Compact, Ultra Lightweight High Definition 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 HF200 Flash Memory camcorder is one such example.

The VIXIA HF200 delivers brilliant video and still photos through a Canon exclusive 3.89 Megapixel CMOS image sensor and the latest version of our advanced image processor, DIGIC DV III. It is ultra lightweight - our smallest and lightest HD camcorder, and brings 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 HF200 to record up to 6 hours of crisp, high definition video (LP Mode) to a removable SDHC card. You have extended available recording space and more flexibility in file transfer and playback.

What’s more, the VIXIA HF200 allows you to record at up to 24Mbps, the highest bitrate in AVCHD format, for the highest quality image. The VIXIA HF200’s Canon Exclusive features - such as the Genuine Canon 15x HD video lens, 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

• Record HD Video Directly to Removable SDHC Memory Card
• Ultra-Sleek, Compact and Lightweight Design
• Genuine Canon 15x HD Video Lens
• Canon Exclusive: 3.89 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
• Canon Exclusive: 2.7” Multi-Angle Vivid Widescreen LCD
• Mini Advanced Accessory Shoe Terminal
• Video Snapshot Mode
• Superb Shooting Control
• Intelligent Lithium-ion Battery
• Built-in 3.3 Megapixel Digital Camera
• HDMI Terminal
• Microphone Terminal with Manual Audio Level Control
• Includes Pixela ImageMixer 3SE Software
• Compatible with Optional WP-V1 Waterproof Case
• Additional Features
• View Sample Videos

Product Specs

Canon HF200’s Review

digitaltrends.com

05/06/09

The Vixia HF200 is purely SDHC card based (no internal memory) so it’s extremely compact and light. Just pop in a $35 16GB Class 4 card and you can record 80 minutes of best quality AVCHD video – more than enough for most events. For the record, the similar HF20 has 32GB of internal memory, but it costs $899.

The AVCHD camcorder is no prize winner in the looks department. It looks fairly ordinary with a combination of silver, gray and black finishes. However, it’s very small, fits comfortably in your palm, and has a very comfy strap. It measures 2.8 x 2.4 x 4.9 (WHD in inches), and weighs 13.8 ounces with the battery. You’ll have no problems carrying it around all the time. Canon calls it their “smallest, lightest HD camcorder” available, but the recently reviewed card-based Sony HDR-CX100 is smaller, lighter and cheaper. It’s just not as good.

Canon VIXIA HF200The front of the squat HF200 is dominated by the zoom, which has lens-shift optical image stabilization. Last year’s Canon Vixia HF100 (now $799 list, $650 real world) was also an SDHC-based model with OIS, but it had a 12x optical zoom; the HF200’s 15x equates to 39.5-592.5mm. This wide focal length will handle everything from close-ups to extreme tele shots. The lens has a built-in cover. Also on the front is the instant AF sensor, a stereo mic, as well as a small LED light and flash. The last item is a welcome addition and a true plus for your stills.

On the right, you’ll find the adjustable strap, a compartment for the USB and mini-HDMI outputs, and a mode dial. With it, you can change between Dual Shot, camera and video. Dual Shot is Canon’s easy mode, allowing you to simply aim-and-forget for photos and videos. Unlike Sonys equivalent mode, you can record at highest video quality in this setting (MXP, 24 Mbps). You can only adjust the zoom, and cannot do any tweaking. The mode dial has to be turned to camera/video to do that.

The top has the power button, a zoom switch, shutter button, and hot shoe for optional mics and lights. On the back is the recessed slot for the battery, a record button, as well as compartments for DC-in to charge the battery, component out and mic in. As always, you’ll live on the left side with the swing-out LCD screen. It’s a 2.7-inch monitor rated 211K pixels – the same as the HF S10. In other words, it’s a very legible screen in most conditions, and if you hit the display button on the body, you can use it in direct sunlight. On the bezel is a four-way controller with center set button, a function key, and main controls such as record, wide/stop, tele/playlist, and playback. Like the HF S10, this camcorder has an excellent menu system. We only wish the main LCD adjustment wasn’t buried so deeply.

On the body is that vital display switch for boosting the LCD brightness, a video snap button, speaker, A/V out/headphone jack and the compartment for the SDHC card. As mentioned earlier, you need Class 4 or greater to record highest quality video (MXP, FXP), so make sure you have one. Or three, with prices so low. You’ll find a metal tripod mount and battery release on the bottom of the Made In Japan camcorder.