Funny thing about HD camcorders using 10MP (or bigger) sensors. Most of those pixels are wasted when you’re shooting 1080p video. So Canon’s new HD CMOS Pro sensor is just two megapixels. With gianter pixels, more like a studio camera.
Bigger pixels usually means awesomer low-light performance and dynamic range. The HD CMOS Pro sensor’s pixels are 2.75 microns, to be precise – which is still smaller than 6.4-micron pixels in Canon’s 5D Mark II image sensor – but not too shabby.
The HD CMOS Pro is inside of Canon’s very best consumer camcorder, the $US1500 HF G10. It’s got an 8-blade iris, 32GB internal storage + dual-slot SXDC recording, a 922,000-dot, and 3.5-inch touchscreen. One of the perks is a mic that adjusts based on the zoom level; it tries to hone in on the audio coming out of whatever you’re looking at, whether it’s near or far. Or, you can save money and snag it inside Canon’s M series camcorders, which go from $US650-$US800, but with fewer creature comforts.
New 2011 Canon VIXIA Camcorders Enable Users To Easily Capture Stunning HD Video Quality And Push Their Creative Limits
Features Include a Newly Designed HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor to Improve Resolution, Enhance Low-Light Performance and Expand Dynamic Range
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., January 5, 2011 – Canon U.S.A., Inc, a leader in digital imaging, today announced an exciting new line of eight VIXIA High Definition flash memory camcorders. The 2011 high-definition lineup includes Canon’s new flagship model the VIXIA HF G10, the high-end VIXIA HF S30, three compact VIXIA HF M-series models and three entry-level VIXIA HF R-series models. Constantly pushing digital imaging forward, Canon has improved upon its Full HD CMOS image sensor, with the introduction of the new HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor, available in the VIXIA HF G10 and VIXIA HF M-series camcorders. This new sensor incorporates larger, more sensitive pixels resulting in high video resolution, outstanding low-light performance and an expanded dynamic range [www.usa.canon.com/HDCMOSPro] . Other new features enhancing Canon’s 2011 VIXIA lineup include dual SDXC-compatible memory card slots for maximum storage capacity, Cinema-Look Filters that add various cinematic effects, and new Story Creator and Touch Decoration features for an easy and fun way to shoot great video and add creative flair.
“Canon’s tradition of delivering best-in-class image quality and performance is continued with the introduction of the new HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor. Our enhanced sensor technology helps deliver better overall image quality with stunning resolution and low-light performance for HD video,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A.
All of the 2011 VIXIA High Definition camcorders retain Canon’s proprietary imaging technologies – a Genuine Canon HD Video Lens, Canon DIGIC DV III Image Processor, and Canon Full HD CMOS Image Sensor. Additional advanced features include:
New Advanced Technologies and Features:
Canon HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor: A new 1/3-inch native 1920 x 1080 sensor which delivers professional-level HD video performance. Unlike image sensors found in other consumer camcorders, Canon HD CMOS Pro uses fewer pixels, which are significantly larger (61 percent) and more sensitive, resulting in high video resolution, outstanding low-light performance, and expanded dynamic rangei:
Video resolution of 900 horizontal and 800 vertical TV lines, for Full HD video with professional precision
A 25 percent improvement in low-light sensitivity with a minimum illumination rating of 1.5 Lux, Canon’s lowest Lux rating to date in a consumer HD camcorderii
A 280 percent improvement in dynamic range for exceptional reproduction of both highlights and shadowsiii
Dual SDXC-compatible Card Slots: Each new model in Canon’s 2011 VIXIA lineup includes two card slots which ensure that users always have multiple sources of memory and allow for super-high capacity storage that expands as the capacity of SDXC memory cards increases.
High-Quality Microphone: Canon has enhanced the internal microphones on its 2011 VIXIA models to give users the high-quality sound to match their HD video. With four directional options, users can set internal microphones to Monaural, Normal (Stereo), Wide, and new Synced with Zooming mode. When in Synced with Zooming mode, the microphone will adjust directionality to coincide with the lens’s focal length position to properly match the audio with the portion of the scene being captured. Users can also adjust frequency response characteristics to dampen the effect of unwanted noise.
Tele Macro: Reduces the minimum focusing distance at the telephoto end of the zoom range to 1.3 feet (from 3 feet) allowing users to capture spectacular close-ups at full telephoto with the appearance of a shallow depth of field for stunning imagery. This is one of 38 scenes available in Canon’s Smart Auto mode.
