers who havent). I have ordered a HF20 and might come up with some more questions. Let me know if I can ask / subscribe to your videos. Again fantastic review.
Great review, I've heard people having problems editing avchd what kind of comp would you suggest using, also what mic and mount was that girl using towards the end? Thanks.
I use an iMac with Final Cut Express HD running on it and I haven't run into any problems with AVCHD files. I'm not sure how a PC would handle it. The microphone is a Sony ECM-Z37C and the bracket is a Haida HD1110 Camera Flash Bracket. It just happens to work great for holding a mic. Thanks for your comment.
I have a PC and I use Sony Vegas Platinum Pro. You just click "import avchd" and it brings over the thumbnails from your flash/sd card drive. Windows Movie Maker HD in Windows 7 handles them with ease too but that program is limited.
When you switch to manual focus with the toggle the toggle acts as your focus wheel. Move it left to focus close up and right to focus farther away. Seems a strange way to do it for those of us used to a focus wheel but it works.
Thanks for the great review! It addressed some questions I had about the HF200. Mine is on order and arrives tomorrow and very excited to give it a whirl. I will be shooting my kids Travelball (Baseball) this weekend and wanted to ask you for the best settings for it? Override it to shutter priority? I have Premiere CS4 and hoping the .mts file are drag and dropable into timeline :) Thanks again..
Thanks. Glad you found my review useful. If you're shooting your kids I'd keep it in AE unless it's overcast. Then shutter priority would be the way to go. I shot the football game like that and it looked good.
Great review. I learned a lot. I have the camera myself and now I am even more pleased. It is to shift the settings though. No need to use auto. I use sony vegas pro 9 as a video editor for the avchd media. What do you use yourself?
Thanks for your feedback. I use Final Cut Pro for all my video editing. Heard a lot of great things about Vegas so would love to give it a try someday. That and Adobe Premiere.
I love your review, but I have one question that I just can't seem to find answer for. Vixia records in 60i, and not in 50p like "european" standard cameras. But what is the difference? Every camera here in Europe has 50p standard and everybody tells me not to buy 60i because it is interlaced and it records lesser quality videos.Every video that I would take with this camera would end up in Adobe Premiere and then export it in probably 720p,24/25/30fps format. Would you recommend me this camera?
zigamx 2 months ago
What camera are you using to record this video?
ROCKETDEJATULLOCH 4 months ago
@ROCKETDEJATULLOCH A Canon XH A1.
grcanning 4 months ago
I have the Canon HF200, but I am having a hard time finding a suitable SDHC card. What SDHC card do I need to shoot the highest video quality?
rawproduktionz 5 months ago
@rawproduktionz I use Class 6 cards (it won't accept Class 10). SanDisk, Lexar, and Panasonic have all worked great for me. Stay away from cheap cards or Class 2.
grcanning 4 months ago
Very helpful. I have this camera and My videos aren't super sharp. Are you using the auto focus? What frame rate are you set at? How is your camera set up to get such sharp video?
Thanks,
Sharon
sharonstahl 5 months ago
@sharonstahl Hi Sharon. This video was shot using the highest quality (MXP) Vivid Color in cinema mode at 30pf with the Image Stabilizer on. I used auto focus for most of what you see in this video and have found the manual focus to be pretty good once you get used to it. I still use this camera every week for something. It's size and quality make it handy.
grcanning 5 months ago
This was great! Thanks for sharing! =) i'm totally looking at getting this camcorder. How is the zoom on it? Does it still stay relatively sharp even when it gets into the digital zoom?
kitkat39 5 months ago
@kitkat39 I turned off the digital zoom. I don't use it and don't think any video camera can do it well. The HF200 does stay sharp throughout it's optic zoom range. Glad you liked the review and thanks for your comment.
grcanning 5 months ago
What microphone is that?
kalleskate133 6 months ago
'The battery is easy to get at' ??? Not with a tripod it isn't and the SD card cover jams on a release plate too. A review should pick up on these things, if it's an ad call it an ad, if it's a review tell it how it is.
emerton321 6 months ago
@emerton321 This review is about the camera, not how you intend to use it.
grcanning 6 months ago
@grcanning It is very poor design, but the camera is excellent quality - I own one- no regrets, but the manufacturers will never learn if this stuff is not pointed out and reviews are the place to say it. But anyway, regards to you.
emerton321 6 months ago
@emerton321 Good point. Thanks for sharing.
grcanning 6 months ago
Comment removed
emerton321 6 months ago
Excellent camcorder review I've seen so far.. Thank you
christocherian 7 months ago
@christocherian Thanks. Glad you liked it.
grcanning 6 months ago
Thanks for the review. Everything I needed to know, all in one place. Perfect!
UnorthodoxPoppycock 7 months ago
keep up this style of reviews. It's super helpful in finding out real-life handling of the final product versus what is stated on paper.
c2thew 7 months ago
Nice job.
9873459872134234 8 months ago
Great review! It's better than all camera's out there right now! Think I'm gonna buy this on off eBay since it's not being sold anymore.
DjekStudiosMovies 10 months ago
turn off the instant focus to avoid that focus problem. It has an IR assist focus lens (the little side square lens) and the camera will give it priority when on and when it cant find something to bounce the IR off of, it will do a weird seek thing. Great for normal use but not ultra wide scenes like that. Even a camera this old (now) still is on par with today with exception of it being about 2x fat.
kakureru 11 months ago
@kakureru Thanks so much for that information!
grcanning 10 months ago
Good review.
I'm not a photojournalist, but I think you sold me!
SuperTechieJ 11 months ago
Thank you for the great review of the Canon camera. I'm looking at, I believe, the updated version HF S200 and was wondering if my laptop will be too slow to edit the AVCHD video. The laptops harddrive spins at 5,200 rpm. Thoughts?
RobertShay 1 year ago
@markosborne10 your video should be encoded in H.264 with AVC sound, and youtube will pick it in no time. Otherwise it will be re-encoded by youtube and couldn't degrate the quality or takes like ages.
ninjat346 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Hello, reader. If you started reading this, don't stop or else. I hate people who post these kind of comments but.... Post this to 16 videos in 30 minutes and promise your self to never listen to these kind of comments or make one up. But this one is real.If you don't post this, a boy with no head or legs will show up in ur room at midnight kill you. Everyone will forget u. start posting. the timer will start as soon as you finish reading this. yes I do hate these coments
fudgyhoops 1 year ago
@markosborne10 Export your movie from your editing program at the best setting possible before you upload it to YouTube. I shoot at 720/30p and keep the frame rate at 30 or 60. I used the H.264 codec as well.
grcanning 1 year ago
hi i cant seem to make a dvd using the software provided, it says my dvd-rw isnt compatible . doesnt have to be a blue ray dvd?
lakernation05 1 year ago
@lakernation05
grcanning 1 year ago
Is this camera in the same range as the Canon HF M300?
MrE2727 1 year ago
@MrE2727 Looks pretty close.
grcanning 1 year ago
great review so detailed i own a hf 200 i learned so much more now. i wish you reviewed the panasonic tm 700 that is one i am deciding to get i might sell my hf 200 for the panasonic would you think that is a good choice
akeem485 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
#LOL #FML
EminentFate102 1 year ago
i think this is the best review iv ever seen on anything
nnahous 1 year ago 8
I'm seeing your're into cameras so i have a question so maybe you or anyone can help me wich it the best camera : GY-HM100U (JVC) or HDR-XR520VE (SONY). Thank you
Piratepiracy 1 year ago
@Piratepiracy I actually use a 100U and think it's a great cam. Never tried the other one so can't say for sure which is better.
grcanning 1 year ago
The HF20 does not have an internal hard drive, it has internal flash memory. As to light sensitivity, the prior generation HF100/10/11 is almost twice more sensitive. It does not matter whether one uses 24p with slow shutter speed or not, more sensitive is more sensitive. Good review overall, thanks.
EluraUser 1 year ago
This is a great review, I am looking into a new camera and this really helps. Thank you
JessicaWhoHD 1 year ago
Do you need a super fast computer to edit footy with this?
popaquach 1 year ago
@popaquach
Yeah man I have this camera and you need a strong computer. For me the playback is laggy though. So when Im in post I just edit to the music to it can fit perfect. But this is an amazing camera though.
