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Customer Reviews for VIXIA HF200
VIXIA HF200
Average Customer Rating:
(33 Reviews) 33
Rating Snapshot (33 reviews)
5 stars
14
4 stars
11
3 stars
3
2 stars
3
1 star
2
23 out of 33(70%)reviewers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for VIXIA HF200
Review 1 for VIXIA HF200
Nickname: ryan
Location: Kelowna, BC
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Product replacement: Yes
Easy to transfer videos
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
4
out of
5
Date:September 26, 2010
Had this camera for about a year, and it's got tons of features that I'm still discovering. I see lots of reviews about not being able to get the videos off the memory card. I've had no issues with this, but maybe because I use a Mac. All you do is just stick the SD card in the computer, and start up imovie (if it doesn't start by itself), and click the "Open Camera Import Window" button. This opens a window that lets you choose your card reader for the data source, then you can choose which videos to import off the card, how to save them, etc. It's pretty simple, and quick. On a PC, you can probably just use the camera import wizard (or whatever it's called). Either way, the OS software is typically the easiest way to import videos or photos onto your computer. I've never even opened the software that comes with my video camera. Same goes for my Canon EOS still camera. Why bog down your computer with extra software when the OS will do the import for you?
7 of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Review 2 for VIXIA HF200
Nickname: Bobby
Location: ATL, GA
Used this product for: 3 to 6 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: No
Great HD Camcorder
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:August 30, 2010
Pros: awesome hd picture quality, intuitive menu easy to navigate, decent low light performance
Cons: software is buggy and not useful, photo quality is just okay
First, don't use the software that comes with this camcorder. You will want to get something like Adobe Premiere Elements or Cyberlink Powerdirector which will set you back $60-$90...but worth it. This camcorder records excellent hd video. When you are shooting inside you will want to play with the settings a little. I definitely do not recommend 24p cinema mode in low light situations, but outdoors it is great. No complaints. Shot plenty of home movies and even made a music video using this camcorder that turned out great. The camera function is okay but don't buy this camcorder for the photo capabilities...you will be slightly disappointed.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Review 3 for VIXIA HF200
Nickname: TexWoo
Location: Houston, Texas
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Casual User
Product replacement: Yes
Great for Mac User
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:June 27, 2010
Pros: Good Low-Light Performance, Easy Computer Connectivity, Great sound/audio, Accurate, Vivid Colors, Compact Design, excellent image quality, Ergonomic/comfortable to hold, easy to use
The camera shoots great video and is extremely easy to use. Others have complained about poor software. I am using a Mac, I have had absolutely no trouble importing directly into iMovie from the card. The Canon software is still in the box.
8 of 9 people found this review helpful.
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Review 4 for VIXIA HF200
Nickname: chilly
Location: Ocean Shores, WA
Used this product for: 3 to 6 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: Yes
Frustrating beyond words
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
2
out of
5
Date:June 22, 2010
Pros: Compact Design, excellent image quality, Ergonomic/comfortable to hold
Cons: Difficult Computer Connectivity, Difficult to use, Limited Software Compatibility
My husband bought this Cannon VIXIA HF200 camcorder for me for my birthday last year. He picked this on e because it claimed it was easy to use. That is not true. But that's not the problem, the included software bundle is. I can not figure out how to get the videos I have shot off the card and on the computer. I am sick of loseing my videos wich are memories of things that life just doesn't replay so you can shoot them again like a retake!
16 of 31 people found this review helpful.
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Review 5 for VIXIA HF200
Nickname: Jb
Location: California
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: Yes
Excellent video and camrea
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
4
out of
5
Date:June 11, 2010
Pros: Easy Computer Connectivity, Accurate, Vivid Colors, Compact Design, excellent image quality, Ergonomic/comfortable to hold, Easy TV Connectivity, easy to use
Cons: Short battery life
Just got back with some great images and video from Yosemite. Most of the time this was the only camera I carried in my pack. As a result I got some great video and some very decent still images. Found I really had to pay attention to the settings as when in cinema mode, switching to camera put me in program mode and when shooting in aperture priority in camera it stayed in that mode in video too.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Review 6 for VIXIA HF200
Nickname: Upset
Location: Swanton, MD
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: No
What a feature packed useless toy...
