Canon VIXIA HF21 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder

The advantages of flash memory go beyond the added recording time. You'll also appreciate the quick response time, because it doesn't have to wait for moving parts. Press the record button and your VIXIA HF21 starts recording video faster than you've ever seen before. In addition, when you review your footage, it will come up more quickly

While we certainly hope you keep your VIXIA HF21 securely in your hand while shooting, if it happens to slip, or you accidentally knock it against something, you'll be happy to know that flash memory makes your camcorder more shock-resistant than other recording storage systems. It also minimizes the chance of data loss due to damage to your recording media or to the moving parts found in other camcorders

Super Spectra Coating technology results in images with minimal flare and ghosting. Plus, the lens' aspheric design reduces aberration and increases resolution, ensuring crisp, sharp video - enhancing the HD image quality. As well, a gradation neutral density (ND) system gives you better exposures in bright shooting situations

High color resolution and advanced color reproduction is provided by the VIXIA HF21's sophisticated CMOS image sensor. It is also unique in featuring Canon's proprietary noise reduction technologies for crisp, sharp images. Low noise technology also means that even in dimly lit scenes, the signal from each pixel is as pure as possible, with minimal noise or other aberrations

The VIXIA HF21 uses an RGB Primary Color Filter with Bayer Placement Pattern that separates light into red, green and blue color components. This results in vibrant images with deep, rich, accurate color and natural-looking tones similar to what you'd obtain from 3CCD camcorders. As an added benefit, the CMOS sensor provides outstanding image capture in low light conditions

Plus, the Canon DIGIC DV III Image Processor allows continuous shooting of digital photos with the VIXIA HF21. You can also enjoy faster processing of your images to your memory card (1.4x normal card; 2.5x Hi-Speed card). In addition it helps lower power consumption for longer battery life

In addition, optical image stabilization keeps your shot steady without a loss in image quality - something that can't be said for electronic image stabilization. And image stabilization isn't just for video; you can even use it for taking sharper, clearer digital photographs with your VIXIA HF21. Thanks to Canon's expertise, it's easy to eliminate one of the telltale signs of amateur video and photography

And because a properly focused subject is more critical than ever with HD, the VIXIA HF21 also features Focus Assist. This helps in capturing your subject in razor-sharp focus. It works by providing a 2x magnification of your subject (when you start recording, this assistance is automatically cancelled). This is a feature normally found in professional broadcast-quality cameras

The system is in fact so intelligent that it will recognize faces that are turned downwards or sideways. In addition, a specific face may be selected as the main subject for continuous tracking. This feature can be used to search for clips featuring that specific subject's face. In search and playback, use of the Face Index will display frames with the chosen face as a thumbnail in each shot in which it appears. The selected face can be linked as a timeline to further identify footage containing that subject

You would normally have to look to professional video cameras in order to have this sophisticated tool at your command. In addition to the standard interlaced video frame rate of 60i, you may choose to set the VIXIA HF21 to capture video in 30p, (30 progressive frames, recorded to 60i) which is particularly useful for footage to be used on the Internet. In addition, this setting gives enhanced quality to still images captured after recording. It's also excellent for action shots and sports

The result will be night scenes with the visual accuracy, depth and clarity you expect from a Canon camcorder

Adding to the usefulness of the WP-V1 Waterproof Case is the Surface Mode setting of the VIXIA HF21. To compensate for the color shift which occurs when shooting underwater, the VIXIA HF21 adjusts the white balance setting when in Underwater Mode. When you return to the surface of the water, a switch to Surface Mode brings the white balance back to that normally used when shooting in sunlight - without the need to remove the VIXIA HF21 from the WP-V1 Waterproof Case. You can chase your marine subject from the depths to the light, all the while capturing the most natural color possible

• Capture video and photos without switching modes, which saves you time and helps you avoid the chance of a missed shot

Variable Zoom Speed Control

• Another sure sign of amateur video is the unsteady zoom shot. But with the VIXIA HF21's zoom control, you simply select one of the four zoom speeds (three pre-set, one variable) for smooth, steady, professional-looking zooms

Level and Grid Markers

• With the Level Marker feature, it's easy to keep your camera level for more professional-looking video. Line up any horizontal lines in your shot - such as the horizon - to the marker and you can be sure your camcorder is level

  The VIXIA HF21's Grid Marker feature lets you compose your shot accurately, according to the grid in your viewfinder. You can even choose from two different colors for the grid. This ensures that you see the grid, no matter what the background color of your shot is

Quick Start

• Never miss a quickly unfolding shot again. When the VIXIA HF21 is in Camera Mode and the LCD panel is closed, it is placed in standby mode. When the action starts, open the LCD panel and you'll begin recording in less than one second. You'll also help extend your battery life as compared to leaving the camcorder in regular recording mode

