Offical Canon HF G10 Jello-Vision Problem Thread

This is the place to post questions, comments, suggestions or problems regarding the problems that some people are having with their Canon HF G10 Camcorder models. This problem is defined as having a clear jello like effect usually on the upper right hand side of the picture. It's not limited to that but that is what is most prevelant. It will show up during slow pans or when slowly walking with the camcorder with the image stabilization on.
It typically does not show up when zooming and does not show up at all on a tripod.

You can also post links to video showing the problems you are having.
Here is a link to the one I have, You can download the raw file (for a week) or watch it on Vimeo. Try and watch it in 1080i as that is how I filmed it.

http://vimeo.com/22529938

The thing is is it a defective batch of cameras or do they all do it?
I honestly have no idea. Quality control is so poor coming out of Japan lately and even before the tsunami.

At least you can see the jello and it's not on fast pans or unrealistic behavior that might screw up any camera.

I guess i'll try another one and see if that one is bad as well, if not then I'm golden.

Well that kinda bites. I wonder why the XA10's don't have this problem?
Too bad Panasonic's have such poor low light performance. Their stabilization is great.

I found this in another forum, that I'm not a member of.
He makes some very valid points about stabilization. Now this could be what is happening to the HF G10.


"I'll tell you.. they did the same thing Sony did last year. The "hybrid" in hybrid stabilization is that it does both optical and digital. Now, I know what you're thinking, optical is great, digital sucks, so why bother? Well, that's not quite true. Optical stabilization works by shifting lens elements, digital works by essentially moving a window across a larger sensor area than you're using for video. Optical works better largely because it has substantially more range than any digital out there.

But actually, that's for X and Y axis displacement... but what about Z axis. That's the camera rolling either way around the axis of the lens itself... and there's nothing OIS can do about that. That's what these "hybrid" systems do, they use optical for X,Y stabilization and digital for Z. And of course, digital is ideally suited to do roll correction, because you don't need a huge number of extra pixels, it's just a rotation."

The Panny excels at OIS and I'd agree that it's IS is on par with Canons low light performance. The HF G10 also allowed you to use the viewfinder and LCD but they should have make it so it clicked in as it is now if you press into it, it pushes in.




Ken likely doesn't notice or care about jello and in a short video you don't tend to see it and as he himself and others have pointed out, it doesn't bother everyone.

I will order one as soon as I can and will try out Standard IS, but I have a feeling the Canon will be a tripod only camera and for outdoor handheld shots the TM900 will be the GoTo camcorder. That way I spend a few hundred more than an XA10 but get awesome bright light performance and awesome lowlight performance but on a tripod. trpods are doable for most indoor shots. Too bad most museums don't allow them but a monopod might help there.

I see it from the getgo even on the first video. I guess if it doesn't bother you then it's probaly normal for this camcorder. Too many videos have it and if it's in videos taken at the CES then they all have it. Mine was just a lot worse than most, likely dropped in shipping by the baboons who work for UPS or something.

If anyone can try the same type of shots, walking and slow panning with Standard stabilization and see how much that reduces the problem that would be very telling. Also using Dynamic OIS and show the jello then mount it to a tripod and slow pan without shutting it off and see if it's still there. My guess is the tripod will eliminate the jello efffect.
So far not a single tripod shot has shown any jello at all, just handheld shots.

Iam actually going to buy the HF G10 when i can find it available for sale. I will try standard IS and see how that works as well as try out using a tripod and a monopod to see if that helps.

I will also likely buy a TM900 for outdoor action shots and anything that I cannot take with a tripod.

Jello might not bother some people or they might not see it but it does bother me and my wife doesn't like it either.

My guess is that next year Canon will have sorted out the problem. I don't see how they could be unaware unless they are in massive denial.
This is just an OIS problem so I think the mass hysteria comments that are being made are ridiculous.

Mass hysteria is not a bunch of people who don't liek an aspect of a product. It's people running headlong in panic because godzilla is right behind them or they are terrified of something like swine flu.

Those of us who see this problem are not cattle and mass hysteria implies that we are.

It can't cost Canon that much to lock the viewfinder yet the HF G10 doesn't have it.
If i knew for 100% positive that the XA10 didn't have jello I would probably consider it as I love the low light capability of the new canons but I can't shoot all my videos on a tripod just to eliminate something that should not be there in the first place.

You really need to call Canon tech support they are open pretty late, you might be able to call them tonight.
Canon Customer Support Center
Phone: 1-800-652-2666

Ken I think using the term mass hysteria is disingenuous and detracts from the real issue.
Also not all CMOS cameras are doing this. The TM700/900's aren't Sony isn't just the Canon's so no it's not normal. Your camera, might not have it, you might not see it and far be it from me to say that your camera has a problem. But that doesn't mean there isn't a problem and the proof has been posted online for all to see.
No one is doing whip pans, god only knows what someone whould see doing a whip pan except a blur.

The fact that you don't film anything walking doesn't mean you arethe only person who shoots staic style shots. Most of us move around while filming depening on what it is and jellovision while walking is ridiculous and unacceptable for most of us.

You don't have a problem and that's good, but a lot of us have had the problem and want it fixed or to not be happening and there is no way you can say it's normal, it's not.

The only way to hold the cam more steady Ken would be to lock it down on a tripod! That was a very steady hold on my part, I made sure I got as little movement as possible. That intense shaking is caused by the camcorder.
The jello is likely caused by the IS which quite honestly is shite.
All you'd have to do to get that amount of shake with mine is hold it in your hand and press record.

Yes but if something isn't working right it could easily explain why there is a problem.

Yeah there was some slop when I adjusted the mic settings to less than jet engine levels due to the wind. But the shaking is a problem and that cam had a problem. It also had jello. I knew I was going to post the video, did you think I could shake like an epileptic having a seizure on command?

The real point here is that neither you or Ken believe this is a problem or that it even exists. Others have offered up suggestions as to what the problem might be, how to fix it or whatever. If you want to just keep on saying it's operator error or that it's in our imagination then you aren't helping.