The Canon VIXIA HR R100 is part of Canon’s HF R camcorder series that offers portability and good quality video recording capability at an affordable price.  This entry-level camcorder comes with Canon’s new features including a genuine Canon lens to render vivid images even for an entry-level camcorder.

This camcorder runs on a 1/5.5-inch CMOS imaging sensor with an RGB primary color filter.  The imager rates at a resolution of 2.39 megapixels.  The effective resolution in video mode is 1.56 megapixels with the Dynamic Image Stabilization off and about 1.04 megapixels with it activated.  Photo modes offer two options, a 16:9 mode and a 4:3 mode.  In 16:9 mode the camcorder produces 1.56 megapixels and at 4:3, 1.73 megapixels.

There are four video quality modes for this camcorder.  There is an FXP mode (17 Mbps), XP+ (12 Mbps), SP (7 Mbps) and LP (5 Mbps) mode.  This camcorder doesn’t have an internal flash drive for its recording media.  It relies on SD/SDHC memory cards inserted to its built-in memory slot.  A 32 GB card can accommodate up to 4.5 hours of video recording in FXP mode, 5.5 hours in XP+, 9.5 hours in SP and 12 hours in LP mode.  FXP mode allows recording in 1920 x 1080 full HD format.

This camcorder is equipped with a genuine Canon lens with a 20x Optical zoom and an additional 400x digital zoom capability.  Focal length range is from 3.0 to 60mm and an aperture range of f/1.8 to f/3.6.  This camcorder is equipped with a built-in electronic lens cover but doesn’t have a filter thread to accommodate filters and other accessories.

Audio recording is thru the built-in microphone located at the front of the device just below the lens.  The mic records in stereo mode in Dolby Digital audio format.  There is a 3.5 mm mini mic input port to accommodate external mic for video recording versatility.  There is no accessory shoe for this camcorder to accommodate external Canon accessories.

Color performance for this camcorder is average in normal or bright light recording.  There may be some errors and noise noticeable in some cases.  Although the videos remain crisp and detailed, color saturation is below average.  Pictures are not as vivid and life-like as seen in more expensive camcorders.  Low light performance is one of this camcorder’s strong points.  Low light recording results to sharper images compared to other entry-level camcorders.

Image stabilization is thru Canon’s superior optical image stabilization system.  This camcorder also has a Dynamic Image Stabilization system that activates thru the button beside the LCD panel.  Dynamic IS provides additional image stabilization capability for the camcorder.

In addition, its Smart Auto mode is perfect to aid beginners in point-and-shoot applications.  The Smart Auto mode utilizes the DIGIC DV III capacity to analyze the subject’s distance, environment, focus and movements and adjust the exposure to produce excellent video results all the time.  It also has Canon’s Face Detection technology that can detect up to 35 faces in a single frame ensuring sharp focus and perfect exposure for all identified subjects.  It has the capability to detect and recognize faces turned sideward or upside down.

The VIXIA HF R100 only records in SD/SDHC cards and doesn’t have an internal flash or hard drive media; therefore, it doesn’t have Canon’s Relay Recording feature.  It also doesn’t offer a Standard Definition (SD) mode.  Some Canon camcorders, like the HF R10, offers a down-conversion capability but uses two media devices – like the flash drive and SD memory simultaneously in the HF R10’s case.  Since the HF R100 only has one memory card slot it doesn’t support this feature.

This camcorder also comes with Canon’s Instant AF focusing system.  This feature allows accurate focusing and provides faster response time compared to traditional focusing devices used by other camcorders.

This camcorder offers three frame rates to choose from, while most entry-level camcorders only offer a fix recording frame rate.  This camcorder offers 60i, 24p Progressive and 30p Progressive frame rates.  Both the 24p Progressive and 30p Progressive options save the recorder videos in 60i frame rate formats.

One of its main competitors in its category is the Panasonic HDC-HS60.  The Panasonic camcorder offers a bigger 1/4.1-inch imager and a better bright light recording performance.  The Panasonic camcorder has an effective video resolution of 2.32 megapixels, therefore producing more vivid and crisp images with less error and noise.  The Panasonic offers a bigger recording media with its massive 120 GB internal hard drive while the Canon camcorder only relies on SD/SDHC memory cards.  The Panasonic’s 2.7-inch screen produces better image quality with its 0.23 megapixels of resolution.  The Panasonic camcorder however, only offers a fixed 60i frame rate compared to Canon’s three selections.  The Panasonic camcorder costs $200 more than the Canon HF R100.

You may also want to check Canon’s VIXIA HF R11, which is the top model for the HF R series.  The HF R11 offers the same video recording capability but has a 32 GB internal flash drive aside from its SD/SDHC memory slot.  The two recording media provides the HF R11 Relay Recording capability that automatically transfers the recording from one media device to another once the main recording device gets full.  Having two recording media devices, the HF R11 also has the HD to SD down-conversion capability to convert recorded HD videos to SD format.

For a better video performance you may also want to check on the VIXIA HF S21 camcorder that uses a larger 1/2.6-inch imager and a better bright light video recording performance.  The 64 GB internal flash drive, two SD/SDHC memory card slots and its Relay Recording capability will provide continuous recording all the time.

The Canon VIXIA HF R100 is a perfect entry-level camcorder designed for portability and ease of use.  This camcorder is perfect for documenting short vacation trips or backyard events.  The absence of an internal flash or hard drive will limit recording time and require extra investment for SD/SDHC memory cards.  Its auto mode produces one of the best videos in the auto modes for entry-level camcorders, making this camcorder perfect for beginners or for point-and-shoot applications.

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