Thanks for a very complete review. Will forward this to my son, who bought an HF20 and is expecting hsi first child any day now. Nice to know that switching to 24p seems to solve many of the low light complaints.
This is THE BEST review i ever saw for vixia HF200. You have covered a lot of points in detail which the others havent. e.g. the 3 second recording feature and its real purpose (rather than other reviewers who havent). I have ordered a HF20 and might come up with some more questions. Let me know if I can ask / subscribe to your videos. Again fantastic review.
I use an iMac with Final Cut Express HD running on it and I haven't run into any problems with AVCHD files. I'm not sure how a PC would handle it. The microphone is a Sony ECM-Z37C and the bracket is a Haida HD1110 Camera Flash Bracket. It just happens to work great for holding a mic. Thanks for your comment.
When you switch to manual focus with the toggle the toggle acts as your focus wheel. Move it left to focus close up and right to focus farther away. Seems a strange way to do it for those of us used to a focus wheel but it works.
@millsy351 It's not hard to use the manual focus. The toggle on the LCD is used instead of a focus ring and it has a focus assist. I wouldn't recommend it for street use though, it would take to long to get the focus right.
Thanks. Glad you found my review useful. If you're shooting your kids I'd keep it in AE unless it's overcast. Then shutter priority would be the way to go. I shot the football game like that and it looked good.
@kitkat39 I turned off the digital zoom. I don't use it and don't think any video camera can do it well. The HF200 does stay sharp throughout it's optic zoom range. Glad you liked the review and thanks for your comment.
Thanks for your feedback. I use Final Cut Pro for all my video editing. Heard a lot of great things about Vegas so would love to give it a try someday. That and Adobe Premiere.
the focus problem on that one shot was the lake in the background. Even tho you zoom in, the sun is still gleaming out any chance of finding a focal point
@rsmms Tapes are perfect if you ant to archive your footage. Much more so than anything digital. I do prefer the ease of SD cards though. It's kind of a personal preference thing. Both of the cameras you mentioned are good although I've shoot with only an HV30.
Very helpful. I have this camera and My videos aren't super sharp. Are you using the auto focus? What frame rate are you set at? How is your camera set up to get such sharp video? Thanks, Sharon
Hi Glen, Thanks for this review. I'm in the market for a new camcorder. At the moment I own the old Canon DC230 (Mini dvd) My wife and I are trying to decide between the Canon HF200 and the Sony CX150. I cannot find any reviews on the Sony CX150. Could you please do a review on the Sony CX150 and wich would you prefer between Canon and Sony. Thanks.
Awesome review! Great with a lot of samples, and an occasional funny image here and there... The 3 second feature sounds really useful too. I think I'll get me one of these. It would be cool if you did reviews of some of the 35 mm adapters too. I'm not sure if they are any different... thanks a lot! :)
turn off the instant focus to avoid that focus problem. It has an IR assist focus lens (the little side square lens) and the camera will give it priority when on and when it cant find something to bounce the IR off of, it will do a weird seek thing. Great for normal use but not ultra wide scenes like that. Even a camera this old (now) still is on par with today with exception of it being about 2x fat.
The camera shoots in AVCHD format and uses a .MTS extension. You won't be able to view them as video files until you import them into a video editing or file conversion program and save them to a different format. There are some free programs out there that could do this for you. Are you using a Mac or a PC?
@Phunk123 I haven't had a chance to shoot with that SONY but have used SONY's many times and have been happy with the quality. If I ever get my hands on a CX150 I'll definitely do a review.
Great review. I learned a lot. I have the camera myself and now I am even more pleased. It is to shift the settings though. No need to use auto. I use sony vegas pro 9 as a video editor for the avchd media. What do you use yourself?
I've used Pinnacle before with good results. I'd hate to see you have to spend more than you need to but it's not to expensive. I'll have a look at your problem and try to give you a better answer this weekend.
@tttnytttny I think what you need is the proper software. All your doing is viewing the camera remotely. Hooking it up with a USB port is fine but you need a decent program to record the images with. Photo Booth on a Mac can do it, are you on a PC?
@sharonstahl Hi Sharon. This video was shot using the highest quality (MXP) Vivid Color in cinema mode at 30pf with the Image Stabilizer on. I used auto focus for most of what you see in this video and have found the manual focus to be pretty good once you get used to it. I still use this camera every week for something. It's size and quality make it handy.
