Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder
- Price: $499.99
- Instant Savings: -$50.00 Offer ends MAY 31 '13
- You Pay: $449.99
- Free Shipping (USA)
- In Stock
- B&H # CAHFM500
- Mfr# 6096B001
Product Highlights
- Capture Full HD 1920 x 1080 Video
- Take 2.07 Megapixel Still Images
- Canon HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor
- SD/SDHC/SDXC Slot Supports Up to 64GB
- HD Video Lens with 10x Optical Zoom
- LCD 3.0" Widescreen Touch Screen Display
- Optical & Powered Image Stabilization
- Cinematic Features & Touch Decoration
- HDMI Output & AV Output
Remember the Essentials
Recording media is required but not included with this item. Please be sure to purchase recording media for this item.
The Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder is a 1920 x 1080 high def cam with an SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slot that supports up to 64GB memory cards. With this much storage space it's possible to record for several hours. Plus, the camera's 1/3" HD CMOS Pro Sensor and image processor work together to provide stunningly detailed, life-like images that look great on your HDTV. Of course, these two don't work alone: the HF M500 also employs a genuine Canon 10x HD video lens, optical image stabilization, powered image stabilization and a 3.0" widescreen touch screen LCD display, among other great features.
Designed with advanced users in mind, the camcorder also comes with headphone and microphone jacks. These connections make it possible to capture high quality audio to go along with your movies. In addition to using an external mic for audio, the HF M500 features an enhanced internal microphone, which gives you the choice of 4 different recording directions, including monaural, stereo, wide, or synced with zoom. This feature also allows for adjustment between low, mid-range, and high frequencies.
- 10x HD Video Lens
- The HF M500's 10x HD video lens produces extraordinary images. The high-performance Canon HD Video Lens uses low-dispersion glass to suppress chromatic aberration, delivering crystal clear video with excellent resolution, even at the telephoto end of the zoom. Super spectra coating technology lowers flare and ghosting. The lens also features an iris diaphragm, which produces highly expressive video with sharply focused subjects and beautifully blurred backgrounds
- Professional-Level Sensor for Professional-Quality Images
- Equipped with the same high-powered image sensor found in professional models, the compact HF M500 camcorder captures 1080p Full HD video. The professional-level 1/3" native 1920 x 1080 HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor has a large pixel size that captures more available light to deliver superb imaging. Technical refinements including a thinner on-chip microlens, improved color filter transmittance and deeper, wider photodiode allow 20% higher light transmittance. Additional light to the sensor means that video shot in low-light situations is brighter and clearer, with better noise suppression. The extended dynamic range is exceptionally wide, producing enhanced gradation and natural, lifelike realism in high-contrast scenes
- Record Directly to SD Memory Card
- Record directly to a removable SD memory card. The memory card slot makes it easy to share your video with friends and family. The camcorder supports up to 64GB card, which means 24 hours of recording
- Record in AVCHD or MP4 Format
- The HF M500 camcorder gives you the flexibility of dual codec recording, allowing you to record in AVCHD or MP4 format, so you can pick the format that best suits your needs. AVCHD's higher bit-rate and finer resolution will yield the highest quality video for viewing on an HDTV or archiving to Blu-ray. For use with today's most typical video applications, the camcorder lets you record in MP4 format, which produces files you can share right away with no need for conversion. Video is immediately available to upload to social networking sites like Facebook or YouTube
- Intelligent IS
