Is there any word yet whether Canon will be releasing a new hard drive-based HD camcorder to replace the HG10 within the next couple of months? On their website they list the new flash memory and tape-based HD camcorders to be released in April, but there is no replacement for the HG10 listed.

I'm looking at Sony's upcoming HDR-SR11 camcorder that's due out in March, but it seemed like Canon's HG10 was receiving better reviews than Sony's equivalent offering at the time...

Thanks!

The upcoming Sonys appear to be significant upgrades to the existing Sony lines. They will have full HD resolution recording capability, new imagers, greater bitrates, recording to both a hard drive and a memory stick and a host of new features. As a result, I would discount how the current Sony lineup compared with the Canons in terms of making a decision on the new units. The other thing is that Sony will have actual viewfinders, something that is disappearing from the upcoming Canons. That might or might not be a factor for you.

Of course Canon is sitting on their hands either. They too are coming out with full HD recording and increased bitrates, though these will only be to an SDHC card. As I mentioned, they will only have the pop-out LCD and not a standard viewfinder.

Thanks for the insight. I'll keep an eye on the Sony then and see what the reviews say!

Any idea what an HG10 replacement might have? The HV30 seemed like a really minor upgrade over the HV20, can we expect the same for the HV30?

Basically the HF10 and HF100 series is the replacement for the HG10....I would not look for anymore Hard drive based HD camcorders from Canon anytime soon.....

SSD based Canons with SDHC & Compact Flash would be fine with me. Maybe Canon or any other company can drive SSD prices down with mass production.

Basically the HF10 and HF100 series is the replacement for the HG10....I would not look for anymore Hard drive based HD camcorders from Canon anytime soon.....
How informative is your statement?

On contrary, I expect the HG20 or whatever they call it with standard SD card slot (not miniSD), with recording onto cards (hybrid, like the SR11/12) and with 30p. I would also expect increased HDD size and bitrate.

The HG10 has features that the HF does not have, like viewfinder or focus wheel. I don't like the HDD media, but if a new version supports standard cards and 30p I will consider it.

The HG20 is expected to be announced July/August (shipping around Sept/Oct).
It should have a viewfinder (I've never seen an announcement that Canon is dropping the viewfinders on their existing products).
Most likely the Sony CX9 would be also announced around that time (but not sure).

The HG20 is expected to be announced July/August (shipping around Sept/Oct).
Again, how reliable is your information?

That sounds about right on the timeing for the HG20. Predictions: harddrive size increases from 40 to 60 gig, the minisd is dropped for a SDHC card that can record video (hybrid a la Panny HS9 and the Sony SR11/12). Mic moves from top to front (like the HF10/100). The overall size shrinks slight and the professional quality zoom becomes standard consumer grade. No major changes to the technology, although it's possible that Canon will use the smaller CMOS sensor found in the HF 10/100 than the one it uses now (allows canon to make the cameral a little smaller).

HG21 pictures and details out today.

So it says it's the same optics etc as the new HF11, only with HDD. So I guess that means it has a smaller sensor and cheaper lens compared with the HG10? That's a shame. At least it still has a viewfinder.

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20080722/canon.htm

HG21 pictures and details out today.

So it says it's the same optics etc as the new HF11, only with HDD. So I guess that means it has a smaller sensor and cheaper lens compared with the HG10? That's a shame. At least it still has a viewfinder.

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20080722/canon.htm

I wouldn't worry about the smaller sensor and different lens. Pretty much all reviews found the HF10 pq clearly better than the HG10. Also HG10 was one of the camcorders I could see compression artifacts in fast moving scenes. That should be a thing of the past with this one.

Question is when Canon decides to announce it for the US. I assume it would still be around September/October given past models.

I wouldn't worry about the smaller sensor and different lens. Pretty much all reviews found the HF10 pq clearly better than the HG10. Also HG10 was one of the camcorders I could see compression artifacts in fast moving scenes. That should be a thing of the past with this one.


I want a HD or HDV, leaning toward the HV30, but if the 24 Mbps makes up for the (presumably) inferior optics and smaller sensor, I'll get the HG21.

That sounds about right on the timeing for the HG20. Predictions: harddrive size increases from 40 to 60 gig, the minisd is dropped for a SDHC card that can record video (hybrid a la Panny HS9 and the Sony SR11/12). Mic moves from top to front (like the HF10/100). The overall size shrinks slight and the professional quality zoom becomes standard consumer grade. No major changes to the technology, although it's possible that Canon will use the smaller CMOS sensor found in the HF 10/100 than the one it uses now (allows canon to make the cameral a little smaller).
If you are not an insider, you have a good capability for predictions.

I want a HD or HDV, leaning toward the HV30, but if the 24 Mbps makes up for the (presumably) inferior optics and smaller sensor, I'll get the HG21.
No manual focus (no ring, neither thumbwheel, nor jog wheel) ==> a pointless camera.

I'd rather have the HF100, it is smaller, lighter and solid-state. I don't care for 24Mbps, 17Mbps already look good enough to me.

No manual focus (no ring, neither thumbwheel, nor jog wheel) ==> a pointless camera.

I'd rather have the HF100, it is smaller, lighter and solid-state. I don't care for 24Mbps, 17Mbps already look good enough to me.

I have an SLR, but almost never use the manual focus, is it necessary in a camcorder? (I don't own one)

I didn't realize the HF100 had a manual focus ring and the HG21 didn't.

I'm leaning toward the HV30 anyway though.

I have an SLR, but almost never use the manual focus, is it necessary in a camcorder? (I don't own one)
If you want to follow a moving object in tricky conditions, say a tiger behind the trees or a girl behind a car, you need manual focus. If you want to rack focus you need manual focus too.

I didn't realize the HF100 had a manual focus ring and the HG21 didn't.
No, the HF100 does not have manual focus wheel, but it simply makes more sense as everything else is pretty much the same but bitrate. The HG10 has manual focus wheel.

I see, thanks - so you're recommending the HV30, since that's the only current Canon with a focus wheel?

I have an SLR, but almost never use the manual focus, is it necessary in a camcorder? (I don't own one)
I didn't realize the HF100 had a manual focus ring and the HG21 didn't.
I'm leaning toward the HV30 anyway though.


I use manual focus when I focus but this isn't a function for everyone. If you're using an SLR without using the manual focus, I get the feeling you wouldn't use it in a camcorder.

I think you should base your purchasing decision based on what's important to you. Have you, for example, considered how the differences in format (HDV vs. AVCHD) will affect you? This may be more relevant to you than focusing.

> I see, thanks - so you're recommending the HV30,
> since that's the only current Canon with a focus wheel?

The HG10 has a jog wheel which I actually like more than the HV20/HV30 thumbwheel. You must decide for yourself do you need fine control of manual focus. Many people don't need/use it. In many cases just locking focus is enough. Fine manual control is needed mostly for artistic purposes.

> If you're using an SLR without using the manual focus,
> I get the feeling you wouldn't use it in a camcorder.

You cannot rack focus on a still picture.