Is the Vixia HF S100 too professional for a 1st time user? I have never used a camcorder before. I am going on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Alaska for 2 weeks. I want to be able to take fantastic footage of my trip and be able to play that footage on my hdtv. I also desire a lightweight camcorder that is easy to use. I'm afraid that this may be too sophisticated for me. Any thoughts or recommendations? Thank you Is the Vixia HF S100 too professional for a 1st time user? I have never used a camcorder before. I am going on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Alaska for 2 weeks. I want to be able to take fantastic... » Read More Is the Vixia HF S100 too professional for a 1st time user? I have never used a camcorder before. I am going on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Alaska for 2 weeks. I want to be able to take fantastic footage of my trip and be able to play that footage on my hdtv. I also desire a lightweight camcorder that is easy to use. I'm afraid that this may be too sophisticated for me. Any thoughts or recommendations? Thank you « Show Less
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Medium answer: It is not "too" professional, but a smaller camcorder will get the job done for you. I have both the Sanyo Xacti GH-2 ($170) and the Canon HFD100 (considerably more $). I use one for the family and the other for serious projects. They are both HD. The both record to the same medium (SD.) They can both can be point and shoot (see above post.) One of them is a little pricey...Good luck!
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i originally had a sony DCR-SR 300C camcorder that was stolen from me. When I had this camcorder I purchased the VCT- 80AV remote control tripod. It one of the better products I ever purchased. It is a stable platform, also when you use your zoom this will improve your video by giving you a very consitent Zooming control, zoom on the camera can be very inconsistent at times. For paning the tripod is very smooth. You also have a button for still photos & your camera can also be turned on& off without having to touch the camera. Last year I purchased the new Sony model HDR-PJ760V, The tripod is also compatible with that camcorder. I hope this helps. i originally had a sony DCR-SR 300C camcorder that was stolen from me. When I had this camcorder I purchased the VCT- 80AV remote control tripod. It one of the better products I ever purchased. It is a stable platform, also when you use your zoom this will improve your video by giving you a very consitent Zooming control, zoom on the camera can be very inconsistent at times. For paning the tripod is very smooth. You also have a button for still photos & your camera can also be turned on& off without having to touch the camera. Last year I purchased the new Sony model HDR-PJ760V, The tripod... » Read More i originally had a sony DCR-SR 300C camcorder that was stolen from me. When I had this camcorder I purchased the VCT- 80AV remote control tripod. It one of the better products I ever purchased. It is a stable platform, also when you use your zoom this will improve your video by giving you a very consitent Zooming control, zoom on the camera can be very inconsistent at times. For paning the tripod is very smooth. You also have a button for still photos & your camera can also be turned on& off without having to touch the camera. Last year I purchased the new Sony model HDR-PJ760V, The tripod is also compatible with that camcorder. I hope this helps. « Show Less
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1 yearhttp://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/camcorders/consumer_camcorders/vixia_hf_m52#ServiceAndSupport
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Well I was thinking the same thing while looking at GoPro cameras. My thought on this was I already have the camera, housing makes it waterproof for my needs, and I can still use the camera out of the housing for day to day pictures. So I decided on the housing and not going with GoPro just yet. From a financial standpoint there was no reason to get a new setup when the camera I had works great already. I am planning on using this on my next underwater trip and will know that I am still getting a great picture for my money.
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I've taken it on a head band mount jungle trekking in Thailand and it does get interesting visuals. Its pretty wide lens so you dont get that shaky, dazed and confused feeling as with normal cam. Also, it is very cool to use on a telescopic handheld wand, you get to explore the scenery from an exo-human perspective...The one thing, that is not very convenient with this cam is that you have to preset the video mode (720, HD, Wide HD, Photos etc) from a computer and if you decide to change the settings after, you'll need a computer to do that. Other wise I've taken this baby jetskiing, partying, trekking, motorcycling, you name it and it gets pretty good quality in low light conditions.Hope this helps. I've taken it on a head band mount jungle trekking in Thailand and it does get interesting visuals. Its pretty wide lens so you dont get that shaky, dazed and confused feeling as with normal cam. Also, it is very cool to use on a telescopic handheld wand, you get to explore the scenery from an exo-human perspective...The one thing, that is not very convenient with this cam is that you have to preset the video mode (720, HD, Wide HD, Photos etc) from a computer and if you decide to change the settings after, you'll need a computer to do that. Other wise I've taken this baby... » Read More I've taken it on a head band mount jungle trekking in Thailand and it does get interesting visuals. Its pretty wide lens so you dont get that shaky, dazed and confused feeling as with normal cam. Also, it is very cool to use on a telescopic handheld wand, you get to explore the scenery from an exo-human perspective...The one thing, that is not very convenient with this cam is that you have to preset the video mode (720, HD, Wide HD, Photos etc) from a computer and if you decide to change the settings after, you'll need a computer to do that. Other wise I've taken this baby jetskiing, partying, trekking, motorcycling, you name it and it gets pretty good quality in low light conditions.Hope this helps. « Show Less
350808
Yes!! Make sure to the high speed class 10 card and the video will be seemless. I was blown away the quality in both underwater and above water shots. And while others have complained about digital drop out, I had no problems using the faster SDHC micro card.