- Intelligent IS makes it easy to shoot clear, sharply focused video, even in situations that typically cause camera shake. The Intelligent IS system analyzes the shooting situation for you, then automatically switches to the image stabilization method best able to produce sharp, steady video. Four IS systems cover the gamut of shooting situations. Dynamic IS corrects minor movement and the shaking caused by walking while shooting. Macro IS delivers perfectly steady close-up shots. Powered IS comes into play when you're using the camcorder's powerful zoom, correcting shake that can occur in telephoto shots. Tripod Mode stops IS when the camcorder is stationary
- Increased Clarity & Adjustability
- The HF M500 camcorder's audio is an excellent match for its pristine image quality. The microphone has updated elements that increase clarity at medium and low frequencies, so even faint sounds are recorded clearly. Three microphone positions let you adjust recording to suit the position of the zoom or your subjects: front for monaural recording; regular for normal stereo effect; and rear for a wider, more enhanced stereo effect. Frequency response characteristics can be adjusted for the scene with several options. You can balance all frequencies for normal recording, emphasize low frequencies for impactful live music recording, attenuate low frequencies to reduce ambient noise, emphasize mid frequencies to focus on voices, or emphasize low and high frequencies to record live music with balanced lows and highs
- Widescreen 3.0" Touch Panel LCD
- The HF M500's 3.0" Flat Touch Panel LCD provides super intuitive control that feels instantly familiar. With a touch, you can shift focus immediately to any subject. Exposure for any area of the screen can be controlled with a touch as well. And with Touch Track, you simply place your finger on a moving subject and the focus will follow that subject. Tactile buttons are also available for selecting settings and controlling camcorder operations on-screen. A Home button on the camcorder takes you to the main LCD screen, where clear explanations of shooting modes and recording settings help you make informed choices for an exceptionally simple and enjoyable shooting experience
- Smart AUTO & Auto Tele Macro
- Smart AUTO lets you capture clear, bright, well-focused video while the camcorder takes care of all the details. The system recognizes 38 shooting situations based on numerous factors, then automatically chooses the optimal settings for the situation. When you shoot a nearby subject in telephoto zoom mode, Auto Tele Macro gives your video the high-end artistic effect of a well-focused subject against a beautifully blurred background
- Cinema-Look Filters
- Giving your videos more creativity is easy with new Cinema-Look Filters. Cinema Standard subdues brights and enhances darks for the feel of film. Vivid accentuates primary colors for a cheerful effect and Cool adds a bluish tint for a futuristic feel. Nostalgic recreates the look of 1970s TV shows. Sepia adds a distinctive fade and antique tint. Old Movies imparts the aged look of early cinema. Dynamic creates dramatic high-contrast grayscale. Dream adds a magical look (soft-focus) for dream-like scenes. Memory produces a faded, misty look-great for flashback scenes
- Story Creator
- Creating a compelling video that truly documents an important event can be challenging, so the VIXIA HF M500 camcorder steps in to help with Story Creator. The feature is even easier to use than ever, so even beginning videographers can cover an event with confidence. Before shooting, you'll see a list of scenes you'll want to be sure to catch for several different types of occasions. And now each scene selection includes specific shooting tips that help with scene structure and composition, including suggestions for wide-shots, close-ups, even recommendations for length of shots. After shooting, you can watch your video in coherent story order based on each scene's theme, as opposed to the order in which each scene was shot
- 24p Cinema & 30p Progressive Modes
- The HF M500 camcorder's sophisticated shooting mode options offer superior creativity and functionality. 24p Cinema Mode gives your video a film-like feel, making it look as if it were shot at the same frame rate as movie film, with a frame capture rate of 24p recorded at 60i. The camcorder also gives you the option of recording in 30p Progressive Mode, which is ideal for clips you intend to post online
