5 comments about Canon FS100 Flash Memory Camcorder with 48x Advanced Zoom (Silver).

1. Very nice zoom. Image stabilizer is so-so. Video quality is DVD-like. Software package is limited to 99 video clips (use sdcopy.exe)



2. Always liked canon products, decided on FS 100. Camera did everything I expected. 6 months after purchase the charger failed ( CA 590 ) in this case. I purchased camera in USA via Amazon, then was transfered to Europe (Moscow). I contacted Canon Europe regarding replacement under warranty in Moscow, which has a large service office here. Canon via written email stated that the problem with the CA 590 charger is WELL KNOWN to them and is being corrected. Well OK., they then told me I must SEND BACK the camera and charger to COUNTRY OF PURCHASE (USA). What ??? Warranties even for known defective products are void out of purchase country !! This is insane. Canon must sell 10,000 camcorders a week, same model, same charger here in Moscow.
   
   Obviously, without a charger, the camera is collecting dust and is useless. I suppose I could buy another charger here by special order $80., or I could ship everything back to USA and then hope and pray, not to mention time and effort, plus at least $75 in anything close to being "somewhat secure shipping". When literally up the street, I can get new charger for free. This was Canon response to my problem, as explained to them. Follow up emails by me to them, have met with zip response. Basically FU., good luck.
   
   
   To ANY Canon purchasers of Canon chargers CA-590. Be AWARE !!! They are a known defective product!! If you want to buy your daughter or grandmother a nice little camera to record special moments..., and the camera does not charge for some reason after a few months and they call YOU up asking why. Well, at least you know why. Do you think Canon wants this info out with millions of SKU's on the shelves?
   
   To all., be careful to note the charger model #. Without charger your camcorder is USELESS !!! Unless, you planned ahead, purchased backup chargers and batteries, your carefully thought out purchase is useless to everyone. Picture quality issues are not an issue when you have no pictures.
   
   I hope I warned some of you.
   
   FS 100 dusty



3. I read about others having a lens fade to black problem, and sure enough. I get Irvine repair center's ok, then 2 weeks later, no camera, and then someone in virginia is pissed off I ever was able to buy it after saving money out in Palm Springs summer last year, and that the seller sold me a blue one. She wants it and wants to keep it herself! Everything about this product was weird, including the serial no., and retailers pulled it off as soon as returns came through, and very few FS200 in retail if at all, all due to this lens which is "hot," meaning they put it out on market without final ok, and that's why the followup from virginia reflects it. The lens itself I found better HD in Samsung now, which is a great change. Sony's a bit too F22 for me, and you want that softer look at times. The 16:9 is a bit incompatible with most computers and programs, and therefore again, you question why the serial no. on the camcorder needs to adjust to 808 for the first 3 numbers like the other Amazon customer said before my purchase of this product. I'm now selling for parts, but $337 includes the warranty, and Canon reneged, and so like their 35mm without the lens, it's only worth ony $27 on reseller's market, just like Honda.



4. I got this FS100 because I wanted a camcorder. Before, I had a Kodak digital camera, and the only feature the video setting had was on/off. No zoom, no white balance, no nothing. So, this camera seemed decent, I got it for a good price, and I was super happy with it. I still am, mind you, but it does have it's cons.
   
   Pros: It's small, which is nice. But it's hard to keep steady when zooming. Video quality is OK for internet videos, but on a TV it might look sharp. But I've used this for a few years now, and got some great footage. The battery life is really great, but for long shoots I normally plug it into the wall and feed off the electricity. I have an SD card (which is better then DV tapes) and it can hold 3+ hours of straight video. Useful when recording a speech or something.
   
   Cons: The camera names the videos randomly. It names the videos something like "Video1 to Video10" then "VideoA to VideoZ" and then "Video1A to Video10Z", it's really random. So when you want to put your videos in order, it's really hard. If you use the disk that comes with it, it re-names all of them in order (but, I lost that CD) which is super nice. Video quality is not HD, and picture quality is like something on a cell phone. My cell phone takes better pictures then this does!



5. Very pleased with it. Have been using it ofr 2 years and I am very happy. Battery life is brilliant and SD use make it so simple to export videos, it's a breeze.

5 comments about Canon XL2 3CCD MiniDV Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom.

1. Now, some individuals will try to convince you the XL2 is a poor Prosumer camcorder and will give seemingly good arguments. Don't buy into it.
   
