Canon Vixia HF11: Review

Posted to Camcorders 2009-11-22

Canon Vixia HF11 review:

Consumers looking to purchase a full-HD camcorder should definitely keep the Canon Vixia HF11 flash memory camcorder at the top of their list. This model is one of the top in its class, providing the highest quality video available in the latest AVCHD format. It costs much less than similar models, yet it doesn't fall short of quality like the cheaper models tend to do. The Canon Vixia HF11 isn't perfect, but it is very good and perhaps the best camcorder for the price.

At just 2.9 x 2.5 x 5.1 inches in dimensions and 13.4 ounces in weight, this high-definition camcorder is compact and handy enough for any trip or event that may require video recording. Unlike the bigger and bulkier camcorders that use internal hard drives, the Canon Vixia HF11 utilizes a dual flash memory feature, which allows you to record to both the internal 32GB memory and an external SDHC memory card. This model also lets you records HD video at 24Mbps, the highest bit rate currently available for AVCHD format. Consumers will not only be impressed by the video quality, but by the camcorder performance as well. Unfortunately, battery life is short, so you might want to purchase a bigger battery also.

Rating:

4.4 out of 5

Quality

Thanks to Canon's 3.3-megapixel full HD CMOS Image Sensor and advanced DIGIC DV II Image Processor, the Vixia HF11 camcorder is able to produce stunning 1920 x 1080 high-definition video. Available in a variety of bit rates, including 24Mbps, the video is crisp and colorful even in low-light situations. Even video shot at 12x zoom is impressive. And thanks to Canon's exclusive Instant AF (Auto Focus) and SuperRange optical image stabilization technologies, now your footage will be smoother than ever. If you are looking for the best quality for the price, then look no further than the Canon Vixia HF11.

Value

Upon initial release, high-definition camcorders cost consumers upwards of thousands of dollars. Now that technology has advanced and demand for HD devices has grown, you can get a great HD camcorder for under a thousand dollars. Such is the case with this model. It offers faster performance and better quality video at a small price tag than that of several competitors. Although the battery life and file transfer times are disappointing, overall, the Canon Vixia HF11 is a powerful and valuable addition to the camcorder market.

Summary

This model is especially versatile because it allows dual memory card recording, plus playback via HDMI and USB. The audio quality is just as impressive as video recording, although Canon took a step backward on the wind filter. Although this camcorder is expensive, it is more affordable than most models in its class and has much better quality as well. It's not perfect, but for the price, it comes pretty close. There are only a few nuisances that come with nearly every camcorder. If quality, value, and features are your top priorities in a HD camcorder, then definitely consider the Canon Vixia HF11.

Pros

Excellent quality- allows HD recording at highest AVCHD bitrates
Powerful- 12x zoom combined with Instant Auto Focus brings action closer
Value- quality, features, and performance are hard to beat for the price
Smart- records to dual flash memory cards for improved recording performance

Cons

Flaws- awkward eyepiece, slow file transfer time, and poor battery life