When you look forward to purchase of a camcorder then there are many superb choices available in the market. There is one such choice in the form of Canon Vixia HF G10 that is getting immensely popular. It brings forward lots of delightful features in front you. Let us explore this camcorder in detail.

Similar to most of the HD camcorders coming up these days, this HF G10 is able to record the video using the AVCHD compression. It can not record the standard definition video. However, it comprises of the HD-SD down-conversion which can be applied to produce the standard definition videos from your HD clips. It preserves the original content as well during this process. You will find 5 quality settings present on this camcorder. Two of these permit the Full HD 1920 × 1080 type of recording. While the remaining three are able to record the 1440 × 1080 HD video which gets stretched to the 1920 × 1080 image for the process of playback.

Audio Controls - 

This camcorder comprises of few nifty audio features which are generally seen in the professional variants. These controls are like the frequency response, microphone directionality control along with built-in mic, and audio mix choices along with external mic jack. You also get the wind cut feature, the microphone attenuator, and the manual audio level adjustment that makes the usage a lot more pleasing.

The frequency response controls permit you towards boosting or cutting the low range of frequency, boosting the mid range of frequency, or boosting both these frequency ranges. It is interesting to note that mic directionality controls could be set to the mono, wide, normal, and zoom choices. These two features were not included by Canon for its consumer models earlier. This remarkable addition has delighted the audiophiles and enhances their experience their experience with this gadget in a terrific way.

The built-in mic is able to record the 2-channel stereo. The position of mic is perfectly fine as it’s on top of the gadget to give added comfort. You might accidentally rub against mic while using the lens ring. You must be able to stay away for careful using. The external mic jack remains unprotected over the right side. It acts as one of the gripes seen with the audio features of G10.

Auto Controls –

Exposure –

The exposure controls featured on G10 are less in comparison with focus controls. You are able to set exposure in the 1/4 EV increments from the values of -3 to +3. You will also find the zebra pattern setting for examining the overexposure. There are also the features such as auto exposure lock (or AE Lock), the touch exposure along with touchscreen, as well as waveform monitor for their specific purposes.

These choices are perfect to attain the basic kind of exposure adjustment. The applying of rear-mounted control dial used for setting exposure controls is also there. This dial is small and closely not as precise like the big lens ring which is dedicated towards focusing. You are able to set the exposure through tapping the touchscreen buttons also. This method acts in a much fine way as compared to the little, hard-to-reach kind of control dial at the back.

The Color and Image Controls –

1. Image Effects –

You will not find any preset color modes for this setting anymore. The presets now have taken the figure of the Cinema Modes. But this camcorder comprises of 4 image effect choices which can be manually increased and decreased as per your preference. These include the color depth, sharpness, contrast, and brightness. These all come with the adjustment ranges through -2 to +2.

2. ND Filter –

 “ND” finds relevance to the Neutral Density and it is effectively able to cut the intensity seen in all light in an equal way as it gets activated. The 1/8 ND filter is able to cut the 1/8 of light. The ND filters get activated through the adjustment of aperture.

3. x.v. Color –

It permits the camcorder towards recording by use of xvYCC expanded color gamut. The user would be able to just observe the expanded colors while viewing the footage over any compatible television.

4. Cinema Filters –

It acts as a very intriguing feature popularly used by numerous users. You will find 9 Cinema-Look filters within the camcorder as you switch to the Cinema mode. It is interesting to note that all these filters (except the basic Cinema mode) comprise of the intensity levels involving low, medium, as well as high. The Regular Cinema mode permits you towards setting the color depth (±2), the contrast (±2), the softening filter, as well as the key lighting. Cinema Filters give you many choices such as Cool, Dream, Dramatic Black and White, Memory, Old Movie, Nostalgic, Vivid and Sepia.

5. Zebra Pattern –

It displays the striped patterns over the screen for showing the areas of frame which are overexposed. It may be set towards the 70% or the 100% sensitivity levels. This choice can be opted while doing the adjustment of the aperture or the shutter speed.

Media –

This camcorder is available loaded with the 32GB internal flash memory besides its dual memory card slots which work with the SD, SDXC and SDHC cards. The 32GB internal memory tends to work in a fine way. The G10 coming with 2 card slots helps a bit for media capacity situation.

The single scene could be recorded for 12 hours. Following 12 hours recording, this HF G10 would automatically finish recording (for about three seconds). Then you can start the new clip.

Other Features -

You will find many other excellent features on this camcorder. Some of them are -

Fader or Wipe –

The faders or wipes (in couple of separate colors) can be added to the start and end of the clips.

Video Snapshot-

This feature is getting common with Canon without much variation in few years time. The Video Snapshot helps you to set the time limit for recordings (these are 2, 4, and 8 seconds). Due to this all your clips have nearly the same length. Then you can group such clips together within the playback mode.