Canon VIXIA HF200 Camcorder

The  VIXIA HF200 is the new offering from Canon’s astoudingly big line of Camcorders. Its a flash memory camcorder that can record a whopping 1920 x 1080 HD quality video directly to SDHC memory cards.  It also features a 15x HD video lens.

vixia_hf200
vixia_hf200

Recording and Storage

The VIXIA HF200 delivers brilliant video and still photos through a Canon  3.89 Megapixel CMOS image sensor and the latest version of Canon’s advanced image processor, DIGIC DV III.

With this, one can record up to 6 hours of high definition video (LP Mode) to a removable SDHC card. The VIXIA HF200 allows you to record at up to 24Mbps, the highest bitrate in AVCHD format. The camera has no onboard memory, just SDHC expansion slot.

The camcorder can shoot in 24p cinema and 30p progressive modes, and comes equipped with a mini accessory shoe terminal, an HDMI output, and a microphone input with a manual audio control.

The Lens

The HF 200 features a Genuine High Definition Canon 15x HD Video Lens. It comes with four zoom speeds, three pre-set and one variable. It also features the Super Spectra Coating technology resulting in images with minimal flare and ghosting. The lens’ aspheric design reduces aberration and increases resolution. Additionally, a gradation neutral density (ND) system gives better exposures in bright shooting situations.

vixia-hf200-side-1
vixia-hf200-side-1

 

Other features

Like all the other Canon camcorders, it has several automatic functions including face detection, auto exposure, shooting control modes, and image stabilization. The camcorder comes with Pixela Image Mixer 3SE software.

vixia-hf200-side
vixia-hf200-side

Technical Specifications

Standard Definition or High DefinitionHigh Definition
Television SystemNTSC
Video Recording systemMPEG4-AVC / H.264
Image Sensor1/4-inch CMOS, RGB Prmary Color Filter
Total PixelsApprox. 3.89 Megapixels
Effective PixelsVideo: Approx. 2.99 Megapixels
(2304 x 1296) / Still Image: 16:9: Approx. 2.99 Megapixels
(2304 x 1296), 4:3 Approx. 3.31 Megapixels (2100 x 1575)
Maximum recording time32GB SDHC Memory Card (not supplied)
LP (5 Mbps) 12 hours 15 minutes
SP (7 Mbps) 9 hours 35 minutes
XP+ (12 Mbps) 5 hours 45 minutes
FXP (17 Mbps) 4 hours 10 minutes – Allows 1920 x 1080 Full HD Recording
MXP (24 Mbps) 2 hours 55 minutes – Allows 1920 x 1080 Full HD Recording
LensZoom Ratio 15x Optical / 300x Digital
Focal Length f=4.1- 61.5mm (35mm equivalent: 39.5 – 592.5mm)
Zoom Speed Variable / 3 Fixed Zoom Speeds
Max. F/Stop f/1.8-3.2
Focusing SystemInstant AF, Face Priority AF, TTL (through the lens)
Manual ExposureYes
Programmed AEAUTO, P, Av, Tv, Portrait, Sports, Night, Snow, Beach,Sunset, Spotlight, Fireworks
Max Shutter SpeedMovie: 1/2000, Still image: 1/500
Minimum Focusing Distance10mm (wide) / 1m (tele)
White BalanceAuto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Manual
Frame Rate60i, 24p Progressive (records at 60i), 30p Progressive (records at 60i)
Minimum Illumination0.4 lx (Night mode)
Image StabilizationSuperRange Optical (lens shift)
Filter Diameter37mm
ViewfinderNone
LCD Screen2.7-inch Multi-Angle Vivid widescreen color LCD (Approx. 211,000 dots)
FlashBuilt-in
Recording MediaSDHC Memory Card
USB TerminalUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed
Video Terminalcomponent (output), composite (output)
AudioDolby Digital 2 channels (AC-3 2 ch)
Accessory Shoemini Advanced
Supplied Video Editing SoftwarePixela ImageMixer 3SE
HDMI TerminalHDMI Mini Connector (output), CEC and x.v. Color
Microphone Terminal3.5 mm stereo mini-jack
AV Mini Terminal/Headphone Terminal3.5 mm 4 pole mini-jack (video/audio output only)
Dimensions(W X H X D) 2.8 x 2.4 x 4.9 in. (70 x 62 x 124mm)
Weight (not including lens and battery pack)12.0 oz. (340g)
Weight (fully loaded)14.1 oz. (400g)