   For instance, a reviewer lower down this page complains the camera arrived broken and thus reviews it as a horrible machine. Unfortunately, this said reviewer doesn't talk about the actual functionality of an actual undamaged product, rather his own broken camera. Needless to say, his opinion is vastly slanted.
   
   Another compares the XL2 to the DVX100 series from Panasonic and prefers the latter. He states the XL2 is too heavy and doesn't achieve the same calibre results as the cheaper Panasonic camcorder.
   
   First of all, Canon has continued to revolutionize the photography industry for decades. They have proven themselves in both film and digital formats, for both still camera and camcorder. True, the XL2 lacks some features other more expensive cameras have (compare the JVC GU1000) but that's okay. And, yes, the camera has a very large body and is definately heavier than the Panasonic DVX100, but this is for specific reasons.
   
   You have to first consider why you want a prosumer camcorder. If you just want to shoot hobby short films and want a professional look, I suggest you stick with either the higher-end Canon or JVC or Panasonic or even Sony (god forbid) consumer camcorders which run around $900. On the other hand, if you're considering becoming a serious hobbyist and don't intend to turn it into some sort of profession then Panasonic's DVX series is a good buy. The DVX 100's are cheaper, smaller, and somewhat easier to use. They are far more "point-and-shoot" than the other prosumer camcorders on the market. And they do a fairly good job.
   
   Yet, the XL2 manages to not only hold its own, but also triumph over all other camcorders in the industry. First and foremost, the XL2 has the option to change lenses. This is a great boon for any serious shooter because attaching an actual lens to a camera gives far better results than slapping on some sort of adapter, which distort the image. Canon offers two lens types for the XL2: the included 20X zoom lens and a 3X wide angle lens; both are very expensive by themselves. But, with an optional Canon ring adapter running for $300, you could take your normal Canon SLR still camera lenses and attach them to the body and have them function perfectly. This allows the user a plethora of imaging options when shooting. Now, the normal user won't ever use anything other than the 20X zoom lens (a remarkable piece of machinery in itself), but that's just fine. You're buying the camera for its options and potentials as well as the physical benefits. Think of it like buying a BMW: you buy the car for its physical features you're likely to use (the radio, heated seats, leather, sunroof, etc.) but you also buy it for its safety and cumstomer service, things you'll hardly ever need. It just makes you feel good you have those options available.
   
   Furthermore, the XL2 is a wonderful camera. It shoots beautifully without problems of any sort. Yes, it takes some getting used to, but that's because it has a lot of fuctions and options. The physical body design is simple enough that all the necessary shooting options (i.e., 24P, 30i, 60i, mic adjustments, white balance controls, presents, etc.) are easily accessible. The end product of a regular shoot is stunning. The Canon lens captures colors almost perfectly and the image stabilization built into the camera is a great help. The large body design (though awkward for some) is actually a benefit. The camera can be placed on the shoulder, giving greater stability to the shoot. You can't do that with a Panasonic or Sony.
   
   No, the camera doesn't have a LCD screen on the side, but do you really need one? An LCD screen is not only distracting but also a battery hog, and takes precious room for control options or accessories that could other wise be placed where the LCD is built in. An LCD is great for consumer cameras because they're small and nobody wants to look through those one-inch viewfinders. But the XL2 has a very nice, large color viewfinder, and can be comfortably used with the camera on your shoulder. For those running hand-held shots you can flip part of the viewfinder open and can see a 1.5" LCD display. It's not dazzling or great, but it gets the job done. You're out in the field to get footage, not admire the LCD screen.
   
   Finally, the XL2 offers XLR microphone inputs, a big bonus for people who want good sound in their video. You won't find this feature in either Panasonic or Sony prosumer camcorders.
   
   In the end, Canon's XL2 is a beautiful camcorder. It offers you a lot more than you know at first glance, and delivers near-perfect results. The closest competitor would be the far more expensive (by at least $1000) Panasonic GU1000, which is very similar to the XL2. If you're still not sure about the camera, I suggest you take a ride down over to your nearest Fry's to experiment. Or, you can visit the local TV station and ask them to tell you a little bit about why they're all using XL2's over the other camcorders on the market. No...seriously...they are.
   
   Go figure.



2. I have used this for a year at my college. I do not know why some people dislike it. I love it! and on my opinion, It is the closest to HD your gonna get while not getting HD. You guys gotta realize that this camera has shot some big movies like Cold Mountian. I must say though the panasonic dvx100b is quite comparable, because I have used that too. But I like this camera I do not care what people say about it. It is so customizable that you will be surprised when you mess around with it's advance functions. nice camera, a little pricey, but all in all it's more professional than some other people say.