- Microphone & Headphone Terminals
- The HF M500 camcorder offers exceptional audio flexibility with microphone and headphone terminals. The microphone terminal allows you to capture professional-quality sound with an external microphone and manual audio level control ensures proper volume for any situation. In addition, you'll find a dedicated headphone terminal, ideal for remote communication with the optional Wireless Microphone WM-V1 and other applications
| Camera | |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 2.37 Megapixel 1/3" CMOS |
| Color Filter | RGB |
| Pixel Gross | 2.37 |
| Effective Pixels |
2.07 @ Video 16:9 2.07 @ Photo 16:9 |
| Optics | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 6.1 - 61 |
| 35mm Equivalent Focal Length | 43.4 - 436 |
| Maximum Aperture | 1.8 - 3.0 |
| Focusing Distance | 0.4" / 1 cm - Infinity |
| Zoom |
Optical: 10x (in HD) Digital: 200x (in HD) |
| Filter Size | 43 mm |
| Recording | |
|---|---|
| System | NTSC |
| Recording Media | SD/SDHC/SDXC Up To 64GB Video/Image |
| Recording Time |
SDXC 64 GB 64GB LP (5Mbps): 24.5 hours 64GB SP (7Mbps): 19.2 hours 64GB XP+ (12Mbps): 11.5 hours 64GB FXP (17Mbps): 8.3 hours 64GB MXP (24Mbps): 5.9 hours SDXC 64 GB 64GB MP4 (4Mbps): 33.9 hours 64GB MP4 (9Mbps): 15.4 hours |
| Video Format |
High Definition AVCHD 1920 x 1080p / 24 fps (24Mbps) 1920 x 1080p / 30 fps (17Mbps) High Definition AVCHD 1440 x 1080 (12Mbps) 1440 x 1080 (7Mbps) 1440 x 1080 (5Mbps) High Definition MP4 1280 x 720 (9Mbps) 1280 x 720 (4Mbps) |
| Aspect Ratio |
16:9 4:3 |
| Still Image Resolution | JPEG: 2.07 Megapixel, 1920 x 1080 (16:9) |
| Channels | 2-Channel Stereo |
| Audio Format |
AAC-LC Dolby Digital AC3 |
| Sampling Frequency | 48 kHz |
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Display Type | LCD |
| Touchscreen | Yes |
| Screen Size | 3" |
| Pixel Count | 230000 |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Image Stabilization | Optical & Digital |
| Lux |
1.2 (Regular Mode) 0.1 (Low Light Mode) |
| Shutter Speed | 1/500-1/2000sec |
| White Balance Modes |
Auto Cloudy Custom Daylight Fluorescent Fluorescent H Shade Tungsten |
| Built-in Mic | Yes |
| Built-in Speaker | Yes |
| Built-in Light/Flash |
Light - No Flash - No |
| Accessory Shoe | Mini Hot |
| Tripod Mount | 1/4" |
| Input/Output Connectors | |
|---|---|
| Outputs |
1x HDMI C (Mini) 1x Mini-USB 2.0 1x A/V |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Headphone Jack | Yes |
| General | |
|---|---|
| Languages |
Arabic Czech Dutch English French German Italian Japanese Korean Polish Portuguese Romanian Russian Simplified Chinese Spanish Traditional Chinese Turkish |
| System Requirements |
Windows
Windows
Mac
|
| Battery | Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack, 3.6VDC, 1840mAh Hours per Charge |
| Charging Method | AC Adapter |
| Power Adapter | 100-240VAC, 50/60HZ |
| Power Consumption | in LCD Operation: 2.7 W |
| Operating Temperature |
32 - 104 °F (0 - 40 °C) 85% Relative Humidity 23 - 113 °F (-5 - 45 °C) 60% Relative Humidity |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 2.68 x 2.52 x 4.76" / 6.8 x 6.4 x 12.1 cm |
| Weight |
10.93 oz / 310 g camera only 12.88 oz / 365 g camera with battery, memory card and grip belt |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 128 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
97%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Great picture quality (113)
- Easy to use (103)
- Image stabilization (94)
- Good in low light (88)
- Zoom range/performance (79)
Cons
- Limited zoom (26)
- Poor sound (6)
- Complicated to operate (5)
- Poor still image (5)
- No external mic input (3)
Best Uses
- Home movies (81)
- Travel (68)
- HD shooting (65)
- Low light (63)
- Weddings (44)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Casual user (54), Enthusiast (38), Semi-pro (18), Pro videographer (15)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (107), Yes (15)
Most Liked Positive Review
Great little camcorder, small problem.
This is a great little camcorder, easy to use, light, small and the video quality is very good.
