I purchased the first Vixia HF R10 video camcorder sold by my local name brand electonics store. I had done a great deal of research and was just waiting for the camera to hit the shelves, so I could experience the claimed superior picture quality and plethora of features. Initially, the HF R10 did not disappoint. The images were sharp and natural. The little button Canon calls a joy stick made changing settings a snap. Then, while playing back a video I made in a quiet location, I heard something very bothersome. A low whirring sound--almost like the sound of an old 8mm projector running in the distance. I started doing some experimentation, and in every case, when the video had a minimum of ambient sound, you could hear that annoying whirr. I called Canon customer service, and their representative was defensive to the point of rudeness. He said that tousands of these units have been shipped and they had not heard this complaint until now. I brought it to his attention that the one and only review of the camera on Canon's own web site highlights the exact same problem. I also advised him that the HF R10 I purchased was the first one on the shelf. The cameras may have been shipped, but they were barely in the hands of consumers, many of which had no doubt not yet produced a video where the whirring sound was obvious.
After I hung up the phone, I played with the camera a bit more, and discovered that you could actually hear the whirring sound by simply placing the unit to your ear. The next day, I returned the HF R10 to the store, and, thankfully, the camcorder whirred noticeably for their customer service rep. They pulled out a new unit and plugged it in, and it immediately began to make the same infuriating sound. Worried that any new Canon might have or could develop the same problem, I decided to get a refund and do a little more research before reinvesting in a new camcorder.
When I got home, I dashed of an email to Canon customer service, advising them that it was likely that every HF R10 had the same problem. They responded immediately. The sound I heard was not a defect, but the normal sound of the camera's hard drive at work. I replied by asking if it was Canon's contention that it is normal for a video of a quietly sleeping baby taken with the HF R10 to include the sound of the camcorder's hard drive as noticeable background noise. This time, there was no reply.
Bottom line. The HF R10 has a noisy hard drive that can be heard in the background of any video you make with this camera that has minimal ambient sound. Will everyone notice it? No. Will everyone who notices it be so bothered by it that they will complain or return the camera? Unlikely. But, despite what Canon says, it is a design flaw. And for people like me who wanted the best camcorder I could get for the money, it's a deal breaker.
Canon Vixia HF R100
If you're looking to shoot great HD video on the cheap, keep looking; the Canon Vixia HF R series delivers decent video at best, even for its modest price. But for a low-priced model with mic and headphone jacks, the HF R100 is a pretty good deal.
Reviews
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CNET Review
The Good: Mic and headphone jacks rare in this price class; straightforward and functional design.
The Bad: Poor low-light video and color accuracy; lens doesn't focus very closely; subpar battery life.
The Bottom Line: If you're looking to shoot great HD video on the cheap, keep looking; the Canon Vixia HF R series delivers decent video at best, even for its modest price. But for a low-priced model with mic and headphone jacks, the HF R100 is a pretty good deal.
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alaTest.com
Review Summary: alaTest has collected and analyzed 65 reviews of VIXIA HF R100 Flash Memory Camcorder with Basic Accessory Kit from international magazines and websites.
The Verdict: Experts rate this product 70/100 and users 73/100. Comparing these reviews to 175948 other Camcorders reviews gives this product an overall alaScore 75/100 = Good.
Price Range: $305.00 - $305.00
- Canon
- 4394B001
General
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Product TypeCamcorder - 1080p
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Camcorder Sensor Resolution2.39 megapixels
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Effective Video Resolution1.56 megapixels
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Digital Zoom400 x
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Effective Photo Resolution1.73 megapixels
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Total Pixels2.39 megapixels
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Camcorder Media TypeFlash card
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Optical Sensor Size1/5.5"
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Optical Sensor TypeCMOS
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Min Illumination0.4 lux
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Analog video formatNTSC
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Digital Video FormatMPEG-4, AVCHD
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Image StabilizerElectronic
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Image ProcessorDIGIC DV III
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Max Shutter Speed1/2000 sec
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Shooting modesDigital photo mode
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Shooting ProgramsSnow, Beach, Sports mode, Sunset, Cine, Low light, Fireworks, Spotlight, Night scene, Portrait mode
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White BalanceAutomatic, Presets, Custom
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White Balance PresetsCloudy, Daylight, Fluorescent light (warm white), Fluorescent light (cool white), Tungsten light, Shade
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Exposure ModesProgram, Automatic, Manual
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Image Recording FormatJPEG
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Camera FlashBuilt-in
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Widescreen Video CaptureYes
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AV InterfacesHDMI, Composite video/audio
Lens System
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Type20 x x Zoom lens - 3 mm - 60 mm - F/1.8-3.6
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Lens apertureF/1.8-3.6
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FeaturesBuilt-in lens shield
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Optical zoom20 x
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Lens system typeZoom lens
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Min focal length3 mm
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Max focal length60 mm
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Auto FocusTTL
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Focal Length Equivalent to 35mm Camera40 - 800 mm
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Focus AdjustmentAutomatic
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Min Focus Range0.4 in
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Zoom AdjustmentMotorized drive
Additional Features
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Low Lux / Night ModeYes
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Additional Features24p Cinema Mode, Accessories hot shoe, Face detection, RGB primary color filter, Dolby Digital AC-3 (2 channel) recording, Takes photos while movie recording, PictBridge support, USB 2.0 compatibility, Direct print
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SoftwarePixela ImageMixer 3SE, Drivers & Utilities
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Included AccessoriesComponent video cable, USB cable, Power adapter, Audio / video cable
Display
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Type2.7 in LCD display
Connections
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Connector Type1 x Component video output, 1 x Composite video/audio output, 1 x HDMI, 1 x Microphone, 1 x USB, 1 x Headphones
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Memory Card SlotSD card
Memory / Storage
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Media typeFlash card
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Supported Memory CardsSD Memory Card
System Requirements for PC Connection
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Peripheral DevicesUSB port, CD-ROM drive
Battery
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Supported BatteryCanon BP-2L5
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Supported Battery1 x Canon BP-2L5 Li-ion rechargeable battery ( Included )
Audio Input
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Audio input typeMicrophone
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Microphone typeBuilt-in
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Microphone Operation ModeStereo
Power
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Battery type- Lithium ion
Viewfinder / Display
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Display FeaturesRotating
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Resolution112,000 pixels
Manufacturer Warranty
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Service & Support1 year warranty
Physical Characteristics
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Width2.7 in
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Depth4.8 in
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Height2.4 in
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Weight11.3 oz
You are not crazy, the noise is there (or at least in my model). It is only noticeable in a very quiet environment, but there none the less. (I get rid of it running the audio track through Audacity - but who really wants to do that all the time?)
I am still playing with the camera and like the other features (although I am still trying to figure out why the headphone outlet has a significant buzz).
I am still playing with the camera and like the other features (although I am still trying to figure out why the headphone outlet has a significant buzz).
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