The Next Step Forward in HD Video

Canon has a well-known and highly-regarded reputation for optical excellence, advanced image processing, superb performance and technological innovation, built on our legendary photographic and broadcast television lenses. Based on that experience, we bring the latest in high definition camcorders. The Canon VIXIA HF S10 Dual Flash Memory camcorder is one such example.

The VIXIA HF S10 delivers brilliant video and photos through a new Canon exclusive 8.59 Megapixel CMOS image sensor and the latest version of our advanced image processor, DIGIC DV III. It combines lightweight, compact size and the ease and convenience of Flash Memory. This technology, the same used in advanced laptop computers, MP3 players, PDAs and cell phones, allows the VIXIA HF S10 to record to both its large 32GB internal memory, for up to 12 hours of crisp, high definition video, as well as to a removable SDHC card. You have extended available recording space and more flexibility in file transfer and playback.

What’s more, the VIXIA HF S10 allows you to record at up to 24Mbps, the highest bit rate in AVCHD format, for the highest quality image. The VIXIA HF S10’s Canon Exclusive features - such as the Genuine Canon 10x HD video lens, sophisticated Genuine Canon Face Detection capability, SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization and a host of new control and creative options - makes our Flash Memory camcorder unmistakably Canon.

Product Features

• Dual Flash Memory: 32GB Internal Flash Drive & SDHC card slot
• Genuine Canon 10x HD Video Lens
• Canon Exclusive: 1/2.6” 8.59 Megapixel Full HD CMOS Image Sensor
• Canon Exclusive: DIGIC DV III Image Processor
• 1920 x 1080 Full HD Recording
• 24Mbps Recording
• Canon Exclusive: SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization
• Canon Exclusive: Instant AF (Auto Focus)
• Canon Exclusive: Genuine Canon Face Detection
• Advanced Auto Exposure System
• 24p Cinema Mode
• 30p Progressive Mode
• Built-in 8.0 Megapixel Digital Camera
• Superb Shooting Control
• Canon Exclusive: 2.7” Multi-Angle Vivid Widescreen LCD
• Mini Advanced Accessory Shoe Terminal
• Video Snapshot Mode
• Intelligent Lithium-ion Battery
• HDMI Terminal
• Microphone Terminal with Manual Audio Level Control
• Includes Pixela ImageMixer 3SE Video Editing Software
• Additional Features
• View Sample Videos
  

Product Specs

Canon HFS10’s Review

www.wired.com

04/27/09

Many companies turn out SD-based camcorders in compact designs, simply because the flash-based technologies allow for much smaller models than those based on tape, hard disks, and mini DVDs. While Canon continues to offer compact AVCHD models, the Vixia HF20 and the HF200, the company’s branching out with slightly more "pro" prosumer offerings in the Vixia HF S10 and the Vixia HF S100.

These two models, which record 1,920x1,080 60i video, feature a larger, faster f1.8 10x HD lens and a relatively large, high-resolution 1/2.6-inch 8-megapixel CMOS sensor, along with higher-end capabilities, such as SMPTE color bars, the ability to manually boost gain up to 18dB, fixed 70 and 100 IRE zebra stripes, and a user-assignable button/control dial combo. They differ only by internal memory: the HF S100 has none, while the HF S10 has 32GB.

Though it weighs a bit over a pound, the camcorder feels kind of light for its 2.8-inch-by-2.7-inch-by-5.4-inch dimensions. Still, it’s no featherweight, and while I fit it into a loose jacket pocket, it’s not very compact. With only a few exceptions, the camcorder has a nice, functional design, with intelligently laid out controls and a streamlined user interface. The larger size makes it a bit more comfortable to hold and operate as well.

Looking at the camcorder head-on, one of the first things you notice is the odd built-in lens cover that uses a closing-eye type rather than aperture-blade type of design we usually see. It wouldn’t be notable except that when closed, the two plastic pieces tend to rattle against each other; since the camcorder is off, it’s not a problem, just a minor irritation. Instead of putting the video light in the typical location on the side of the lens, Canon put it on the pop-up flash. The stereo mics sit on either side of the lens barrel. While they may be more susceptible to wind noise in that location (though I didn’t have any problems), it allows for larger mics with better separation than the typical positioning above or below the lens. If that’s not adequate, you can attach a mic via the mini accessory shoe on top of the camcorder. There’s a 3.5mm mic input on the grip side of the unit, and the other connectors--USB, component, and miniHDMI--sit in a covered compartment underneath the strap. The strap does get in the way a little when you’re hooking stuff up.

