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Digic DV 4 image processor.
Color:White The VIXIA HF R800 it’s a lightweight camcorder with an extensive optical zoom and easy-to-use interface.
Before I sing praises of the Canon Vixia HF R800, lemme give some perspective on this review: I work as a professional videographer, typically for local bands and music events, fundraiser charities, musician EPKs, etc. I have been using a Canon Vixia G30 for almost 4 years now, and it’s literally the best prosumer camera anyone can buy. While it only goes up to 1080/60p, the image quality is superior to anything else I’ve seen thanks to the CMO sensor (which does VERY well in the low-light bar settings I often encounter). And it has the superior optics that typifies Canon products. The setup options allow videographers the ability to get a near-perfect set up for each gig I video, and even the internal microphone sound quality is top-notch, considering it’s only a video camera. The only drawback with the Vixia line (so far) is that they don’t offer 4K quality video…but frankly, the 4K videos I get filming in low-light settings with other cameras end up looking NO BETTER than 1080/60p…and when the file sizes explode to 5-6 times what I get with 1080/60p, you effectively max out computer memory after just one gig!! So for now, the Canon Vixia G30/G40 is the benchmark for what I do.So, I had a gig come up where I really needed a 3rd camera (or really 7th camera, if you include GoPros), and I was torn between getting this Vixia HF R800, or the Vixia G20, which I call the poor-man’s G40. There’s a $500 price difference, so given my budget constraints, I opted for this R800. And boy, that was easily the best $250-or-less camera investment I’ve ever made. It’s setup and user options interface is basically a simplified version of the G30 I already have, it records in the SAME 1080/60p format (and has most of the same video quality-level options). It uses the CMO sensor (or a version of it), so low-light quality was surprisingly still very crisp. Autofocus works well too, it doesn’t spend a lot of time wandering around trying to focus. And damn, the sound quality was also extremely good, comparable to the G30 I have, but requiring a lot less work to get it setup for this kind of audio recording. For this gig, it was a static tripod camera, and it work exactly how I needed it to. It’s so light and affordable, I might just buy another one, rather than get a GoPro for almost $100-$200 more.Again, you CANNOT go wrong with the Canon Vixia line, it’s that damn good, yawl!!
This camera works well. It has an external microphone input, which I needed so I can be heard over the background noise in my machine shop. I could maybe have given 5 stars, because I have no problems with this camera at all, but it also takes a little work to understand how to get all the features working like I need them on it, and it only comes with a “quick start” paper book. The real manual is a PDF document, and it is not browser friendly because so many explanations reference details found on other pages. So lots of scrolling.One feature I like is the on-screen focus. I think they call this a face tracking feature, but basically you touch the screen on any part and it sets the focus to there… that is useful when you have something in the middle of the screen you want to focus on and there are other objects further away. Often the regular autofocus feature gets stuck on the background somewhere, the face feature works well and is much faster than trying to manually focus the camera.I get good quality full HD video at 30 FPS with stereo audio, the SD card is easy to access and pop into my computer. There is a USB port, and if I plug the camera in it recognizes it and the driver was installed automatically. But sucking the videos off the SD card is faster than the USB port, so I choose fast over easy. Overall, I have been happy with this purchase and if it was to meet with an accident, I would probably replace it with another just like it (especially since I know how to work it well now).
I have used this camera a few times now and generally like it. It is easy to use and simple to operate. I think its small size and light weight is actually a little bit of a negative, as you have to be careful to not drop the thing because it is so small it is hard to get a good hold of.The zoom is very fast and the picture is good. The microphone works pretty well, but I might buy a separate one in the future. If I had the opportunity to change anything about the camera I would let it zoom out a little wider. Its widest setting seems less broad than I remember from older video cameras I’ve owned and requires stepping back further to get the whole picture in.
The camera overall is good. The quality of the video and the zoom capability is great, the LCD screen is tough to see on a sunny day though. I’ve used lesser cameras with better LCD screens.
Love this camcorder. Pleasantly surprised. Videoed my son’s football game and this thing worked like a champ. While they advertise a 9 hour batter life, that is for the lowest quality setting. It only lasted about 3 hours on the highest video quality setting. The video quality is great for what I will be using it for.
Used inside and outside for recording. I am very pleased with the outcome. The built in mic works fine but does give you wind noise in windy conditions. If you use an auxiliary mic it has an on-screen meter to let you know that it is recording and at what level. Worked perfectly. The touch screen monitor allows you to take a still photo of whatever is on the screen at that moment. It stores the photo on the memory card and these stills pop up as a separate section when reviewing the card. It is very easy and comfortable to hold (in your right hand) and click the record button on/off with your thumb. The strap is Velcro for easy adjustment for the hand. The zoom button is also easily accessed with your index finger on the top rear. Excellent zoom features. The stabilization feature also works great. The battery life indicator jumps around depending on if you are in record mode or playback. I purchased an extra battery but found that I could record on and off for 4 hours without issue. Excellent value.
Great product! Works well! Works as advertised!
Nice & compact & excellent video quality. Easy to use.
This has taken my Knife Making/Youtube Videos to a WHOLE NEW LEVEL!!! Absolutely LOVE IT!!!
Great camera, especially for the price. I use it to record my son’s football games. The optical zoom is great!
I bought this Canon camcorder to replace an aging Canon HF10 that actually still works fine, but has a very low bit-rate and washed-out colors.
Overall excellent. Video and still quality is excellent. Filters and lens (i.e. wide angle) screw right in.
all, ok
great camera worth every penny
I’m in love with this camcorder
Good camera
comments powered by DisqusGreat quality image for a good price. It is for work and it is perfect.