Overall Rating
Features
1
out of
5
Performance
1
out of
5
Price/Value
1
out of
5
Quality
1
out of
5
Satisfaction
1
out of
5
Date:May 31, 2010
Pros: excellent image quality
Cons: Difficult Computer Connectivity, Limited Software Compatibility, can't backup the hd videos
After spending way too much on this camcorder... I find out I can't get my video onto anything useful without spending a bunch more. Even if you want to backup your recordings in normal defintion, you have to deal with a little window in the bottom right of the video you can't get rid of. I'll never buy anything Canon makes again.
10 of 27 people found this review helpful.
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Review 7 for VIXIA HF200
Nickname: NickMSG
Location: New York
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Product replacement: Yes
Great Camera, Bad Software
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:May 4, 2010
Pros: good battery life, Compact Design, excellent image quality, easy to use
Cons: Difficult Computer Connectivity, hard to convert
Its great. Sound quality not great. But I use and external mic anyway. This camera is great for everything that you need it for. That is unless your using a Mac. If you import the files using a Mac, for me you have to render them threw iMovie than edit them on "After FX" or "Premier". Unless you have Final Cut which I don't use as much. Also to connect it to the computer you have to plug in the USB AND the AC power cord? Seems uselss to me.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Review 8 for VIXIA HF200
Nickname: RedHook
Location: Southern New England
Used this product for: 3 to 6 months
Expertise Level: Casual User
Product replacement: Yes
Great Camera - Horrendous Software
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
4
out of
5
Date:April 28, 2010
Pros: good battery life, Good Low-Light Performance, Compact Design, excellent image quality, easy to use, shoots stills while recording video
Cons: terrible software bundle
I really like this camcorder. I like the ability to pop a still shot while shooting video. Quality in all recording modes is great. The bundled editing software is completely non-intuitive, which I could live with if there was some documentation. No luck, the documentation is worse than the software itself. If you buy this camera, don't bother installing the software, there are several inexpenisve packages out there.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Review 9 for VIXIA HF200
Nickname: Josh
Location: Carlisle, PA
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Product replacement: No
Awesome Camera
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:April 22, 2010
Pros: Easy Computer Connectivity, Accurate, Vivid Colors, Compact Design, excellent image quality, durable, Ergonomic/comfortable to hold, Easy TV Connectivity
Cons: Poor Low-Light Performance, Difficult Computer Connectivity, Poor sound/audio, Limited Software Compatibility
This is my first HD camcorder and I have to say I can't stop using it! Since I got it..I've used it at parties, family gatherings, and basically everthing. Its specs are amazing for the price, its extremely small and their is not much to complain about other than the battery life which could be a little bit longer but other than that it's great!!
1 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Review 10 for VIXIA HF200
Nickname: mj702002
Location: VA
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Product replacement: No
great video camera
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:March 24, 2010
Pros: Good Low-Light Performance, Easy Computer Connectivity, Great sound/audio, Accurate, Vivid Colors, Compact Design, excellent image quality, durable, Good Software Compatibility, Ergonomic/comfortable to hold, Easy TV Connectivity, easy to use
Cons: Short battery life
This was my first video camera....so I can't compare it to any others. I am extremely happy with it, bought it for home/family use and it has been perfect. Great picture, color, sound. I have had no trouble what so ever loading the video on to the pc or sending videos through email. The menu is easy to navigate.
Have not had the need to use the option for still photos, so no comment on that.
Have not had the need to use the option for still photos, so no comment on that.
The only 'con' I can find with this is the battery life, but for me that is not a problem- I primarily have used it for approximately 10 min.-half hour here and there for special occasions, just charged the battery before use and I am good to go!
