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Canon Vixia HG20

*Est. $655

Reviewed October 2009
Canon Vixia HG20

pros
  • Excellent video, even in low light
  • Stores over five hours of top-quality video
  • Costs less than other hard-drive models
cons
  • Mic picks up unwanted noise
  • No viewfinder or lens ring
  • Short battery life
 
 
Where to Buy
  • eBay

    for $849.99

  • TigerDirect.com

    for $649.99

  • Apple Store

    for $899.95

 
 
 

The Canon Vixia HG20 wows reviewers with its sharp, vibrant footage -- just not quite as much as the newer Canon Vixia HF S10 (*Est. $1,140), which is now the top-rated high-definition camcorder on the market. Still, reviews say you won't be at all disappointed with the HG20's video quality, and its 60 GB hard drive offers the advantage of storing five and a half hours of top-quality video, which can be supplemented by adding SDHC memory cards. The HG20 is also one of the least expensive hard-drive camcorders available. Battery life is a negative, however, with users saying the standard battery supplied with the HG20 lasts only one or two hours. Additionally, reviewers report hearing wind noise, as well as noise from the HG20's hard drive and zoom motor, on their footage. Some wish the Canon had a viewfinder to help when bright sunlight washes out the LCD screen, or a lens ring for manual focus rather than the supplied joystick. Canon does offer an upgraded model with a viewfinder and a bigger 120 GB hard drive, the Canon HG21 (*Est. $800). Both cost much less than the camcorder with the biggest hard drive, the 240 GB Sony Handycam HDR-XR520V (*Est. $1,300).

CamcorderInfo.com's tests are exhaustive, expert and hard to beat, and its review of the Canon Vixia HG20 includes comparisons with several close rivals. Reviews at CNET and the U.K.'s TrustedReviews.com aren't quite as extensive, but they're still detailed. Plenty of user reviews at Amazon.com give a good indication of the HG20's real-life performance.

Where To Buy
 
 
Featured StoresStore RatingNotesTotal Price
eBayeBay rated 4.00 (1176 reviews)1176 store reviewsIn Stock. $849.99
TigerDirect.comTigerDirect.com rated 4.50 (5264 reviews)5264 store reviewsIn Stock. Order Today, Ships Today NEW$649.99
Apple StoreApple Store rated 3.00 (42 reviews)42 store reviewsIn Stock. Fast, free shipping on orders over $50$899.95
 
 
 

Our Sources

1. CamcorderInfo.com

Experts here give the Canon Vixia HG20 very high marks after extensively testing it and comparing it to its direct competition. Canon is "a leader in whatever camcorder category it enters," reviewer David Kender concludes.

Review: Canon Vixia HG20 Camcorder Review, David Kender, Sept. 24, 2008

2. CNET

CNET awards the Canon Vixia HG20 an "excellent" rating of four stars (out of five) and a spot on its list of the best HD camcorders. The reasonably complete review summarizes the HG20's performance in tests, but is less comprehensive than some we've seen.

Review: Canon Vixia HG20, Joshua Goldman and Lori Grunin, Sept. 29, 2008

3. TrustedReviews.com

The Canon HG20 is one of this British site's top recommended camcorders. Tester James Morris rates the camcorder's features, image quality and value, averaging the scores into an overall rating. The written review covers his findings in detail.

Review: Canon HG20 Review, James Morris, Nov. 6, 2008

4. Amazon.com

The Canon Vixia HG20 is one of the top-rated HD camcorders by owners posting at Amazon.com. It averages 4.5 stars (out of five) from about 80 reviewers. Users especially like the video quality and affordable price, although several complain about the short battery life.

Review: Canon Vixia HG20, Contributors to Amazon.com

HD Camcorders Runners Up:

Kodak Zi8 *Est. $180

6 picks including: Amazon.com, PC Advisor…

Panasonic HDC-TM300 *Est. $1,175

5 picks including: CamcorderInfo.com…

Sony Handycam HDR-CX100 *Est. $500

4 picks including: Amazon.com…

Canon Vixia HV40 *Est. $800

4 picks including: About.com, Amazon.com…

Canon Vixia HG20 *Est. $655

3 picks including: Amazon.com, CamcorderInfo.com…

Pure Digital Flip MinoHD *Est. $160

3 picks including: Amazon.com, CamcorderInfo.com…

Kodak Zi6 *Est. $130

2 picks including: Amazon.com, CamcorderInfo.com…

Canon Vixia HF S100 *Est. $1000

2 picks including: Amazon.com, CamcorderInfo.com…

Canon Vixia HG21 *Est. $800

2 picks including: Amazon.com…

Panasonic HDC-HS300 *Est. $1,200

1 pick including: CamcorderInfo.com, Videomaker.com…

     
 
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