Canon VIXIA 2009 Models Announced!
 

Looks like 2009 is starting with a bang!

Canon just announced their Vixia 2009 lineup. THeir high-end model looks quite interesting.

And Digic DV III!!!

:)

DV Info Net: New Canon VIXIA consumer HD camcorders for 2009

Looks interesting. I wonder how Canon is going to price these models. They seem to be a significant upgrade to resolution. Wonder what that will do the the APP4 users that already have issues editing the 17MB/24MB AVCHD files.

Take particular note of the larger sensors on the HFS100 and HF200 versus the prior model HF10/100 which used 1/3.2" !!

Details at DV Info Net: New Canon VIXIA consumer HD camcorders for 2009

Discuss either here... or there.

Yeah, but they also have a much much higher pixel count (8 megapixels).

So I wonder how this will affect low-light compared to the current models? But then again, look at the new larger lens and Digic DVIII processor ...

Some do and some don't.

Actually the Hf200 has a 3.89 MP sensor verson the prior Hf100's 3.2MP.

The advertised min illumination is .4 lux.

I personally doubt that it produces very usable footage at such low illumination.

i must be missing it, but i see no mention of sensor sizes in the linked article. what size sensors are the new cameras utilizing?

The new cameras with full spec sheets are on the canonusa website.

The HF-S10 is the highest-end camcorder in the new list. Compared to the also newly announced HV40 (until today the HV series were king in the consumer space) only missing are a full advanced shoe, viewfinder, true native 24p without the need for pulldown removal, and low light support (3 LUX compared to HV40's 2 LUX). Other than that though, the HF-S10 and HF-S100 are really marvelous machines with several new features, including zebra, gain, and third party accessory color calibration support -- in addition to a larger sensor with the new DigicDV III tech, bigger lens, and higher dynamic range.

So unless these 5 things that the HV40 still sports over the HF-S10/100 are still important to you, the new HF-S series are the new kings in my opinion in the consumer space.

Update: Tentative prices, see http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/989182-post2.html

The first previews and sample footage screenshots come in -- just published:
Infosyncworld: Best Top-of-the-line Full HD Camcorders of CES 2009 - infoSync World
Camcorderinfo: Canon Vixia HF S10 First Impressions Camcorder Review - Canon Flash Memory

And this is my own write up on my video blog, comparing the HF-S series to the so successful, but now surpassed, HV series: Regarding the new Canon cameras

EXCITING TIMES INDEED.

Pity I JUST bought a HG21.

Was gonna gripe about the lack of viewfinder but NO DENYING these new cams are something to get very excited about.

Release date?

A 4:3 sensor again?
I was just wondering of how much longer a photo mode will remain a priority in video cameras.

Thank you for coming out of retirement to post this :D

A few more screenshots from the HF-S series (I hope it's not against the policy to post to another forum's post of mine):
Canon HF S10/S100 - Page 7 - Canon HV20, HV30 & HV40 User Forum
After these screenshots, I am not such a big fan girl about the HF-S as I was before...

I tried using the HF-S1- at CES. First, it is way too tiny and light. Like holding an empty Coke can. Yet, it is still too tint to go in a pocket unlike the "passport" designs used by DV and HDV camcorders.

Second, while I was very excited by the Sony style control dial on the front -- it had three problems.

1) It is less than an inch from the left mic. I would be surprised if folks don't brush the mic when trying to turn the TINY dial.

2) Given Canon's great AF system, I set the dial to control Exposure. At first I didn't think it worked. Seems you have to turn the dial MANY MANY times to make an adjustment!

3) After menu choosing which function the dial controls (bad design), you need to press the Custom button to activate/deactivate the dial. Where is the Custom button? Look at the photos. Do you see it? In fact it is a TINY TINY TINY triangle hidden within in the black design area.

Ergonomics are just not acceptable when size and weight are reduced so much.

And, of course, no VF! Although, given the TINY TINY TINY VF in the HV40 -- perhaps it is not such a big loss. Still.

On the plus side -- I expect the Canon with 900TVL/PH to blow everything else away. Maybe Sony's EXMOR-R will prove to be slightly more sensitive, but that's to be seen.

Now, were Canon to put this lens&chip into a bigger body and sell it for $2499 -- they would have a prosumer hit.

The HV40 seems the better option since it includes a 1920x1080 chip that is scaled-down to 1440x1080. And, no AVCHD to deal with.

Here's a work-around for that: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/990198-post41.html

The HF S series has a CMOS sensor that's just a hair larger than the HV series (1/2.6" vs. 1/2.7"), and both are native 1920. The HF S can be set to downscale to 1440 if you wish. I don't think there's much of a difference between these two image sensors; so it's primarily an AVCHD vs. HDV thing.

Chris, does the velcro thing comes with the Hoodloop? And how about the stress on the LCD?

With the sensors being fairly equal in size, yet the pixel density of the HF S10 being so much more, would we see fairly better lowlight in the HV40?

Unless Digic DV III is doing amazng things ...

Canon USA told me that the new Digic III DSP compensates for that somewhat, but obviously an 8mp chip won't quite deliver the same low light sensitivity as a 3mp. However in my opinion the choice should always be made upon format, not low light sensitivity. I'll take the 3-sec pre-roll record and AGC limiter of the HF S series any day. Those features aren't found on the HV series.

Yes the velcro comes with the HoodLoupe. I doubt it puts much stress on the LCD; it doesn't weigh very much at all.

I guess it would also be safe to assume that the 24P on the HV40 is like the 24F in their Pro line, in a sense that the full bitrate is used on all 24 frames, since you are not throwing anything away via a reverse telecine.