4gamerz 1 year ago
@4gamerz will it work on a macbook? and also does anybody know exactly the steps to take to upload it to youtube at a high quality? is it a hassle?
theoneandonlymeyupyu 1 year ago
hi i m student of media studies and i m thinking to buy cannon VIXIA HF200 to make documentaries and other reports. can u plz tell me that it cannon HF200 is best in budget and my needs. i need good battery timing, sound annd basic needs to make a documentary, i have seen ur review but i need to know that is there any other cannon camcorder with same price and good features,,,,
wqszia 1 year ago
the focus problem on that one shot was the lake in the background. Even tho you zoom in, the sun is still gleaming out any chance of finding a focal point
RiseAndFall83 1 year ago
good review tnx ill go buy one on the morrow!
CONSTRINGACY 1 year ago
omg...is this Halifax? I saw the Husky of SMU...
ioriqyz 1 year ago
Awesome review! Great with a lot of samples, and an occasional funny image here and there... The 3 second feature sounds really useful too. I think I'll get me one of these. It would be cool if you did reviews of some of the 35 mm adapters too. I'm not sure if they are any different... thanks a lot! :)
GronLaser 1 year ago
@tttnytttny For Canons digital photo cameras you can use RemoteCapture software, but I'm not sure it works with HF200. With RemoteCapture you can control many of your camera functions from the computer.
HF200 is great video camera but don't expect some good photo qaulity.
marculoni 1 year ago
I started to lose interest in the camera, but I kept watching because the review was so well done.
FromZero2HD 1 year ago
What a kick arse review! Exactly the info I needed! More please!!!
Lumchuck 1 year ago
how to get rid of the wind? i planning to buy this camera because it's awesome!
btw, great review. you convince me more man. thanks.
aspire5583wxmi 1 year ago
Nice review. I purchased this camera but there is only one thing wrong. Do I need to convert the avchd in order to view it on sony vagas, and after effects? Because anytime I put it on it is really compressed and choppy.
4gamerz 1 year ago
Very informative review, great work. I subscribed.
skeiter119 1 year ago
@tttnytttny I think what you need is the proper software. All your doing is viewing the camera remotely. Hooking it up with a USB port is fine but you need a decent program to record the images with. Photo Booth on a Mac can do it, are you on a PC?
grcanning 1 year ago
what settings would you reccomend for skateboarding outdoors ? i am looking to get sharp vivid colors
nudzak4 1 year ago
@nudzak4 It has a vivid color setting in the menu. That worked good for me. The football stuff in the video was all shot at PF30 Programmed AE.
grcanning 1 year ago
I saw that you had a mic attachment and mic on the Canon HF200 and I just wanted to know what were the products that you used?
Domitruco 1 year ago
@Domitruco It's just a Sony mic with a 1/8" plug. It cost about $50.
grcanning 1 year ago
hey awesome review really what i was looking for. i just want to know whether you can manual focus with the camera
itscaseplace 1 year ago
@itscaseplace Yes you can manual focus with it.
grcanning 1 year ago
Hi Glenn, Great review, thanks for the info. I am looking at purchasing a HF200 mainly because of the numerous manual features. Can you confirm the ease of using the manual focus is on the HF200? Usually 'prosumer' cameras have them on the lens ring however this one does not. Can you focus with a remote (to alleviate camera shake)? Ultimately, is it easy to manually focus?
millsy351 1 year ago
@millsy351 It's not hard to use the manual focus. The toggle on the LCD is used instead of a focus ring and it has a focus assist. I wouldn't recommend it for street use though, it would take to long to get the focus right.
grcanning 1 year ago
Hey what would you recemend, hf200 or hv40 if i was paying $150-$200 more for hv40 for indie film making? im using cs3 so i dont know how i would convert the hf200 format to use (its avchd i believe right?) i will be getting external mic either way so i dont see the sound issue being a problem, more of the format the hf200 uses wehre the hv series uses tapes. Please help :]
rsmms 1 year ago
@rsmms Tapes are perfect if you ant to archive your footage. Much more so than anything digital. I do prefer the ease of SD cards though. It's kind of a personal preference thing. Both of the cameras you mentioned are good although I've shoot with only an HV30.
grcanning 1 year ago
Hi Glen, Thanks for this review. I'm in the market for a new camcorder. At the moment I own the old Canon DC230 (Mini dvd) My wife and I are trying to decide between the Canon HF200 and the Sony CX150. I cannot find any reviews on the Sony CX150. Could you please do a review on the Sony CX150 and wich would you prefer between Canon and Sony. Thanks.
