CES 2009

The HF S200, one of Canon's new camcorders for the Spring of 2009

(Credit: Canon USA)

Canon may have announced 11 new camcorders for Spring, but with the exception of the HF series there's not a lot to look forward to. MiniDV is clearly on its way out--only one new model this year from Canon. Though it's shipping 2 new models, Mini DVD isn't dying fast enough for my taste; the few situations in which it's convenient is overshadowed by its unreliability as a live recording medium and the inability to use the discs in the increasing number of slot-loading players. And while the FS series remains a standard-def standby, I think Canon's models tend to be a bit pricey in the face of increased competition by mini camcorders.

Photos: Canon camcorders, Spring 2009

On one level, I suppose it's not terribly surprising that Canon hasn't yet jumped in with a direct-to-Web camcorder like the Flip MinoHD--Canon has a history of deliberate nonparticipation in the truly low end of its markets--but it would have been interesting to see what the company did with the concept. Given that it would have probably involved Pixela ImageMixer, which Canon continues to ship with all its products, we're probably better off not knowing.

On the HD front, I was a bit taken aback by the relatively unchanged Vixia HV40. Although Canon frequently skips a generation in innovation, it rarely skips two. Maybe the company has put all its eggs into the AVCHD basket: it's split its SD-based models into two product lines, the compact Vixia HF series, continued from last year, and the new, higher-end Vixia HF S series with a bigger body but also a bigger lens and larger, higher-resolution sensor. The Vixia HG20 and HG21 remain in the lineup, since they're on the fall replacement cycle.

It's not always about brand-new hardware, though. Canon's rolling out Digic DV III in most of the HD models, which the company says has better face detection--up to 35 faces and the ability to recognize faces at angles--improved automatic lighting correction and enhanced noise reduction. All the flash-based models will also get a new Video Snapshot feature, which takes 4 second clips. I was initially skeptical, but this sounds like one of the few true useful differentiating features that come along so rarely. At least until everyone copies it.

The HF20, Canon's 2009 successor to the HF10.

(Credit: Canon USA)

We really liked Canon's first foray into flash-based AVCHD camcorders, the HF10/HF11, and it looks like follow-up models HF20 and HF200 should live up to their legacy. They're smaller--though it's tricky to not jeopardize usability in the shrinkage--and use a new 15X zoom HD lens and a smaller-but-higher-resolution .25-inch 3.89-megapixel CMOS sensor. Each hour of video at the 17Mbps bit rate takes about 7GB of storage or just over 10GB for each hour of 24Mbps video.

Like the higher-end HF S10 and HF S100 , these models integrate the new Digic DV III processor, which the company says offers improved face detection--Canon claims it can identify faces at oblique angles as well as preselect faces--enhanced autoexposure with the company's Auto Lighting Optimizer, and better noise reduction.

They also incorporate the features added into the FS series: Video Snapshots, which are 4-second clips used to create a "highlights reel" effect (the camcorders ship with a music CD); quick charges in 10 minutes per half hour of battery life; an electronic lens cover and video light; 3-second prerecord; and Dual Shot for capturing photos while shooting video.

The only difference between the two models is memory configuration; the HF20 has 32GB built in, while the HF200 has none. Though pricing isn't yet available for either model, Canon's Web site indicates a February ship for the HF200 and March for the HF20.

Canon updates its MiniDVD models.

(Credit: Canon USA)

The higher-end model in Canon's duo of standard-definition MiniDVD camcorders for 2009, the DC420, boasts slightly better specs than the DC410: in addition to the features of that model, it integrates a 1.07-megapixel CCD and 48x Advanced Zoom lens. Oh wait, that's what its predecessor, the DC320, had. As far as I can tell, there's no real difference between the two models except some minor cosmetics. Hmmm. Maybe it's just me.

No pricing yet for the DC420, which is slated to ship this month.

Canon's cheapest DVD camcorder: the DC410.

(Credit: Canon USA)

If you're wedded to the idea of a miniDVD-based standard-definition camcorder, Canon still plans to offer a couple of options in 2009, the budget DC420 and ultra-cheap DC410. The DC410 is essentially the DVD equivalent of the ZR960, with the same 680,000-pixel CCD, 41x Advanced Zoom, and mic and headphone jacks, plus the DC410 includes a card slot for shooting and saving photos. Given the low resolution you could probably get better pictures from your camera phone, though.

Slated to ship this month; no price as yet.

Canon HV40: same as it ever was.

(Credit: Canon USA)

I'm not sure if it's a commentary on Canon, prosumer HDV, or the quality of the original HV20, but with 2009's Vixia HV40 it's going to be three generations of essentially the same product. There wasn't much difference between the HV20 and its successor, the HV30, and this year's HV40 has basically the same design, same 1/2.7-inch 3-megapixel CMOS sensor, and the same 10X zoom lens. All that's new is support for a native 24p mode plus a user-definable custom key.

Though Canon hasn't yet determined pricing, it's slated to ship in March 2009. I don't expect the price to be as low as the HV30, however, and given the minor changes in the new model, I'd snap up one of the older versions, which can be found for less than $600, before they disappear from the market.

The FS22 comes in shiny black.

