Long review: 10 min.| I got the HF11 video camera in urgent need for a specific occasion.
The 60th fireworks event of Suwako lake / Nagano Prefecture in Japan on 15th August 2008.
(official sale start in Japan)
As the overall package Canon with its long term experience in Imaging seemed like "The natural Choice to make".
The video camera integrates a huge amount of intelligent functions that ensure the quality of your video experience.
image stabilizer,
light sensitivity sensor,
profiles
variable zoom speeds,
remaining battery status info,
alignment markers in the screen
smart replay functions (slow motion, freezing , advancing frame by frame etc.)
On top of that the video cameras body weight with 380gr. and the size of your favourite beverage is well acceptable even for ladies or kids hands.
The HF11 does come with a few usability hitches in terms of inconsistency, bugs etc. (see my how to guide for details), but besides that, the HF11's navigation is intuitive and exactly as the digital camera products. So, that was not a showstopper for us.
Most users are able to use the product within minutes !!
For video editing features you might want to look into additional software editing and codec converter solutions like Divx, Xvid etc. to be able to share the joy with your friends on DVD etc. The package contains all possible cables but NOT the ultra compact HDMI cable connection.
The major salespoints of this video camera are
Imaging quality (resolution and smoothness of video)
Canons colours
Usability
Usability and
Usability
The Imaging quality is unlike anything I have seen before and easily justifies the product alone.
HF11, HF10 or HF100, which one should I get ?
If you cant compromise video quality for anything get the HF11 with its 24mbps recording mode and be rest assured you have the extra stretch when you need it f.e. in low light scenarios and the best model on the marcet in the personal camcorder class.
Otherwise, if you can life with good quality and the same usability and other features as the big brother than you can make a deal by getting the HF10 or the HF100.
The intelligent functions and the exceptionally good design make the HF100, the HF10 or the HF11 the natural choice for beginners, amateurs and entry professionals.
This is the quality customers are expecting from a long term Imaging company like Canon !!
Additional Notes:
Vibrations:
Note that other camcorders with moving parts f.e. HDD's might not be working in extreme situations with strong vibrations f.e in concerts due to bass vibration. The camcorder makers do specifically NOT recommend taking videos in live houses as they formulate it. So you might find yourself having to record onto the memory card while the HDD is NOT usable.
(I mention it because its not so obvious from the product descriptions of camcorders.)
Fortunately with the HF11/HF10/HF100 or any flash memory based camcorder you dont have to worry about this too ;-)
Memory usage:
8GB of memory will provide you with 1h of best quality Full HD pleasure. So even if you just use the 32GB internal memory it means that the HF11 has enough storage for 4h of best quality Full HD video.
Thats plenty f.e. for your best friends wedding ceremony, the wedding party afterwards and even your kids school ceremony the next day.
Also memory usage is the same when actually comparing, this video camera has at least 3.5 times more details on the screen than the best digital camera out there with video function.
Please see my How to guide for more details and all PRO's and CON's.
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