The HF20 does not have an internal hard drive, it has internal flash memory. As to light sensitivity, the prior generation HF100/10/11 is almost twice more sensitive. It does not matter whether one uses 24p with slow shutter speed or not, more sensitive is more sensitive. Good review overall, thanks.
@rawproduktionz I use Class 6 cards (it won't accept Class 10). SanDisk, Lexar, and Panasonic have all worked great for me. Stay away from cheap cards or Class 2.
I love your review, but I have one question that I just can't seem to find answer for. Vixia records in 60i, and not in 50p like "european" standard cameras. But what is the difference? Every camera here in Europe has 50p standard and everybody tells me not to buy 60i because it is interlaced and it records lesser quality videos.Every video that I would take with this camera would end up in Adobe Premiere and then export it in probably 720p,24/25/30fps format. Would you recommend me this camera?
This was great! Thanks for sharing! =) i'm totally looking at getting this camcorder. How is the zoom on it? Does it still stay relatively sharp even when it gets into the digital zoom?
It would be hard to say what the problem is. I've never used the software that came with the camera and I've always believed supplied software is not the best. Are you using a PC? Have you tried Movie Maker?
Actually, dont spend a penny, Handbrake is a free program for PC and Mac, and can convert the video to a mpeg format, while still retaining all of the quality. It even de-interlaces the footage as well.
@markosborne10 Export your movie from your editing program at the best setting possible before you upload it to RUclips. I shoot at 720/30p and keep the frame rate at 30 or 60. I used the H.264 codec as well.
Nice review!! Does this have built-in bluetooth wireless? ...So could I connect a standard bluetooth headset to the camcorder and use it for audio recording, microphone?
I'm seeing your're into cameras so i have a question so maybe you or anyone can help me wich it the best camera : GY-HM100U (JVC) or HDR-XR520VE (SONY). Thank you
I've used this camcorder for years, it served me well as I shot 100's of videos with it. One day I dropped it and the LCD screen broke. I ended up buying a higher end CANON camcorder but the ole HF200 was my first real digital camcorder and I was very happy with it. I'd still be using it if the LCD screen could be replaced. (at a low cost)
![[Beginners Guide] Canon Vixia HF20](/img/1.gif)
i think this is the best review iv ever seen on anything
Awesome review guy
Wow, excellent review. Thanks for that...
Very informative review, great work. I subscribed.
great review
Nice review dude. I appreciate the time it took and will watch again if you do more.
Thanks for a very complete review. Will forward this to my son, who bought an HF20 and is expecting hsi first child any day now. Nice to know that switching to 24p seems to solve many of the low light complaints.
I echo many of the other comments, this is an excellent, informative and well edited review. Thanks for taking the time to produce it.
I started to lose interest in the camera, but I kept watching because the review was so well done.
This is THE BEST review i ever saw for vixia HF200. You have covered a lot of points in detail which the others havent. e.g. the 3 second recording feature and its real purpose (rather than other reviewers who havent). I have ordered a HF20 and might come up with some more questions. Let me know if I can ask / subscribe to your videos. Again fantastic review.
I use an iMac with Final Cut Express HD running on it and I haven't run into any problems with AVCHD files. I'm not sure how a PC would handle it. The microphone is a Sony ECM-Z37C and the bracket is a Haida HD1110 Camera Flash Bracket. It just happens to work great for holding a mic. Thanks for your comment.
keep up this style of reviews. It's super helpful in finding out real-life handling of the final product versus what is stated on paper.
When you switch to manual focus with the toggle the toggle acts as your focus wheel. Move it left to focus close up and right to focus farther away. Seems a strange way to do it for those of us used to a focus wheel but it works.
omg...is this Halifax? I saw the Husky of SMU...
@millsy351 It's not hard to use the manual focus. The toggle on the LCD is used instead of a focus ring and it has a focus assist. I wouldn't recommend it for street use though, it would take to long to get the focus right.
hey awesome review really what i was looking for. i just want to know whether you can manual focus with the camera
Thanks. Glad you liked the review. I used the XH A1 just to show the HF200 isn't to bad when it comes to image quality.
Thanks. Glad you found my review useful. If you're shooting your kids I'd keep it in AE unless it's overcast. Then shutter priority would be the way to go. I shot the football game like that and it looked good.
