Best Reviewed
HD Camcorders
- Best pocket HD camcorder Samsung HMX-W200 *Est. $145
- Best HD camcorder overall Canon Vixia HF G10 *Est. $1400
- Best budget HD camcorder Canon Vixia HF M40 *Est. $475
- 3D-capable camcorder Panasonic HDC-TM900 *Est. $990
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- Excellent video quality
- Stores about 15 hours of HD video
- Viewfinder
- Wind noise easily picked up by mic
- No lens ring
- Short battery life
Although it doesn't have the behemoth 240 GB hard drive of the Sony Handycam HDR-XR520V (Discontinued), reviewers say the Canon Vixia HG20 is a very good HD camcorder. Its 120 GB hard drive holds about 15 hours of HD video -- probably more than enough for most users -- plus even more with added SDHC memory cards, and it costs hundreds less than the Sony. The HG20 is also one of the few camcorders that includes a viewfinder in addition to the standard 2.7-inch LCD screen, although it lacks a lens ring for precise manual control (testers say the joystick control isn't as good). Footage is sharp and vibrant, although not quite as much as the top-rated Canon Vixia HF S10 (Discontinued). Some testers also complain that the battery life is short and that the microphone picks up too much wind noise. The Canon Vixia HG20 (Discontinued) is basically the same camcorder minus the viewfinder, with a 60 GB hard drive.
Macworld and CNET both test the Canon Vixia HG21 and rate it alongside other camcorders. Tests at InfoSyncWorld.com and DigitalTrends.com are more minutely detailed, but also less critical. Amazon.com posts user reviews for most camcorders on the market, including the HG21.
Sony HDR-XR520V 240GB HDD High Definition Camcorder w/12x Optical Zoom
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Canon VIXIA HFS10 HD Dual Flash Memory w/32GB Internal Memory & 10x Optical Zoom - 2009 MODEL
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| Canon VIXIA HG21 AVCHD 120 GB HDD Camcorder with 12x Optical Zoom | |
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Our Sources
Macworld gives the Canon Vixia HG21 one of its highest ratings, praising its small size and high-quality video. This full review does note a few flaws, including the HG21's use of a joystick rather than an analog wheel to run the manual controls.
Review: Canon Vixia HG21 Review, Alex Lindsay, May 1, 2009
2. CNET
This review of the Canon HG21 is more recent than others, yet it compares the camcorder only with older models from Sony and from Canon itself. Still, the testing is fairly complete, and the review agrees with other sources that the HG21 shoots excellent video.
Review: Canon Vixia HG21, Joshua Goldman, Sept. 1, 2009
InfoSyncWorld.com runs myriad tests on the Canon HG21's image quality (including color, detail, sharpness, motion and several low-light tests) as well as its features, design and more. The camcorder earns a "very good" score of 84 percent, with "exceptional video quality" in all but low light.
Review: Canon HG21 Review, Mike Perlman, Nov. 7, 2008
The Canon Vixia HG21 "is in the top ranks of 2008 consumer camcorders," this review concludes. Testers say it shoots terrific video, but the battery life is short.
Review: Canon Vixia HG21 Review, David Elrich, Sept. 30, 2008
5. Amazon.com
The Canon Vixia HG21 earns a very high average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars in more than 25 owner reviews here. Users are very impressed with the video quality.
Review: Canon Vixia HG21, Contributors to Amazon.com
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