Everything worked great until I noticed about 8 black circular spots under some lighting ...Read complete review
This is a great little camcorder, easy to use, light, small and the video quality is very good.
Everything worked great until I noticed about 8 black circular spots under some lighting conditions in the video footage. Called Canon and B&H. B&H shipped me second camcorder. This one was even worst. It had about 20 black spots on the video footage. These spots appeared when recording bright colors, like a white wall or bright blue skies. I was able to easily reproduce the problem when changing to manual mode and setting cam to F8.0 ....... Didn't want to exchange for a third one with this problem, order a Panasonic instead. After some more research the black spots appear to be possibly dust on the sensor. Attached photo is of a white wall. Had to adjust a little in Photoshop to clearly show the black spots in the footage. Other than this problem the camcorder was great.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
could be a little better
For several years I have been buying camcorders that were reviewed as being very good in lowlight.I am hoping that one day there will be an affordable mid range camcorder with great lowlight performance. I...Read complete review
For several years I have been buying camcorders that were reviewed as being very good in lowlight.I am hoping that one day there will be an affordable mid range camcorder with great lowlight performance. I first bought the vixia Hf m52 and sent it back because in some of my indoor lowlight video shots I noticed a lot of bluish noise or dot like particles. Other than that the video taken was very sharp and wonderfully bright and would have been almost perfect without these small bluish scattered dots . I thought maybe the hf m52 I had was defective but now I know this is not the case. The reason I know is that I decided to buy a vixia hf m500 because I thought the price was good enough to put up with the blue particles in some of my lowlight video. And the hf m500 does exhibit this same problem so evidently this is just a defect in all the vixia m series camcorders. It is too bad because the video would be fantastic if not for this.I am going to keep this one though due to the low price and the fact that this defect only seems to occur in certain lighting conditions or when you move the camcorder too quickly. The rest of the time everything is fine and I will just have to keep hoping that one day I will find my perfect lowlight
camcorder.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 128 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
- Complicated To Operate
- Poor Sound
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
I bought this camera for internet videos mainly, but I like to have a little more control about the video I'm recording.
I already have a DSLR, and all the settings are easy to set up. I have the 720p, 1080p, fps, aperture, etc... But with this camcorder everything in hidden in some weird names like "LP" or "SP" or "XP"...
I really liked the images, even in low light. The only problem is when you are moving the camera and aren't cautious enough, because it can cause a major blur on everything...
Also the sound recording for the camera isn't really good in open space... if you are trying to show and talk, you should get a external mic.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
- Limited Zoom
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Movies/Short Films
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
It is a fantastic camera for someone who doesn't have a lot of money to spend. I have only used the camera three times, in the point and shoot mode. The color is a little on the warm side. It doesn't have a wide enough angle lens for normal shooting. I got an inexpensive wide angle lens attachment that did the trick. It has great image stabilization, and it is good in low light. There is much more that I have to learn about the camera's functions. So far I am quite happy with my new camera.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
Cons
- Poor Sound
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
I have virtually no complaints with this camerea, having purchased 6 of them. My only suggestion is the sound should handle a wider dynamic range, mostly on the low end.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Picture Quality
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
This is an upgrade from an HV40 and I love not having to deal with DV tapes anymore. Some of the features are harder to find now and once you learn the layout it is easy enough to make adjustments.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
Cons
- No External Mic Input
Best Uses
- Home Movies
- Travel
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
personal use. easy to load to my computer coz of its storage unit.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- I Love It
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
Fits in the palm of your hand!