Phunk123 1 year ago
@Phunk123 I haven't had a chance to shoot with that SONY but have used SONY's many times and have been happy with the quality. If I ever get my hands on a CX150 I'll definitely do a review.
grcanning 1 year ago
Best review I've seen for the HF200 - Thanks!
toneata 1 year ago
Glen, great to see a video shot by a professional with extensive experience, nicely done. I have a client who wants to do some streaming. Will this camera output live video? What other cameras in the sub-prosumer category might you recommend? Thanks for your time.
sptpilot 1 year ago
Thanks for the insight!
So what lights and microphones would you suggest using for the advanced hot shoe?
Thanks again!
hitmanbrock 1 year ago
that was fantastic. great review, thank you.
TroyArn 1 year ago
this is an AWESOME review! Thanks a lot (from Germany ;) )
gonna buy that great camera!! =)
adrianmpc 1 year ago
nice review.
Leiflton 1 year ago
Does it also have an option to record in 720P?
IvanRod182 1 year ago
Wow, excellent review. Thanks for that...
lfsnz67 1 year ago
can you have the bracket attached to the camcorder with the mic on it and have it on a tripod at the same time?
scoonieh 1 year ago
+ 32gb sdhc = 100 $
lanko1 1 year ago
Glen, what editing software are you using with this? I saw a mention of Movie Maker, but wondered if that is what you are using.
banks10000 1 year ago
Comment removed
scoonieh 1 year ago
Awesome review guy
JimiHenbricks 1 year ago
hey great review do you need an hdmi cord to import since no firewire or is there another way?
PeteyVX12 2 years ago
I take the card out and use a USB 2.0 card reader. The camera has a USB connector I just find it easier to take out the card.
grcanning 2 years ago
what video format you use to add your video on youtube on the canon
petenicezz 2 years ago
thanks for the review. (:
imJUNN 2 years ago
Just Bought This Camera, Thanks for the Review !
newbiecam 2 years ago
was that mic called ?
random123863 2 years ago
hey im having frame rate issues with this camera and im having trouble finding the answer. just hoping you have the answer. when im recording and play the video back on the camera it looks fine, but when i import it onto my computer using the software it came with, the frame rate is horrible. i have only had this 1 day so far, and i've only shot indoors and at night so its all lamp lit. im really not sure what setting to put it on. any help would be appreciated. thank you.
Rakoshima 2 years ago
It would be hard to say what the problem is. I've never used the software that came with the camera and I've always believed supplied software is not the best. Are you using a PC? Have you tried Movie Maker?
grcanning 2 years ago
@grcanning
ah there we go, i asked several people for they're help, one suggested that its the program i was using and that i should use a different one. so i did, and it all works just fine now. so yeah it was the program the camera came with that was faulty.
Rakoshima 2 years ago
I used pinnacle 14 Hd is perfect.
taibjaulim 2 years ago
I've used Pinnacle before with good results. I'd hate to see you have to spend more than you need to but it's not to expensive. I'll have a look at your problem and try to give you a better answer this weekend.
grcanning 2 years ago
Actually, dont spend a penny, Handbrake is a free program for PC and Mac, and can convert the video to a mpeg format, while still retaining all of the quality. It even de-interlaces the footage as well.
RedLeaderTrackMaster 2 years ago
The camera shoots in AVCHD format and uses a .MTS extension. You won't be able to view them as video files until you import them into a video editing or file conversion program and save them to a different format. There are some free programs out there that could do this for you. Are you using a Mac or a PC?
grcanning 2 years ago
Hi thank you for this review. One question though: can you put other memory cards
Dragonoid123456 2 years ago
It uses only SD cards. I use SanDisk Class 4 8Gb ones and they work fine.
grcanning 2 years ago
Thanks for a very complete review. Will forward this to my son, who bought an HF20 and is expecting hsi first child any day now. Nice to know that switching to 24p seems to solve many of the low light complaints.
Canadarago 2 years ago
Glad you found it useful.
grcanning 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
hey glen
I guess I will go and buy this camera!
could you pls make another video where you show the manual focus of this camera ? I would be really happy....
anyways i sub you and thanks again for the great review!
MrXtremGaming 2 years ago
The mic is just bad for outside. for filming pets and kids and family stuff the built in mic will do the job. But he's right getting another mic is the way to go.
ngvgnDOTcom 2 years ago
the sound is just like most camcoders
m4ttymoj0 2 years ago
Great stuff man, so glad you talked about so many things nobody else was. Great, great stuff man! Thanks for taking the time to make the video!
