Independent videomakers rejoice! The new Canon FS-100 camcorder is here and this is a great, highly portable and inexpensive video camera for anyone seriously interested in producing quality video with the minimum hassle. Key features include the camcorder ability to record directly on solid state memory, an external microphone jack, a powerful night light, manual control for focus and exposure, white balance control, fast start and immediate clip replay.
The new Canon FS-100 camcorder
Though the new Canon FS and HF series camcorders have been announced since a few months already, at least in Europe, they have just become available on the distributors shelves only since the beginning of June.
I have bought mine from Amazon UK, but you can find domestic distributors carrying this product in just about any major country in the western emisphere (Asian friends please update me on what is available out there in this class).
The price for the FS series, which differs only for not delivering standard HD video quality, is really within reach for most, with prices ranging from just above €300 (in the US $ 320 on Amazon) to over 350 depending on the specific model and configuration.
Both the FS and the HF series consist of three models, but the only difference among them is the amount of built-in recording memory available. The HF-10 and FS-10 as well as the HF-11 and FS-11 carry respectively 8GB and 16GB of internal memory while sporting an empty SD-HC slot for you to add whatever additional memory you want. Both the FS-100 and HF-100 have no built-in memory and you just add in the SD memory card of your choice.
Here the details:
The new Canon FS-100 camcorder is in many respects the ideal camcorder I have been long waiting for. I say so because this small technology jewel integrates some of my most wanted features in a form that is very compact, ergonomic and lightweight.
One of the key characterizing traits of the Canon FS series is that it records fully on solid-state, Flash-memory cards doing completely away with tape or disc motors, and the associated noise, weight and extra power required. You are now free to select your SD memory card size of preference, much like you used to do with Mini-DV tapes. All SD-type memory cards from 1GB to 16GB and above are highly welcome inside this new camcorder.
All the camcorders in the Canon FS series include a 37X optical zoom lens that extends to 48X with the Advanced Zoom turned on or to a stunning 2000x (you must see this) if you set it to Digital Zoom inside the camcorder settings, as well as a single 1.07MP CCD sensor, a Digic DV II image processors and 2.7-inch color widescreen LCD.
The video recording format maybe one of Canon FS-series very few weak points, as non-technical users will be very frustrated to deal with the non-popular .MOD video file format (MPG2 + AC3 audio) utilized by Canon here. There are several ways around this issue and I have just published a specific article just about this.
When it comes to the power supply, the Canon FS utilizes an "Intelligent Lithium-ion" battery that is claimed to provide up to three hours of power while letting the camcorder tell you in real-time how much juice you have left (expressed in remaining recording time - and down to the minute).
The Canon FS-100 camcorder comes also equipped with an electrical power adapter that plugs right into the video-camera allowing extended use even when all of your batteries have run out. The power adapter acts also as a re-charger for whatever internal battery is inside the camcorder and a full recharging cycle takes about 2-3 hours.
Here an overview of the most important key features, from my personal viewpoint:
All on the on-board controls are extremely simplified, offering at first glance only one main switch with four possible positions on the back of the camcorder (video-recording, video-playback, photo-shooting, photo-playback), and two small buttons in the compartment where the LCD screen normally rests (one is to activate the "all automatic" mode (labeled "Easy") and the other one is to display camcorder info on screen including remaining battery time.
All remaining controls are easily accessible via a series of soft-touch buttons on the LCD screen itself, which on one hand replicate the basic casette deck typical functions and on the other double up as extra feature controls. On the left side of the 2.7" LCD screen rests also a small joystick that allows you to navigate through the different menu choices and, when pressed, to act as an OK - confirmation button.
With these manual controls it is also possible to manually control the focus as well as the exposure of the camcorder.
White balance control is available alongside a series of pre-sets for different lit scenes.
The Canon FS-100 camera lens is a standard Canon zoom lens with a 2.6 - 96.2mm range. The wide angle aperture is relatively low, as in most cameras, and the angle at which the lens captures video, requires you to be somewhat undershooting your subject if you are not monitoring the LCD screen. That is: if shooting with a closed LCD screen (to be less visible) due to the low aperture of the wide angle and the vertical angle of shooting of the camcorder that you will need to point your camera a little lower than you would think appropriate.