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
We bought this video camera as a replacement to a bulkier std def Panasonic DVD-RW recorder. This unit is half the size and weight which is a definite plus. The video quality in general is great, even in a low light (indoor) environment. The controls are easy to figure out and easy to access. Overall, a very nice video camera. This video recorder takes nice still shots as well. My favorite capability is being able to take still photos while filming video. The only drawback I notice is battery life. It only lasts a couple hours on a full charge. I think this is long enough for most day trips, but longer life would be a plus.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
- Limited Zoom
- No Wifi
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Travel
- Vacations
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
Gives you the quality picture of the more expensive camcorders and the best for the money by far. Does not have some other features like wifi or a flash hard drive so if you are concerned about those things search else where but if quality picture is your main want this is a great get.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
Love this camera! Family use, and i video sport events (weightlifting) for playback and upload to social media site. Crystal clear picture! And way easier that Sony to get back to clip on screen for immediate playback - only a few steps where more expensive sony took more steps and more time. Recording short clips in MPEG format for easier download and email is way more convenient, skipping "convert" step. Had it for a month, working great, [$] great price!!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
Cons
- Complicated To Operate
- Poor Sound
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Travel
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
I use it for casual video. 1. Don't like that settings aren't shown on playback for MPeg 42. The Rode microphone needed an adaptor to work with the camera and I had to go back to B ad H to buy one.. The sales associate didn't know this.3. Camcorder works well.. but had to discover that AVCHD needed to be converted if I want to use as regular media not HD or connected to a TV..4. Sound is not great.
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
Cons
- Limited Zoom
Best Uses
- Home Movies
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
Really nice product
Easy to use
Good qualité image
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
Use: Daytime as well as night time - good quality.
Great about the cam: Sharp image.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
I have used this at a baseball game during daytime, 1 hour before dark, and in the dark using the baseball field lights and works great on auto each time. Also used it indoors for training videos and the color is great. I was set up under a vent and the camera did pick up a lot of background vent noise. I should have used the external microphone option or at least used headphones to see the effect of the vent before the recording was done. Oh well, lesson learned. Zoom meets all my needs putting player in full frame when shooting from bleachers to second base. Overall very happy with the purchase and it was less expensive than @, even when this camera was the @ deal of the day!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- Canon Battery Pack BP-718
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
This is a sceond camera for me. The first was a M50, but I wanted to be able to shoot the same subject from another angle. The quality is excellent, sound is good (Although I also have a Rode SVM mic).
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Similar:
- Canon Vixia HF M50
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
- Battery
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
Yes, I think this is the best HD video camera in its price range. The 1/3" image sensor is huge and is something usually seen on cameras costing twice the price. The autofocus and overall operation of the camera is the easiest of any video camera I have ever used. You literally just turn it on, make sure to hold it steady, and it produces phenomenal videos. I shoot a lot of close ups of watches, and this camera is perfect for that as it switches into macro mode automatically when you get within a few inches of an object. The only thing that seems out of place is the battery that protrudes pretty far off the back. It would be nice if it were flush, but I am sure it is not worth paying hundreds more just to get a similar camera that has the same image sensor and a battery that sits flush.
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
- Poor Sound
Best Uses
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
Thus far I have only played around with this camcorder for a few days, but it has exceeded my expectations. The video quality is impressive for such a small and relatively inexpensive item. It has performed well both indoors and outdoors with the low-light, indoor footage displaying only a slight amount of noise when viewed on a large TV. There is a slight amount of shutter when quickly panning in 1080p30 (with a noisy background), but this is not too bad. The image stabilization is impressive even when fully zoomed in.The audio quality is acceptable, but not great. Outdoors it picked up a lot of background noise and did not pick up a conversation that was about 15 feet away (but I was able to hear while shooting). I also recorded my daughter playing on a piano. While the sound was descent, the built in microphone missed most of the overtones giving the sound a compressed quality. This being said, I plan on purchasing a mic to run through the hot shoe to hopefully correct this. Overall, I have been happy with the camcorder and it seems to live up to the hype. While it is not a professional camcorder, it does a tremendous job at this price-point.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- External mic input
- Good Image Stabilization
- Great Picture Quality
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
- Limited Zoom
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
I have purchased three of these cameras, two for my work when they first came out, and then one for myself more recently. This camera consistently produces a great picture in various conditions. I've used it inside and outside and like what I see when I download the video every time. The facial focus tracking is effective and requires little intervention. The touch screen is responsive and pretty well laid out. The ability to insert an external mic was ultimately what sold me on this camera over several others I considered.
