Canon's new dual-Flash HD camcorder

Canon has announced its VIXIA line of consumer HD camcorders at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Headlining the act is the HF10 Dual Flash Memory camcorder, which eliminates the need for DV tape by allowing users to record up to six hours of HD video to a 16 GB internal Flash drive, plus a further 2-4 GB on removable SDHC memory cards.

The HF10 features a 12x HD Video Lens, 3.3 Megapixel stills camera, 2.7-inch LCD screen, and a microphone terminal. It will be available to consumers in April, at an estimated retail price of USD$1099.

In addition to the HF10, the VIXIA line will include the HF100 Flash Memory camcorder, the HV30 HD camcorder and the previously released HG10 AVCHD Hard Disk Drive camcorder and HR10 AVCHD DVD camcorder. All camcorders in the VIXIA line feature a HD CMOS Image Sensor for Full HD (1920 x 1080) image capture, a DIGIC DV II Image Processor for superior color and clarity, instant AutoFocus for fast and accurate auto focusing, crucial for HD, and SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization, which corrects a wide range of camcorder vibration for virtually shake-free images.

Like the HF10, the USD$899 HF100 includes an SDHC drive, but lacks the internal flash memory. Both camcorders feature a 24p Cinema Mode for shooting “Hollywood-style” movies and a 30p Progressive Mode, new to consumer level models, which captures fast action events, or footage intended for the web. Both models also offer a newly designed Mini Advanced Accessory Shoe, which provides cable-free connectivity to an optional Canon microphone or video light.

Solid-state camcorders like the HF10 and HF100 offer a bevy of advantages over digital video models. Flash memory is more stable and less prone to data loss, allows quicker and more efficient recording, and the lack of moving parts results in a smaller, more power efficient camera.

"We are very excited about our new VIXIA family of camcorders, as well as being an innovator by offering Dual Flash Memory," said Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. "Consumers are actively investing in HD televisions and they're discovering the value of capturing memories in HD. Whichever format consumers may prefer, including our revolutionary Dual Flash Memory, all VIXIA camcorders share Genuine Canon Optics and a host of Canon technologies allowing precious moments to be preserved with unrivaled color and clarity."