Canon Vixia HF11 Camcorder Review

The Canon Vixia HF11 is, in many ways, a minor update to an already highly regarded camcorder. The previous generation HF10 produced some of the best looking video of the year, and definitely the sharpest. The new HF11 promises to outdo even that by increasing the bitrate, making it the first consumer camcorder to record at the AVCHD spec's ceiling of 24Mbps. In truth, the result is a very minor increase in video quality, and most consumers will probably not see a difference. The more compelling value-add may be the increased flash memory capacity, doubling from 16GB to 32GB. Certainly not failing to live up to its pedigree, the Canon HF11 makes a compelling camcorder.

The Front (7.5)
The Canon HF11 is indiscernible from its predecessor, the HF10. Both camcorders are structurally identical, aside from a splash of bronze paint. So, it's no wonder that the front end features a 12x Optical Zoom Canon HD Video lens with a focal length of 4.8mm - 57mm and an aperture range of f/1.8 - f/3.0. The lens has a filter diameter of 37mm.

The HF11's built-in stereo microphone is located beneath the lens, constructed using two metal screens that shroud each pickup. The placement of the microphone here is a wise choice, for the HF11 is too small for the mic to be mounted on top. The Panasonic HDC-SD9 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $579.99) makes that mistake, as your fingers will have quite a time attempting to evade the microphone's placement.  

The Right Side (5.75)
From this side, the HF11 is a dead ringer for the Sony HDR-CX12 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $809.99). Both camcorders feature stealthy black paint and bazooka-inspired architecture. Canon slapped a comfy hand strap on the HF11, equipped with ample padding and a breathable mesh liner on the interior. The hand strap is attached to the body of the camcorder via two rugged D rings that are not going anywhere for a long time.

Canon HF11 (left) and Sony HDR-CX12 (right), side by side.
Can you tell the difference? We had a hard time.

The HF11's mode dial is located toward the back, and can be shifted to Photo mode, Video Record mode, Video Playback, and Photo Playback. You might have to use your left hand to get an adequate grip on the Mode dial because it's hard to operate with the right thumb. The HDMI and USB terminals are located underneath the hand strap, shrouded by a rubberized port cover. The placement here is difficult to access, and hard to find if you're a beginner.

The Back (6.0)
In back, Canon left it simple, just like the HF10. This is one of the few camcorders to feature a flat back, with no batteries or controls jutting out. Aesthetics are part of the plan here, and Canon is appealing to style savvy consumers as well as advanced videographers. The HF11 shares a very similar structure with HDR-CX12—both camcorders look like fraternal twins in back. The battery sits flush with the back of the camcorder and blends with the contours of the architecture.

To the left you'll find two plastic port covers that pull out to reveal the Mic, AV/Headphone, and DC jacks. The design here is not as innovative and sleek as Sony's, but it's still rugged and covert. We do love the port cover on the DC port, though, which extends far out from the body to make way for the power plug. The Record Start/Stop button is easily accessible, located on the right ride of the battery chamber.

The Left Side (5.5)
Here's another "Spot the Differences" feature. The HF11 and HDR-CX12 are looking nearly identical from the left side, but what's that!? Sony added a Cam Control dial to the HDR-CX12. Oh man, between the CX12 and the Panasonic HDC-HS100 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $949.00) and HDC-SD100 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $899.00), Canon's got some fierce competition. Notice the bare nature of the HF11's exterior—no control dial or ring in sight. Once inside the 2.7-inch LCD screen's cavity, a handful of buttons and ports are available. The round Easy and Battery/Display buttons are located at the top, embedded deeply into the frame. These buttons are difficult to press because they are buried into the plastic. The SDHC card slot is guarded by a plastic door that springs up when its Card Open tab is released. The Component terminal is covered by a plastic shield that is attached to the body of the HF11 by a set of thin plastic strips. Again, this is not Sony quality port construction, but its still relatively rugged.

The LCD screen contains a strip of Playback controls and other options: Function, Play/Pause/Record Start/Stop, Rewind/Zoom Out, Fast Forward/Zoom In, Stop/BLC. This is exceedingly useful during Playback. The finicky Joystick is also located on the far left of the LCD panel. Two-handed shooting is the name of the game here, but we'd still like to see a rear-mounted Joystick like the Panasonics of yesteryear.

The Top (5.0)
Up top is where you'll find the ample Zoom toggle located smack dab in the middle, followed by the Photo Capture button. Canon's Zoom toggle is wide and shifts smoothly—it's definitely preferable to JVC's tiny toggles. The On/Off button is located in the finger groove along the left side. Based on the HF11's stacked Mode dial, it makes sense to tack on a separate Power button so the HF11 is not inadvertently switched off while shifting through the Mode dial.

The Mini Advanced Shoe is located toward the back of the HF11, housed by a plastic block that is attached to the camcorder via—you guessed it—two thin plastic strips. This is by far the weakest attachment, so don't pull hard.