Cinema-Look Filters: Nine different built-in cinema filters – Cinema Standard, Cool, Dramatic B&W, Dream, Memory, Nostalgic, Old Movie, Sepia, Vivid – allow users to create video with a variety of professional cinematic looks.
Story Creator: Canon’s new Story Creator assists you in the process of storyboarding an organized and sophisticated video shoot. Choose one of five themes – Travel, Kids & Pets, Party, Ceremony, and Blog – and the camcorder provides a list of suggested scenes to shoot to help walk users through the process of creating a complete video storyline.
Touch Decoration: While shooting, Touch Decoration allows users to add creative flairs to video via the Touch Panel LCD screen. Users can superimpose fun images into their video, such as animations (i.e. shooting stars or thought bubbles), freehand drawing or writing, clip art, or decorative frames.
Popular VIXIA Features:
The 2011 VIXIA line-up retains many popular features that make it easy to record outstanding HD video, such as Canon’s Smart Auto mode which intelligently detects and analyzes brightness, colour, distance and movement and automatically selects the best setting for the scene being recorded. Canon’s Touch & Track feature allows users to select any subject on the Touch Panel LCD screen with their finger, the camcorder will then track the subject ensuring sharp focus and proper exposure. All 2011 VIXIA models have Relay Recording for seamless uninterrupted video recording from one memory source to the next. When the primary recording media is full the camcorder continues to record the scene by switching to the next memory source, so that users won’t miss a moment of action. Canon’s Powered IS provides a higher level of compensation for subtle hand movement at the telephoto end of the zoom range. In addition, all VIXIA camcorders with built-in memory feature HD-to-SD Downconversion which enables users to convert recorded high-definition video to standard-definition files while preserving the original HD footage. These down-converted files make it even more convenient to share video online or create a DVD. Each new model is also compatible with Eye-Fi SD Memory Cards, allowing for wireless uploading of video content to a computer, social networking site or video sharing website.
VIXIA HF G10:
Packing in every feature a video enthusiast could ask for, the VIXIA HF G10 Flash Memory camcorder is Canon’s new flagship consumer camcorder providing the ultimate in HD video performance and quality. Recording Full HD 1920 x 1080 video, this camcorder features a Genuine Canon 10x HD Video Lens (35mm equivalent of 30.4mm-304mm) with an 8-blade iris providing smooth background blur and reduced lens diffraction. The lens also includes a dedicated manual-focus ring for enhanced control. The VIXIA HF G10 features the new HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor for high video resolution, outstanding low-light performance and an expanded dynamic range. It also features a 3.5-inch High Resolution (922,000-dot) Touch Panel LCD screen for a large, bright display and easy menu navigation. A Custom Key and Dial can also be used to assign commonly used functions for quick and easy access. As the flagship model in the lineup the camcorder includes, selectable zooming speed, Face-Only AF, Canon’s new customizable Cinema-Look Filters and Tele-Macro as well as Touch & Track technology, Smart Auto, Relay Recording, Powered IS, and HD-to-SD Downconversion. The VIXIA HF G10 comes with 32GB of internal flash memory and dual SDXC-compatible card slots which allow for simultaneous card recording enabling users to create immediate back-up.
For more advanced videographers, the VIXIA HF G10 includes manual colour temperature adjustment (2,000K-15,000K in 100K increments), colour bars with test tone, manual shutter speed and aperture control, a built-in Remote Control Terminal (which supports LANC protocol), and Native 24p recording. For shooting on a sunny day, the camcorder also includes a colour viewfinder which offers a reliable viewing environment when shooting in bright conditions. The VIXIA HF G10 Flash Memory camcorder is scheduled to be available in March with an estimated retail price of $US1,499.99.
VIXIA HF S30:
The Canon VIXIA HF S30 Flash Memory camcorder continues the appeal of Canon VIXIA HF S-series camcorders with professional and easy-to-use features to allow anyone to capture outstanding HD video quality and high resolution photos in one device. The camcorder captures Full HD 1920 x 1080 video and features a Genuine Canon 10x HD Video Lens and a Canon 1/2.6-inch, 8.59-megapixel Full HD CMOS Image Sensor for stunning video and outstanding eight megapixel photos. Equipped with 32GB of internal memory and two SDXC-compatible card slots, the camcorder features Canon’s 3.5-inch High Resolution (922,000-dot) Touch Panel LCD screen and a colour viewfinder. The VIXIA HF S30 offers Canon’s Touch & Track technology, Smart Auto, Relay Recording, Powered IS, HD-to-SD Downconversion, and Advanced Video Snapshot. Users can also to assign commonly used functions to the Custom Key and Dial for quick and easy access.
