X

Canon Vixia HF20 photos

A discussion of the design of the Canon HF20 and HF200 camcorders.

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.
Lori Grunin
33483229_DT5_440.jpg
1 of 5 Sarah Tew/CNET

Nicely compact

The HF20 and HF200 camcorders are compact without being too small; all the controls are decent sized and easy to manipulate. Nor are they missing any critical features because of their size, except perhaps a viewfinder. The two differ by built-in memory--the HF20 has 32GB and the HF200 has none--and color: the HF200 is two-tone graphite and black, and the HF20 sports basic black.
33483229_DT4_440.jpg
2 of 5 Sarah Tew/CNET

Let there be light

The HF20/200 has a small LED video light. The stereo microphone sits beneath the lens.
33483229_DT1_440.jpg
3 of 5 Sarah Tew/CNET

Feel the power

Despite being smaller than the HF S10/S100, the HF20/HF200's power switch protrudes more, making it easier to feel and manipulate. And despite the camcorder's small size, it still includes an accessory shoe.
33483229_DT2_440.jpg
4 of 5 Sarah Tew/CNET

Video Snap

One of Canon's new features for 2009, Video Snap, lets you take 4-second clips. Again, despite the small size it has a pretty good feature set, including a microphone input and headphone jack.
33483229_DT3_440.jpg
5 of 5 Sarah Tew/CNET

All controls on the bezel

With the exception of the Video Snap mode button and the movie/still mode dial, all of the shooting, setup, and navigation controls live on the LCD bezel.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos