It's seemed like eons since a manufacturer announced a couple consumer beasts like the HF S10 (gallery) and HF S100 (gallery). We were so enthralled with Canon's new high-definition Flash Memory commanders that we just couldn't remove our hands from the mock-up models at our press meeting.
When Canon showed us real footage taken with the HF S10, it was difficult to discern between its footage and footage taken with Canon's $3,000 XH A1 prosumer cam. We think Canon is going to shred the competition in 2009 with the introduction of these highly promising models.
First off, we loved the bigger, bulkier body. Canon pumped up the lens filter diameter to a profound 58mm, which emulates their widely popular GL2 camcorder. The zoom toggle is fat and inviting and the Manual Control Set dial allows shooters to customize various manual controls, including Focus. Though we think a lens ring would have knocked it out of the park here, the Control dial is a nice line drive.
A hot shoe is mounted to the top for an external mic or video light, which will come to the aid of many budget filmmakers who will most likely be shooting with a HF S10 or HF S100 after seeing its video quality. We also liked the popup light and flash combo, which is a better placement for a more even light spread.
Canon stuffed an imaging sensor on steroids inside these camcorders, a 1/2.6" CMOS chip that is capable of capturing 8.59-megapixels. Both camcorders can capture 8-megapixel stills at their native resolution because of the large sensor and high pixel count. Canon claims that both camcorders will offer enhanced resolution and a boosted dynamic range, thanks in part to new Digic DV III processing.
The camcorders will also offer Canon's 24P Cinema mode, giving video an unmistakably vintage film look. Round that out with Color Peaking, Manual Gain control, and Face Detection that is capable of displaying up to 9 face frames at once, and we have what seem to be the champions of 2009 consumer video.
The only difference between both camcorders is that the HF S10 records to 32GB of internal flash memory and SDHC cards, while the HF S100 records to card only. We will certainly have comprehensive reviews as soon as the camcorders are released in February 2009.
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