The Canon FS-100 optical zoom lens has an aperture range of f/2.0 - f/5.2 and is capable of the following 35mm equivalent focal lengths:
- 41.7mm - 2,002mm (16:9 Movies, 48x Advanced Zoom)
- 47.1mm - 1,743mm (16:9 Movies, 37x Optical Zoom)
- 44.4mm - 2,453mm (4:3 Movies, 55x Advanced Zoom)
- 44.6mm - 1,650mm (4:3 Movies, 37x Optical Zoom)
- 45.2mm - 1,672mm (16:9 Still Images)
- 41.5mm - 1,536mm (4:3 Still Images)
One of the notable items relative to the zoom lens is the unique 2000x digital zoom capability that can be switched on inside the Canon FS-100. I have tried it and it is indeed quite impressive indeed. Obviously you need a tripod to make any good use of it, but the zoom range of this lens, in digital mode, is quite impressive.
The Canon FS-100 is very compact and can be firmly grabbed with one hand without any problems. The camcorder is also very light and simple to operate. Controls are reduced to a minimum, and there is even a "Easy" button that sets everything on full-automatic mode, leaving you to worry only about the framing of your subject.
Ergonomically, the camera fits the hand fine. The angle at which you hold the camera in the strap takes a little getting used to as I have mentioned above, but this only if you are not looking into the LCD screen, which is something quite uncommon..
The FS-series Canon camcorders weighs in at 260 grams.
An outstanding feature, at least in my experience with these high-level consumer camcorders, is the integrated flash-light capable of continuous lighting during a video night shot. Nonetheless the light component on the front of the camera appears to be very small, it shines a very strong and bright light allowing you to get good lit shots even when there is absolute darkness. Obviously the quality of such night shots will be quite grainy compared to standard daylight recordings, but in my opinion they are quite good for many semi-professional uses.
The Canon FS-100 is an SD camcorder, meaning that it is classified as a "standard definition" (and not HD) quality level video recorder. The quality of the images is very good, crisp, and with vivid colors. This is just a personal subjective impression, but having used camcorders of all kinds for over twenty years now, I have developed some sensitivity to what good quality is.
The Canon FS-100 "True Wide High Resolution" 16:9 recording system captures video in panoramic detail – and it is also well suited for playback on widescreen TVs.
If you are looking to produce good quality video for the web, this camcorder does deliver more than sufficient video quality to impress anyone. The video resolution is good and the final results speak by themselves.
Here is an example of a video clip recorded indoor yesterday with my Canon FS-100:
The new Canon FS-100 camcorder
Though the new Canon FS and HF series camcorders have been announced since a few months already, at least in Europe, they have just become available on the distributors shelves only since the beginning of June.
I have bought mine from Amazon UK, but you can find domestic distributors carrying this product in just about any major country in the western emisphere (Asian friends please update me on what is available out there in this class).
The price for the FS series, which differs only for not delivering standard HD video quality, is really within reach for most, with prices ranging from just above €300 (in the US $ 320 on Amazon) to over 350 depending on the specific model and configuration.
Both the FS and the HF series consist of three models, but the only difference among them is the amount of built-in recording memory available. The HF-10 and FS-10 as well as the HF-11 and FS-11 carry respectively 8GB and 16GB of internal memory while sporting an empty SD-HC slot for you to add whatever additional memory you want. Both the FS-100 and HF-100 have no built-in memory and you just add in the SD memory card of your choice.
Here the details:
Canon FS-100 Overview - Key Features
The new Canon FS-100 camcorder is in many respects the ideal camcorder I have been long waiting for. I say so because this small technology jewel integrates some of my most wanted features in a form that is very compact, ergonomic and lightweight.
One of the key characterizing traits of the Canon FS series is that it records fully on solid-state, Flash-memory cards doing completely away with tape or disc motors, and the associated noise, weight and extra power required. You are now free to select your SD memory card size of preference, much like you used to do with Mini-DV tapes. All SD-type memory cards from 1GB to 16GB and above are highly welcome inside this new camcorder.
All the camcorders in the Canon FS series include a 37X optical zoom lens that extends to 48X with the Advanced Zoom turned on or to a stunning 2000x (you must see this) if you set it to Digital Zoom inside the camcorder settings, as well as a single 1.07MP CCD sensor, a Digic DV II image processors and 2.7-inch color widescreen LCD.
The video recording format maybe one of Canon FS-series very few weak points, as non-technical users will be very frustrated to deal with the non-popular .MOD video file format (MPG2 + AC3 audio) utilized by Canon here. There are several ways around this issue and I have just published a specific article just about this.
