TTT#16: Review Canon HF100 Video camera outside in New Hamp
HiRes: www.techtrek.tv Conclusion It’s this video blogger’s dream. Easy to use, impressive controls and ports, nice interface, good price, useful OIS and assist light. The video looked amazing played directly to an HD TV off the camera using component wires. It edited smoothly on an Intel Mac laptop with Final Cut Express. Converting the AVCHD is short “log and capture” process, shorter then miniDV tape, but still not drag-n-drop off th card like AVI file. But there’s no importing time after the capture and conversion. It was a bear to digitize the huge files, but a smooth process. I’d shoot in 30p next time, and maybe not at 17mbs data rate to save the space and time. I didn’t try an external mic, but I have faith. I noticed some white balance “offness” inside, it seemed to love nature shots more than inside shots.
Thanks a lot, I bought this camera, is on his way, but seeing your review tough me a lot about what the camera can do. I have a Canon S3 and lots of things seems alike. My only concern is how confortable is to use the joystick in the screen for things like manual focus.
The manual focus with the joy stick isn’t too bad, but it’s not nearly as fine and quick as a focus ring on a pro camera.
Nicely done. I like all the different ways in which you demonstrated the camera’s capabilities. I tried quite a few of the same tests when I first got *my* HF100. What editing software are you using for the footage, and do you like it?
I happened to have a valid student ID from graduate school and got the edu. version of Final Cut Express or <$100 and it's been very smooth and plenty of horse power. Basically Final Cut Pro without the heavy full res production stuff I don't use anyway.
Thanks for posting this. I’ll be getting this camcorder in a few days and I’ve been watching dozens of HF100 videos. Yours by far has been the most comprehensive in terms of showing it’s practical uses in real world situations. Well done!
dude you should be on tv that was great
I just got one of these….thx for the review
Thanks for that. You’re the only one I can find that showed this much of what the HF100 can do.
cool, hope it works out for you too, post if you have new info.
how is the battery life
like as a person using this decently to capture video, how much do you think you can get out of this baby?
thinking of getting one, do you think its the best cam corder to get in the price range?
It’s OK, about an hour to 1.5hrs of video if you’re out most of the day. But I got this model partly because you can get a bigger battery for it.
Also, the FS100 just came out, which is like this one but not HD and might have one less port, but is half the cost…
Highest is actually 1,920×1,080, which is higher than the HV30 and partially compensates for the larger sensor.
Thx for the correction. I’m thinking now the new Canon FS100, which appears to be the same body, optics and ports??? but no HD would be fine for video blogging? And it’s around $300.
-Very thorough thanks!
Just bought one to make epics!
Thanks for the review! Does this camera also record in Standard Def if necessary?
Not sure, but there are multiple bit rate options. So if you set it to the lowest, it’d be more in the range of standard def I think. Gives you plenty of space on the cartridge.
Ebay has lots of cheap batteries that’ll work with the Canon. I’d say just get on or two of those.
Brother – that was one one outstanding review! No one has gone in depth the way you have. Very nice job.
wow, thanks for an awesome overview of the features and “real world” test. Loved it and appreciate it. I just bought this camera last night and hope to get it in mail tomorrow. God – I wish I could talk my wife into moving away from NYC – I’m not a fan either.
GREAT Review! Im thinking I may get this Cam for a Geocaching Video Podcast so this was VERY Helpfull.. BTW I live in NH and all I have to say is…..
I LOVE IT!
This was the most entertaining and awesomely captured video camera review!! I think I’m going to buy this camera AND take a trip to New Hampshire (from California
)! THANKS!!
Funny I should come across your video here. I just purchased an HF10 to take along on a road trip from NC to NH. This video camera seems like it will be fun to play with. Great review!
I have had it for some time, BUT, i have not yet found out how to fill out the whole screen here in YouTube and also how to convert it so it leaves a bit of the high resolution ?
just render the files to a resolution of 1280×700 deinterlaced in w/e frame rate you used on the original. When uploaded to youtube it will automatically come up as HD
Check out my videos for a sample of the quality you should end up with if you want.
CORRECTION: Render to 1280×720 preferably in the H.264 format.