A discussion of the design and features of the Canon Vixia HF S10/HF S100.
Lori Grunin
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
Though it records to SD cards, the Canon Vixia HF S10/S100's lens and relatively large 1/2.6-inch CMOS sensor make it a handful compared with typical consumer camcorders.
The HF S10/S100's new Custom dial looks, feels, and operates similarly to the control dial on Sony's prosumer models. That's a good thing--it's a comfortable interface for adjusting options like exposure and focus, though I'm not fond of it for cycling through the Zebra and peaking functions.
The wide zoom switch has an excellent feel, with enough resistance that it's easy to operate at a consistent speed. The power button, however, which sits slightly recessed in the camcorder body, is just a tiny bit too hard to press.
At first I thought the positioning of the mics on either side of the lens barrel would result in extraneous wind noise, but that didn't happen. And it does allow for larger mics and better separation than you usually get when they're mounted above or below the lens, which seems to make a difference. The HF S10/S100 has very good audio.
Though it's not unusual, I dislike the modality of many camcorders. Like the HF S10/S100, they make you select a specific mode that allows you to take still captures while you're shooting video.
