Canon VIXIA HF S100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder:

Short and simple.
Picture quality great as long as you have good light.
I have contacted Canon a number of times about problems with the camera and they keep telling me that it is not their problem even though the camera is under warranty.
I spent well over a grand on my camera and it is ridiculous that this is the kind of customer service that I get!

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder:

Although I bought this to replace an old Sony Hi-8, I found that the snapshot pictures are so good that we hardly use our Nikon D40 unless we want a special lens. I got my HF 100 for half price because it was a refurbished, but this camera is worth it at full price! I still have not decided if I will install the software that came with it as reviews I've read on the WEB are very negative. Also, avoid touch screen models, since the screens will need recalibrated. The toggle on this model works just fine.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder:

I primarily use my HF S100 in conjunction with a Depth of Field adapter and a Nikon prime lens. The image quality is stunning and the performance in low-light is the best I've seen for a camcorder in this class.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder:

This is an excellent camcorder, the picture quality is brilliant. I used the mxp mode to shoot the video of an engagement party. Needless, to say the picture was awesome, colors very vibrant and true to life.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder:

I haven;t finished my test as of yet. However, from what I have done i would recommend it to anyone wishing to do video. As far as stills i still prefer a still camera. I tried it indoors as well as outdoors and it picks up skin tones and other color correction very well. Instructions need more detail.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder:

This is a great camera for all types of situations. It's clear and crisp resolution makes for wonderfully elegant shots in most lighting situations. It has easy-to-use settings for personalized exposer. Don't let the many buttons confuse you, it has simple navigation. Most camcorders that take both pictures and videos are confusing and make it hard to transition between the two, but not the VIXIA HF S100.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder:

This is my first digital HD video camera. I normally shoot still photos with Nikon D3 and pro lenses. I wanted a good HD video camera that only wrote to removable memory and was compact in size. The HF S100 fits that bill. So far, I've shot several youth baseball and soccer games and an indoor concert. The HF S100 performed well in all situations. Some observations: For sports, sometimes the focus is slow. For example shooting the batter then quickly panning to capture the fielder fielding the ball. Many times the camera took what seemed to be a while to lock onto the new subject. This occurred even using the instant focus option. For soccer, tracking running players worked fine, but same as in baseball, when the ball was kicked down the field, there was a lag in focus trying to capture the new subject. However, for the most part this was a slight annoyance and did not stop me from getting great action shots. As for the concert, the hall was dark except for the stage. I was able to record the band members quite well with very little noise.
There are many features available on this camera that one should read the manual about and understand. For example, you can increase or decrease the mic sensitivity. It is almost always necessary to increase the sensitivity if you are trying to capture voices that are more than 10 feet from the camera. Increasing the sensitivity does work well.
Out of the box, the camera is not usable. You must purchase a memory card to record video on. Memory cards are not included. The battery included with the camera is one of the smallest/lowest output of the Canon batteries. I purchased the big 2670MaH Li-ion Canon battery which I've been unable to drain. Was able to leave the camera on through an entire 7 inning youth baseball game (about 3 hours). I also purchased an external battery charger and a neck strap. These are all necessary accessories. The editing software that ships with the camera is poor at best, but will allow you to view your videos and convert them to something you can post on a website or email. Recommend purchasing real video editing software that can take advantage of the high quality video this camera outputs. Overall, I'm quite pleased with the performance of the camera and would recommend.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder:

This is a very good camcorder for the price. I bought it since its now priced lower as its been out a year or so. Works as point and shoot as well as many manual controls.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder:

HFS100 is a excellent camcorder and I got great deal from B&H.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder:

Great little camera. Excellent video quality even in low light. I like that it shoots to SD card too!

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder:

As noted in other reviews, the recording quality of this camcorder is excellent. The addition of a 58mm lens filter is recommended as the retractable lens cover is rather loose. I have used this camcorder for corporate meeting/training videos where "spontaneous/unrehearsed" moments from less formal events can be taped without being overly intrusive. Sound is good, but addition of adapter for use of XLR microphone is recommended if the audio quality is of great importance to you. Now that it is discontinued with promotional pricing it is an exceptional value.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder:

We ordered this camera prior about a week prior to the birth of our son, and received it a couple of days before the big event. The camera is very intuitive, and easy to use. The controls are straightforward, and the layout and design is excellent. The video quality if truly gorgeous. The camera function captures colors beautifully. The ease of ordering from this company was one of the best I have ever encountered. Overall I am very impressed with the camera, its quality and B&H Photo!

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder:

Great in good lit out door shotsGood in low light, shot a fashion show which was out doors at night with poor lighting and the camera performed better than expected. Had a little problem with the manual zoom feature using the programable adjustment wheel in the front bottom left of the lens while shooting. It feels good but it takes a little getting used to and it is hard to turn the wheel without affecting the shot. So I used the joystick instead. I like that I can connect it with my mac and use imovie to edit my shots, just takes a little while to connect so be patient if you try this. Just plug in the included USB and hit the review button on the lcd and connect to PC and it will take a couple mins. but it will connect with imovie openAll in all I would buy it again and recommend. I got it for [$]. Keep in mind that you have to buy a SD card can be pricy for good ones and that some of the included video editing software is not compatible with Mac.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder:

Pros: great picture quality, lightweight, easy to use, canon greatness!
Cons: shutter cover rattles, micro hotshoe which requires an adapter for my wireless microphone system.

Overall, I excepted nothing less than satisfactory and that's what I got with this great camcorder. I'm a Nikonian owning nothing but Nikon equipment, but when I made the choice to purchase this Canon product, I'm so glad I did because it has great HD results. I import my footage into Premiere Pro and start editing in no time!

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder:

Well this is my first camcorder since the older mini-vhs type and I am really pleased with the quality of the video and the ease of editing the video on my Mac.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder:

I have to admit to using primarily Canon cameras. This one has not disappointed me in any way. I installed a Class 6 card and have no problems. It does what I need.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder:

Have not had time to really put it through its potential paces.

Haven't even learned many of the great features.

This is our first camcorder — experienced with VHS but they don't hold a candle to this gem.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder:

I've had this camera for about 10 days and the shots it takes are astonishing! I'm using the lowest level HD (XP+), yet the shots come out crispy clear. Although the analog zoom is only 10x, which had me worried initially, but since the picture is so clear to begin with, if when I zoom in at 40x digital, the picture is still very clear. Another feature that comes in handy is the ability to shoot stills (up to 5/second) while shooting the video. The stills are also beautiful. I did get the 32GB fast transfer (15MB/sec) SD card, which I'm sure helps to assure things run smoothly.

One thing to keep in mind, though, is that if you're editing the movies on a Mac, you'll need to have a Mac with an Intel processor, otherwise you won't be able to use the HD features of the movie.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder:

Easy to use.Video is great.Pictures are great.Like the flash and light.All around, perfect for my YouTube videos.[...]

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder:

Occasional home video