The VIXIA HF S30 includes a host of professional features such as colour bars and selectable Zebra patterns, a built-in Remote Control Terminal (which supports LANC protocol), and Native 24p recording. The VIXIA HF S30 Flash Memory camcorder is scheduled to be available in March for an estimated retail price of $US1,099.99.
VIXIA HF M-series:
The Canon VIXIA HF M41, VIXIA HF M40 and VIXIA HF M400 Flash Memory camcorders offer consumers stunning HD video in an ultra-sleek, compact and lightweight body. Recording Full HD 1920 x 1080 video, the new VIXIA HF M-series feature a Genuine Canon 10x HD Video Lens and Canon’s new HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor for high video resolution, outstanding low-light performance and a wide dynamic range. All three models include Canon’s 3.0-inch Touch Panel LCD screen for a large display and easy menu navigation. The VIXIA HF M-series include Canon’s new Cinema-Look Filters, Story Creator and Touch Decoration, as well as Touch & Track technology, Smart Auto, Powered IS, Tele Macro, and Advanced Video Snapshot. The VIXIA HF M41 and VIXIA HF M40 incorporate 32GB and 16GB of internal flash memory, respectively, and feature HD-to-SD Downconversion. The VIXIA HF M400 records directly to dual SDXC-compatible card slots. The VIXA HF M41 features a colour viewfinder which helps provide a reliable viewing option, free from glare, when shooting in bright conditions. The new VIXIA HF M-series is also compatible with the new Canon WP-V3 Waterproof Case. The VIXIA HF M41, VIXIA HF M40 and VIXIA HF M400 Flash Memory camcorders are scheduled to be available in March for an estimated retail price of $US799.99, $US699.99 and $US649.99 respectively.
VIXIA HF R-series
The Canon VIXIA HF R21, VIXIA HF R20 and VIXIA HF R200 Flash Memory camcorders offer the ideal combination of price and performance for the budget-conscious consumer who wants Full HD 1920 x 1080 video. All three models include a Genuine Canon HD Video Lens with 28x Advanced Zoom, 3.28-megapixel Canon Full HD CMOS Image Sensor, a 3.0-inch Touch Panel LCD screen, Touch Decoration, Dynamic IS, Smart Auto and Advanced Video Snapshot. All three models feature Relay Recording while both the VIXIA HF R21 and VIXIA HF R20 include Canon’s HD-to-SD Downconversion. Additionally the VIXIA HF R20 will be available in three stylish colours, black, red, and silver. The VIXIA HF R21 and VIXIA HF R20 models incorporate 32GB and 8GB of internal flash memory, respectively, and the VIXIA HF R200 records directly to dual SDXC-compatible memory card slots. The VIXIA HF R21, VIXIA HF R20 and VIXIA HF R200 Flash Memory camcorders will be available in February for an estimated retail price of $US499.99, $US399.99 and $US379.99 respectively.
FS series:
In addition to the new VIXIA High Definition lineup, Canon is also introducing two standard-definition models, the FS40, and FS400 Flash Memory camcorders. The Canon FS40 model records to 8GB of internal flash memory, while the FS400 records video directly to an SDXC-compatible memory card slot. Compact and lightweight (approximately 7.8 oz.), both new FS models offer 41x Advanced Zoom to help capture great video even at extreme telephoto distances, as well as Dynamic IS. In addition, the Canon FS400 will be available in three eye-catching colours, silver, red, and blue. The Canon FS40 and FS400 Flash Memory camcorders are available in February for an estimated retail price of $US299.99 and $US279.99 respectively.
New Optional Camcorder Accessories
The new Canon WP-V3 Waterproof Case helps protect any of the 2011 VIXIA HF M-series Flash Memory camcorders in depths of water up to 130 feet, allowing users to capture exciting HD footage even underwater. The ultimate camcorder accessory for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts, this compact and lightweight housing seals the camcorder, allowing easy on-camera operation and control. The Canon WP-V3 Waterproof Case will be available in February for an estimated retail price of $US599.00.
Also new from Canon is the WM-V1 Wireless Microphone* for recording accurate audio without cumbersome wires from up to 164 feet away, ideal for ceremonies, family events and recitals. This new WM-V1 Wireless Microphone is compatible with the new 2011 VIXIA HF G10, VIXIA HF M-series, and VIXIA HF R-series camcorders and will be available in May for an estimated retail price of $US250.00.