Should I buy an HF200?

jerome8283 · 10-13-2009, 09:33 PM

Hello everyone,

I’m new to the forum. I’ve been looking at purchasing the HF200 to capture my 5month old daughter as she grows. I believe I’m making the right choice but just wanted to know if there are other cams in this price range that will provide equivalent performance. I’ve looked at Canon only and have not even considered Sony, Panasonic or others.

For those who have done research and have chosen the HF200 or have experience with this camcorder and others, what do you like about it? If you had to do your search all over again would you buy the HF200 again?

Finally, what camcorders are coming out within a month that may be worth waiting for?

Thanks

jerome8283 · 10-14-2009, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerome8283

Hello everyone,

I’m new to the forum. I’ve been looking at purchasing the HF200 to capture my 5month old daughter as she grows. I believe I’m making the right choice but just wanted to know if there are other cams in this price range that will provide equivalent performance. I’ve looked at Canon only and have not even considered Sony, Panasonic or others.

For those who have done research and have chosen the HF200 or have experience with this camcorder and others, what do you like about it? If you had to do your search all over again would you buy the HF200 again?

Finally, what camcorders are coming out within a month that may be worth waiting for?

Thanks

Anyone?

oblioman · 10-14-2009, 02:32 PM

although the Vixia HF200 is a fine camcorder, spend the extra $50 bucks and go with the HF20. Identical to the HF200 except the HF20 has 32 gig flash on board, plus the ability to use extra flash cards. The HF200 comes with no internal memory. Bottom line, both cameras deliver video that will blow you away. For editing and rendering, the supplied Pixela software is junk. You will want to go with Pinnacle 14, or Sony Vegas Pro Platinum (both around a $100 bucks),,,and make sure you have a powerful computer. Good luck with your purchase!

jerome8283 · 10-14-2009, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oblioman

although the Vixia HF200 is a fine camcorder, spend the extra $50 bucks and go with the HF20. Identical to the HF200 except the HF20 has 32 gig flash on board, plus the ability to use extra flash cards. The HF200 comes with no internal memory. Bottom line, both cameras deliver video that will blow you away. For editing and rendering, the supplied Pixela software is junk. You will want to go with Pinnacle 14, or Sony Vegas Pro Platinum (both around a $100 bucks),,,and make sure you have a powerful computer. Good luck with your purchase!

Thank you for your response.

jerome8283 · 10-15-2009, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oblioman

although the Vixia HF200 is a fine camcorder, spend the extra $50 bucks and go with the HF20. Identical to the HF200 except the HF20 has 32 gig flash on board, plus the ability to use extra flash cards. The HF200 comes with no internal memory. Bottom line, both cameras deliver video that will blow you away. For editing and rendering, the supplied Pixela software is junk. You will want to go with Pinnacle 14, or Sony Vegas Pro Platinum (both around a $100 bucks),,,and make sure you have a powerful computer. Good luck with your purchase!

To bad the HF20 is not an extra $50 bucks on amazon where I'm looking to purchase my camcorder due to gift certificates I have.

oblioman · 10-15-2009, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerome8283

To bad the HF20 is not an extra $50 bucks on amazon where I'm looking to purchase my camcorder due to gift certificates I have.

Wow,,$150 bucks different,,but still cheaper than canon's website. If you go with the 200 model,,,you will not be disappointed,,just remember to get a class 4 or better sdhc card when you order.

jerome8283 · 10-15-2009, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oblioman

Wow,,$150 bucks different,,but still cheaper than canon's website. If you go with the 200 model,,,you will not be disappointed,,just remember to get a class 4 or better sdhc card when you order.

I decided to bite the bullet and go with the HF20. Can you recommend a light?

oblioman · 10-16-2009, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerome8283

I decided to bite the bullet and go with the HF20. Can you recommend a light?

the HF20 has a mini-hot shoe so your options are limited in what lights will attach. The proprietary light that Canon offers, works fine with the camera, auto on/auto off and runs off of the camera power. That's the up side. The down side is that the light is fairly week. A reliable budget light http://www.amazon.com/Sima-SL-20LX-U...pr_product_top that gets fairly good reviews.

jerome8283 · 10-16-2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oblioman

the HF20 has a mini-hot shoe so your options are limited in what lights will attach. The proprietary light that Canon offers, works fine with the camera, auto on/auto off and runs off of the camera power. That's the up side. The down side is that the light is fairly week. A reliable budget light http://www.amazon.com/Sima-SL-20LX-U...pr_product_top that gets fairly good reviews.

Thanks. That light seems to get good reviews but you must admit that is one ugly add on to a nice camcorder. What were they thinking?

10-13-2009, 09:33 PM	#1
jerome8283 A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 13	Should I buy an HF200? Hello everyone, I’m new to the forum. I’ve been looking at purchasing the HF200 to capture my 5month old daughter as she grows. I believe I’m making the right choice but just wanted to know if there are other cams in this price range that will provide equivalent performance. I’ve looked at Canon only and have not even considered Sony, Panasonic or others. For those who have done research and have chosen the HF200 or have experience with this camcorder and others, what do you like about it? If you had to do your search all over again would you buy the HF200 again? Finally, what camcorders are coming out within a month that may be worth waiting for? Thanks

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10-14-2009, 02:32 PM	#3
oblioman OTIS,,me hero Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Someville TN Posts: 4,558	although the Vixia HF200 is a fine camcorder, spend the extra $50 bucks and go with the HF20. Identical to the HF200 except the HF20 has 32 gig flash on board, plus the ability to use extra flash cards. The HF200 comes with no internal memory. Bottom line, both cameras deliver video that will blow you away. For editing and rendering, the supplied Pixela software is junk. You will want to go with Pinnacle 14, or Sony Vegas Pro Platinum (both around a $100 bucks),,,and make sure you have a powerful computer. Good luck with your purchase!