(Credit: Canon USA)

In addition to introducing a cheaper model into its standard-definition SD-card-based camcorder lineup, the FS200, Canon is offering updated versions of its FS10/11 models from last year. The FS21 and FS22 will likely offer more aggressive pricing and definitely sport more compact bodies than their predecessors. Though they both use the same 1.07-megapixel CCD and 48X Advanced Zoom lens, each offers another 8GB built-in memory--16GB in the FS21 and 32GB for the FS22. The latter also includes a wireless remote.

New features that Canon introduces include Video Snapshots, 4 second clips used to create a "highlights reel" effect (the camcorders ship with a music CD); quick charges in 10 minutes per half hour of battery life; an electronic lens cover and video light; 3-second prerecord; and Dual Shot for capturing photos while shooting video.

Price and availability are still TBD.

The FS200 comes in silver, red and blue.

(Credit: Canon USA)

Canon brings its flash-memory-based entry-level down a notch, introducing the FS200: an SD-based version of the ZR960 and DC410. Yes, it's designed differently, but it incorporates the same 680,000-pixel CCD and 41x Advanced Zoom lens as those two models. Plus, it incorporates a mic and headphone jack which makes models like these attractive to the education market. You can get it in blue, silver, or red.

Price and availability are still TBD.

Canon's sole MiniDV model.

(Credit: Canon USA)

MiniDV isn't dead, but it's getting close: Canon, at least, has reduced its 2009 MiniDV product line down to a single model geared to the education market. The survivor, the ZR960, is almost identical to 2008's ZR900: it has the same 680,000-pixel sensor, 41x Advanced Zoom lens, and no changes to the chipset. What's new? An LCD-based Quick Start option and support for 30.5mm filters.

No pricing or availability info as yet.

The HF S10, Canon's top consumer HD camcorder.

(Credit: Canon USA)

Many companies turn out SD-based camcorders in compact designs, simply because the flash-based technologies allow for much smaller models than those based on tape, hard disks and mini DVDs. While Canon will continue to offer compact AVCHD models in 2009, the HF20 and HF200, the company's branches out with slightly more "pro" prosumer offerings in the Vixia HF S10 and Vixia HF S100. These two models feature a larger, fast f1.6 10X HD lens and a relatively large, high-resolution 1/1.26-inch 8-megapixel CMOS sensor, along with higher-end capabilities, such as SMPTE color bars, the ability to manually boost gain up to 18dB, fixed 70 and 100 IRE zebra stripes and a user-assignable button.

The camcorders also take advantage of capabilities introduced with the Digic DV III processor, like improved face detection--Canon claims it can identify faces at oblique angles as well as preselect faces--enhanced autoexposure with the company's Auto Lighting Optimizer, and better noise reduction.

Finally, the models incorporate the features added into the FS series: Video Snapshots, 4-second clips used to create a "highlights reel" effect (the camcorders ship with a music CD); quick charges in 10 minutes per half hour of battery life; an electronic lens cover and video light; 3-second prerecord; and Dual Shot for capturing photos while shooting video.

The only difference between the two models is memory configuration: the HF S10 has 32GB built in while the HF S100 has none.

Price and availability are still unknown.

Freescale Semiconductor is expected to launch new silicon for Netbooks--devices that it believes will come in below $200--at the Consumer Electronics Show this week in Las Vegas.

The ARM chip architecture-based i.MX51 processor is designed to enable "low-power, gigahertz performance netbooks at sub-$200 price points," according to Freescale, formerly Motorola's chipmaking arm.

Freescale envisions sub-$200 Netbooks

(Credit: Freescale Semiconductor)

The definition of a Netbook seems to get redefined every month, as different companies push their distinct vision of the device. And Freescale is no different. While Freescale, like Intel, believes the Netbook is a companion device to the PC, it envisions devices that are more frugal with power consumption and run the Linux operating system. Intel-based Netbooks using the Atom processor typically offer better performance than ARM-based devices and run the Windows XP operating system.

"Because the primary function (of a Netbook) is accessing the Internet, Linux and Firefox are a good operating system and application for that purpose," Glen Burchers, director global marketing for Freescale's consumer products group, said in an interview.

He doesn't see ARM competing directly with Intel Atom processors, which target a higher-end Netbook segment. "ARM based processors can have a play, in addition to x86 (Intel)," Burchers said. 'We don't believe ARM processor will replace x86, but will augment them for a certain segment of the market." Ideally, the Freescale chip would be used in Netbooks that get about eight hours of battery life and sport an 8.9-inch screen.

And ABI Research, a market research firm, forecasts that there should be plenty of space for competing visions of the Netbook over the next several years. ABI expects consumers to purchase 60 million netbooks in 2013, compared with only 182,000 sold in 2007.

Freescale has been working with Pegatron, a wholly owned Asus subsidiary, to develop a reference design that features the 1GHz ARM Cortex A8-based i.MX51 processor, Canonical's Ubuntu operating system, Adobe's Flash Player software, a new power management chip, and the SGTL5000 ultra low-power audio codec.

Freescale's netbook reference design is available now. The company says it is currently sampling the i.MX51 processor and MC13982 power management device to tier-one Netbook customers. Volume production for the i.MX51 device is planned for Q2 2009 to power netbooks designed for the 2009 holiday shopping season, Freescale said.

(Note about Apple Netbook speculation: Freescale says that the "speculation is inaccurate" that its i.MX51 chip will be used in an Apple Netbook, as some reports have stated. "Freescale's netbook approach is unambiguously an ARM/Linux play, and any suggestion otherwise is inaccurate," a Freescale spokesman said Sunday night.)