Canon VIXIA HF R21 Full HD Camcorder with 32GB Internal Flash Memory

I spent a fair amount of time (four hours) reading reviews and comparing features of Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, and Canon videocams. I also read all the reviews on Amazon regarding all the Canon videocams in the consumer line. Overall the Amazon had a slightly negative undertone, but I decided to go with Canon because of good experience with a point and shoot camera I had bought several years ago. But once I got the Vixia HFR21, I had a difficult time loading some test videos I had shot. I remembered an Amazon review that said the .mts video format and the software used to upload Canon video was questionable. That's when I was a minute away from packing it back up and returning it. I am an above average computer guy, and I am an expert on Photoshop; a good user on Adobe Illustrator; above average on Microsoft products; and generally can do what I need to do to make things work via a pc. The mistake I made was following the directions included with the videocam that said if I don't have Windows 7, don't use the "VideoBrowser" software--it said to use the "utility" software. Wrong!!!!!!!!!! The VideoBrowser worked just fine with Windows XP. After I discovered that, I pulled back from the brink of returning it. And now I've spent more time with HFR21, I am impressed. It's easy to upload video to your PC; it's even easy to watch a video you just shot on your flat screen TV. Also, of critical importance to me, is that .mts videos that Canon shoots, is readily useable by Adobe Premiere Elements 9. I'm updating my software (haven't yet) and any video I shoot must be compatible with Adobe. And it is. All that is the backstory (but what good is video if you can't quickly upload it or view it????). About the HFR21: the video is sharp; shoots GREAT video right before sunset, when the dusk makes it difficult for a person to see really, really clearly. Video I shot last night at dusk looks as if the sun was shining; it wasn't, but you couldn't tell by watching the footage. Unbelievable really! The battery is good; the size of videocam is SMALL and I LOVE IT! I want to be able to put the cam in a pocket and take a walk on the beach. I would never argue it's too small as some have on this website. The smaller the better. The touch screen is good, average sensitivity. The size of the screen and the size of the icons is good. I have Polish-sausage sized fingers and the icons on the screen work fine. I highly recommend the HFR21, especially at $449! One other thing: this is not a fake review written by a competitor to Canon or by an employee of Canon. I'm telling like it is.

I purchased this camera for a specific vacation to Zimbabwe, Africa. Functionally, it behaved well, and is very lightweight. But that might be part of the problem since the battery life is very short. I would rather have a tiny bit more weight, and twice the battery life. But that can be solved with having more batteries... The problem I'm currently facing is trying to transfer the stills and video to my computer after arriving home. Other canon products I simply connect to my computer, it sees the camera, and can download the stills and video. Why doesn't this one make it that easy? It's such a hassle, that I would recommend looking elsewhere if you're thinking of getting a video camera, as it shouldn't be so difficult. I also tried to share my pics with people during my vacation, but nobody could figure out how to download. Tried with PC and with Mac. Very significant problem...

I'm returning this item and have placed a pre-order for the HF M500. There are a couple of things that led to that. First of all is the overall quality of the video. Honestly, I just expected better. In spots it is very, very good and in other places not so much. It was an odd experience with this HD camcorder. Low light filming was actually quite good, I expected much worse. There was very little grain and the picture was quite sharp. Yet, in good lighting I would occasionally get shots that were out of focus and grainy? Out of about an hour and a half of test footage I probably had 10-15 minutes of stuff that just didn't turn out well. I guess overall I need better consistency in video quality. What's good about it? Well like I said, when it does capture a good image it is very good. Impressive in spots, not doubt about that. It is small, lightweight and easily carried. In a way I almost felt like it was too small though. Depending on your own preferences this could be good or bad. The battery life wasn't as bad as some suggested. I was able to record and watch back (twice) about 45 minutes of video. Again, I expected worse. Another feature I liked was the "cinema mode" which provided an extremely enjoyable picture. Colors were accurate with a nice overall tone. Another plus for this model is the 32 gigs of on-board memory. That's a good chunk of recording time without a need for a memory card. Ultimately this just wasn't the camera for me. I'm stepping up to better optics, optical image stabilization and hopefully a more consistent image. If you're not overly picky about the picture and are needing to stick to a strict budget I would say it's worth a look. Otherwise you may want to look elsewhere.

I recently purchased the Canon Vixia HF R21. . Canon VIXIA HF R21 Full HD Camcorder with 32GB Internal Flash Memory Overall, I am thoroughly impressed with the camcorder. The functions are over the top. There is literally nothing that cannot be done with this camera without being a professional. The instructions, in a pdf file, are sometimes not clearly explained. The icons on screen are very small and a person with corrected vision may not be able to make out what the icon is. However, once you see the results of filming, it is very surprisingly sharp and clear. The Auto function lets you get into filming very quickly without going through the camera manual. Once you go through the instruction manual, you will be amazed at all that this camcorder can do. I really like the interactive screen to change functions and make adjustments. The IS function is also excellent. This is one of the reasons I selected this camcorder because of the IS function on my Canon digital camera Now, the con side. I am very dissapointed at the battery life of this product. Maybe I am spoiled by my Canon XSi digital camera battery. I have never had the XSi battery to even need recharging on trips of two weeks and I take a lot of pictures. I charge the XSi battery before leaving and now I do not even take the charger. On the Vixia camcorder, the battery runs out in two hours or less. So on an ordinary trip, you may have to break out and buy an additional battery and charger. This to me is very disheartening. I have made my disappointment made known to Canon.

I'm an amateur film producer, and because of my low income right now, I've been forced to use fairly cheap equipment. The actors are volunteer, and we use utilities such as work lights to light our scenes. I decided that though we can get by fairly well with cheap equipment, we should get a better camera. So I began searching online for literally weeks (obviously not constantly, but on and off). I wanted something with useful features, good quality, and fairly cheap. Most of all, I wanted manual access into internal features such as light allowed into the camera, white balance, frame rate, etc, as most cameras today are "dumbed-down" so-to-speak, so that they are easier to use. I found this camera, and liked what I saw in the specs, so I took a chance and got it. I've been very happy with it, as it has surpassed my expectations. Not only does it give manual and automatic control of the features I mentioned earlier, but it also has a manual focus to it as well, which is very useful for certain scene. Amateur film producer or casual recorder of family history, I'd highly recommend this camera, as it is fairly affordable, while providing very nice features.

The shipment of this product was way over priced,showed up late and not only that didn't work. The battery refuses to charge so now i have to buy a battery which will cost me more money. People should not buy this product if the shipment exceeds $4.00.

Was really unhappy with this order. I purchased this camera to use at my school which is required, at last when the package arrived I put it to charge for about 2-3 hours. I only found out that the battery was defective, I had to wait about two weeks for my new batteries to come in. Keep in mind I wasted 2 weeks of my studies and more money for new batteries. This was not a pleasure at all. Besides that the camera works perfecfinefine and is in excellent condition, I'm just terribly unhappy with the issue of being held back and having to waste more money.

I purchased this refurbished video recorder to replace and older JVC unit. I am amazed at the small size for easier handling and the features it has to offer. Having less moving parts I feel it will last longer than our last unit. Plus I can add memory to record longer events when needed. Since this is a refurbished unit with full factory warranty, the price is much less than a new recorder. I got more for my money than if I had purchased a new unit. I would make the purchase again in a heart beat.