To one side of the lens Canon placed a new Custom dial, which looks, feels, and operates similarly to the control dial on Sony’s prosumer models. You press the button to enable it, then use the dial to adjust whatever setting you’ve programmed it for--choices are exposure, focus, assist functions (70/100 IRE Zebra and peaking), mic level, and automatic gain control limit (0 to 18dB). I like it in the Sonys and here as well; it’s a comfortable interface for adjusting options like exposure and focus, though I’m not fond of it for cycling through the Zebra and peaking options.

As usual, the zoom switch and photo button lie on top of the camcorder beneath your forefinger, with the mode dial right behind where an eye-level viewfinder should be; one of the biggest drawbacks of this model, geared toward enthusiasts, is the lack of an EVF. The power connector and 3.5mm headphone jack flank the mode button. One of the two record buttons lies under your thumb on the back. To the left of the zoom switch is the small, recessed power button which is a little to difficult to manipulate.

Most of the shooting controls live on the LCD bezel. The function button pulls up both the frequently used settings as well as the full menu system another level down. In addition to the usual--white balance, image effects, digital effects, video quality and still photo size, program and a handful of scene modes--the HF S10/100 offer real shutter- and aperture-priority shooting modes with a shutter speed range of 1/8 to 1/2000 second and aperture options ranging from f1.8 to f8, giving you more control over depth of field than you generally see in a prosumer model. It also offers Canon’s Cine mode for adjusting color and gamma to go with its 24F progressive modes, though it and 30F get recorded as 60i. In still mode you can select metering and drive modes as well. Other high-end features accessible via the menus include three fixed or variable zoom speed, x.v.Color mode, color bars, and a test tone.

The menu system itself has been updated for a smoother feel and the ability to choose font size. Since the 2.7-inch display is the typical low-resolution model, the small fonts look pixelated and would be hard for some to read. It does stand up pretty well in direct sunlight, however.

Navigating down on the joystick while shooting triggers a fly-up menu to pop up the video light (which works in still photo mode), digital effects, 3-second prerecord, backlight and exposure compensation, manual focus, mic level, face detection, and a digital teleconverter. The options are slightly different in still mode: you gain flash and lose the mic and teleconverter. It’s especially nice that you still have quick access to functions that you don’t assign to the custom dial.

The HF S10/S100 also incorporate this year’s features, which include Video Snapshots, 4-second clips used to create a “highlights reel” effect (the camcorders ship with a music CD). I like the idea, but the implementation can be annoying. You enter Video Snapshot mode by pressing a hard-to-feel button on the left side of the camcorder in the LCD recess. A blue outline appears on the display. When you press record, a highlight travels around the blue outline counting down your 4 seconds. It stays in Video Snapshot mode until you switch to playback or press the button again. While I like the way the display feedback works, I think I might have preferred a separate record button, or a choice on the mode dial rather than the have the isolated button. (For a complete accounting of the HF S10/100’s features, you can download the PDF manual.)

Performance and quality are top notch at both its maximum 24Mbps bit rate and 17Mbps. (Recording capacities are about 5.5 minutes per gigabyte and 7.8 min/GB, respectively. Canon recommends a Class 4 or better SDHC card.) The camcorder focuses quickly and accurately, even in low light. While battery life is pretty average for its class, it recharges fairly quickly; Canon claims it takes 10 minutes per half hour of battery life. The optical stabilizer, as usual, works well out to the end of the zoom range. The video looks great: sharp, with saturated colors, and excellent exposures with relatively few blown-out highlights. The DigicDV 3 processing does a solid job maximizing the dynamic range. Living-room light-level recordings look quite good as well. There’s a bit of noise and softness, but that’s to be expected. The audio records crisp and clear, too. The camcorder’s not perfect, however. Outdoor shots do show a bit of purple fringing on high-contrast edges, and there’s some color shift in reds and blues. Still photos have a slightly overprocessed look as many camcorder stills do, and the flash does odd things to the saturation, but overall they’re not bad.

If you’re a video hobbyist or a pro looking for something cheap and portable to complement your workhorse equipment, the identical twins Canon Vixia HF S10 and HF S100 deliver a much better shooting experience than the current crop of $600 HD camcorders--as long as you can live without the EVF. The HF S100 is probably the better deal, since the price of a 32GB card should be less than the price differential between the two models.