3. I was a bit nervous buying a camera at this level. But I have learned so much from it. I'm still learning. It's an impressive piece of equipment. Very versatile. You have to take it out and experiment, but that's the fun of it. I would recommend that you read, read, read all the reviews. Boy, it gets attention when you are out in public (what fun!)
   People ask for my business card often because they assume I'm a pro just by using it. Or they ask, what TV station I work for. There are lots of add-ons to consider owning. Its not High Definition but who needs it? I take it everywhere. Just remember you will eventually need a good travel case,a wind screen, extra batteries, a heavy-duty professional tripod and additional lenses to complete your experience. The camera is a bit heavy(as I expected) and takes some getting used to.......but wow, its worth it ! The sound you get is great. I just bought some wireless microphones for my XL2. I'm glad I own it.



4. This camcorder is a must for film students. I'm a student at USC, and this camcorder really made my short films look great!!! We don't get to use the schools' really awesome gear until our Junior or Senior year. If you have the money, its an amazing buy!



5. So far I have no complaints of this camera. I still like my GL2 for ease of use, but this camera does have quite a bit more features that I have get use to. I like having built in XLR ports and the camera does have more external user controls than the GL2.

5 comments about Canon FS11 Flash Memory Camcorder with 16GB Internal Flash Memory and 48x Advanced Zoom.

1. After looking over the various models of Canon FS series camcorders, the Canon FS 11 appears to be one of the best. Coming with 16 GB of internal memory, this camera will record up to 10 hours and 25 minutes of video (LP - 3 mbps). By comparing to other top models on the Canon website, this model is arguably the best model that Canon makes.
   
   Use the link below to do side-by-side comparisons of various Canon camcorders on the official Canon Website.
   
   [...]



2. My name is Sara and I'm extremely picky when it comes to buying camcorders. I bought this about a year ago and love it. It has great video quality and a ton of features. It's sound is awesome, plus you can plug in a microphone if you want to. It can record hours of video in it's 16 gb internal memory and I would buy it again. You can also choose how high of quality you want it to be. It allow sd memory cards and internal memory.
   
   I wouldn't ever return it. It's a great deal, a great camera, and a great tool. I studied cameras for hours and found this one. It is definitely worth every cent.



3. I recently purchased the FS-11 and have been using it for about a week now. I've seen good reviews and bad reviews on this little camera but my view is that it a great value. I have not experienced any of the problems reported in the 'bad' reviews. It's small and easy to use but it does help to scan through the manual to really get an understanding of it's capabilities. It's full featured but has an 'easy' button or you can select any number of aperture, shutter or white balance settings. It has a great zoom and the image stabalization works well. As with any camera, especially when using extreme 2,000X zoom, you'll get better video if you put it on a tripod. By accident I found the 2,000X zoom works quite well as a macro lens. The packaged software that comes with the camera is not user friendly - at first. However after scanning through the software guide I was quickly able to produce and edit a video with titles, music and transitions while chopping out some scenes I didn't want. I've used $30,000 video cameras as well as studio floor cameras and I am very pleased with this purchase. I would certainly recommend it.



4. It's like your holding a regular camera. It's unbelievably small and works GREAT!!!
   But the size is what gets me - fits in the palm of my hand literally.



5. I have read the reviews and the warnings about sound. Some people say the sound is great, others say it's horrid. Well, I've actually returned this camera. Wish I had listened to the warnings.
   
   Pros - It was easy to setup and use. I really liked the features and that it had a mic jack. Nice and compact.
   
   Cons - I do have a couple of complaints. The sound quality isn't that great. You can hear ambient noise in the background all the time like a slight humming noise. Very distracting. It's like it hears too much! (if that makes sense) It picks up EVERY little sound. I taped something at our church and plugged our mixer into the camera so it could hear Pastor through his mic. That was a nightmare! I would've been better of without the mic. I uploaded it to my computer and all I could hear was a HUGE, LOUD buzzing. I couldn't hear a thing he said. The other thing that is really bad is the still picture feature. I have an LG Rhythm cell phone and it takes better pictures than this camcorder does. The video picture is fine, but for stills - I was really shocked at how poor the quality was. I expected a much better product from Canon.
   
   I suppose if all you're doing is taping the children playing loudly, this camera would be okay. If you're taping recitals, your own mini movie, or if you bought it because it had a still picture option, I'd pass.