Sometimes the 10X optical zoom is limiting, but mostly on the wide angle side of the equation not telephoto. When shooting indoors (birthday parties, etc) you'll find yourself moving into the corner of the room to get everyone in the shot.
I admit I tend to be a Canon guy all around, but over and over this camera has surprised by just how good it is...
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Movies/Short Films
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
I like how easy it is to use. But more importantly, the quality of the results, video and audio are excellent.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
I did as much research as I could to find a camera in this price range that would be basically function as a 'point and shoot' for shooting live performances in HD with very low available light. From the reviews this one seemed best suited for the job and put to use has produced great results.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
- Tried For Cons - But None
Best Uses
- Blog And Web Posting
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
The camera stabilizes the picture so there is no shake at all. The touch screen makes it very easy to change options. The sound is very good without an additional microphone.
I was unsure of which camera to purchase. The product specialist went right to this camera when I asked which he would buy. When I asked why he would buy it. He said it is simple to use. And the quality of picture is just as good as cameras priced higher than this one.
I took his advice...and am so happy I did.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 128 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
97%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Great picture quality (113)
- Easy to use (103)
- Image stabilization (94)
- Good in low light (88)
- Zoom range/performance (79)
Cons
- Limited zoom (26)
- Poor sound (6)
- Complicated to operate (5)
- Poor still image (5)
- No external mic input (3)
Best Uses
- Home movies (81)
- Travel (68)
- HD shooting (65)
- Low light (63)
- Weddings (44)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Casual user (54), Enthusiast (38), Semi-pro (18), Pro videographer (15)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (107), Yes (15)
Most Liked Positive Review
Great little camcorder, small problem.
This is a great little camcorder, easy to use, light, small and the video quality is very good.
Everything worked great until I noticed about 8 black circular spots under some lighting ...Read complete review
This is a great little camcorder, easy to use, light, small and the video quality is very good.
Everything worked great until I noticed about 8 black circular spots under some lighting conditions in the video footage. Called Canon and B&H. B&H shipped me second camcorder. This one was even worst. It had about 20 black spots on the video footage. These spots appeared when recording bright colors, like a white wall or bright blue skies. I was able to easily reproduce the problem when changing to manual mode and setting cam to F8.0 ....... Didn't want to exchange for a third one with this problem, order a Panasonic instead. After some more research the black spots appear to be possibly dust on the sensor. Attached photo is of a white wall. Had to adjust a little in Photoshop to clearly show the black spots in the footage. Other than this problem the camcorder was great.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
could be a little better
For several years I have been buying camcorders that were reviewed as being very good in lowlight.I am hoping that one day there will be an affordable mid range camcorder with great lowlight performance. I...Read complete review
For several years I have been buying camcorders that were reviewed as being very good in lowlight.I am hoping that one day there will be an affordable mid range camcorder with great lowlight performance. I first bought the vixia Hf m52 and sent it back because in some of my indoor lowlight video shots I noticed a lot of bluish noise or dot like particles. Other than that the video taken was very sharp and wonderfully bright and would have been almost perfect without these small bluish scattered dots . I thought maybe the hf m52 I had was defective but now I know this is not the case. The reason I know is that I decided to buy a vixia hf m500 because I thought the price was good enough to put up with the blue particles in some of my lowlight video. And the hf m500 does exhibit this same problem so evidently this is just a defect in all the vixia m series camcorders. It is too bad because the video would be fantastic if not for this.I am going to keep this one though due to the low price and the fact that this defect only seems to occur in certain lighting conditions or when you move the camcorder too quickly. The rest of the time everything is fine and I will just have to keep hoping that one day I will find my perfect lowlight
camcorder.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 128 customers
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Pros
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
- Complicated To Operate
- Poor Sound
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
I bought this camera for internet videos mainly, but I like to have a little more control about the video I'm recording.
