Canon HF S21 is the new-and-improved flagship camcorder from Canon. With 64GB of internal flash memory, two SD/SDHC memory card slots, and a brand new touchscreen LCD, Canon seems to have put in quite an effort in vamping last year’s HF S11.
HF S21 is part of the HF S series from Canon, which also features the HF S20 and HF S200 (all three are new models for 2010). The other improvements on the HF S21 come in the form of updated internal hardware. The camcorder takes two SD/SDHC memory card slots, and an clear-cut optical image stabilization system called Powered IS. We did discover the HF S21 was a bit less comfortable to hold than last year’s HF S11—mainly a answer of a bulkier right-side project. The HF S21 had good overall performance in both bright and low light, but we were disappointed that the camcorder didn’t offer much of an improvement over last year’s HF S11. In fact, some of last year’s models from Canon did amended in our color accuracy essays than the HF S21.
The HF S21’s image stabilization was improved than earlier models—thanks to the new Powered IS feature—but the camcorder still couldn’t check the results from Sony’s flagship models. The crowning new features on the HF S21 have many professional person videographers thrashing their choppers: a native 24p mode and built-in LANC terminal. Canon has capsulated replacement frame rates on its consumer camcorders for many years, but the HF S21 symbolizes the first non-tape consumer model with a native 24p option. The LANC port allows the use of wired remote controls without a bulky adapter. While these sports may not sound like much to a passing videographer, they are sure to machination pros and enthusiasts.
Overall, Vixia HF S21 is an impressive camcorder; it has everything the HF S11 has and more. The only downside is that Canon didn’t improve the video performance enough. With charged new flagship models being avowed by Sony, JVC, and Samsung we’ll have to wait and see if the improvements Canon made were adequate to keep it near the top of our ratings.
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