5 comments about Canon ZR500 MiniDV Camcorder with 25x Optical Zoom.

1. I have a full featured Camcorder but needed an inexpensive small camcorder that I could slip into my pocket for a trip to Europe. This had more features than I needed, was cheap and fit easily into my pocket. I didn't want to carry a camcorder over my shoulder while touring. It worked perfectly.



2. camera works fine, up to a point. Controls are marginal and you'd best have the manual handy to figure them out. However, I recommend you don't bother buying it, it is NOT moisture proof, or even moisture resistant, and the electronic control board will corrode with the slightest dampness such as filming in foggy weather or light rain. And you cannot dry it out inside.



3. If you just want to record your memories then this camcorder will get the job done. If you want to upload the video - well, forget about it. Depending on where you get it, the cord to be able to upload is $50.00 (on Cannon's site). I bought the cord on Amazon for a much cheaper price but surprise, surprise it doesn't work on my computer. When I bought my new computer in October I had high hopes for the camcorder but they have all been empty dreams. My personal opinion is don't waste the money - get something that can download easily on to your computer that way you not only get the memories but can also share them with others.



4. This is my first digital camcorder and it's not as good as I expected. I have been using this for over a year now for personal use and casual outings. My main problem with this is that you have to put a lot of effort into getting a still, non-shaky recording. Since this is my first digital camcorder, I don't know if this is common. I have a much easier time recording video on my digital camera when it comes to the shakiness. It's not extremely shaky when fully zoomed out but it's not stable enough to easily record with one hand either.
   
   The picture quality is average for a camcorder. I've only viewed the video from my computer so I don't know how it appears on a TV, but it's not really high quality or high definition on computer. The quality is only slightly better from a video from my digital camera. I like the zoom feature but the more you zoom, the harder it is to keep the picture still. You can always use a tripod but our old Sony camcorder from 15+ years ago didn't have this problem.
   
   Other than what I've mentioned, I haven't had problems with it. The sound is good and I haven't experienced the motor noise. It is also a good, compact size and isn't much of a hassle to carry around. However, I think getting a good, still recording is the most important part and this camcorder doesn't do it for me. It's not worth $300+ in my opinion. I got it for around $200 when it was on sale but I still feel like it wasn't worth the price.
   
   Also, for those who aren't already aware, you will need to buy the mini DV tapes yourself along with a firewire cable (cable for transferring your video to your computer).



5. This small and feature packed camera has one SMALL problem. It will NOT make itself available to the pc via the firewire cable!!
   
   Bought new firewire card, new cable, removed windows SP3 etc etc etc...NO success!!! Reviewed websites, researched forums etc...
   
   Buy a tested and working camera not this crap!!

5 comments about Canon HV20 3MP High Definition MiniDV Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom.

1. After 2 years with my HV20, I'm splurging on a new SDHC flash drive camera, because of all the HV20 motor noise, which ruins my video sound recordings. I love Canon & my HD video camcorder, and I bought all accessories from Day 1 including the DM-100 directional microphone. But it doesn't help the motor noise problem. It may even be worse with the DM-100, I can't quite tell. If anyone has ideas to solve, please post.



2. I know that these are no longer on the open market, so my review is simply to explain why I think these are an excellent value on the used market.
   
   Bottom line is this - while they keep adding features and improving paper specs, I haven't seen any need to upgrade from my HV20. The feature set is excellent and picture quality is as good as any I've seen on a pro-sumer HD camera. Further more, while I understand that hard drive recording can be useful, I actually prefer tape, as I can grab inexpensive 3 packs (right here on amazon) and never have to worry about running out. I like to keep my archives available as well (as opposed to re-recording over everything and depending on my computer versions) and don't want to have to worry about dumping to another drive before taking new footage.
   
   Frankly, I know that everyone wants the latest and greatest - which this was, not so long ago. My opinion is that if you can grab a reasonably priced HV20 on the used market, you won't be unhappy.



3. I'm going to keep this short because there are several longer reviews that you can read.
   
   Basically, if you want to get into some cheap indy filmmaking, or just want a good home movie camera, this is the one. Yes, it's got its flaws, but with some good accessories, you'll be golden.
   
   So get this, a Rode VideoMic, a new battery, maybe a lens hood, The DV Rebel's Guide, and you'll be all set. [...]. You can get some great images with this camera if you know what you're doing.
   
   Oh, and 24p. It shoots in 24p. Get one now.



