Canon VIXIA HF S11 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S11 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder:

I got this camera to shoot video of my little boy. This little Cannon delivers!

I have great high def footage of my boy in every stage of learning to crawl, playing with our dogs, playing with his toys, and learning to climb up on things he shouldn't.

Picture quality is great. Even in low light situations this camera delvers a great image.

Battery life is fair. Remember this is a device that is doing some heavy duty processing to record high def (up to 1080) video, it needs a lot of power. I get a full 90 minutes on a charge.

Like most camcorders the built in mic is not very good. It is good enough to catch a person talking, but it also picks up the operator breathing. The dishwasher in the background drowns out the babbles of my baby. Invest in a good mic, or stand alone recorder if you want good sound quality.
Because of the proprietary hot shoe on this camcorder be ready to by a hot shoe adaptor, or buy Canon's own accessories.

I have also gotten some impressive stills from this camera while in photo mode. Not on par with a SLR, but definitely as good as any point and shoot.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S11 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder:

The Vixia is a great combination of excellent quality and ease of use. We needed an HD camera for some fairly rugged travel (few moving parts a plus) and this camera was the perfect choice. The lack of VF is a bit of a problem, but we bought a viewing hood and it works just fine.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S11 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder:

This camcorder is great. It is very compact and light weight. The resolution is very crisp. In camera mode, it takes great looking pictures. Saving and viewing recorded items is extremely fast due to the solid state storage. My only complaint is the software that it comes with. The software package is horrible and difficult to use. You would be better with a different software editor. If you are looking for a great HD camcorder, this is it.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S11 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder:

I am a novice videographer. I use the Canon Vixia HF S11 for family video. I have recently expanded to filming some of my archery hunting trips. The 64gb internal flash memory enables me to film for hours when I am out hunting. I have paired the camera with iMovie software and I am amazed at how easily end effectively a novice like myself can edit and put together a respectable movie.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S11 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder:

The HF S11 has quick focus, great quality video, relatively easy to use unless you want to explore everything it can do.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S11 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder:

For my project I need a camera which stores video internally and takes clear video images in outdoor lighting; this camera does both well.

Also it goes easy on the batteries.

Only down side I've found is that it has no firewire port; fastest way to pull data off the camera is through a USB cable. Since it can store a lot of video, this can take a while.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S11 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder:

This canon camcorder/camera is great and easy to use. The only problem is the battery runs out quickly. We need to buy an extra battery.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S11 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder:

I am an amature video shooter, I create my videos using Adobe Premiere Elements. Mostly home video's but use them for work at my car dealership as well. At first some of the funtions were over my head but I am the type that just starts shooting and when I can't figure something out I dig out the manual. This camera does shoot in amazing clarity and acceptable in low light but I am coming from an almost 10 year old Sony Digital Mini DV cam so anything of todays quality would be better than what I'm used to. I have a small tripod about the size of my hand that I've found quite handy to use instead of the side strap to help with the stablilty which this camera does have fantastic stabilization. I did also buy the canon bp-827 battery based on the other reviews I read but haven't had the camera long enough to see how long it lasts. I have not even used the "stock" battery yet.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S11 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder:

Purchased this unit for shooting HD quality 'talking head' (newscaster-style) interviews (with clients on-site or at conferences), training, tutorials and staff events for our software dev company.

I wanted the latest model from Canon (as all of us know its considered 'old' as soon as we walk out the store with the latest tech gadget!) that offered:
- HD video and picture quality
- Built-in hard drive and SDHC card compatibility (primarily using SDHC cards and rely on hard drive when out of card space)
- Mic inputs (to go along with our Sennheiser wireless lav mics)
- Headphone connection to listen to audio source for quality
- Shoots 1080p, with 24p cinema mode

This HF S11 meets our needs and then some. Very impressed with the unit's size, ease of use, intuitive menus, and quality of picture and audio (with our wireless lav mics).

We shoot on tripods (all the time) in lighted environments (no low light scenarios), so have not tested image stabilization or low light performance.

In fact, since our CEO will take this unit on the road to clients or to conferences, we're going to purchase another unit for our in-house shoots :-)

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S11 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder:

I enjoy using it greatly and would recommend it to anyone

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S11 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder:

I have not found anything bad about it. I am into the photo hobby for about fifteen years.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S11 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder:

I have had several camcorders over the years this is the first that was easy to use and has lots of nice features. Adaptable for most uses I will ever use. I am an advanced amature photographer with many years of experience. I use this camcorder for shooting clips for the web and personal use. Easy to upload to computer and with an HDMI cable to my HDTV. I use Adobe Premere to edit my work. Battery life is always an issue so I recommend getting a backup battery. Also extra SD cards are helpful if you are on vacation and or plan to take a lot of scenes/shots. I have to say this the first camcorder that I really enjoy using. Fits nice in the hand and not too much hand shake. I do use a tripod regularly. Would have liked to have the option of a view finder. I would recommend this camcorder if you have the bucks to pay for it.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S11 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder:

I have used the camera for months. The image stabilization is very good. The colors and clarity is good.

