What iThink: Canon Vixia HFS200

[shomedamony]

I have one also, love it, it is my camcorder of choice, next to my Canon T2I, I also have a Sony HD CX7 for some things when needed, not to fond of Sony anymore. Canon and Nikon are my choices now.

[TheAcecoonboon]

i am going to be filming a documentary on a up and rising dancer and want to use this cam....anywhere i can rent this specific cam?

[irelevance]

Is that your wife, girlfriend or sister than you shoot at the end of the video?

[wakaphwap]

mac sucks

[cyphcastles]

3:22 Turtle :D

[SickWickedClown]

HEY CAN IT BE USED WITH JUST 1 MEMORY CARD OR DO YOU HAVE TO USE DUAL ? THANKS ~SWC~

[cardtricks4u]

Why is the mini Hotshoe virtually unusable?

Thank You

[Sk8bordr125]

if your apple supports a sdxc card slot but not sdhc is there a way to convert the card or format for imovie without final cur pro

[SimonCU]

Can you tell me how to film 4:3 aspect ratio because in default it is 16:9 and I understand it can also do 4:3...Thanks

[mainenwo]

Hi Chris

could you tell us the exact High settings configuration your using...I just got this cam today and cant seem to get the beautiful video that i see everyone else is getting with this cam

[ithinkicamhd]

@mainenwo Hello,

Well first you need great lighting to get the best out of the any camera

Then choose your frame rate and set it to TV or shutter priorty and set the shutter to twice the speed of the fps.

for example 1/48 would be for 24fps.

Then set the exposure to manual and adjust to your liking. Just make sure you don't go to high or you will get a lot of noise. Set the video quality to the highest format as well.

I hope this helps!

Chris

[TheShootTruth10]

@ithinkicamhd finally someone who explains it right.

[ilovecalifornia1000]

so are you saying it's not compatiable with iMovie 09?

I don't know that much about camera and I'm looking for a superhigh definition image with advanced features that can also do well in low light situations. what would you reccemend? I've seen some things shot with this camera that have been incredible and i really like this camera but are there any other camera out there that are just as good and preform better in low light situations? thanks

[ithinkicamhd]

@ilovecalifornia1000 It should be compatiable with imovie 09. If not I am sure you can convert the footage with MPEG Streamclip. Which is an awesome FREE video converter. It is a must download piece of software.

For low light, nothing compares to the HDSLR market in that price range. I love my Canon DSLR's, but for live event stuff this camera is superior in the sense of auto focus and clip durations.

[TemporalParadox1]

Hi Chris

I noticed that you are using Adata SDHC cards.

Are these cards Class 10?

& Do they handle recording at the Full 24MBps speed.

I have supported Sandisk up until now, but I wouldn't mind saving some money if the Adata's do the job.

Thanks :)

[ithinkicamhd]

@TemporalParadox1

I record at the highest setting and these cards are amazing. Great price and do their job well.

[ithinkicamhd]

and yes these are class ten cards. 32gb each. They are great even at full 24mb speed

[greenlemons55]

For short films, would recommend this camera or the t2i?

[ithinkicamhd]

@greenlemons55 t2i all the way, if you are doing a narrative. If you are doing more run and gun documentary style shooting the hfs200 is great, but if you have the skill and patience, the t2i will look better.

[NewbToob]

Nice review...

You mention how you have 2x32GB cards, giving you 64GB total. In case you, (or anyone else), don't know - there is a Canon firmware update for the HF S200 (S20, S21) camcorders that enables SDXC card support; 64gb and above each card. You could have 128GB in your cam right now with 2 cards - but they are going for near $200 each at the moment.

Google: "HF S200 firmware update web.canon.jp"

It will be the first result.

[ithinkicamhd]

@NewbToob Thank you, that is good news. Although to be quite honest, I have yet to fill up both cards. It is good to know though that I have the ability to do so if I ever needed to.

[MrE2727]

How is it in low light?

[ithinkicamhd]

@MrE2727 It is not quite up to par with the dslr cameras in low light. I have shot several events in low light and have notice a dramatic difference in quality. I usually use the hfs200 as my master shot though. I would rate it a 7/10 in low light...

[Michi95W]

wich is better the canon vixia hfs200 or 100?

[exPop21]

what camera did u use to record this video?

[oidoy]

does it work with sony vegas or will you have to convert the files

[ithinkicamhd]

@oidoy I wouldn't know, but I am sure it would if you Log and Transfer the clips. I am a Final Cut Pro User.

[SuperPonyProductions]

Great review:) quick question.... do you think this model would be okayyy with taking motion clips? i ride horses, and i would need something with goo stabilityyy and not a blurry playback with all the motion that is involved... thank you!

[ithinkicamhd]

@SuperPonyProductions Thanks! Yes this camera is the best bang for the buck. I would recommend setting it to a higher shutter speed if you want less motion blur. With any camera that is how you get crisp pictures. Just make sure you don't go overboard or it will look weird. I always shoot my shutter speed twice as high as the frame rate. 1/48 for film (24fps) and 1/60 for video (29.97 fps)

[SuperPonyProductions]

@ithinkicamhd wow, thanks so much! :) so what do you htink would be the best bet for frame ratee for something like sports? sorry to bother you again :|

[SuperPonyProductions]

@SuperPonyProductions ohh, sorry :/// and opinion on this camera in low light?

[ithinkicamhd]

This camera does ok in low light. the lower the light the more grain you will see. It does have a built in video light though But it is very "spot" focused.

[ithinkicamhd]

@SuperPonyProductions I would shoot 30fps at 1/60 shutter. For Slow mo or extra crisp picture shoot 60fps and 1/120

Check out my Bones Bat baseball bat commercial...all the slow-mo shots were 60fps

[SuperPonyProductions]

@ithinkicamhd thank you so much :) greatlyy appreciated

[DaleKamp]

We all know why you needed an event specific camera! I miss my HF100.

[daleleckiejr]

Great review!!

A few questions...

Does this cam record in SD?

Does is have an EVF?

Can you display video with the A/V out while recording?

[ithinkicamhd]

@daleleckiejr Thank you,

The camera records on SD cards in AVCHD

No EVF but the screen works great. It has auto face detection to keep people in focus, so focusing isnt an issue.

You can display video with component and HDMI. It works great. I use this camera to compliment my canon 7d and 5dmark ii.

I owned a hv20 in the past and this camera is everything the hv20 wanted to be!

[daleleckiejr]

@ithinkicamhd Thanks!

Does it record in Standard Def?

Also, when your using the HDMI and comp out, does it work while recording or just for playback?

[ithinkicamhd]

@daleleckiejr

It doesn't record in standard Def, but it does record in a variety of qualities (mbps) You can record up to 24mbps.

It does have hdmi out while recording. I am sure component as well, but I have not tested it yet. I prefer HDMI.

Hope that helps.

It won't replace your DSLR cameras, but it is a sharp clear image that looks great.

[daleleckiejr]

@ithinkicamhd

Thanks!! that helps a lot.

Keep up the good reviews.