HF100 vs HG20

[zeroice]

Hi guys,
being a long advocate of HF100, i'm facing a dillema now since HG20 is gone down in price!

We have (cheapest top)
HF100 ($580)
HG20 ($640)
HF10 ($650)

HF100 has no internal flash, 17mbps rate
HG20 has a 60GB HDD and 24mbps rate
HF10 has 16GB internal flash, 17mbps rate

Optics are the same for all models, the nobrainer here seems the HG20 indeed, what experiences have you had with this camera until now?
Thanks for a quick reply, i need to decide by tonight!

[tianuk]

Originally Posted by zeroice

Hi guys,
being a long advocate of HF100, i'm facing a dillema now since HG20 is gone down in price!

We have (cheapest top)
HF100 ($580)
HG20 ($640)
HF10 ($650)

HF100 has no internal flash, 17mbps rate
HG20 has a 60GB HDD and 24mbps rate
HF10 has 16GB internal flash, 17mbps rate

Optics are the same for all models, the nobrainer here seems the HG20 indeed, what experiences have you had with this camera until now?
Thanks for a quick reply, i need to decide by tonight!

Thought this was a UK only site? lol no worries , I wouldn't be able to advise you on the prices, but I'm going to get a HF100. It depends what you want really. I personally think flash memory is the way forward now.

Also HDD break at high altitude (3000m+) so I don't want to risk that if I travel with it.

[zeroice]

hehe, i was going to get the HF100 myself, until i saw the prices last night. As far as HD problems go, you can always resort to SDHC...

basically for $60 more you have 60GB storage and 24mbps bitrates. damn i'm confused

i read lately that there are some editing issues with HDD cams, what's this all about?
the SDHC version does not have these issues or how come? Seems strange the storage media plays a role in editing the footage, since it's done after the transfer to PC anyway

edit: probably the advantage of 24 vs 17mbps is not what most people expect, but on the 60GB HDD you can stick ~ 7hrs of footage in 17mbps.
7 hrs are equivalent to ~ 4 16GB SD cards, atm more than $200 in total. From this point of view, having this storage for $60 more is definately a plus.

How about battery life? Should i expect lower life from a HDD cam than from Flash/SD based?
I'm all panic since there's someone coming over from the US next week and can bring over a cam...
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...VCHD_Hard.html

[zeroice]

oh God! just when i thought i sorted it out...the price on HF100 dropped as well:
Canon | VIXIA HF-100 AVCHD Flash Memory Camcorder | 2708B001

now a $100 difference between HF100 and HG20 :D

[tianuk]

Originally Posted by zeroice

hehe, i was going to get the HF100 myself, until i saw the prices last night. As far as HD problems go, you can always resort to SDHC...

basically for $60 more you have 60GB storage and 24mbps bitrates. damn i'm confused

i read lately that there are some editing issues with HDD cams, what's this all about?
the SDHC version does not have these issues or how come? Seems strange the storage media plays a role in editing the footage, since it's done after the transfer to PC anyway

edit: probably the advantage of 24 vs 17mbps is not what most people expect, but on the 60GB HDD you can stick ~ 7hrs of footage in 17mbps.
7 hrs are equivalent to ~ 4 16GB SD cards, atm more than $200 in total. From this point of view, having this storage for $60 more is definately a plus.

How about battery life? Should i expect lower life from a HDD cam than from Flash/SD based?
I'm all panic since there's someone coming over from the US next week and can bring over a cam...
Canon | VIXIA HG20 AVCHD Hard Disk Drive Camcorder | 3085B001

Just from physics I would expect you to have less battery life with a HDD cam over a SD cam, however it also depends upon which battery is supplied and the energy efficiency of the camera itself.

I understand your predicament, if space is an issue go for the HG20, I just like being able to remove and store my memory safely after I have recorded onto it. If I was just using my camcorder for home use I would go with the HG20, but as I am using flash memory I will remove it each time so that I can make sure that I never lose my videos when I travel

[zeroice]

yay, couldn't handle it anymore and got the HG20
will post infos about it in the HG20/21 thread if anyone is interested.

[senu]

Originally Posted by zeroice

yay, couldn't handle it anymore and got the HG20
will post infos about it in the HG20/21 thread if anyone is interested.

Pls do
I trialled the HG10 and thoroughly enjoyed it but Canon have launched 4-5 new models since than including the HG20

[zeroice]

senu, just noticed there's no HG20/21 thread...at least in the camcorder section. I'll open one when i get myself together to write a small review

[Mr Lazy]

Originally Posted by zeroice

senu, just noticed there's no HG20/21 thread...at least in the camcorder section. I'll open one when i get myself together to write a small review

Unless you count this one that is:
Canon announce HG20 and HG21