4. A bit out of date, but still a decent camcorder. It shoots fine, I have a 35mm DOP adapter on it, with some Canon EF lenses on it, plus a mattebox. It's really fun to shoot with.



5. Great HD camera. This is my first camcorder I have ever owned and I love being creative with the HV20. When I first noticed the quality when I plugged the camcorder into an HD TV I was amazed..we all were! It can be crystal clear. Outside footage definitely looks the best. It captures great detail. The footage is rarely shaky compared to other cameras. I got this camera at a great price too so it has been worth every penny so far. The zoom is nice mostly smooth. It fits good in the hand. Very easy menu to customize your settings. The 24 fps is really cool everything you shoot has the ability to look like a film! pretty cool. I wanted a camera to make short films and so far I have had great success. I would recommend this camera to anyone looking to spend around $500-$800.

5 comments about Canon VIXIA HF10 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 16 GB Internal Flash Memory and 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom.

1. This is a great camera for the price, no doubt. Recording at 1080p HD all the time is wonderful if you have the software to edit it. It's got great features on the camera, and it's no bigger than a regular soda can. Very lightweight. I haven't dropped it yet, so I don't know how well it holds up from drops.
   
   A few quirks though. Manual Focus isn't the most powerful, so if you are wanting to buy a camera because of manual focus, you *may* want to look around. Getting to use the manual exposure is easy after you know how to enable it... navigate through the joystick menu, then hold the joystick in the UP position for a second or two, then it enables. I couldn't find anything in the manual, so I figured I'd let you know.
   
   Other than that, it's a flawless camera.



2. This camera is reasonably easy to operate and makes great video but do not buy this camera unless you are really computer and software savvy. The "pixela" software that comes with the camera is horrible! It is far from intuitive to figure out how to use it and the directions suck. I haven't been able to figure out any other product that works for getting the video clips onto my computer. I'm so frustrated with this thing that it is now mostly a very expensive paperweight.



3. So far I really enjoy this little camcorder and its features. Its picture quality is very good and it has a lot to offer. The only thing is that I do not yet have a blue ray player so the pictures that I view are only DVD quality. The one negative issue is the bundled software that goes with it. The Imagemixer 3 has some flaws especially when trying to create a movie with effects. If you include a title on your Imagemixer 3 project, the system will not save the project. I wish Canon would find better software. Also be aware that when you put your movies on DVD make sure it is a DVD-R disc and NOT a DVD+R disc. It doesn't work in that format. It took me about 2 hours to figure that out but when I called Canon, they helped me a lot. Canon's tech support was very helpful. All in all, this is a nice little camcorder



4. I'm happy with this camcorder. Gives impressive video quality. It's also good for still photography if your digital camera battery dies. I did it sometime & I can say picture quality is too impressive. It does not have good wind filter. Its not too bulky but also not too compact. Lastly, downloading still pictures to computer is tough as we don't do it regularly and the manual does provide steps in detail. Its frustrating. Overall a good camcorder.



5. I had HF10 for almost half a year, and I must say I know most of the pros and cons of this camera. I've studied it back and forth and tried to figure out what this camera truly offers.
   
   Pros: Lots of manual controls (shutter speed, aperture, exposure, frame rate (24p, 30p, 60i)) Mic out port, Easy to use interface, Good zooming control. Plenty of space for AVCHD format.
   
   Cons:
   Now, Cons I'm listing might be more specific than Pros, but it's only because I have expected a lot from this camera.
   1. Inconvenient manual focus control.
   A small jog lever on the left of the screen is the manual focus controller. Newer models have a small wheel attached to the front of the camera nowadays, but this control is very inaccurate and pointless.
   2. Sharpness of picture. I was very surprised to see how the picture looked very bad when I played back on my computer. Lots of ghosting, blurred edges, and Not-so-vibrant color. the LCD on the camera makes everythinng look so nice and beautiful, however the actual result on the computer monitor is quite the contradictory.
   3. Ghosting, ghosting, ghosting.
   When I would pause at any moment during a filmed video, a heavy ghosting occurs. This can be solved by de-interlacing, however the process is very complex and a typical user would not know what to do unless they really understand the logic of encoding... Plus AVCHD is a compressed file format, so when it's uncompressed, the file size is humongous (18 sec clip was 45mb in AVCHD, uncompressed was near 500Mb.)
   4. Weirdness hidden behind the frame rate.
   Now, when you film regardless of which option you choose on the camera (24p, 30p, 60i) when it shows up on the computer, it will always show as 29.97fps. This is due to the AVCHD format's nature that it records under the frame rate you choose, but overwrites as 29.97fps. A "pulldown" needs to be done in order to truly extract what you've filmed... Quite pain in the butt, I must admit.
   