N.
Narragan 2 years ago
You are tops..............Very professional, and you covered all of my questions..........One thing, and you must know this............I enjoy making short movies, mostly horror related, and I have been doing this with a pan ag dvc20p, 3 ccd 1/8" sensor.......but it has a very vague looking outside image..........maybe this is just HD, but I paid over 1500 US for this supposed, Professional camera...........any comments........and thanks;
Tim.
torchidman 2 years ago
Great review...............but were you using the same camera you are exposing?
torchidman 2 years ago
I was taping myself with it using Canon XH A1.
grcanning 2 years ago
I echo many of the other comments, this is an excellent, informative and well edited review. Thanks for taking the time to produce it.
BaggyTrousers 2 years ago
Great Review,,,I have the HF 20 and love it,,awsome camera
GALAXYTECH69 2 years ago
Great review! Thanks a lot for all your information!
Drummer000 2 years ago
Thank you for great review, I think I'll go for it.
tkp15sp 2 years ago
great review
screwmath 2 years ago
This is the best review of this camera I have seen so far that shows examples of everything even the audio. 5/5! I've been researching to buy a camcorder for months and I'm finally buying this one right now. Ordering it to get it in time for Christmas. :)
TheFutureLooksGrimm 2 years ago
Hey thanks for this review. It was the best review of all that I have read or watched and I am very happy with the purchase of the HF20. I referred this link to others looking to be closed on this camera. You should be in sales! ha ha. Thanks again.
drivechurch 2 years ago
What about with loud sound? Distortion or very clearly? Great review. Congrats.
xvideofilmcopy 2 years ago
Fantastic review - my dad just bought this camcorder and I'm going to forward this to him. Thanks!!
utexastom 2 years ago
You can tell when a professional does a review.
Thank you for the great information.
poprocz 2 years ago 10
Thanks, glad you liked it and hope it was useful.
grcanning 2 years ago
This is THE BEST review i ever saw for vixia HF200. You have covered a lot of points in detail which the others havent. e.g. the 3 second recording feature and its real purpose (rather than other reviewers who havent). I have ordered a HF20 and might come up with some more questions. Let me know if I can ask / subscribe to your videos. Again fantastic review.
prasaddudwaadkar 2 years ago 4
Thanks. Glad you liked the review. I used the XH A1 just to show the HF200 isn't to bad when it comes to image quality.
grcanning 2 years ago
Thanks.
grcanning 2 years ago
Great review, I've heard people having problems editing avchd what kind of comp would you suggest using, also what mic and mount was that girl using towards the end? Thanks.
BuCnasty 2 years ago
I use an iMac with Final Cut Express HD running on it and I haven't run into any problems with AVCHD files. I'm not sure how a PC would handle it. The microphone is a Sony ECM-Z37C and the bracket is a Haida HD1110 Camera Flash Bracket. It just happens to work great for holding a mic. Thanks for your comment.
grcanning 2 years ago
I have a PC and I use Sony Vegas Platinum Pro. You just click "import avchd" and it brings over the thumbnails from your flash/sd card drive. Windows Movie Maker HD in Windows 7 handles them with ease too but that program is limited.
drivechurch 2 years ago
When you switch to manual focus with the toggle the toggle acts as your focus wheel. Move it left to focus close up and right to focus farther away. Seems a strange way to do it for those of us used to a focus wheel but it works.
grcanning 2 years ago
Thanks for the great review! It addressed some questions I had about the HF200. Mine is on order and arrives tomorrow and very excited to give it a whirl. I will be shooting my kids Travelball (Baseball) this weekend and wanted to ask you for the best settings for it? Override it to shutter priority? I have Premiere CS4 and hoping the .mts file are drag and dropable into timeline :) Thanks again..
dssnut 2 years ago
Thanks. Glad you found my review useful. If you're shooting your kids I'd keep it in AE unless it's overcast. Then shutter priority would be the way to go. I shot the football game like that and it looked good.
grcanning 2 years ago
Great review. I learned a lot. I have the camera myself and now I am even more pleased. It is to shift the settings though. No need to use auto. I use sony vegas pro 9 as a video editor for the avchd media. What do you use yourself?
fridrikur 2 years ago
Thanks for your feedback. I use Final Cut Pro for all my video editing. Heard a lot of great things about Vegas so would love to give it a try someday. That and Adobe Premiere.
grcanning 2 years ago