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Thomas, I love the camera!!! It's extremely easy to transfer the videos to your PC to edit. I have found that even though the software initially permits "frame to frame" editing, it actually edits in segments on the PC. When transferring to "YouTube" I have lost the last segment, yet, I'm a novice at this. It is possible to edit on the camera directly which I have not yet tried. The camera is new to me and I wasn't yet confident enough that I may loose my videos while editing on the camera. The camera is amazing for far distance shooting, the main reason for my purchase. Hope this has been of help. cj
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I just purchased a Canon Vixia HG 20 camcorder. I am stumped in trying to download videos to my computer with the ultimate goal of copying them to a DVD burner. The software that came with the camera is not that good. Any suggestions on another software? Also, when I attempt to play videos on my computer, the video is not "seamless" it jumps from one scene to another. Any help out there?
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Long answer: Absolutely not. The default settings on the camera will capture video that will blow you away. Because you're new to video, I'd recommend buying as many 16 GB SD cards as you can afford and take them with you on your trip. Record what you like, then just swap the card out when you need more space. In FXP (the second-highest quality) mode, this camera takes fantastic video, and will fit 2 hrs on a 16 GB card. That's a LOT of video. Remember, unless you're recording some kind of performance, few things are interesting for more than 12 seconds. It's the time before and after the interesting parts that eat up space. Short answer: Don't worry. You only need to know hot to A) turn the camera on, B) press record, and C) operate the zoom toggle. You don't *have* to use the advanced features.
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I too am looking for a new cyber-shot. I am looking to buy the dsc-w290 but I have heard great things about the WX1, such as the new panoramic sweep mode and cmos sensor. Not to mention zoomable HD video is amazing.Why you should wait however, is that this is the first batch of cameras with the new sensor. It also uses a smaller LCD than the 3.0 inch they started using such as the dsc-w290 and is only 10.1 mp which if you shoot in 16:9 mode, will be even less.Sony will come out with new cameras being announced in January at the CES 2010 show and then you should decide. If nothing substantial is announced, the price for this will have dropped greatly. I too am looking for a new cyber-shot. I am looking to buy the dsc-w290 but I have heard great things about the WX1, such as the new panoramic sweep mode and cmos sensor. Not to mention zoomable HD video is amazing.Why you should wait however, is that this is the first batch of cameras with the new sensor. It also uses a smaller LCD than the 3.0 inch they started using such as the dsc-w290 and is only 10.1 mp which if you shoot in 16:9 mode, will be even less.Sony will come out with new cameras being announced in January at the CES 2010 show and then you should... » Read More I too am looking for a new cyber-shot. I am looking to buy the dsc-w290 but I have heard great things about the WX1, such as the new panoramic sweep mode and cmos sensor. Not to mention zoomable HD video is amazing.Why you should wait however, is that this is the first batch of cameras with the new sensor. It also uses a smaller LCD than the 3.0 inch they started using such as the dsc-w290 and is only 10.1 mp which if you shoot in 16:9 mode, will be even less.Sony will come out with new cameras being announced in January at the CES 2010 show and then you should decide. If nothing substantial is announced, the price for this will have dropped greatly. « Show Less
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I've been using mine for 5 days now, and got about 5.5 hrs till the CARD FULL message popped up recording in 1080p. I'm still learning, instructions are vague at best. I switched over to the 5 min loop. If I read it right, it should now just keep recording over the older footage. So far, it's a really cool cam............