My only issues are: 1) Poor low light images. The noise here reminds me of the early digital SLRs. Very noticeable, very distracting. 2) The lens has a cover that automatically opens and closes...well, not always. I often need to open and close the LCD screen for the sensor to realize it is time to close the lens cover. It is one of those things that is very annoying.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S11 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder:

I purchased this camera to create an opportunity for my son to begin some early documentary work. It's ease of use coupled with professional results has exceed our expectations.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S11 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder:

The S11 is amazing little Camcorder. The things that impressed me most:

- The 24fps in Cinema mode really does yield some amazing results. I rarely left this setting, as I was in love with quality of the images it produced.
- The optical stabilization was stunning. I was able to get beautiful pans and steady shots with ease.
- Discreet form factor, making it easier to use for documentary / journalism purposes where you don't necessarily want to draw attention to yourself.

The primary downsides for me:

- The included battery is weak, requiring and additional purchase of second battery.
- The automatic lens cover seemed a bit flimsy to me, which made me a little leery of constantly putting in and out of my deep jacket pocket.
- In low light, I would have liked to see better ISO sensitivity.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S11 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder:

I have been using this camera for about three weeks. My ultimate goal is to use it on my annual bike trip this summer to photograph Rocky Mountain National Park, Mt Evans, and Pike's Peak. To get used to the camera I have been videotaping my grandchildren (great subjects). The quality of the video is just amazing. I had been using another cheaper camera and there is just no comparison. The colors are perfect and the built in microphones (stereo) do a superb job of capturing the audio. The jacks on the right side of the camera are a little difficult to get to but you are using those when time is not a factor so it isn't much of a distraction.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S11 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder:

Easy to navigate controls and start filming right out of the box. Image/film quality excellent. Feature-rich - a lot of manual control if you want. Added stabilization (vs S10) makes a difference. Larger lens then most camcorders of this size makes for decent (but not great) night shooting. Extra battery recommended for extended use. Planning for a lot of travel this year (Caribbean Cruise/trip to Europe) which prompted me to purchase.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S11 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder:

Used for family vacations, training video, and other work related video.
I bought the extra battery and wall charger. I enjoy the onboard memory as opposed to changing cards and keeping track of what is on which card.
A wall charger should be included for this price.
Charges REALLY SLOW if charging on camera! Get the wall charger. Great photos and awesome video.
I use Studio 12 and Adobe to edit and create videos.
The lens cover rattles when shut, but works fine.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S11 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder:

This is a good start to used it because you can practice and learn how to film from people, places, and things in your own idea before make advertisement or make a short film. Even... you can used it with Adobe production software. Also you can buy any kind of good accessories to plug n play with this camcorder. I am student of Film and Animation because I have knowledge, talent, and a strong desire to make films. This has allowed me to think in a more imaginative manner. I have tremendous motivation to create production projects when I saw many movies. I don't have any problem with this camcorder and I have a good time to used it so far.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HF S11 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder:

Firstly, going tapeless is simply awesome. You'll never have to sit and wait while you upload tape footage in realtime. Just drag and drop and edit.

As a professional videographer, sometimes I'm required to get into odd angles or places a large video camera would not work. The HF S11 is perfect for these times...it's lightweight, compact, has awesome image and color, and offers many customized options you can set in a flash. It has an external mic input and a small hotshoe for a video light, shotgun mic, or other options.

Don't listen to naysayers that say you can't shoot pro video with this camera...I do it every week. It's perfect for weddings, outdoor extreme sports video, travel and family footage, or other 'on the fly' type footage where bokeh or running multiple audio tracks to the camera is not a major issue.

The internal stabilizer is truly amazing...but it has to be with such a short/light camera.

Lens has filter threads and works great with polarizing or UV type filters.

Battery life is good with Canon batt's, but be forewarned if you use non-Canon batt's, it will work, and work longer, but the camera will not be able to post the time left on battery. Perhaps this is Canon's attempt to keep you to their brand.

The image quality is outstanding, especially in the high HD settings. Even the SD setting is better than most tape based SD footage. Recording to the SSD drive or card is identical in quality for both video and stills.

Still quality is surprisingly good. Records in JPEG format.

Sound quality is great, but with limited range. (Usually this is a good thing as you don't want extraneous noises.)

This camera is so light a simple monopod adds great stability. Please note that with a camera this small, shakes or bumps can be more dramatic, so a tripod or monopod is helpful...not that you can't use it without one. While a large shoulder mount camera can wear you out after awhile, this camera is so light you can shoot all day and hardly know its there.

I gave this camera 4 stars out of 5 because of the limitations of AVCHD 'digital artifacting' and ease of editing...not really a problem with the camera, but more of the format itself.

Since this camera records in .mts files (AVCHD) it will require a fairly fast computer to get the full benefits of the super HD quality settings. Most computers and NLE's will not play this footage back smoothly in realtime without the supplied software that comes with it. The software allows you to convert the .mts files into MPEG2, which will play on most computers with ease, but I recommend a third party converter for more output options. You can even find these free online.

Also, since this is completely digital footage, be aware that fast panning, or scenes with fine detail prone to moire distortion will likely cause some artifacts unless treated in post production. Of course even tape based footage will do this, but pure digital footage is more susceptible to moire distortion.

I agree with the other poster...this camera is a work of art and a joy to use.