Pre-Record

• The Pre-record feature places your VIXIA HF21 in a standby "pre-roll" mode. When you press the shooting button while in Pre-record, the VIXIA HF21 automatically records 3 seconds of the action which occurred prior to your pressing of the button. With Pre-record, it will be harder than ever to miss the moment when the bat hits the ball at the start of that home run

Low Light Performance

• Some of the most magical shots are taken at the end of the day or long after the sun has set. You won't miss any of them, thanks to the VIXIA HF21's mini video light. The light lets you shoot subjects in color, in low light, up to 4.9 feet away. So, whether it's a shot of a sleeping baby, or a group of friends on a candlelit terrace at night, the VIXIA HF21 captures all the moments you want to record

Manual Audio Level Control

• To make your videos sound as good as they look, the VIXIA HF21 offers a built-in audio meter and manual audio level adjustment. You'll be able to tell at a glance if the sound you're hearing is being recorded the way you want it and a simple control allows you to change the audio level if it's not

Improved Menu User Interface

• For greater ease of use, the VIXIA HF21 features a revised control button with cross movement action. It's an intuitive design enabling you to push up, down, left or right to choose the menu option you wish

DVD Burner Compatible

• You can also easily burn DVDs of the video shot with your VIXIA HF21 as it is compatible with Canon's new DW-100 DVD Burner. A one-cable connection is all it takes to send the files across and with the click of a few buttons, your videos will be burned to an AVCHD disc for play in a compatible DVD player (AVCHD discs containing scenes recorded in MXP mode cannot be created with the optional DW-100 DVD Burner)

Simply slip the RA-V1 into the Mini Advanced Accessory Shoe on top of the VIXIA HF21 and you'll have a LANC terminal to which you can connect an optional wired remote controller, such as the Canon ZR-1000, ZR-2000 or third-party device

Through the Canon ZR-1000 and ZR-2000, a wide range of functions on the VIXIA HF21 can be controlled:

ZR-100

• Start/Stop - Movie Mode, Dual Shot
• On Screen - Movie Mode, Photo Mode
• Zoom - Movie Mode, Photo Mode, Dual Shot
• Focus Adjustment - Movie Mode, Photo Mode
• Power On/Off - Movie Mode, Photo Mode, Dual Shot, Movie Playback Mode, Photo Playback Mode

ZR-200

• Start/Stop - Movie Mode, Dual Shot
• On Screen - Movie Mode, Photo Mode
• Magnifying - Movie Mode, Photo Mode
• One Push AF - Movie Mode, Photo Mode
• Zoom - Movie Mode, Photo Mode, Dual Shot
• Focus Adjustment - Movie Mode, Photo Mode
• Auto Focus (Switch) - Movie Mode, Photo Mode
• Manual Focus (Switch) - Movie Mode, Photo Mode
• Power On/Off - Movie Mode, Photo Mode, Dual Shot, Movie Playback Mode, Photo Playback Mode

The same Canon exclusive CMOS image sensor that ensures sharp, vivid HD video also gives you brilliant digital photographs. Like the CMOS image sensors in Canon's EOS Series digital SLR cameras, the VIXIA HF21's image sensor results in outstanding digital photographs. It gives a resolution of 3.3 Megapixels for sharp, crisp still images

Canon DIGIC DV III Image Processor

• Canon's exclusive DIGIC DV III Image Processor features improved continuous shooting of digital photographs with the VIXIA HF21. You can also enjoy faster processing of your images to your memory card (1.4x normal card; 2.5x Hi-Speed card)

Focus Features

• Auto Intelligent Auto Focus (AiAF) ensures sharp images and gives you creative flexibility. Even when your subject isn't in the center of the frame, the VIXIA HF21's 9-Point AiAF will automatically select from 9 metering frames on the screen to help bring images into sharp focus

Auto Exposure Modes

• Like any good digital still camera, the VIXIA HF21 lets you choose from a range of exposure modes. Auto mode automatically sets the exposure, letting you concentrate on your subject. AV (aperture priority) mode lets you control the depth of field by letting you choose the aperture. TV (shutter priority) mode lets you select the shutter speed for sharp, action shots. In P (program) mode, the camcorder adjusts camera settings automatically

Program AE Mode

• Your life happens everywhere, so the VIXIA HF21 gives you settings that automatically result in the best exposure settings for different conditions and different subjects

  Portrait mode ensures shallow depth of field for a pleasing background in your shots of friends and family. Sports mode stops the action with faster shutter speeds. Low Light Mode is designed to give you great shots after the sun goes down. Snow and Beach modes compensate for bright surroundings and give you the proper exposure on your subject. Sunset mode results in vibrant, well-exposed colors for one of the toughest subjects to capture properly. Use Spotlight mode when your child is on stage and in the spotlight - literally - and you want to make sure the exposure is right for them. Fireworks mode records brilliant images of another tough subject - the holiday fireworks display. Night Scene Mode reduces video "noise" and helps to prevent overexposure of artificial lighting from buildings and streetlamps while shooting outdoors in the dark.