   This is all I could think of so far. If you have any questions about the camcorder, feel free to reply and I will try to answer.

5 comments about Canon GL2 MiniDV Digital Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom.

1. Within the first 30 days GL2 began eating my tapes. I promptly returned camera to Amazon within the first 30 days. 30 days after receipt of the product by Matt Greene at Amazon, still no refund. After 3 calls to their customer service, taken by people in the Philipines, still no refund. Will NEVER buy Canon or from Amazon again. Amazon, get your act together, this is not the economy to be messing with people's money. Plus, you might reconsider using people in a foreign company who have no concern for YOUR customers. They promised to call back twice, never did either time.



2. I own the GL2. A pixel has blown. I called an authorized Canon repair service and they told me not to bother installing a new CCD chip as that one will fail as well. And that lesson would cost me $[...] (US).
   I hadn't had the GL2 long enough for the Tape Cassette failure the GLS is famous for to kick in yet.
   It is called "Planned Obsolescence" and is now designed to kick in after the warranty expires.
   I can't recommend any Canon products. My EOS 20D camera's flash unit has never popped up. I didn't use the flash until after the warranty was up. I know I was negligent for trusting Canon's reliability but know I know better.
   And the Canon 50mm lens I bought new has a defect like a scratch or speck inside the lens. Also discovered too late.
   Read the complaints about Canon.
   http://www.consumeraffairs.com/cameras/canon.html
   http://www.eventx.com.au/avc.htm
   http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/canon-gl2-gl1-son-watchdog/32267-gl2-dead-pixel-again.html
   Never again for me.



3. I own 2 Canon GL2's. The picture is really great when the camera is new. I use a VCR to import video for editing. After about 20 hours of use I can no longer use the vcr. I must use the camera to import video. I have had both cameras fixed twice for $240 dollars each time. After 5 months one went bad again. I went back to Canon and they have now raised the price to $400 for the same repair.They claim parts are hard to get. This is a current model! I have sworn off Sony, now it's Canon's turn. By the way the problem is caused by the same issue as the eject message, The tape transport.



4. My GL-2 just came back from Canon's repair shop last month - another $400 to replace the cassette drive. I paid $1900 for my GL-2 three years ago, and the most recent fix brings my grand total for repairs to $1600! Pros: Great video, great audio. Cons: This thing breaks all the time! I didn't read any reviews before I purchased my GL-2, having used Canon SLR cameras and lenses since 1993. HAVE I LEARNED MY LESSON! Just look in my wallet..not much left in there. I love my GL-2, but there are better cameras out there for the money. This model has several known defects that Canon chooses to ignore (only ten tapes through since the cassette drive was replaced the last time). I babied my GL-2 - seriously, I took better care of this than any camera I've ever owned - and it broke anyway...three times. I'm tranfering my video over to a digital hard drive and then putting my GL-2 out to pasture.



5. Compared to what's available now, this camera can seem a bit "outdated" but I bought one used many years ago and it is still going strong, recording projects with very competitive SD picture quality. It isn't HD and it doesn't have 24P but its "frame mode" does provide a low-cost alternative. I chose this camera because I had a lot of experience using it from other GL1 and GL2 owners and I'm still not disappointed. I say this is a very good introductory camera for filmmakers and videographers not looking to spend twice as much for the most current technology. This camera is designed for professional applications and is not a good choice for people shooting "simple" home videos and little league games. If you are not serious about shooting and editing professional video, this camera will easily discourage any buyers not willing to learn a lot of functions.
   
   After at least 4 years of service (not including how long the previous owner used it), I have still not seen any malfunctions such as the "remove tape" error that seems to be occurring with some GL2 owners. I own several camcorders and reserve the GL2 for only the best projects in order to spare this camera from heavy usage and abuse. Owning a cheap, "junkie" camcorder for tape logging to the computer is a MUST. No one spending their money on any camcorder in this price range should be using it as a VCR to watch tapes and log clips.

5 comments about Canon FS10 Flash Memory Camcorder with 8GB Internal Flash Memory and 48x Advanced Zoom.

1. I found the Cannon FS10 video camera a difficult transition from VHS or Cassette cameras. It simply has more features that I will ever use. The operating manual is clear and helped me work my way through the features. The FS10 works perfectly and would be my choice again.



