Canon SLR Reviews

Posts Tagged ‘Internal Flash’

Canon VIXIA HF20 HD Dual Flash Memory with 32 GB Internal Memory and 15x Optical Zoom

Canons new VIXIA HF20 Dual Flash Memory camcorder packs so
much excitement and high-quality imaging power into its small,
lightweight body, youll be inspired to keep it close. Capture vividly
colored, realistically detailed, high definition video and photos with a
Genuine Canon 15x HD Video Lens with SuperRange Optical Image
Stabilizer, 3.89-megapixel Full HD CMOS Image Sensor, and Canons
latest DIGIC DV III Image Processor. The VIXIA HF20 lets you record
up to 12 hours of HD video to a 32GB internal Flash drive, and also
lets you enjoy the option of recording directly to removable SDHC
memory cards.Youll love shooting with the user-friendly layout and
switching seamlessly between shooting video and photos. The Canon
VIXIA HF20 is packed with innovative new features like Pre-Record
that captures the action 3 seconds before you press the record button,
so you never miss a memorable moment, Video Snapshot Mode that
lets you set 4-second video vignettes to music, and Genuine Canon
Face Detection that perfectly focuses and exposes selected faces–anywhere in the frame and even in profile. All this in one compact
camcorder! Canon USA 1-year limited warranty included.

User Ratings and Reviews

2 Stars Canon VIXIA HF20, Nice Camera but hard to use
I have been using a Digital Camcorder for several years and thought it would be a good time to upgrade to HD Video with the Canon VIXIA HF20. I was wrong.

First, the bad. I first shot some video and the results were much worse than my standard digital video. After reading through the manual I found how to set the camera up to shoot HD video and only after selecting the best HD video recording mode was the quality better than my standard digital video. Then I tried to download the video to the PC. Reading the manual for this was frustrating. But, After some effort I did it. I found the USB interface next to the clearly labeled HDMI interface. I installed the PIXELA software, got all the cables connected, set the camera to video mode, turned on the camera and hit the “picture of camera with two arrows and a play symbol” button. Yes, I was then able to downloaded the video onto my 3 Gigahertz Dell computer and attempted to play the video. The video playback was unacceptable. It skipped several frames at a time and only played the top third of the scenes. I assume the problems are due to my computer being underpowered. I upgraded the hard drive to see if there was an improvement but this just resulted in the software no longer working with tech support unable to tell me why. I’ll probably have to get a newer faster computer to see if the video playback and editing works. Of course, once I do edit the HD video, what do I do with it. There really isn’t a cost effective standardized media to write HD video productions at this time. I’ll leave the video on the hard drive until the Blue ray recorders and media become reasonably priced.

Now, the good. The 32 GB of memory provides for plenty of recording time, at least for me. After recording 11 days of vacation in High Dev I still have 1 hour 20 minutes of recording time left. Playing the video on a TV through the Component interface on the camera looks great. The camera is very compact and light and easy to handle. It takes good still photos that look very nice on the computer screen and TV.

Overall a nice little camera but as it is hard to learn to use and as the HD video really isn’t viewable on a standard computer configuration, I’m only giving it two stars.

5 Stars Awesome Camera
Great camera, very intuitive menus, very easy to use, extremely light and small. Battery life is not as bad as described by some. Would definitely recommend this over the hf200 which doesn’t have the internal memory. It is definitely worth the extra money if you research the price of high-quality, high-capacity SDHC cards.

5 Stars Great camera overall. Be aware of requirements
I’m not going to review the camrea, because it’s a great product from canon and it is a nice upgrade from regular digital video. I just want to comment on few “issues” people have with the camera and you need to consider before buying it:

+ Quality in low light. Most cameras perform better in regular light. In low light, the video is grainy and not nice. You need a LIGHT if you are planning to use it mostly in low light. Canon has some but they are quite expensive.

+ Computer edit. You need a newer computer for playback. To edit it will be also faster in a new computer. You also need a special video editor to edit the HD files.

+ Slow transfer to computer. It’s slow because of USB 2.0, but you can transfer it as you shoot the video, instead of doing it all at once. I believe they don’t added firewire because it’s not widely supported in most computers.

+ Battery life. Yes, it last around 1 hours, so? Get another one. Most product use lcd displays, replacing optical viewfinder. This makes them smaller and compact. Most camcorders will last the same.

+ HD Video + Blu Ray = Great videos. You should use HD with Blu Ray, not DVDs to get the most of it.

+ This is not a digital camera. Don’t expect great pictures. The technology to combine video and photos is still not here.

I am amazed people complain about little things when it has nothing to do with the camera. Why do you spend this kind of money if you don’t want to spend a few more in accessories? In order to use a product you need to meet some requirements AND GET EDUCATED. One of the reviewer gave it 2 stars because he can’t even read the manual.

5 Stars Very good
I really like this camera.

Really compact and I could carry this in my jacket pocket. Picture quality is good though night time recording is not so good.

Still photographs are good and it gives me the control on exposure on shutter speed as well.

