CES 2009

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.

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.

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.