Canon HF20/HF200 owners thread.

[cydiamante]

I decided to start this new thread because i have been searching the web for the past couple of months on information on the new Canon HF200 and could not get any straight answers.

After reading CamcorderInfo's review, I was somewhat puzzled. Throughout the review they kept going saying that the HF200 had very similar PQ to its big brother the HFS100. In the conclusion though they stated that the HF20 was a major downgrade from last years HF11.

I'm am currently a proud owner of a Canon HV20 which I have had for almost 3 years. I decided so buy this cam after thorough research and basing my decision mostly on CamcorderInfo's review. The HV20 has been a benchmark for others to follow. Rightfully so, the picture quality is stunning!

I jumped the gun and ordered the HF200 a few days ago because I need a smaller camera for a trip that I going on in the Summer and I also did not want to deviate for the HV20's quality and also not want to spend a fortune.

After doing some filming with my new toy today and playing it back on my 50 inch Panasonic plasma, I have to say that the quality is AMAZING! The colors pop more than the HV20 and the sharpness is notably better. I can say without any hesitation that it shoots more impressive and crisper images than the HV20 at least in daylight. I have not done any night time tests because they do not interest me.

If anyone is thinking of buying this cam I highly recommend that you do so, you will not be disappointed. I don't think that anything near that price can produce such images.

I hope you guys find my findings useful because I could not get a straight answer from anyone on the web while I was searching to decide for this purchase.

[johndoe77ie]

Im tempted to buy one of these but im a bit dubiuos of the low light perfomance given the smaller cmos compared to the hf100/10 so any input from owners would be appreciated....

[lasty82]

Originally Posted by johndoe77ie

Im tempted to buy one of these but im a bit dubiuos of the low light perfomance given the smaller cmos compared to the hf100/10 so any input from owners would be appreciated....

If you go on youtube and look up canon hf200 low light footage and watch in HD you will notice that there really isn't a problem with low light like a lot of reviews have said. I believe there is a problem when it is put on auto settings in low if you use manual settings then there is a huge difference in quality

I hope this helps, I have just ordered this camcorder hopefully it will turn up this week.

[lasty82]

I have just recieved my canon hf200 and just finished charging it up. I'm not sure if i have some settings wrong but its currently in dual mode.

I was just filming downstairs and the screen looks really grainy when I am filming in low light lots of flashing pixels. I then connected it to my tv using the hdmi lead and I wasnt impressed didnt look good at all.

I will check tomorrow in daylight if there is any issues.

Do you reckon I have a faulty unit ?

Thanks

[A n d r e w]

Define "low light."

[lasty82]

Originally Posted by A n d r e w

Define "low light."

Well I had my dining room lights on and the footage was very grainy. I am going to have a play with it tonight and see how I go.

1 problem I have noticed is that when i am filiming inside and play it back on my tv the sound is all echoe any idea why that it is?

I have just been filming some footage in the garden and I am very impressed. I cant believe how good the footage is and the level of detail the camcorder pics up, it has really blown me away.

[A n d r e w]

I doubt that it's faulty. Almost all of the current crop of consumer camcorders struggle at least a little in average indoor artificial lighting.

[Chappers78]

Just got one of these myself. It's my first camcorder, bought to capture my first child's moments.

Quite pleased with it so far - daytime footage using just the auto settings on max quality looks pretty damn good to me played through my PS3.

Would like some advice regarding optimum settings/general advice for low light shooting. Will mainly be filming in a 6 x 3.5m room illuminated by 2 x 40watt table lamps positioned about 0.75m from long back wall about 3m apart, either side of the sofa. Main focal point will be in front of said sofa.

[fatrich]

The HF200 seems to be low in stock at most suppliers, ive just ordered a one from Jessops (to collect in store) web price is £599.00 - a 5% discount code = £569.05 - £50.00 cash back from Canon total price £519.05, i know i could of got it £20 to £30 cheaper online but too many horror stories about at the moment and at least i get my hands on it tomorrow when i go to collect it and return it if i have any problems..... just need to source some SDHC cards out at a reasonable price.

regards

richard

[lasty82]

Originally Posted by fatrich

The HF200 seems to be low in stock at most suppliers, ive just ordered a one from Jessops (to collect in store) web price is £599.00 - a 5% discount code = £569.05 - £50.00 cash back from Canon total price £519.05, i know i could of got it £20 to £30 cheaper online but too many horror stories about at the moment and at least i get my hands on it tomorrow when i go to collect it and return it if i have any problems..... just need to source some SDHC cards out at a reasonable price.

regards

richard

Try Jackofallgames, Video Games and Console Specialist . They have it in stock £529.99 or £479.99 if canon still doing the £50 cashback.

I ordered my camcorder on a thursday and it arrived the following tuesday I cant fault the company at all, you can also pay via paypal so if you get any problems just dispute it.

[lasty82]

I have had my camcorder over a week now and I am very impressed with the picture quality.

I just had one problem when I view the footage back on my lcd tv the wind noise is very loud and seems to ruin the footage that i have shot.

Is this common or is there a setting or something i can buy to reduce the wind noise.

Thanks

David

[Kamanchi]

Hi I've just picked mine up from Currys. Im a little disappointed so far, It is grainy at lowish light but what I am concerned about is the information Currys gave me before I bought it. Firstly they said it had 3 censors for RGB and said it was full HD 1080p. I've only had a little mess about with it but in the settings I can only see a 1080i option. Im going to have a proper play with it tomorrow afternoon. Can anyone confirm the censor and the 1080p query?

Cheers

[loz]

Originally Posted by Kamanchi

Hi I've just picked mine up from Currys. Im a little disappointed so far, It is grainy at lowish light but what I am concerned about is the information Currys gave me before I bought it. Firstly they said it had 3 censors for RGB and said it was full HD 1080p. I've only had a little mess about with it but in the settings I can only see a 1080i option. Im going to have a proper play with it tomorrow afternoon. Can anyone confirm the censor and the 1080p query?

Cheers

1 sensor, not 3
1080p, yes
Canon LEGRIA HF20 HD Camcorder - Canon UK

[Kamanchi]

Originally Posted by loz

1 sensor, not 3
1080p, yes
Canon LEGRIA HF20 HD Camcorder - Canon UK

1 Sensor yes
1080p no.

It's definitely only 1080i I'm a bit peed off now Im thinking about taking it back and getting the SD200.

[loz]

Originally Posted by Kamanchi

1 Sensor yes
1080p no.

It's definitely only 1080i I'm a bit peed off now Im thinking about taking it back and getting the SD200.

I don't have one, but everything I have read about it says it does do 1080p 25p

e.g.

Canon LEGRIA HF20 Review - Camcorder Reviews - TrustedReviews

Further sweetening the deal, progressive scanning is available via 25pf mode,

Canon LEGRIA HF20 HD Camcorder - Canon UK

25p Cinema Mode

In specs:
Progressive shooting mode: YES (25p)