Hi,

I'm trying to decide to buy the Canon HG or the HF line. Which type of camcorder is a better buy?

My opinion is to go with the 'HG'
It gives you storage and a cheap price along with 24mbps.

My opinion is just the opposite. Flash memory is cheap, versatile, and easily replaceable if it fails (which, since it's solid state, is probably less likely than a HDD failure). The same cannot be said for HDDs.

As for the 17 mbps vs. 24 mbps, the HF11 is 24 mbps, so it's available in the HF line if you want it, but the general consensus around here seems to be that there's not a significant picture quality difference between the two. There's lots of threads on this if you care to learn a bit more about it and see some varying opinions. Also, check out camcorderinfo.com.

--Mav

My opinion is just the opposite. Flash memory is cheap, versatile, and easily replaceable if it fails (which, since it's solid state, is probably less likely than a HDD failure). The same cannot be said for HDDs.--Mav

I hear what you're saying, but the Canon HG20 is both a hard drive camcorder and a flash memory camcorder in that the it has a slot for SD cards that store video.

The HF11 or HF10 are probably a better deal without the moving parts HDD.

btw, anyone know what the cost and labor would be to replace a hard drive or even a solid state drive in a camcorder?

I should have typed my thought process. I, personally, am looking at the HF10/100 v. HG20. Thus the 'mbps' issue. Also, my logic was 60GB v. 2x32GB flash cards. The HG20, for me, would be cheaper.
The downfall is the 60GB drive is not removable ala flash card type.

Regarding the internal HD. I believe it was stated it is just a laptop HD?

I should have typed my thought process. I, personally, am looking at the HF10/100 v. HG20. Thus the 'mbps' issue. Also, my logic was 60GB v. 2x32GB flash cards. The HG20, for me, would be cheaper.
The downfall is the 60GB drive is not removable ala flash card type.

Regarding the internal HD. I believe it was stated it is just a laptop HD?

Well, if that's your only analysis, then it's a no-brainer. HG20 is, basically, the same price as an HF100 and has 24 mbps and the 60GB of storage included for free.

For the reasons stated above, though, I'd get the HF100 and buy a couple 16GB cards (32GB cards are still fairly pricey).

Again, though, I'd encourage you to read through the HF10/100 Owner's Thread and the HG Owner's Thread and read up at camcorderinfo.com before you make up your mind.

--Mav

is it possible to upgrade the internal HG harddrive?
also, the HG20 only has a usb2 port, correct? how long does it take to transfer 60GB of data from the camcorder to the pc thru usb2?

is it possible to upgrade the internal HG harddrive?
The HG20's hard drive is not upgradeable by the user - although there are people, (with technical knowledge), who have claimed to have done so.


also, the HG20 only has a usb2 port, correct?
The HG20 has USB 2.0, HDMI out (can connect directly to HDTV), component out and AV out. There is also an SD card slot for SD/SDHC flash memory cards to store photos or video. (The hard drive storage is optional.)

how long does it take to transfer 60GB of data from the camcorder to the pc thru usb2?
Most people are not going to fill up the whole drive at once, If you shoot a couple of hours, you would transfer to a pc hard drive when you got home/or got to a pc. It is not a good idea to use the hard drive on the HG20 for permanent storage -it's storage until you can transfer to a pc.

The data will transfer USB as fast as transferring from an external hard drive, (like one of those Western Digtial USB external hard drives).
The faster your pc/specs...the faster it will transfer.

I have the exact same dilemma. I can't decide between the HG20 and the HF100. I prefer the size of the HF100, but for $60 more the 60GB hard drive is a cheaper storage solution that buying a couple 16GB SD cards. If the HF10 wasn't more than the HG20, I would probably just split the difference and buy it.

I have the exact same dilemma. I can't decide between the HG20 and the HF100. I prefer the size of the HF100, but for $60 more the 60GB hard drive is a cheaper storage solution that buying a couple 16GB SD cards. If the HF10 wasn't more than the HG20, I would probably just split the difference and buy it.

That is my exact thinking also. If we knew the model of internal hard drive (which could probably be found) we could determine the approx. run time of the HD and determine its mtbf (running time). I'm sure it is enough not to worry, if the HD lasts a year then it will last close to its mtbf

That is my exact thinking also. If we knew the model of internal hard drive (which could probably be found) we could determine the approx. run time of the HD and determine its mtbf (running time). I'm sure it is enough not to worry, if the HD lasts a year then it will last close to its mtbf

I'm not concerned about the HDD failing. I've had so many hard drives in laptops and mp3 players etc... without issue, I am sure Canon used something reliable. However I think I am going to purchase the HF10. I would just like to have some internal storage for immediate extra capacity, and playing with it and the HG20 at Best Buy, I just really preferred the size and feel of the HF10. The plastic case of the HG20 didn't feel as solid, or as comfortable to hold. I do wish I could have found a local store with the HF100 to compare as well, but it seems to be available online only,a t least around here.