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Review 11 for VIXIA HF200
Nickname: yaya
Location: San Diego, CA
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: Yes
Video download
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
4
out of
5
Date:March 23, 2010
Pros: good battery life, Great sound/audio, Accurate, Vivid Colors, Compact Design, excellent image quality, Ergonomic/comfortable to hold, Easy TV Connectivity
Cons: Difficult to use, Limited Software Compatibility, no video download available for mac
When buying an expensive VIDEO camera like this one, you would expect that you could download the video as well as the still images, right?
Still images are FABULOUS, yet I cannot download any of my video.
Very frustrated!
Still images are FABULOUS, yet I cannot download any of my video.
Very frustrated!
4 of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Review 12 for VIXIA HF200
Nickname: seppicat
Location: Reno, Nevada
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Product replacement: Yes
Upgrade from Movie Camera
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
3
out of
5
Date:March 4, 2010
Pros: Accurate, Vivid Colors, Compact Design, excellent image quality, Ergonomic/comfortable to hold, Easy TV Connectivity
Cons: Difficult Computer Connectivity, Limited Software Compatibility, connecting to the computer is cumbersome, no direct transfer to pheripheral
Getting used to the various setting took a while. The USB connection is inconveniently located underneath the wriststrap. The software is very basic, connection directly to a peripheral is not available.
However, picture quality is ver sharp, colors are good.
However, picture quality is ver sharp, colors are good.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Review 13 for VIXIA HF200
Nickname: infraray
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: Yes
Great camera with lots of features
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
4
out of
5
Date:March 4, 2010
Pros: Accurate, Vivid Colors, Compact Design, excellent image quality, Ergonomic/comfortable to hold, easy to use
Cons: Difficult Computer Connectivity, Short battery life, Limited Software Compatibility, manual focus is awkward
I have had this camera for about a month now and really like it.
Pros: The 24p, manual options, and fantastic picture is what sold me. This is a a super camera and very well designed. It is super ergonomic and fits my hand like a glove, with all the most used buttons very easy to get to. The camera itself is very user-friendly and I had no problem finding any of the settings I needed.
Cons: Software like many others have said is not intuitive but manageable. The whole AVCHD -mts format of the files is probably the biggest headache in the software equation. The standard battery it came with gets about and hour on a full charge, and seems to drain even when the camera is off.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Review 14 for VIXIA HF200
Nickname: thewaterman
Location: Billings, MT
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Casual User
Product replacement: Yes
Moving Videos to computer awful!
Overall Rating
Features
2
out of
5
Performance
2
out of
5
Price/Value
2
out of
5
Quality
2
out of
5
Satisfaction
1
out of
5
Date:February 20, 2010
Pros: Compact Design
Cons: poor video download
I was not happy with this. Camcorder does not allow you to insert card into computer and watch videos. You have to use the camcorder, the usb cable, and the power cord. don't try to video tape something, and then go over to your friends house and plug the card into their computer - it won't work. you need the usb cable, and the power cord. Very Frustrating!
13 of 27 people found this review helpful.
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Review 15 for VIXIA HF200
Nickname: Anonymous
Location: Utah
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Product replacement: Yes
Nice camcorder. Horrible software.
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
4
out of
5
Date:February 19, 2010
Pros: Compact Design, excellent image quality
Cons: Difficult Computer Connectivity, Short battery life, Limited Software Compatibility, unstable software--crashes
We managed to get a display model (kit) from Costco for a very good price, and the camcorder worked well to shoot video the following week. However, a few days later, I was irritated to discover the battery was already spent in such a short time. That was nothing compared to my frustration when trying to transfer videos--after I figured out the connection must be initiated on the camcorder. And although the software would transfer the files, when I attempted to edit them it would crash. I guess if I'm judging by ratings in Consumer Reports, reputation, and actual video quality, I'd recommend it. But, please improve the software!
8 of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Review 16 for VIXIA HF200
Nickname: fohne
Location: Woodland, CA
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Product replacement: Yes
Software is weak!
Overall Rating
Features
3
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
1
out of
5
Date:January 24, 2010
Pros: good battery life, Compact Design, excellent image quality, Ergonomic/comfortable to hold
Cons: Difficult Computer Connectivity, Limited Software Compatibility
The camera is compact and fairly easy to use. The software however is NOT intuitive. I cannot transfer from camera to computer. From other reviews, it appears I am not alone.
