Unlike the excellent Canon HG10, a so-called Hybrid camcorder released towards the end of last year that records high-definition AVCHD clips to either SD cards or an internal hard disk, the Canon HF100 and its HF10 sibling have no moving parts whatsoever. It's not difficult to conclude that these two models represent the next generation of home video.
The HF100 uses a 1/3.2in, 3.3-megapixel, Cmos image sensor and an increasingly popular video compression system called AVCHD to squeeze high-definition movies and still pictures onto regular-size, high-capacity SD (called SDHC) cards. Based on the widely adopted Mpeg-4 AVC/H.264 codec, the resulting HD movies look fabulous when displayed via HDMI or component connections, particularly those recorded at the highest 17Mbits/sec FXP setting.
Given that the sole recording medium is a small SD card, the HF100 is surprisingly bulky, although that's perhaps a good thing, as it makes it very comfortable to use. A quick browse around the sleek, two-tone grey body will reveal a microphone input, switchable AV/headphone output, an automatic lens cap and a mini advanced accessory shoe to which you can fit optional extras such as Canon's own DM-100 external stereo microphone. The 2.7in colour LCD is the only means of monitoring on this camcorder model, but it offers a 135° viewing angle to make it easier to shoot from any angle.
Unlike its HF10 sibling, which has the added option of 16GB internal flash memory alongside its SD/SDHC card slot, the HF100 offers only memory card recording. It has four modes, the highest being 1920 x 1080 pixels FXP mode at a data rate of 17Mbits/sec, which will fill a 16GB SDHC card in just over two hours. The three lesser modes generate pictures with a resolution of 1440 x 1080 pixels. Even the lowest 2.5Mbits/sec mode produces very acceptable results when shooting stationary subjects.
What's really good about the HF100 is the ease with which you can be up and running and shooting HD video. In addition to offering full manual control over exposure, focus, white balance and even audio, there's a one-click Easy mode that overrides any other settings so that you can at least get good video when you absolutely need it. Even more interesting is the fact that the camera reverts to your manual settings when you switch back. Overall control of manual settings is determined by Canon's standard on-screen menu system, with navigation and choices being made using the LCD frame-mounted mini-joystick controller. It's a bit fiddly to begin with, but the ability to operate this with your left hand while gripping the camera with your right is a major plus point. Additional record and play controls are mounted underneath the LCD screen, too, which is also very handy.
Those who are familiar with Canon's other camcorder products will welcome the ability to shoot with either Shutter Priority (Tv) or Aperture Priority (Av), which enables the device to match aperture to a predetermined shutter speed and vice versa. Canon has also incorporated its own optical-shift image stabilisation, which does an excellent job at smoothing out hand-held wobbliness.
The fact that both the HF100 and the HF10 are completely solid-state devices will attract new adopters who really don't want the hassle of real-time tape digitising. Importing its MTS-format clips via USB or a card reader is made very easy by Apple's video applications, including iMovie 08 running on Leopard.
Not only does the Canon HF100 handle superbly, but its clever ergonomics make it a joy to use. The ability to connect external mics (either via the jack or accessory hotshoe) is a major boon, as is its comprehensive output connectivity by way of HDMI, component and AV/headphone. Colour and picture contrast look great on a large flat-panel HD display and stereo audio is up to expectations, too. Moreover, the option to use the 1080p 25fps progressive Cinema mode will attract serious users looking for a more film-like visual style. The HF100 is a fabulous product, and provides a clear sign of what's to come in the world of digital video.
Needs Intel processor + Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard + iMovie 08Author: Colin Barrett
Canon HF100