I'm not concerned about the HDD failing. I've had so many hard drives in laptops and mp3 players etc... without issue, I am sure Canon used something reliable. However I think I am going to purchase the HF10. I would just like to have some internal storage for immediate extra capacity, and playing with it and the HG20 at Best Buy, I just really preferred the size and feel of the HF10. The plastic case of the HG20 didn't feel as solid, or as comfortable to hold. I do wish I could have found a local store with the HF100 to compare as well, but it seems to be available online only,a t least around here.

i know what you mean. the HG20 does feel very plastic, and i really want to try the HF100 before i order online.

i know what you mean. the HG20 does feel very plastic, and i really want to try the HF100 before i order online.

If you've held the HF10, you've held the HF100. Only difference between the two is the color and the on-board memory -- neither of which affect the way they "feel". I've owned both.

--Mav

If you've held the HF10, you've held the HF100. Only difference between the two is the color and the on-board memory -- neither of which affect the way they "feel". I've owned both.

--Mav

Since you've had both, did you think the cost of the HF10 was worth it over the HF100, even though a 16GB SD card is cheaper than the difference? Is there any truth to the few reports I have seen of slightly better video quality on the HF10? Thanks for your input.

Since you've had both, did you think the cost of the HF10 was worth it over the HF100, even though a 16GB SD card is cheaper than the difference? Is there any truth to the few reports I have seen of slightly better video quality on the HF10? Thanks for your input.

I had the HF100, then my local retailer put the HF10 on sale within 30 days after purchase, so the cost difference to get the HF10 for me was about $10 and I figured for $10, I liked black, so I did it. I doubt I'll ever actually use the on-board memory since I have a 32GB card. As for difference in PQ, haven't noticed any difference at all and I can't think of any technical reason why there would be any difference. Any perceived difference is probably more psychological than anything else.

--Mav

Since you've had both, did you think the cost of the HF10 was worth it over the HF100, even though a 16GB SD card is cheaper than the difference? Is there any truth to the few reports I have seen of slightly better video quality on the HF10? Thanks for your input.

I went with the HF100. It just ended up being so much cheaper. I was able to get the camera, extra battery, 16GB SDHC card, usb card reader, mini-hdmi to hdmi cable, case and tri-pod for the same price as the HF10.

I went with the HF100. It just ended up being so much cheaper. I was able to get the camera, extra battery, 16GB SDHC card, usb card reader, mini-hdmi to hdmi cable, case and tri-pod for the same price as the HF10.

What case did you get?

I went with the HF100. It just ended up being so much cheaper. I was able to get the camera, extra battery, 16GB SDHC card, usb card reader, mini-hdmi to hdmi cable, case and tri-pod for the same price as the HF10.


You could get a 16GB Class 6 SDHC, Card Reader, mini-hdmi cable, case and a tripod for about $60 bucks shipped....

Card/reader from amazon, cable from monoprice, case and tripod off ebay....

I went with the HF11 and got all of those for under $60...

What case did you get?

I got the Lowepro Edit 100. It seemed like the best option from the one HF10/HF100 case thread, and was nice and cheap/

You could get a 16GB Class 6 SDHC, Card Reader, mini-hdmi cable, case and a tripod for about $60 bucks shipped....

Card/reader from amazon, cable from monoprice, case and tripod off ebay....

I went with the HF11 and got all of those for under $60...

Well the camera came with a free tripod and monopod, with the one current $40 off coupon that is out there. I did get the cable from Monoprice. I was able to add the 2nd battery(809, not 819), 16GB card and reader to my camera order for $89. The case was on sale at a certain local big box retailer for $16.

Enjoy your HF11. I would have liked the 24Mbps recording, but decided to keep my budget around $600, with a new baby (hence the camcorder) and going down to 1 income.

the HG20 is going for $699 at some place right now, and the HF100 is about $100 cheaper. is the 60GB hard drive worth the $100 premium? i know hard drive is not a good idea for camcorder to begin with, but the price is very attractive!!

forgot to mention that my price is in canadian

Or just get a Canon HV30 a great HD camera that still uses MiniDV. I would say the Picture quality is better than HDD and Flash.