@kitkat39 I turned off the digital zoom. I don't use it and don't think any video camera can do it well. The HF200 does stay sharp throughout it's optic zoom range. Glad you liked the review and thanks for your comment.
Thank you so much for sharing! Great video creation! Super informative test video! Good day!
👍🍀🇭🇺🌞☝️
Thanks for your feedback. I use Final Cut Pro for all my video editing. Heard a lot of great things about Vegas so would love to give it a try someday. That and Adobe Premiere.
You can tell when a professional does a review.
Thank you for the great information.
the focus problem on that one shot was the lake in the background. Even tho you zoom in, the sun is still gleaming out any chance of finding a focal point
@rsmms Tapes are perfect if you ant to archive your footage. Much more so than anything digital. I do prefer the ease of SD cards though. It's kind of a personal preference thing. Both of the cameras you mentioned are good although I've shoot with only an HV30.
how to get rid of the wind? i planning to buy this camera because it's awesome!
btw, great review. you convince me more man. thanks.
Thanks, glad you liked it and hope it was useful.
Best review I've seen for the HF200 - Thanks!
Very helpful. I have this camera and My videos aren't super sharp. Are you using the auto focus? What frame rate are you set at? How is your camera set up to get such sharp video?
Thanks,
Sharon
hey great review do you need an hdmi cord to import since no firewire or is there another way?
Hi Glen, Thanks for this review. I'm in the market for a new camcorder. At the moment I own the old Canon DC230 (Mini dvd) My wife and I are trying to decide between the Canon HF200 and the Sony CX150. I cannot find any reviews on the Sony CX150. Could you please do a review on the Sony CX150 and wich would you prefer between Canon and Sony. Thanks.
Awesome review! Great with a lot of samples, and an occasional funny image here and there... The 3 second feature sounds really useful too. I think I'll get me one of these. It would be cool if you did reviews of some of the 35 mm adapters too. I'm not sure if they are any different... thanks a lot! :)
turn off the instant focus to avoid that focus problem. It has an IR assist focus lens (the little side square lens) and the camera will give it priority when on and when it cant find something to bounce the IR off of, it will do a weird seek thing. Great for normal use but not ultra wide scenes like that. Even a camera this old (now) still is on par with today with exception of it being about 2x fat.
Thanks for the insight!
So what lights and microphones would you suggest using for the advanced hot shoe?
Thanks again!
The camera shoots in AVCHD format and uses a .MTS extension. You won't be able to view them as video files until you import them into a video editing or file conversion program and save them to a different format. There are some free programs out there that could do this for you. Are you using a Mac or a PC?
@Phunk123 I haven't had a chance to shoot with that SONY but have used SONY's many times and have been happy with the quality. If I ever get my hands on a CX150 I'll definitely do a review.
Great review. I learned a lot. I have the camera myself and now I am even more pleased. It is to shift the settings though. No need to use auto. I use sony vegas pro 9 as a video editor for the avchd media. What do you use yourself?
I've used Pinnacle before with good results. I'd hate to see you have to spend more than you need to but it's not to expensive. I'll have a look at your problem and try to give you a better answer this weekend.
@nudzak4 It has a vivid color setting in the menu. That worked good for me. The football stuff in the video was all shot at PF30 Programmed AE.
@tttnytttny I think what you need is the proper software. All your doing is viewing the camera remotely. Hooking it up with a USB port is fine but you need a decent program to record the images with. Photo Booth on a Mac can do it, are you on a PC?
@christocherian Thanks. Glad you liked it.
@itscaseplace Yes you can manual focus with it.
can you have the bracket attached to the camcorder with the mic on it and have it on a tripod at the same time?
Excellent camcorder review I've seen so far.. Thank you
@sharonstahl Hi Sharon. This video was shot using the highest quality (MXP) Vivid Color in cinema mode at 30pf with the Image Stabilizer on. I used auto focus for most of what you see in this video and have found the manual focus to be pretty good once you get used to it. I still use this camera every week for something. It's size and quality make it handy.
what settings would you reccomend for skateboarding outdoors ? i am looking to get sharp vivid colors
@Domitruco It's just a Sony mic with a 1/8" plug. It cost about $50.
