Canon VIXIA HG21

Canon presents numerous camcorders in their amateur and professional line. The Canon HG21 Camcorder is just one of the options you have. It will certainly not disappoint you with its built-in 120 GB hard disk drive that has the Advanced Video Codec High Definition format. This lets you have forty five minutes of high definition video with wonderful imagery. All of the latest technology has gone into this latest camcorder from Canon. If the hard disk drive wasn’t enough to get you interested Canon also lets you record the video and your still photography to an SDHC card.

Canon VIXIA HG21

Features

The features that you enjoy from Canon in their cameras and camcorders are in the Canon HG21. The CODEC can record 24 Mbps with the Full HDCMOS 3.3 megapixel image sensor and the DIGIC DV II image processor. Specifications of the HG21 tell us that you receive 45 hours and 55minutes of recording time in the LP mode. LP mode will be 5Mbps, which is considerably slower than the maximum recording speed. At the 24Mbps you will only have 11 hours and 5 minutes of recording time. Still, when compared to the later models from Canon this recording time is the best you will get at the 24Mbps. You also have a possibility of better recording time when you add an SDHC memory card in the external slot.

The controls on this model are simpler to use with more choices, which also means it will be easier to use. Because of its size you can take this camcorder anywhere to capture life’s unforgettable moments. Canon brought out a new Canon 12x HD video lens, that combined with the optical image stabilizer and instant auto focus makes it a pleasure to operate.

The HG21 comes with a 2.7 inch multi angle LCD widescreen. The screen is large enough to play back the recording you have just made and see if you need to redo any section. You can also edit the recording from that screen. Part of the advanced photo features is the 3.1 megapixel photos you will see. The Pixela ImageMixer3SE video editing software is part of this camcorder as well as on several of their other models. Manual audio control is possible with the microphone terminal adding to the features of this camera. The camcorder gets its power from Canon’s intelligent lithium ion battery, which definitely lasts longer than AA’s.

Actual user review:
“HG21 is probably the best HD Camcorder out there. I say this because I have tried another high end camcorder from Sony with a 120GB harddrive, which (the Sony) was unbelievably disappointing in both color and resolution. Fortunately, we bought it at Costco, and just returned the Sony within a day. The Canon HG21 has amazing High Def pictures for daylight scenes. The color is very rich and eye pleasing. If you do a good job shooting, it can fool the untrained eyes as if it’s professional HD video. I have a Pioneer 50″ 1080i Plasma, and the pictures from the HG21 are so refined, the colors are beautiful. Night scenes are grainy. This is very disappointing. I also have a Flip MinoHD. The $200 little Flip out performs the Canon for night scenes. Canon should be a bit embarrassed by it and catch up on this front. The Mac/Apple compatibility of HG21 is a big plus. Canon has shipped a software CD with the camcorder, however, the software doesn’t work for Mac, and Mac users really don’t need it anyway. It was a pleasant surprise to open up iMovie’08 and the HG21 was automatically recognized on the USB port, and the Camera Import Window within iMovie popped out immediately to guide you through the importing of videos. Previously, everyone said AVCHD editing tool is hard to find. The Mac has it built in. Hats off to Apple. Select “Large” setting to import, “Full” resolution will cost you a lot of hard drive space. Overall, I would give this HG21 a “A-” for great daylight performance, working with iMovie’08 which is a wonderful consumer movie making tool, but has lackluster grainy night scenes.” – Ji Shen (CA,USA)

Some Advantages and Disadvantages

The Canon HG21 does have a built in microphone like all camcorders; however, sound quality is not the best. It lacks the noise reduction and volume needed for distance video recording. The nice thing about this camcorder is the microphone terminal, which allows you to add on a Canon DM 100 Directional Stereo Microphone accessory to enhance the sound and get that noise reduction. To combine with this lovely feature is the manual audio level control.

One of the great parts of the Canon HG21 is the hard disk drive, especially if you will be transferring your video to a computer. The LP mode on HG21 lets you record a 1440 x 1080 resolution video. If you choose to use the MXP mode you receive 1920 x 1080 resolution. This mode uses the 24 Mbps, which is the best quality. The lens is 12x Optical with 200x digital zoom. This makes the focal length 4.8 to 57mm, which is as good as any SLR digital zoom lens on the market. You also have various focusing systems to enhance your shots.