13 of 16 people found this review helpful.
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Review 17 for VIXIA HF200
Nickname: jimbucc
Location: Connecticut
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Product replacement: Yes
Great little HD camcorder
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:January 22, 2010
Pros: Accurate, Vivid Colors, Compact Design, excellent image quality, Ergonomic/comfortable to hold, easy to use
Cons: Poor Low-Light Performance, Short battery life
I've used this camera to record basketball games. I wanted something small yet able to record HD and use flash. This camera fits the bill. The image quality is excellent and it's speed is great. I use it at MXP at 30p and while with a 16GB card I only get 1.5 hours, the quality of the footage is exceptional. I love the face finder feature since the camera will adjust the settings once it finds a face - this has helped tremendously.
The low light performance is ok and the added video lite is not great so don't expect stellar footage at low light. With proper lighting the video is superb.
Also the included battery does not last too long so keep the LCD closed when not taping. A bigger or extra battery is recommended.
I hope to get a lot of years out of this camera.
The low light performance is ok and the added video lite is not great so don't expect stellar footage at low light. With proper lighting the video is superb.
Also the included battery does not last too long so keep the LCD closed when not taping. A bigger or extra battery is recommended.
I hope to get a lot of years out of this camera.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Review 18 for VIXIA HF200
Nickname: hf200 user
Location: Jersey City NJ
Used this product for: 3 to 6 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Product replacement: No
Too complex to use
Overall Rating
Features
3
out of
5
Performance
3
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
3
out of
5
Satisfaction
2
out of
5
Date:January 19, 2010
Pros: Accurate, Vivid Colors, Compact Design, excellent image quality, Ergonomic/comfortable to hold, Easy TV Connectivity
Cons: Difficult Computer Connectivity, Difficult to use, Limited Software Compatibility
Captures great videos and pictures, however very difficult to burn the video on a media or manage it on the computer. The manual offers very little help and the supplied software is not intuitive at all.
Transferring to computer is not plug and play. i did not install the software before hooking it up for download on computer and ended up loosing all my videos...the memory had to be formatted again for the camera to work.
very little information is available on how to manage the movies, the different formats and what media to use etc
Transferring to computer is not plug and play. i did not install the software before hooking it up for download on computer and ended up loosing all my videos...the memory had to be formatted again for the camera to work.
very little information is available on how to manage the movies, the different formats and what media to use etc
6 of 10 people found this review helpful.
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Review 19 for VIXIA HF200
Nickname: Purgatory
Location: Greenville, SC
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Product replacement: Yes
Present for myself
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:January 8, 2010
Pros: Good Low-Light Performance, Easy Computer Connectivity, Great sound/audio, Accurate, Vivid Colors, Compact Design, excellent image quality, Ergonomic/comfortable to hold, Easy TV Connectivity
Cons: Short battery life
Really getting into HD filming, so I bought myself this camera as a present. This past year, been through 4 surgeries and long radiation treatments, needed a play pretty. The cameral has all I need, replaced a cheap brand camera with the HF-200. With the optional microphone for the hotshoe, sound quality is excellent. Everytime I use this cam, more and more impressed. Canon's quality and reputation hit the spot on this model. Very well pleased. Only gripe, can't be helped, wish someone made a camcorder that was easy for us left-handers to hold and use, a bit awkward for me, as I can't do it right -handed.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Review 20 for VIXIA HF200
Nickname: steve
Location: Oceanside, Ca.
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Product replacement: Yes
Very Good Value
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:December 30, 2009
Pros: good battery life, Easy Computer Connectivity, Accurate, Vivid Colors, Compact Design, excellent image quality, Good Software Compatibility, Ergonomic/comfortable to hold, Easy TV Connectivity, easy to use
The 15X zoom is great for surfing and windsurfing. The new low prices make this a great value. The quality of the video is stunning on a big screen HD television. I like the use of HDSC memory, it works great with the computer. I use it with Sony Vegas Pro editing software.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.
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