  To compensate for the color shift which occurs when shooting underwater when using the optional Canon WP-V1 Waterproof Case, the VIXIA HF21 adjusts the white balance setting when in Underwater Mode. Surface Mode re-adjusts the white balance setting to that normally used in sunlight, after the VIXIA HF21 has been shooting in Underwater Mode

Selectable Metering Pattern

• For optimal exposure, the VIXIA HF21 offers selectable metering patterns. You can choose the options of Evaluative, which in normal shooting conditions will measure the light in all areas of the subject image, Center-Weighted Average, which gives greater importance to the object in the center of the image, and Spot, which adjusts the exposure exactly to the object in the center of the image

• In challenging lighting situations, such as strong backlight, a dark background or a very sunny or snowy day, it can be tricky to get the right exposure for a photo. The AE Bracketing feature of the VIXIA HF21 automatically takes three versions of the shot, with 'dark,' 'normal' and 'light' settings in 1/2 exposure steps so you may choose the one that best suits you

Continuous Shooting

• The VIXIA HF21 can capture a rapid succession of photos, just like the motor drive on a still camera. Shoot up to 3 frames per second in the Continuous Mode, or a blazing 5 frames per second in the High Speed Continuous Mode. This feature is ideal for fast action sports or capturing babies on the move. This action is possible in all modes except Fireworks Mode

Simultaneous Photo Recording

With the VIXIA HF21, you can record HD video and capture a 2.99 Megapixel photo to a memory card - simultaneously. Simply press the photo button and you've got an e-mail ready digital photo to share with friends and family

Histogram Display

• For the advanced digital photographer, the VIXIA HF21 comes with a Histogram Display - a feature found in Canon's line of digital SLR cameras. The display allows you to see the brightness information of your still images, so you can adjust your exposures as you shoot

Level and Grid Markers

• With the Level Marker feature, it's easy to keep your camera level for more professional-looking photographs. Line up any horizontal lines in your shot - such as the horizon - to the marker and you can be sure your camcorder is level
  The VIXIA HF21's Grid Marker feature lets you compose your shot accurately, according to the grid in your viewfinder. You can even choose from two different colors for the grid. This ensures that you see the grid, no matter what the background color of your shot is

Still Capture From Flash Memory

• The versatile VIXIA HF21 even lets you capture a still image from an already recorded movie. While playing the movie in your camcorder, simply press the photo button to capture a 1920 x 1080 still frame to an SDHC card or to Built-in Memory. Additionally, the VIXIA HF21 allows you to capture 30 photos from one second of video. Now, better photos filled with action and expressions are easy to grab, print, post and share

Built-In Flash

• Your VIXIA HF21's built-in flash lets you capture superb photos indoors and in low light conditions. The VIXIA HF21 also features red-eye reduction

Print/Share

• Print/Share turns your VIXIA HF21 into a photo lab in the palm of your hand. Simply connect your camcorder directly to select Canon printers or any PictBridge-compatible printer with the supplied USB cable. Then, with a simple touch of the Print/Share button, print directly from your VIXIA HF21 without going through a computer
  Print/Share also makes it easy to transfer your still images to your computer. Simply connect your VIXIA HF21 to your computer, press the Print/Share button and your photos are downloaded to your computer

DVD Burner Compatible

• You can also easily burn DVDs of your still photos taken with your VIXIA HF21 as it is compatible with Canon's DW-100 DVD Burner. A one-cable connection is all it takes to send the files across and, with the click of a few buttons, your photos are ready to share with all

This software will also assist you in converting video to the optimum resolution for transmission over the Internet

With the Pixela ImageMixer 3SE Disc, you can burn your edited video onto Blu-ray disc, AVCHD DVDs, (which play in AVCHD compatible Blu-ray disc players), or onto Standard Definition DVDs. And to complement the VIXIA HF21's Advanced Video Snapshot feature, a music CD containing royalty-free soundtracks is also provided

The bundled application is compatible with Windows XP and Windows Vista

• The Built-in Electronic Lens Cover means you never have to go looking for your lens cover again. Turn your camcorder on and the lens cover automatically opens. Turn it off, and the cover closes
• USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Terminal for ultra-fast transfer of movies and photos
• Compatible Optional Accessories available including the WD-H37II Wide Converter, TL-H37 Tele Converter, VFL-2 Video Flash Light, VL-5 Video Light, DM-100 Directional Stereo Microphone, RA-V1 Remote Control Adapter and BP-827 High Capacity Battery Pack
• Wireless Remote Control lets you operate your VIXIA HF21 from a distance, so you don't have to be left out of the picture