5 Stars Finally I can transfer good quality video to the computer – FAST!
This won’t be a long review. I really don’t do reviews. But I’ll tell you what I like.

I can shoot a video. Go home and back it up to my computer in minutes. And erase the video on my camera. Nowadays hard drives are cheap. Get a terabyte drive for about [...]. or so. Who cares if it’s the fastest on the planet. It’s a place to store you high def videos.

I don’t burn to Blue ray. It’s too expensive still. So I convert my hi-def video to Mpeg2 and burn the result to DVD. The quality is outstanding! I have a [...]OPPO dvd player with built in “up-conversion” and the resulting videos I make “pop” off of my HDTV screen.

You’ve heard by now that yesterdays computers bog down handling hd camera files. That’s true. If you don’t have a dual-core processor and a decent computer you will get frustrated. But… one day you WILL have a better computer. And the same files that frustrate you today will be easy to use tomorrow… so don’t dispare.

I have a vision too… that more and more people will buy the HD camcorders and store their precious moments to a hard drive. And someone will build an inexpensive interface that allows you to connect your terabyte drive directly to your HD TV and control it with your TV remote. No more conversions. Just watch your HD videos with the push of a button. They are working on it. Maybe a year or so away. You just watch.

I have posted a link to a youtube video made with my camera. This was done in subdued lighting in a church standing about thirty feet away. The anti-shake is turned on. The video is cruched down to be able to upload it to youtube. Still… for the setting, I think the quality is great!

[...]

Great little camera!!! Love it!

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Canon WP DC28 Waterproof Case for Canon PowerShot G10 Digital Cameras

The WP-DC28 Underwater Case has been specifically designed for the Canon PowerShot G10 Digital Camera and is waterproof down to the depth of 130 ft. (40m). This clear and durable polycarbonate case shields your digital camera as you explore your underwater surroundings. A tight O-ring main seal with safety lock, along with stainless steel and nickel-plated brass hardware, help to ensure protection from corrosion for years to come. A fluorite (FL) glass window gives your digital camera’s high quality Canon lens the protection and clear view it needs to deliver crisp detail and vibrant color. A flash diffusion plate allows you to use your camera’s internal flash.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Cool housing
Haven’t had the opportunity to use underwater at this point, is simple to use the buttons to work the camera.

5 Stars WORKED BEAUTIFULLY!
Took the underwater housing case to Jamaica with us and it worked perfectly. Just make sure you read and follow the directions and always play with it first by putting in a piece of paper or whatever and then submerging it to check for leaks. We had absolutely no problems with it and my husband found it easy to use.

5 Stars Good housing for the money
Canon offers this in their line of OEM U/W Camera housings, and it was way cheaper than any of the aftermarket units… by $600 and more. Some deride it as having clunky looks and peculiar rainbow colors, but for this price, I’m not complaining. (It fit into the same BC pouch I formerly stuffed my Oly 5050 in) The controls were easy to operate, the latch mechanism is secure. I especially liked the diffuser panel for the on-board flash. I was shooting all macro and with the airlines the way they are, I wanted something that didn’t “need” external flash. This worked really well. You’re prolly going to want the slip on adapter for the front of the lens port to hold macro add-on lenses. It did need the weight system as it was positively buoyant, but I just taped a few automotive wheel weights to an “L” bracket that I had left over from my 35mm SLR days. There is a lot of room on either side of the lens to stash some moisture absorbent canisters (from old pill bottles) if the water is chilly and you’re shooting fast with flash- a common problem in any housing- but this one has the extra internal room to secure the absorbents in place. Throw a piece of clear packing tape across the rear view screen area to shield it from scratches-0 something you would do to any housing. Looks like the same guys that made the Olympus housings had a hand in this. Simple and inexpensive- does the job.

5 Stars Very Pleased
I’m very pleased with the condition of this housing plus the quick delivery. I have not used this product yet and as long as it protects my camera and doesn’t flood it I will be a happy camper.

5 Stars you CAN use all buttons and dials with this housing!
wanted to dispel a myth that’s been perpetuated in the prior reviews.

while it’s true you cannot rotate the control wheel at the back of the G10, you can simulate left/right scrolls by holding down the “S” button (AKA custom control, AKA print button) and pressing left/right on the scroll wheel. this nugget of information is hidden on pg 14 of the manual. i believe this basically puts all of the camera’s functionality at your disposal while it’s sealed in the case.

some quick notes after a whitewater rafting trip with this:

1) it’s relatively large and bulky. on par with a rebel body and kit lens.

2) the back will get scratched up fast.

3) water droplets on the front will show up quite dramatically in your images. pack a microfiber cloth or something to wipe the front down with.

4) i was able to switch pretty quickly between shooting modes to adapt to what was happening. turning the dials backwards was the biggest mental challenge for me.

5) removing the G10 straps up front can be a pain : i now use the wrist strap that came with the housing as my main strap for the G10. it goes on and off much more easily, and i find it more useful than the stock neck strap.

overall great experience and i’m looking forward to using it skiing and on rainy hikes.

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