Product ReviewsCanon VIXIA HG20 DVD, Hard Drive, Blu-ray Camcorder

Great video only when using external SD card, artifacs with internal hd.

I bought this camera to replace a broken Canon HF200. The HG20 goes for much lower than the HF200, has similar specs plus a 60 GB internal hd. It's a bit bulkier than the hf200, but I actually found that to be a plus as the HG20's shape allows me to hold it more easily. As mentioned below, the internal hd is not dependable for high bitrate recordings. The camera only works well for video recording only using an external SD card. Do not depend on the internal hard drive for high bit-rate recordings! I tested the camera at 24mbs, 1080i and recorded on the internal hd. The video had severe artifacts occurring with periodic regularity, suggesting buffering errors, even with my attempt to capture the video with little motion of jitter. Using a class 4 8gb card, I was able to capture great 24mbs 1080i video with no such artifacts. Having had a canon hf200, I can say the video quality appears to be the same. Based on my use, my conclusion is that the camera can inherently capture great 24mbs video, just not on the internal hd, which seems to be too slow, or has buffering errors. It might be able to record on the internal hd at lower than 24mbs without any errors, but no tests have been run.Read full review...

Canon VIXIA HG20 high definition camcorder

I Did a long and detailed study on what I wanted in a video camcorder especially from unbiased sources on the internet. Being that this was my first camcorder and having no experienced with these types of equipment, I took my time in looking up products reviews and pros and cons of the different features and options available on the market. I finally decided what I wanted in a camcorder and the Canon HG20 was what I selected for it's features, product reputation and price. Knowing the Canon product line to be reliable and with very good optics played a large part in my decission to purchase this Canon VIXIA HG20 Camcorder. There is an "easy" and regular record mode feature. I found the regular record mode complex to operate with all the different setups required and having to learn and remember how to access the feature you are trying to use. Definitely not recommended as a first time owner.Read full review...

GREAT CAMCORDER!!!

A fantastic camcorder. I love the HDD. It allows you to record up to 22 hours in 1080 high definition directly onto the built in Hard Drive. It also can record onto a SDHC that can be used for additional storage. It is a very impressive camcorder that's loaded and easy to operate.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: moglow71603

Canon HG-20

Very nice camera, worth the money for crisp video in a small package, manual focus could have been done better and the manual zoom could have been made more dynamic, but for under 1,000 bucks, was a great buy. Love the idea of no tapes, makes everything a whole lot easier, SD card slot also adds to the versatility. It took a while to hunt down something that could handle editing video for the MTS format, but I found Adobe CS4 to handle it nicely. The accessory shoe is smaller than the universal ones, so I'm unable to attach anything to it without buying an adapter, unfortunately. But aside from the minor set backs, I like it.Read full review...

EXCELLENT CAMERA, EASY TO USE

I researched quite a bit to find the right camera for Macintosh computer use. I edit all my movies on Mac computers and this camera syncs perfectly with iMovie 08. Seamless video transfer with excellent quality. Its compact size makes it perfect to take anywhere and get high quality videos. I'm very pleased with Canon's products. Again they have hit a home-run in my book. Great buy!Read full review...

Amazing video quality in low light conditions!

I had a JVC GZ-HD320BU and i wasn't happy with it because of the video quality in low light. Not happy at all... Then i bought the Canon Vixia HG20 cause i read about the good video quality in low light conditions. At first i thought the HG20 has a video light like my old JVC. Even on Amazon, they say it has... Wrong! The led on the front of the HG20 is ONLY a flash for still pictures. But the video quality of the HG20 is SO GOOD in low light conditions that it has NO NEED for a led light. I was amazed. It takes very good videos even at night, on the street or in my backyard. It's perfect for me.Read full review...

Fantastic for the prosumer level.

This camera is great! Its focus can be tack-sharp, and the HD videos it produces can be luscious. The manual focus can be hard to use, but this is my only complaint.

Possible cons: The zoom does not work as quickly as on a professional camcorder; the colors often become bleached in bright light; the preamp is noisy; and the low-light performance is quite poor. However, all of these can easily be explained by its prosumer-level price tag. For its cost, this camcorder is fantastic.Read full review...

Very pleased

Camera is very small, even pocket-sized. I put mine in a tele-lens case! I think I'll need some sort of bracket eventually, but the OIS feature (image stabilization) is very effective. Needs an "off camera" mike, like a shotgun mike. But I am very pleased so far. I would also recommend a wide-angle adapter, because the basic wide setting isn't very wide. This is typical, though, so should not be considered an issue, just as with the microphone.
I like it!Read full review...

This HG20 is awsome...

I bought this HG20 for my family summer trip. When I opened the box I loved the way it looks. I started to play with it right away. The picture is exceptional. The photo mode is perfect. I took self-portrait pictures with the remote and the quality was crytal clear. Oh wow.!!! It's really easy to operate and the best part was I got for less than $ 500.00 Thanks Ebay.Com a very trusted site.
Pete N.Read full review...

Canon is the better quality camera than most brands.

I bought this product to upgrade from my current camera. I liked the picture quality the best, sound quality was just as good. It was compatible with my software and easy to use. Canon is the better quality camera than most brands.Read full review...