When it comes to the power supply, the Canon FS utilizes an "Intelligent Lithium-ion" battery that is claimed to provide up to three hours of power while letting the camcorder tell you in real-time how much juice you have left (expressed in remaining recording time - and down to the minute).
The Canon FS-100 camcorder comes also equipped with an electrical power adapter that plugs right into the video-camera allowing extended use even when all of your batteries have run out. The power adapter acts also as a re-charger for whatever internal battery is inside the camcorder and a full recharging cycle takes about 2-3 hours.
Here an overview of the most important key features, from my personal viewpoint:
Camera Controls
All on the on-board controls are extremely simplified, offering at first glance only one main switch with four possible positions on the back of the camcorder (video-recording, video-playback, photo-shooting, photo-playback), and two small buttons in the compartment where the LCD screen normally rests (one is to activate the "all automatic" mode (labeled "Easy") and the other one is to display camcorder info on screen including remaining battery time.
All remaining controls are easily accessible via a series of soft-touch buttons on the LCD screen itself, which on one hand replicate the basic casette deck typical functions and on the other double up as extra feature controls. On the left side of the 2.7" LCD screen rests also a small joystick that allows you to navigate through the different menu choices and, when pressed, to act as an OK - confirmation button.
With these manual controls it is also possible to manually control the focus as well as the exposure of the camcorder.
White balance control is available alongside a series of pre-sets for different lit scenes.
Focal Length - Zoom
The Canon FS-100 camera lens is a standard Canon zoom lens with a 2.6 - 96.2mm range. The wide angle aperture is relatively low, as in most cameras, and the angle at which the lens captures video, requires you to be somewhat undershooting your subject if you are not monitoring the LCD screen. That is: if shooting with a closed LCD screen (to be less visible) due to the low aperture of the wide angle and the vertical angle of shooting of the camcorder that you will need to point your camera a little lower than you would think appropriate.
The Canon FS-100 optical zoom lens has an aperture range of f/2.0 - f/5.2 and is capable of the following 35mm equivalent focal lengths:
- 41.7mm - 2,002mm (16:9 Movies, 48x Advanced Zoom)
- 47.1mm - 1,743mm (16:9 Movies, 37x Optical Zoom)
- 44.4mm - 2,453mm (4:3 Movies, 55x Advanced Zoom)
- 44.6mm - 1,650mm (4:3 Movies, 37x Optical Zoom)
- 45.2mm - 1,672mm (16:9 Still Images)
- 41.5mm - 1,536mm (4:3 Still Images)
One of the notable items relative to the zoom lens is the unique 2000x digital zoom capability that can be switched on inside the Canon FS-100. I have tried it and it is indeed quite impressive indeed. Obviously you need a tripod to make any good use of it, but the zoom range of this lens, in digital mode, is quite impressive.
Ergonomics - Ease of Use
The Canon FS-100 is very compact and can be firmly grabbed with one hand without any problems. The camcorder is also very light and simple to operate. Controls are reduced to a minimum, and there is even a "Easy" button that sets everything on full-automatic mode, leaving you to worry only about the framing of your subject.
Ergonomically, the camera fits the hand fine. The angle at which you hold the camera in the strap takes a little getting used to as I have mentioned above, but this only if you are not looking into the LCD screen, which is something quite uncommon..
The FS-series Canon camcorders weighs in at 260 grams.
Built-in Video Light
An outstanding feature, at least in my experience with these high-level consumer camcorders, is the integrated flash-light capable of continuous lighting during a video night shot. Nonetheless the light component on the front of the camera appears to be very small, it shines a very strong and bright light allowing you to get good lit shots even when there is absolute darkness. Obviously the quality of such night shots will be quite grainy compared to standard daylight recordings, but in my opinion they are quite good for many semi-professional uses.
Video Quality
The Canon FS-100 is an SD camcorder, meaning that it is classified as a "standard definition" (and not HD) quality level video recorder. The quality of the images is very good, crisp, and with vivid colors. This is just a personal subjective impression, but having used camcorders of all kinds for over twenty years now, I have developed some sensitivity to what good quality is.
The Canon FS-100 "True Wide High Resolution" 16:9 recording system captures video in panoramic detail – and it is also well suited for playback on widescreen TVs.
If you are looking to produce good quality video for the web, this camcorder does deliver more than sufficient video quality to impress anyone. The video resolution is good and the final results speak by themselves.
Here is an example of a video clip recorded indoor yesterday with my Canon FS-100:
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