Canon FS100 Camcorder Review

The Canon FS100 (MSRP $399) is one of three models in Canon's first ever line of solid state, standard definition camcorders. The other two  step-up models—the Canon FS10 and Canon FS11—include built-in internal flash memory (8GB and 16GB, respectively). But the FS100's reliance solely on SD/SDHC memory cards is just about the only thing setting it apart from the its siblings. You have the same body design, the same lens and sensor, the same features, and the same internal processor—all of which result in the same video performance. It's a video performance that will be good enough for some users, but doesn't quite hold up to the competition. And it certainly can't be expected to compete with Canon's high definition camcorders.

Unfortunately, in a market that's crowded with camcorders vying for their piece of the standard definition pie, the Canon FS100 just doesn't stand out. It has better video performance than cheap YouTube camcorders like the Pure Digital Flip Mino, but it also isn't as small or as easy to use. It may have superior handling and good manual controls, but we like a camcorder that performs well. Similar models from JVC and Panasonic perform better. Then again, when you're dealing with standard def video, personal preference may be more important than performance. And in that case, the Canon FS100 is certainly worth considering.

The Front (6.75)
The FS100 is aesthetically identical to its internal memory cousins, the FS10 and FS11. The front is a simplistic affair, with just a lens, stereo microphone, and LED video light. The star of the show is the 37x optical zoom lens with f/2.0 - f/5.2 aperture range. This is the same lens that the Canon is using on the entire FS series. It features a 2.6 - 96.2mm focal length with the following 35mm equivalents:

- 41.7mm - 2,002mm (16:9 Movies, 48x Advanced Zoom)
- 47.1mm - 1,743mm (16:9 Movies, 37x Optical Zoom)
- 44.6mm - 2,453mm (4:3 Movies, 55x Advanced Zoom)
- 44.6mm - 1,650mm (4:3 Movies, 37x Optical Zoom)
- 45.2mm - 1,672mm (16:9 Still Images)
- 41.5mm - 1,536mm (4:3 Still Images)

Take another look at those figures and you'll notice something called "Advanced Zoom" that goes up to 48x or even 55x zoom. This is some technical wizardry on the part of Canon; the optical zoom is only 37x, but Advanced Zoom digitally manipulates the image up to 55x without deteriorating quality. That, at least, is Canon's claim, and with the standard definition video recorded on the FS100, it seems to be the truth. (See Zoom).

The lens is topped off by an automatic lens enclosure. There is no filter thread for attaching optional lenses or lens hoods.

Below the lens, you will find the large and well-positioned stereo mirophone. The microphone works well, but the camcorder has no options or features to accompany the microphone. To the left is a large video light. It's surprisingly bright if you wake up in a small dark room, but the LED casts a pathetic bluish beam that will do you little good in most low light scenarios.

The front of the FS100 is minimalistic.	The same lens is on the FS10, FS11, and FS100.

The Right Side (5.0)
The right side of the FS100 has a sleek and elegant design. We like the black and dual-silver color scheme, as well as the three different textures. The smooth matte silver that makes up most of the camcorder body is comfortable under your palm. The feature most worthy of the spotlight here is the comfortably padded hand strap, which Canon has incorporated in all of its current consumer camcorders. This hand strap is hefty, constructed of a thick synthetic material, with a breathable lining of padded mesh on the inside. It's rare to find such a comfortable hand strap on an inexpensive, standard definition camcorder. We approve!

Aside from the hand strap, there isn't much to see on the right side. A small light indicates when the camcorder is accessing the memory card or charging. Below this indicator light is a small DC power input. The power jack is an unconventional flat shape and is covered by a robust rubber cover. The cover rotates out of the way for easy access—instead of awkwardly bending like many port covers today.

The right side is largely devoid of features, but it does include a superstar hand strap.

The Back (5.0)
The back of the FS100 has just a single, prominent feature: the impressively large mode dial. In the slimming trend of today's camcorders, the mode dial or mode switch is usually tucked away to make room for other features. On the FS100 (as well as the FS10 and FS11), the mode dial is enormous, but also highly responsive. Just push in the button on the right and rotate to select your mode: Photo, Video, Video Playback, or Photo Playback. In the center of the dial is the glistening Record button. Everything is well within thumb's reach.

What is the FS100 missing in order to accommodate such a dial? Most camcorder use the back as a repository for the battery, which can then be replaced by a larger battery (it lasts longer, but protrudes more from the back). Canon's FS series houses the battery in the bottom of each camcorder, which means an enclosed chamber and no battery upgrading.

Not much to see here: just one big, flashy mode dial.

The Left Side (6.0)
At first glance, the left side is as barren as the rest of the FS100: just a smooth, matte surface of silver. Towards the front, you'll glimpse the LED video light and towards the back is a small power light. Everything else is the back of the camcorder's LCD panel.

The sleek surface of the left side is mostly taken up by the back of the LCD panel.

Which so few controls littering the landscape elsewhere, it's not surprising to open the LCD panel and find a wealth of features hiding inside. Tucked within the cavity are buttons for resetting factory defaults, putting the camcorder in Easy mode, and toggling display information on and off. There are also ports for a microphone input, AV output, and USB, as well the playback speaker. The microphone jack is a nice touch, although you'll be left wishing there was a headphone output as well. There's also no accessory shoe, so this output is intended mostly for handheld microphones.

The LCD panel is also packed with features: a tiny joystick, menu button, and playback controls. The Play/Pause button doubles as a Record Start/Stop button and Rewind/Fast-Forward can also control the zoom—these are handy alternate controls, especially if you want to employ less traditional handholds. The joystick is small, but responsive. (See Handling.)

There are plenty of features in the LCD cavity to break up the minimalistic monotony elsewhere.

The Top (4.25)
The top of the FS100 is adorned largely by a smooth silver surface: the resting place for your fingers when you hold the camcorder in the usual way. There is also a small groove, where your fingers can get an extra bit of grip, but the narrowness of the groove forces you to hold the camcorder in an unnatural grip. This large empty surface is where you would often find either the microphone or the accessory shoe on other camcorders. Canon has wisely mounted its microphone on the front for the entire FS series, so there's no fear of wandering pinkies muffling your sound. However, the large empty space seems like a purely aesthetic decision: the Sony DCR-SR85 fills that space with an accessory shoe, while the Samsung SC-MX20 has a larger rubberized grip for improving your hold on the camcorder.

The top of the FS100 isn't all blank real estate. The indicator lights for power and memory access wrap up from the sides, while a highly reflective chrome surface holds the more interesting controls: the power button, still photography shutter button, and the zoom toggle.

The top of the FS100 is mostly a large smooth surface for resting your fingers and a few important controls, like power and zoom.

The Bottom
The bottom of a traditional consumer camcorder doesn't usually hold anything except for the tripod mount and some stickers. The Canon FS100 has both of those things, but one additional feature: a compartment for housing the battery and SD/SDHC card. A sliding hatch opens to reveal the encolsed battery cavity and the typical spring-loaded SD card slot. It's a little disappointing that the FS100 doesn't have an open-ended cavity for upgrading to larger batteries, but the battery lasted nearly three hours in our battery test, so we imagine you'll be fine just buying a spare.

The bottom of the FS100 doesn't look much different from most camcorders...
...except for the compartment that flips open to reveal the battery and SD/SDHC card slot.