Canon Introduces 7 New LEGRIA Camcorders

The Latest in Flash Memory Camcorders

Canon Singapore introduced the latest in their camcorder line-up yesterday with the unveiling of the new LEGRIA line. All seven camcorders, the LEGRIA HF S10, HF S100, HF20, HF200, FS22, FS21 & FS200 are a mix of standard and high definition camcorders and all record to flash memory.

Flash memory has been gaining bigger and wider support with camcorder manufacturers, with Panasonic even using SD cards exclusively for their professional Panasonic AG-HMC152EN camcorder. There are many benefits to using flash memory over MiniDV, DVD or HDD recording, including fast digital file transfer from camcorder to computer, resiliency due to its lack of moving parts and smaller camcorder bodies due to its small size.

The past Canon flagship camcorders we've reviewed have produced high quality results, but this is the first time that they're using flash memory so intensively on their HD range, with two out of the four new HD camcorders recording only to flash memory. With the new LEGRIA range, it looks like Canon's cementing their support for both flash memory and the AVCHD codec.

The New LEGRIA Range

What does LEGRIA mean? According to Canon, the name's inspired by the Spanish word allegria, which means 'joy' in English. The seven camcorders are divided into three categories; the HF high definition series, the FS standard definition series and the flagship HF-S high definition series.

The Flagship LEGRIA HF S10 & HF S100

The two new HD flagships are nearly identical, the key difference is that the HF S10 has built-in 32GB memory while the HF S100 records to removable memory only.

Features at a Glance

• 1/2.6" (8.59M) CMOS sensor
• 1920 x 1080 resolution recording up to 24Mbps
• New large-diameter HD Video Lens
• 10x zoom with optical image stabilizer
• New DIGIC DV III Image Processor with Face Detection technology
• 8MP Stills
• Dual flash memory with built-in 32GB and SD/SDHC memory card slot for LEGRIA HF S10 (removable memory only for LEGRIA HF S100)
• New Video Snapshot allows 4-second clips to be combined into a video montage or music video (10 background music choices included)
• New Pre-Record function captures three seconds of footage before the REC button is pressed
• XV color support
• Custom Key and dial register shortcuts for frequently used manual functions
• Pop-up mini video light and flashlight

The LEGRIA HF20 & HF200

The HF20 & HF200 camcorders come with smaller sensors than the HF S10 & HF S100. The flagship models have an 1/2.6" sensor (approx. 0.385" diagonal) while the HF20 & HF200's sensors are 1/4" (approx. 0.25" diagonal).

Features at a Glance:

• New 1/4" (3.89MP) CMOS sensor
• 1920 x 1080 resolution recording, up to 24Mbps
• 15x optical zoom with optical image stabilizer
• New DIGIC DV III image processor with Face Detection technology
• 3.3MP stills
• Dual-flash memory with built-in 32GB and SD/SDHC memory card slot
• for LEGRIA HF20 (removable memory only for LEGRIA HF200)
• New Video Snapshot allows 4-second clips to be combined into a video montage or music video (10 built-in music choices included)
• New Pre-Record function captures three seconds of footage before the REC button is pressed
• XV color support
• Optional waterproof case for depths up to 40m, with new Special Scene mode for underwater shooting

The LEGRIA FS22, FS21 & FS200

Rounding up the new range of camcorders are the standard-definition LEGRIA FS22, FS21 & FS200. The premium model in this category is the FS22 with built-in 32GB memory, next is the FS21 with 16GB built-in memory and the FS200 records to removable memory only.

Features at a Glance:

• 1/6" (1.07MP) CCD sensor (800k CCD for FS200)
• MPEG2 video recording
• 45x Advanced Zoom (41x for FS200)
• Dual-flash memory with built-in 32GB and SD/SDHC memory card slot for LEGRIA FS22. 16GB built-in memory and SD/SDHC memory card slot for FS21 and card slot only for FS200
• New Video Snapshot allows 4-second clips to be combined into a video montage or music video (10 background music choices included)
• New Pre-Record function captures three seconds of footage before the REC button is pressed

Initial Impressions

As memory card prices go down and capacity goes up, the shift to flash memory for camcorders looks set in stone as Canon's new line reveals. In fact, a Canon representative shared with us that their flash memory camcorders had already taken over HDD camcorders in local sales.

One immediate obvious benefit to using flash memory versus MiniDV tape, DVD or HDD storage is that the body size goes way down. Combining this and the use of smaller lenses for standard definition shooting, the FS series is the smallest and lightest of the Canon camcorder range. Of course, too light of a body also presents its own issues in terms of stable video handling, but this is a very subjective note and it depends how one adapts to using various camcorders.

Generally, we've always been suspicious of demo footage, especially those canvassing any new camera or camcorders as they never reveal to you the rigorous lighting setup and post-production that might have gone into them. But with the larger new sensors (the largest sensors in Canon's camcorders) and large-diameter lenses of the HF S series, we're inclined to give the beautiful demo footage we saw the benefit of the doubt - it was as good as we'd ever seen, and it was even boldly projected onto a large screen where flaws would have been even more obvious.

No doubt we were wowed, we can't wait to get our hands on the new camcorders and test them out for ourselves, so look out for a review soon.

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