2. I was able to buy the Canon FS10 for $188.00 as a referb from the manufacturer. I wanted a flash memory camera to replace my Sony Handycam DV.
   
   Benefits:
   1. No moving parts in the FS10
   ...DV tapes are a pain, and hard drive camcorders sound worse than laptop computers, which get destroyed if you use them on your "lap" ...the FS10 flash memory is great--nothing moves--so nothing breaks. 8 gig on board and 8 more only cost $21.00. I bought the Trancend SDHC 8 gig class (6)...That looked like the best card for the money. The "class (6)" is a reasonably fast speed. I wouldn't use less, and you probably would be wasting money with a higher speed card with the FS10, as you probably wouldn't note a difference in performance. Bottom line: it's 100 times faster than DV Capture. Note: the camera does not automatically switch from internal memory to the card, you must do this manually. Be aware of your shooting time in relation to the quality of recording selected. The highest quality XP, lasts just under 2 hours for each 8 gigs, much longer in the lower quality settings.
   
   2. Above average low light performance.
   Compared to the Handycam, the crappy low light performance was really less crappy. In fact, quite good if you use a little imagination and compromise. The FS10 will record in zero light quite well up to about 3-feet away, using the on board light--that's pretty good for your routine late night back office spy work, but if you are aiming the camera at a person, the light is rather blinding. I used it to record my music act in a poorly lit bar. In color, using the night setting, everything lit up well and was grainy. On another night, I set the camera to the "night" setting and also the "black and white" setting and the picture was much better. The camera has several other settings to compensate for lighting. Compared to my old Hanycam, night vision is much better. My friend has a $5000 dollar camera, he uses professionally, and he uses good photography lights to make his indoor videos come out right. For $188.00, I'm not going to beat my head, trying to find a cheap camera that films great in low light. I'm just going to light my subjects if I need crisp images. Otherwise, the FS10 performs just fine.
   
   3. Remote Control
   I like the remote control. I had the camera situated about 15 feet up on a wall in a club, and I could just tap the record on/off button from the floor...very cool. You can manipulate all the functions of the camera via the remote.
   
   4.Software:
   Most of the reviews made me nervous here. But...I use windows XP. The Pixela Image Maker 3 quickly converts the stored footage to an (mpg) file, which transfers easily to my Sony Vegas Pro 8 editor. Make sure you specify Pixela's (settings) to send your project information to the specific place you want to work (like an external multi terabite drive!)so you don't clutter up your C-drive with a ton of your work. Expect to use your own editor, so shop wisely and make sure it works with (MPG) files--most should. I don't know about Windows Vista or Windows 7 yet as I'm waiting for 8 and 3/4 to come out before I jump out of XP.
   
   5 Mikes:
   There are a set of stereo mikes on he front of the camera and a slot to plug in an external mike on the left side of the camera. The regular mikes compress the sound if it is too loud. The ultimate solution to high volume sound with this camera would be to use high quality condenser mikes going through a small mixing board and then into the camera. It's nice to know that that possibility exists, but the front-end mikes were ok on the blasting show I recorded the other night--again, this cost less then the usual $5000 a night video crew--I'm not expecting MTV quality video in this scenario. The video I captured, however, was used to successfully canvas another venue for my band to perform at--good enough!
   
   6 Audio:
   
   The "AV Out" works fine to your AV in on a TV for instant playback or you can just stick the included AV cable RCA ends into a sound system so you can hear the recording better, while watching the footage on the screen. Though, the transfer to the computer is so fast, I just upload and listen to the sound and watch the video on the computer. The overall sound quality is about the same as my old Handycam--its ok. As mentioned in (5) the camera has the potential to accept processed sound from an external mixer if you want better sound.
   
   7. Zoom and auto focus:
   
   Great. I read about some camera's making noise on the recording and or sluggish focus--on the new cameras! No problems noted here. You can change the speed of the auto focus if needed. The zoom goes to 2000x, but I just used the default zoom setting, which gives the best quality.
   