Another thing that makes this camcorder more user friendly is the ability it has to find blank space on the drive. This means that you won’t be recording over something already on the unit, and many other manufacturers do not offer this feature.

Bottom Line

Typically when you purchase a Canon camcorder you receive a battery pack, power adaptor, wireless controller, USB cable, component cable, software, stereo video cable and a digital video solution disk that works for Windows and Mac. If you purchase the Canon VIXIA HG 21 camcorder from source other than Canon you may find different things in the box. Suggested retail price is around $1300.00. Price comparisons will tell you that the $1300.00 price tag is about the norm, especially for the features you get. Upgrading to an almost professional style camcorder will definitely cost. If budget is factor then this camera is not for you. Instead you should look for the nice video, but highly inexpensive options.

Actual User Reviews:

• “We’ve used this camcorder for about a month now and I’m very happy with my purchase. Canon released the new 2009 models at CES2009 – and this model still compares well in comparison. (The newer models sport much better camera capabilities, but I already own a great camera.) Originally purchased this model instead of the HG20 for the viewfinder, and although the viewfinder works OK the additional hard drive space makes the purchase worthwhile. Picture Quality is awesome (I only record in MXP) and sound quality so-so, but I’ll connect an external microphone if I need better sound quality. Due to the enhanced picture quality in MXP you will not get away with common standard definition recording mistakes – especially when you play back on a large size LCD or Plasma. Quick pans or bumpy recording could make you feel sick when watching playback on a large screen. Maybe a good book on the subject is in order before capturing that big event or let your wife do the recording. Car power adapter and extra battery is a must for long trips.” – W.Campbell (CA,USA)

• “The Vixia HG21 is an excellent camera. The image quality surpasses others that I have seen. Using Shutter Priority (TV) I was able to capture waterfalls on HD video and on Still image with the misty quality that Ansel Adams had captured with his large format cameras. The extended life batteries and the additional lens kits from Canon are a bit pricey. But found it is best to go with the recommended Canon accessories rather than 3rd party. Using HDMI out port or the Component Out port to a 1080p flat screen monitor provided surprisingly beautiful HD video to the screen with crystal clear imaging. The camera is very light and takes a bit getting used to after having used professional cameras.” – C.Johnson (USA)

• “After several weeks of research on the best HD camcorder for under $1000.00, I bought this one. I hadn’t had a camcorder in about 7 years and the last one I had was a lot bigger. I wanted something small and easy to hold with a hard drive. I was originally going to buy the 60GB model, but for a few hundred more I thought it was worth getting the 120GB model. This camera is wonderful. I can shoot video of my daughter who plays soccer for Barry University in Miami, without any difficulties. I went all out and bought the extra battery, the light and the camera bag. I didn’t realize how small it was until it was shipped to me. The picture is awesome on my 65″ lcd Sharp Aquos TV and the sound is fantastic. The zoom is wonderful and the extra battery lasts around 4.5 hours for me. It was worth $125.00 to be able to record longer lengths then what the original battery lasts. I can tape the entire soccer game and the half time activities without needing to change the battery out. The software is OK. Anyway if you are considering this camera- you will not be disapointed- I love it!! And with Amazon Prime, It arrived the next day for $3.99-can’t beat that. Canon makes great products and I am extremely happy with this one!!” – M.M.Carvalho (FL,USA)

• “I purchased this camera for personal and work use. Although people complain about low light problems, I found settings that use aperature priority and take fine night video. It has fantastic automatic features and just takes some setting up and getting used to to make it produce incredible HD output. I did a lot of research before buying this model. It is truly the closest thing I could find to a profesional camcorder in a small and reasonably priced camera. The option to use hard drive or SD card for recording or taking still pictures is very fast and easy to switch modes. The still picture mode takes exceptional pictures and the included flash was something I had missed in my research and was a great surprise! “ – C.Grunstra (USA)

Average User Rating: