Canon HG10 Camcorder Reviewby David KenderPublished on Aug 9, 2007 8:40 AM 
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Comparison
Canon HV20 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $903)
This is like comparing Optimus Prime to Rodimus Prime (those unfamiliar with Transformers lore should still be able to follow along). When the HV20 ($1099 MSRP) was introduced back in March, it set a new high watermark with its true 24P and brilliant HD video performance. In terms of handling and construction, the HV20 suffered a bit when pinned against its HDV rival, the Sony HDR-HC7 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $1128.56). Nevertheless, it proved itself the best and most qualified leader.
Then along comes Canon’s first HDD camcorder—the HG10 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $1299.99). Some handling and construction issues have been corrected with the inclusion of the LCD control dial and prosumer grade rocking zoom toggle. The HG10 is like Rodimus Prime—sexier and more compelling than the HV20, at least on the surface. However, the HG10’s 24P mode is rife with motion blurring and ghosting, most likely due to its AVCHD codec, rendering the whole feature all but unusable. The HG10 may appear to be a stalwart HDD stand-in for a legendary HDV leader, but no one beats Optimus Prime, and no one beats the HV20. Also, the HV20 is 200 smackers less than the HG10, so come on.
Sony HDR-SR1 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $1119.99)
One of the world’s first AVCHD camcorders, the Sony HDR-SR1 ($1499 MSRP) was a welcome advancement to a brand spanking new format that allowed the capture of HD quality video to consumer-oriented media, hard disk drive. This HDD bad boy features a 1/3-inch ClearVID CMOS chip that produces a decent bright light performance with fair low light capabilities. The HG10 offers an AVCHD version of the HV20’s video performance, which was the best we’ve seen all year. Yes, you’ll have to deal with AVCHD’s artifacting and motion trailing with both camcorders, so let’s talk handling. The HG10 is a solid contender with its LCD control wheel and prosumer-esque zoom rocker. It’s also smaller and lighter than the HDR-SR1. However, the HDR-SR1 features a whopping 3.5-inch wide LCD screen and a cam control ring. This may well funnel down to brand loyalty here. We’re sticking with the Canon HG10. On the whole, Canon’s video performance was better, and that’s what counts most.
Sony HDR-SR7 (Specs, Recent News, $1399)
The Sony HDR-SR7 ($1399 MSRP) is the HG10’s archrival. It flaunts a 1/2.9-inch ClearVID CMOS chip with an image strikingly similar to the HDR-SR1. Unfortunately, it will be difficult for any manufacturer to match Canon’s AVCHD imaging with the HG10. Both camcorders feature mic and headphone jacks, but the HDR-SR7 has a better port layout spanning the right side of the camcorder. As stated numerous times in this review (we’re just too excited about them!), the HG10 is equipped with an LCD control dial and prosumer grade zoom rocker. Sure, the HDR-SR7 has a similar dial, but it’s not as well-placed or well-integrated into the overall handling. The Sony HDR-SR7 is easier to use if you’re a raw beginner, but after a few miles of shooting behind you, the Canon HG10 tips the scale.
JVC GZ-HD3 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $1279.00)
We don’t know much about the JVC GZ-HD3. Based on the pictures and specs so far, it looks like a watered-down GZ-HD7 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $1529). The GZ-HD3 features three CCDs, a focus assist button, and a 60GB HDD. We do know that the HG10 surpassed the GZ-HD7 in terms of video performance by a fair amount. The GZ-HD7 employed a new type of compression, an MPEG-2 Transport Stream at a full 1920 x 1080. The quality was relatively high, but there was trouble getting the footage to read in editing software. The GZ-HD3 records in a lower resolution, anamorphic 1440 x 1080, which is then stretched to fit on your TV. However, the footage is compatible with any software that can work with HDV. The GZ-HD3 looks promising, but so did the GZ-HD7, and that let us down with image quality. Right now, we’re siding with the HG10.
Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters
There’s no need for tapes or discs, you can record over five hours of footage in the highest quality, and the handling is highly conducive to a long day at the Shriners parade. Point-and-shooters are in for a treat if they can figure out how to back up their AVCHD footage, wade through the HG10’s extensive menu, and make manual adjustments.
Budget Consumers
The only budget-worthy HD camcorder is the HV20, and in our eyes, it’s the best. As far as AVCHD goes, don’t expect anything below four digits, but the HG10 is cheaper than most AVCHD camcorders.
Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid
Like the HV20, the still photo set is decent. The HG10 can record still images to a MiniSD card or to the HDD. This is still no substitute for a dedicated digital still camera.
Gadget Freaks
Gadget freaks will host a gadget freak-out party when they get a hold of the HG10, with its LCD control dial and prosumer grade zoom toggle. 24P mode will tickle their fancy, and although the HG10 utilizes the most difficult format of all—AVCHD—gadget freaks love technology that plays hard-to-get.
Manual Control Freaks
The Canon HG10 has a killer manual control set and excellent handling to match: Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, exposure compensation, focus, a host of white balance options, Program AE modes, and several more options are all included.
Pros / Serious Hobbyists
We mentioned that the HV20 could be used as B-roll for a project shot with an XH A1 (Specs, Recent News, $3279.99). This is not the case with the HG10, given the inferior AVCHD codec. In a few years, we have no doubt that the codec will mature, but for now we’re still seeing motion blurring. And for whatever reason, likely the codec, the 24P mode is too stuttery to use.
So what, in the end, did we think about Canon’s first HDD camcorder and their first AVCHD camcorder in our labs? Simply put, we are very impressed. Canon has taken the camcorder industry and made it theirs this year. It doesn’t try to compete with Sony on volume, which is a wise move. In its own words, Canon is quite conservative. It watches and waits to see what people want, then put all its technology into just a few models. The HV20 was absolutely the best HDV camcorder we’ve seen this year (no, not best ever. The Sony HDR-HC1 (Specs, $2295) still has a special place in our hearts.). Having designed an imager it can stand behind, Canon went ahead and installed it in both its high definition HDD and DVD camcorders.
The HG10 carried over most of the good performance we saw on the HV20. Then it made the construction studier and designed an entirely novel interface, including the pro-grade zoom rocker and the free-spinning control dial on the LCD panel. This is smart design through and through.
The bad news? The 24P mode is virtually unusable due to severe stuttering. This was a big selling point on the HV20, where it worked just fine. Not only does this mean the loss of that 24P-look some filmmakers so desperately want, it also takes its toll on low light performance. More bad news. As much as we like this camcorder, AVCHD still does not render motion as well as HDV. And then the final bad news. While a number of NLEs are now offering AVCHD support, actually working with the files is an maddeningly painful and time-consuming process, and will likely remain that way for another year or so.
If you’re in the market for an HDD camcorder, the Canon HG10 is the best on the market. If you’re in the market for an AVCHD camcorder, the HG10 offers the highest video quality we’ve seen so far. At an MSRP of $1299, you’re certainly paying dearly for the privilege, but if you walk in armed with the pros and cons, we think you’ll be pleased.