   8. Feel:
   
   At first site, this camera was not that great looking. But I liked the over-all reviews on the FS10 better than any of the other 1001 various reviews I read. So i put sexy looks aside and went with my intellectual gut feeling. But now that I have the camera, I note that it is actually very solid; good small size; and easy to work with. It has become more and more attractive as I see that it delivers what it should for what it is. I am glad that I got this camera as a referb for $188.00. I also added a 3-year warranty for 30 bucks...that I don't feel I will need, but I feel better having it. I don't think you will lose sleep if you can get this camera at (that) price as it's original new cost is around $500. At $500 and above, however, I might be looking for an HD camcorder. Nevertheless, the complaints about poor quality and other problems associated with using HD camcorders are just as bad--if not worse in the HD market verses the SD market. I decided to get this standard definition camera, because after reading all the HD camcorder reviews, I felt those cameras weren't worth the money or headache for really not that much more value. This camera works great with current 2010 technology--easy to load to computer--easy to load to YouTube, etc. I'll get an HD camcorder when I get Windows 8 and 3/4.



3. I found this cam due to reviews by 2 other buyer.It is more than I expected for the price. I previously owned 2 cheaper cams...under $175.00 and there is no comparison. this is a fine, easy to operate, easy to carry and secure unit. The picture quality is superb even in very low light. the zoom feature works flawless to the limits the manual said. I would buy another cannon product without question of the quality and recommend this cam to anyone...professional or beginner.



4. I've had my Canon FS10 now for 2 years and have not had anything go wrong and I use it for video editing projects I do. The menu to view video clips and select options is a bit complicated but not a reason to pass this camera by. It took me a while but I've mastered it. Also, if you have a mac as I do, the only way to import video is through imovie9. I have found no other way. If you want to edit the video in another program (like Final Cut) you can export the video out of imovie to a compatible format. This camera is perfect for vacations. I can just stick in my pocket or my wife's purse and it's so convenient not having to carry a bag. I don't use the still image function because I use a regular camera but the images are pretty good.



5. Pros: FS10 has really good picture and amazing features..
   Cons: No night vision, cannot find option to use it under low light

5 comments about Canon DC310 DVD Camcorder with 37x Optical Zoom.

1. The Canon DC310 Camcorder is really nice, smaller than I imagined and produces great zoom optical pictures (via Camera Mode -SD Card) and really impressive DVD's.
   People need to simply read the manual (which is only 88 pages) and is EZ to read, and understand. Set-up may take some adjusting but the manual spells it out. Some have complained that this model doesn't have image stabilization, but it does.
   Once you get onto using the camera, know how to initialize any RW discs, (verbatim recommended) and know how to finalize the disc, this small disc will play on most DVD players.
   For those needing the Fire Wire for transferring images via IEEE wire, will need the Canon DC 330 . But you can certainly copy the DVD via computer burner or external DVD burner. A Good DVD Camcorder.



2. I got this for an uncle and it works pretty good as expected from canon.. but writing to the disc is a painstaking work.



3. Canon makes a great camera and I am very satified with the camera. Pay close attention to the type of disc that you use. The format is the -R, the advertising with Amazon shows items frequently bought together including the +R/RW. I bought that package and the discs do not work. Right below that advertisement the technical details states the camera only uses the other format. Hope this saves you some money.



4. Great little Camcorder ease of use , unpacked and made a video in the first hour, Everything I needed came with it. The video quality is great.
   Light and not fatiguing to use.



5. First of all, this is a basic features camera among the others,
   it doesn't have a USB port, but, once you finish the disc you can
   get your recorders into your computer and make your own movies.
   One more thing, it is very light and with the time you will love this.
   I think it's an excellent price for all the features it has, plus, it's CANON.

5 comments about Canon USB Cable IFC-400PCU for Canon Cameras & Camcorders.

1. I'm not a fussy person as long as the job gets done. I got a black usb (not as pictured) cord for my powershot, this cord works fine. I got it for a low price. Understandably, it's not a Canon and is a generic. For performance, it works and gets the job done. I have to penalize it on stars for the false advertisement.. as it's pretty obvious that it wasn't Canon. Vendor should consider advertising the product appropriately.



2. It's not white, doesn't have the bulge, probably not a Canon product, but it's cheap and works just fine with my CanonPowerShot.



3. The first and only time I have ordered something from your company, you sent me the wrong item. Instead of sending me a 'Canon USB Cable IFC 400PCU' for my Canon Camera, you sent me a generic usb without the cylindrical filter/buffer that should be attached to the cord and which is shown in the picture for the item I purchased. I would say that I was displeased with my purchase and most likely will not buy anything from you again. Thank you very much and have a Wonderful Holiday season.



4. Despite what the advertisement says, this cable does NOT fit the Canon camcorder. It is a plain USB/miniUSB cable, but camcorders require a "firewire" end, which this is NOT.



5. Just a standard USB cable (not Canon brand, from what I can tell), but works just fine at a fraction of the cost.