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Now, that, spending more money on the camcorder instead of the transfer, makes a lot of sense, since the connotation is that is would be far less costly. As I'm sure you know, the worst phrase to use on a shoot is "We'll fix it in post." Thank you for your comments; all this info is really helping!Any suggestions as to what con or prosumer camera (keeping in mind cost, of course) to use? I am not married to any one brand as the tech is fairly similar between them all, I would think, but there are advantages to some, I;m sure.
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I actually tried the HF S200 and was disappointed with its low light performance, so I returned it and placed an order for the HF M400. I don't need all of the bells and whistles, and still photos are not a requirement for me for a video camera. I think their logic in using the pro sensor makes sense. I got the same response when I asked Canon. If you compare them side by side though, the only thing the HF M400 is missing is some of the manual controls, the ability to take high-quality still photos, and a larger display. Other than that, for pure video quality and low light performance, the HF M400 should come out on top (I hope). I actually tried the HF S200 and was disappointed with its low light performance, so I returned it and placed an order for the HF M400. I don't need all of the bells and whistles, and still photos are not a requirement for me for a video camera. I think their logic in using the pro sensor makes sense. I got the same response when I asked Canon. If you compare them side by side though, the only thing the HF M400 is missing is some of the manual controls, the ability to take high-quality still photos, and a larger display. Other than that, for pure video quality and low light... » Read More I actually tried the HF S200 and was disappointed with its low light performance, so I returned it and placed an order for the HF M400. I don't need all of the bells and whistles, and still photos are not a requirement for me for a video camera. I think their logic in using the pro sensor makes sense. I got the same response when I asked Canon. If you compare them side by side though, the only thing the HF M400 is missing is some of the manual controls, the ability to take high-quality still photos, and a larger display. Other than that, for pure video quality and low light performance, the HF M400 should come out on top (I hope). « Show Less
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I don't own the camera but the battery I think lasts more than that. But I would like to add that the 10 minutes limit is on the video itself. Canon SX1 IS has limit of 4GB per video - which comes out to be 10 minutes of 1080p video at 30fps. This was a big turn off for me.If Canon didn't impose this limit, nobody would buy their expensive (~ $1000) HD camcorders like HF S 100 which shoots 1080p video and 8 megapixel stills.
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Brad - I don't think you can go wrong with either camera. Add to for your consideration the Sony HX5 - it's on a par with these two.I looked long and hard at all 3 of these, researching specs and comments, as well as trying them out in camera stores, etc. I finally chose the S8100, although only coming out in September the amount of reviews is sparse - but even compared to the S8000 earlier model the improved S8100 proves to be a great camera. One thing I really like is the heft and feel of the camera, as well as the professional and high quality look and detail of the camera. It's a joy to take photos with this camera. The photos from it are stunning. Brad - I don't think you can go wrong with either camera. Add to for your consideration the Sony HX5 - it's on a par with these two.I looked long and hard at all 3 of these, researching specs and comments, as well as trying them out in camera stores, etc. I finally chose the S8100, although only coming out in September the amount of reviews is sparse - but even compared to the S8000 earlier model the improved S8100 proves to be a great camera. One thing I really like is the heft and feel of the camera, as well as the professional and high quality look and detail of the camera.... » Read More Brad - I don't think you can go wrong with either camera. Add to for your consideration the Sony HX5 - it's on a par with these two.I looked long and hard at all 3 of these, researching specs and comments, as well as trying them out in camera stores, etc. I finally chose the S8100, although only coming out in September the amount of reviews is sparse - but even compared to the S8000 earlier model the improved S8100 proves to be a great camera. One thing I really like is the heft and feel of the camera, as well as the professional and high quality look and detail of the camera. It's a joy to take photos with this camera. The photos from it are stunning. « Show Less
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Being that this camera was only just released between the end of February and early March of this year, you kind of have to rely on first impressions. I don't know what your definition of "a while" is, but the longest usage you'll see is 11 weeks, give or take. It's a decent camera. No underwater use yet since it's not yet warm enough for that.
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Myrna, Have you gotten your camera, yet? If so, what do you think of it? This would be my first digital camera, and what attracts me to this is that it has manual controls. I would be learning photography on it, so I figure I should have manual and auto controls. I am looking to get a Panasonic because a sales person at Best Buy raved about them and said they have the best lenses. To be honest, I know practically nothing about photography, but have had an interest in it for many years. Do you think this camera would be a good plact to start, at least digitally? Thanks, M