I already have a DSLR, and all the settings are easy to set up. I have the 720p, 1080p, fps, aperture, etc... But with this camcorder everything in hidden in some weird names like "LP" or "SP" or "XP"...
I really liked the images, even in low light. The only problem is when you are moving the camera and aren't cautious enough, because it can cause a major blur on everything...
Also the sound recording for the camera isn't really good in open space... if you are trying to show and talk, you should get a external mic.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
- Limited Zoom
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Movies/Short Films
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
It is a fantastic camera for someone who doesn't have a lot of money to spend. I have only used the camera three times, in the point and shoot mode. The color is a little on the warm side. It doesn't have a wide enough angle lens for normal shooting. I got an inexpensive wide angle lens attachment that did the trick. It has great image stabilization, and it is good in low light. There is much more that I have to learn about the camera's functions. So far I am quite happy with my new camera.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
Cons
- Poor Sound
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
I have virtually no complaints with this camerea, having purchased 6 of them. My only suggestion is the sound should handle a wider dynamic range, mostly on the low end.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Picture Quality
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
This is an upgrade from an HV40 and I love not having to deal with DV tapes anymore. Some of the features are harder to find now and once you learn the layout it is easy enough to make adjustments.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
Cons
- No External Mic Input
Best Uses
- Home Movies
- Travel
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
personal use. easy to load to my computer coz of its storage unit.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- I Love It
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
Fits in the palm of your hand!
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
We bought this video camera as a replacement to a bulkier std def Panasonic DVD-RW recorder. This unit is half the size and weight which is a definite plus. The video quality in general is great, even in a low light (indoor) environment. The controls are easy to figure out and easy to access. Overall, a very nice video camera. This video recorder takes nice still shots as well. My favorite capability is being able to take still photos while filming video. The only drawback I notice is battery life. It only lasts a couple hours on a full charge. I think this is long enough for most day trips, but longer life would be a plus.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
- Limited Zoom
- No Wifi
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Travel
- Vacations
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
Gives you the quality picture of the more expensive camcorders and the best for the money by far. Does not have some other features like wifi or a flash hard drive so if you are concerned about those things search else where but if quality picture is your main want this is a great get.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
Love this camera! Family use, and i video sport events (weightlifting) for playback and upload to social media site. Crystal clear picture! And way easier that Sony to get back to clip on screen for immediate playback - only a few steps where more expensive sony took more steps and more time. Recording short clips in MPEG format for easier download and email is way more convenient, skipping "convert" step. Had it for a month, working great, [$] great price!!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
Cons
- Complicated To Operate
- Poor Sound
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Travel
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
I use it for casual video. 1. Don't like that settings aren't shown on playback for MPeg 42. The Rode microphone needed an adaptor to work with the camera and I had to go back to B ad H to buy one.. The sales associate didn't know this.3. Camcorder works well.. but had to discover that AVCHD needed to be converted if I want to use as regular media not HD or connected to a TV..4. Sound is not great.
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
Cons
- Limited Zoom
Best Uses
- Home Movies
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
Really nice product
Easy to use
Good qualité image
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
Use: Daytime as well as night time - good quality.
Great about the cam: Sharp image.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
I have used this at a baseball game during daytime, 1 hour before dark, and in the dark using the baseball field lights and works great on auto each time. Also used it indoors for training videos and the color is great. I was set up under a vent and the camera did pick up a lot of background vent noise. I should have used the external microphone option or at least used headphones to see the effect of the vent before the recording was done. Oh well, lesson learned. Zoom meets all my needs putting player in full frame when shooting from bleachers to second base. Overall very happy with the purchase and it was less expensive than @, even when this camera was the @ deal of the day!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- Canon Battery Pack BP-718
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
This is a sceond camera for me. The first was a M50, but I wanted to be able to shoot the same subject from another angle. The quality is excellent, sound is good (Although I also have a Rode SVM mic).