@Piratepiracy I actually use a 100U and think it's a great cam. Never tried the other one so can't say for sure which is better.
I have the Canon HF200, but I am having a hard time finding a suitable SDHC card. What SDHC card do I need to shoot the highest video quality?
The HF20 does not have an internal hard drive, it has internal flash memory. As to light sensitivity, the prior generation HF100/10/11 is almost twice more sensitive. It does not matter whether one uses 24p with slow shutter speed or not, more sensitive is more sensitive. Good review overall, thanks.
@rawproduktionz I use Class 6 cards (it won't accept Class 10). SanDisk, Lexar, and Panasonic have all worked great for me. Stay away from cheap cards or Class 2.
Great Review,,,I have the HF 20 and love it,,awsome camera
I'm thinking of buying this camera used...how does it compare to what is out now in 2015?..
I love your review, but I have one question that I just can't seem to find answer for. Vixia records in 60i, and not in 50p like "european" standard cameras. But what is the difference? Every camera here in Europe has 50p standard and everybody tells me not to buy 60i because it is interlaced and it records lesser quality videos.Every video that I would take with this camera would end up in Adobe Premiere and then export it in probably 720p,24/25/30fps format. Would you recommend me this camera?
This was great! Thanks for sharing! =) i'm totally looking at getting this camcorder. How is the zoom on it? Does it still stay relatively sharp even when it gets into the digital zoom?
It would be hard to say what the problem is. I've never used the software that came with the camera and I've always believed supplied software is not the best. Are you using a PC? Have you tried Movie Maker?
what video format you use to add your video on youtube on the canon
Is this camera in the same range as the Canon HF M300?
I take the card out and use a USB 2.0 card reader. The camera has a USB connector I just find it easier to take out the card.
Actually, dont spend a penny, Handbrake is a free program for PC and Mac, and can convert the video to a mpeg format, while still retaining all of the quality. It even de-interlaces the footage as well.
This is a great review, I am looking into a new camera and this really helps. Thank you
Just bought a used one in 12/2017 for a former linear editor to teach her high school daughter to learn filmmaking on.
I dropped this camcorder 35 inch from kitchen floor, will it lose its video quality?
@markosborne10 Export your movie from your editing program at the best setting possible before you upload it to RUclips. I shoot at 720/30p and keep the frame rate at 30 or 60. I used the H.264 codec as well.
Thank you for great review, I think I'll go for it.
Nice review!! Does this have built-in bluetooth wireless? ...So could I connect a standard bluetooth headset to the camcorder and use it for audio recording, microphone?
@4gamerz will it work on a macbook? and also does anybody know exactly the steps to take to upload it to youtube at a high quality? is it a hassle?
What camera are you using to record this video?
that was fantastic. great review, thank you.
Nice job.
I'm seeing your're into cameras so i have a question so maybe you or anyone can help me wich it the best camera : GY-HM100U (JVC) or HDR-XR520VE (SONY). Thank you
I heard that a SD Card Class10 won't work on this camera. Is there a max to the GB's and the MB/S too, or wil a card 32GB C6 30 mb/s work fine?
was that mic called ?
Glad you found it useful.
It uses only SD cards. I use SanDisk Class 4 8Gb ones and they work fine.
What microphone is that?
Just Bought This Camera, Thanks for the Review !
I've used this camcorder for years, it served me well as I shot 100's of videos with it.
One day I dropped it and the LCD screen broke.
I ended up buying a higher end CANON camcorder but the ole HF200 was my first real digital camcorder and I was very happy with it. I'd still be using it if the LCD screen could be replaced. (at a low cost)
how is the mic?
The mic works fine, its only drawback is it is very susceptible to wind noise.
What is that mic set up your daughter has at 7:41
this is an AWESOME review! Thanks a lot (from Germany ;) )
gonna buy that great camera!! =)
Thanks.
good review tnx ill go buy one on the morrow!
I was taping myself with it using Canon XH A1.
came across this little deal for $50. Niice for filer footage
@kakureru Thanks so much for that information!
@MrE2727 Looks pretty close.
@ROCKETDEJATULLOCH A Canon XH A1.
@emerton321 Good point. Thanks for sharing.
Hi from 2020
@emerton321 This review is about the camera, not how you intend to use it.
@lakernation05
+ 32gb sdhc = 100 $