Canon Debuts First High Definition Solid State Camcorders: HF10 and HF100by David KenderPublished on Jan 7, 2008 8:00 AM 
|
|
 Canon News Coverage |
Canon High Def HDV Camcorders |
Canon Standard Def Solid State Camcoder |
Canon Standard Def MiniDV Camcorders |
 |
|
|
The new Canon HF10 records to SDHC cards |
|
Both the HF100 and HF100 are officially tagged with the prefix “Vixia,” Canon’s new name for their entire high definition line-up. The HDD-based HG10 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $1299.99) and DVD-based HR10 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $0.00) will be carried over into the new year, but will be back-dated to incorporate the Vixia name.
The new solid state HD camcorders are identical to each other in most regards. Both are equipped with a 1/3.2-inch CMOS chip with a gross pixel count of 3.3 megapixels. Unlike previous AVCHD camcorders, the HF100 and HF10 now shoots in “full HD,” 1920 x 1080 rather than 1440 x 1080. The maximum bit rate has been increased to 17Mbps.
In addition to recording 24P and 60i, the HF10, HF100, and the HDV-based HV30 camcorder, offer a new feature for 2008 that comes out of hibernation - 30P capture. When asked why Canon returned 30P recording for its camcorders after years of absence, Mitch Glick, assistant manager of Product Marketing, Consumer Division for Canon USA, stated, “We recognize that people want to do a lot of web video work. Typically, when people are doing compression for the web, you’re compressing at 15fps. If you’re at 30fps, you’re only pulling out every other frame. It holds the quality together better.”
The HF100 and HF10 have 12x optical zoom lenses. Unlike the new standard definition camcorders, they do not include the Advanced Zoom feature. They do have the Super Range OIS (optical image stabilization) and the Instant Auto Focus system employed on their HDD and DVD cousin models to speed up auto focus time. The two camcorders also possess a “Vivid” LCD that prevents solarizing at angles.
Canon HF100
Complete Canon HF100 Photo Gallery
There is good and bad news for the audio features. On the plus side, the HF100 and HF10 have mic jacks and audio level control. Canon, however, has taken Sony’s route for accessory shoes and shrunk them to a smaller size that will fit only Canon products. This will severely limit the options for onboard audio and lighting accessories, particularly if people wish to use existing equipment. Canon has no plans at this time to offer an adapter. They are, however, in the stages of planning their own line of accessories for the new fit. The DM100 microphone is first out of the gate, a mini-shotgun with a fur windscreen, along with a video light. Both camcorders have smaller LED lights built in.
The HF100 and HF10 capture stills up to 2048 x 1536, about 3.1 megapixels. The camcorders operate primarily by the joystick, and once again, feature a full complement of manual controls, including focus, exposure, Aperture and Shutter Priority modes, Program AE modes, white balance, and more.
Both camcorders will ship with an Intelligent lithium ion battery which indicates the remaining life in minutes. Ports include HDMI and component for high definition output.
An 8GB SDHC card in the HF100 could store up to 3 hours of video at the lowest quality setting. The added benefit of a 16GB internal flash memory drive in the HF10 is greatly increased recording time. The internal memory alone can hold up to 6 hours at the lowest quality.
The HF100 retails for $899, and the HF10 for $1099. Both will ship in late April.