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Similar:
- Canon Vixia HF M50
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
- Battery
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
Yes, I think this is the best HD video camera in its price range. The 1/3" image sensor is huge and is something usually seen on cameras costing twice the price. The autofocus and overall operation of the camera is the easiest of any video camera I have ever used. You literally just turn it on, make sure to hold it steady, and it produces phenomenal videos. I shoot a lot of close ups of watches, and this camera is perfect for that as it switches into macro mode automatically when you get within a few inches of an object. The only thing that seems out of place is the battery that protrudes pretty far off the back. It would be nice if it were flush, but I am sure it is not worth paying hundreds more just to get a similar camera that has the same image sensor and a battery that sits flush.
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
- Poor Sound
Best Uses
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
Thus far I have only played around with this camcorder for a few days, but it has exceeded my expectations. The video quality is impressive for such a small and relatively inexpensive item. It has performed well both indoors and outdoors with the low-light, indoor footage displaying only a slight amount of noise when viewed on a large TV. There is a slight amount of shutter when quickly panning in 1080p30 (with a noisy background), but this is not too bad. The image stabilization is impressive even when fully zoomed in.The audio quality is acceptable, but not great. Outdoors it picked up a lot of background noise and did not pick up a conversation that was about 15 feet away (but I was able to hear while shooting). I also recorded my daughter playing on a piano. While the sound was descent, the built in microphone missed most of the overtones giving the sound a compressed quality. This being said, I plan on purchasing a mic to run through the hot shoe to hopefully correct this. Overall, I have been happy with the camcorder and it seems to live up to the hype. While it is not a professional camcorder, it does a tremendous job at this price-point.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- External mic input
- Good Image Stabilization
- Great Picture Quality
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
- Limited Zoom
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
I have purchased three of these cameras, two for my work when they first came out, and then one for myself more recently. This camera consistently produces a great picture in various conditions. I've used it inside and outside and like what I see when I download the video every time. The facial focus tracking is effective and requires little intervention. The touch screen is responsive and pretty well laid out. The ability to insert an external mic was ultimately what sold me on this camera over several others I considered.
Sometimes the 10X optical zoom is limiting, but mostly on the wide angle side of the equation not telephoto. When shooting indoors (birthday parties, etc) you'll find yourself moving into the corner of the room to get everyone in the shot.
I admit I tend to be a Canon guy all around, but over and over this camera has surprised by just how good it is...
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Great Zoom
- Large Clear LCD
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
Best Uses
- Movies/Short Films
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
I like how easy it is to use. But more importantly, the quality of the results, video and audio are excellent.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
I did as much research as I could to find a camera in this price range that would be basically function as a 'point and shoot' for shooting live performances in HD with very low available light. From the reviews this one seemed best suited for the job and put to use has produced great results.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Zoom range/performance
Cons
- Tried For Cons - But None
Best Uses
- Blog And Web Posting
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon VIXIA HF M500 Full HD Camcorder:
The camera stabilizes the picture so there is no shake at all. The touch screen makes it very easy to change options. The sound is very good without an additional microphone.
I was unsure of which camera to purchase. The product specialist went right to this camera when I asked which he would buy. When I asked why he would buy it. He said it is simple to use. And the quality of picture is just as good as cameras priced higher than this one.
I took his advice...and am so happy I did.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Media
Show more >Required item: Recording media is not included. A memory card is required to record your footage.
- Price: $14.95
Batteries & Power
Show more >Don't get caught without power, always have a spare battery.
- Price: $59.95
Bags & Cases
Show more >Carry, store, and protect all your equipment with a bag or case.
- Price: $17.95
Filters
Show more >Protect your lens or produce a desired visual effect by adding a filter.
- Price: $10.95
- Price: $23.89
Lenses & Adaptors
Show more >Capture the right view with a conversion lens.
- Price: $92.50
- Price: $239.99
Wireless & Streaming Video
- Price: $289.00
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