canon VIXIA HF S20 vs VIXIA HF S200

[LenzCapt]

Hello and thank you for your time. I'm looking for help/advice. I want to purchase my first camcorder, I've narrowed my choices down to Canon VIXIA HF S20 or the
VIXIA HF S200.

I'm wondering if anyone has an opinion Re: the on board 32g hard drive in the HF S20 model, vs the HF S200, that model comes with no on board storage, you have to purchase flash memory card(s). Any other information is also welcomed .Thank you

 

[kwa_photo]

This is mainly a still photography forum, I don't think you'll get many answers here. You may want to seek out a video forum and ask there. dpreview doesn't even review camcorders.
--
-Ken
'Don't feed the trolls!'
http://kwaphoto.wordpress.com

 

[caterpillar]

Hello and thank you for your time. I'm looking for help/advice. I want to purchase my first camcorder, I've narrowed my choices down to Canon VIXIA HF S20 or the
VIXIA HF S200.

I'm wondering if anyone has an opinion Re: the on board 32g hard drive in the HF S20 model, vs the HF S200, that model comes with no on board storage, you have to purchase flash memory card(s). Any other information is also welcomed .Thank you

They are basically the same camera. One just has an internal memory (not HD) of 32gb and the HF-S200 has no internal memory. You have to use sdhc cards. That's about it. The former can still use sdhc card. These 2 models have dual sdhc slots. They will be coming out April. I don't think they are available yet.

If you want to save money, get the model that is being replaced, the HF-s10 and HF-s100. It's the same camera internally. The s-10 number series has an internal 16gb memory, while the s-100 doesn't. I will be getting the HF-s100. Last year, I got the HF-100 (w/c I still use and love using) for U$550 at bhphoto as it the remaining stocks were being emptied off the store. The new HF-s100 then was in the U$1,100 range.

Now, the HF-s100, because it is now the one being replaced soon is in the U$750-800 range. I expect it to go down to U$550-600 by March. If you ask me, save yourself some money and get last year's model.

Finally, though you didn't asked about it. make sure you have a fast core2duo cpu or better a quad core AVCHD, especially at 17-25mpbs uses a lot of cpu power to render! Go for a i5 setup if you want to cut down costs.

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• Caterpillar

'Always in the process of changing, growing, and transforming.'

 

[LenzCapt]

Thank you very much for all the info. I'm running iMac OS X 10.4.11, 1.83 Intel Core Duo / is the the software compatible and the processor fast enough ? hank you again

 

[caterpillar]

Thank you very much for all the info. I'm running iMac OS X 10.4.11, 1.83 Intel Core Duo / is the the software compatible and the processor fast enough ? hank you again

Mac/Apple have their own world. They want to set the trend and standards. Unfortunately, sometimes, they tend to be laggards in accepting others standards. AVCHD is not new. So is the basic mpg4's. The cameras have been out for some time (3 years at least) but Apple takes its own time to make it easy to edit or at least ingest these files.

You may have to check the Apple on that. However, with conversion, a lot of people are using it since 1-2 years already. I am not aware if Apple has finally "accepted" AVCHD and made it easier for it to be used. You really have to check with them. And if you think you can just look for another camera that is more compatible with Apple, think again. There are few and those that there are, like JVC, are expensive. I am not sure if the 7D and 5d mk-2's .MOV files are easier or still needs conversion, but for sure, the 550d will be the cheapest of the bunch once it comes out.

Although your concern is editing and ingestion of the files, it's really Apple that is hard headed, sorry to say. I'm sure they'll change their tune because 90% of videocams and cameras are in AVCHD when tapeless. That's a lot of cameras to ignore simply because you want your Quicktime to be used.

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• Caterpillar

'Always in the process of changing, growing, and transforming.'