Reviews
Canon VIXIA HF S21 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder – 2010 MODEL
Canon VIXIA HF S21 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder – 2010 MODEL
- Records up to 24 hours of crisp high definition video to a 64GB internal flash drive or directly to two removable SD memory cards
- Genuine Canon 10x HD Video Lens
- Canon 1/2.6″ 8.59-Megapixel Full HD CMOS Image Sensor captures video at 1920 x 1080 resolution
- Canon DIGIC DV III Image Processor
- Dynamic SuperRange OIS corrects a full range of motion
Canon’s flagship VIXIA HF S21 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder, with a 64GB internal flash drive and two SD memory card slots, offers Canon’s most sophisticated feature set to date – blurring the line between consumer and professional. Canon’s superlative proprietary imaging technologies help deliver video and 8.0 megapixel photos with incredible detail and lifelike color. Touch & Track allows you to achieve sharp focus and precise exposure for any subject, simply by touching the generous 3.5″ High R
List Price: $ 1,399.00
SALE Price: $ 1,399.00
Rating: 
(out of 9 reviews)
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about 1 year ago
Review by Just Anonymous for Canon VIXIA HF S21 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder – 2010 MODEL
Rating:
My wife and her friend recently went to a school parade for our children. My wife’s friend had a video camera without a viewfinder and it was a bright sunny day. After all was said and done, when we went to look at the video that evening, we found out that half of the footage was missing — she couldn’t tell that the camera wasn’t recording – because the light was too bright for the LCD and there was no viewfinder.
That incident sealed the deal for me. I didn’t want to miss a video of my 3.5 year old because I didn’t have a viewfinder. This Canon camcorder is the only one in their consumer line that has a viewfinder and that’s important. The HF S200 or and HF S20 don’t have viewfinders.
That said, this is the flagship Canon camcorder and comes with a 3.5″ LCD touchscreen which is a very nice improvement from last year’s model the HF S11 which has a 2.7″ screen.
The other big improvement with this line is the 8Megapixel camera feature. Also, you get 6Megapixel pictures that you can capture straight from video — this is huge.
I’ve tried the IS feature and it’s good, as good as last year’s and the Powered IS features is very handy for when you’re at max magnification — it really helps.
Least but not last is the 64MB internal memory, you get about 4 hours of super high quality HD recording or about 24hrs of low quality recording. You also get two SDHC slots that you can put two memory cards in there…and the camera switches from internal memory to the memory cards instantly so you don’t lose any recordings. That’s useful.
For those of you considering tape or CD camcorders, I highly recommend FLASH drive camcorders like this one. You get instant access to any part of your recoring and makes it real easy to transfer this to your computer. Flash memory is also very shock resistant to you don’t have to worry as much about bumping.
Oh, this camera has the HD lens which is the same lens as on their higher end camcorders. If you’re a student of film, this might very well be a good learning camcorder.
About the only the only thing I don’t like about this is the lack of a good sized battery … the batterly lasts about an hour. This is not very good. You should upgrade to the Canon BP-819 Lithium Ion Battery Pack for HF10, HF100 HF S & HF M Camcorders battery.
The other drawback is that it doesn’t come with an HDMI cable nor with a carry pouch. Oh well.
I’m very sold on this camera. This is by no means a comprehensive review. There are several websites out there that put this camera through it’s paces in a very comprehensive fashion. Just type Canon HF S21 review and several will pop up.
If you’re looking to compare — try the Panasonic HDC-TM300 Twin Media HD Camcorder (Black) which is a fantastic camera and winner of many 2009 awards or you can save a few bucks and get Canon VIXIA HF S11 HD Dual Flash Memory Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom which is Canon’s last year’s flagship camcorder. If you’re a sony lover try the Sony Handycam HDR-CX500V 32 GB Flash High-Definition Camcorder (Black) which is also very nice.
I’m a Canon loyalist so my choice was the HF S21.
This is just my short take on this wonderful camera and I hope it’s useful to you.
about 1 year ago
Review by Gabriel for Canon VIXIA HF S21 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder – 2010 MODEL
Rating:
Well by reading the “Product Description” and some of the previous Reviews you will get it all, there is a lot of information very detailed and accurate. So I just want to make a quick intervention to say the bad things of the camera…
I just kidding, this camcorder is really good looking, very comfortable and easy to use, the picture quality is good, connectivity’s ports are very well located, huge capacity which is very important in a FULL HD camcorder plus the option to add two more SD cards. The addition of the viewfinder is a big + over the last year HF S11 model.
The really bad side of it (now I’m serious) is the touchscreen, wuaoo, I’m having a real hard time navigation through the menus, sometimes I get stock and no way to scroll up or down… and the other issue is the very limited Battery Life so be ready to buy an extended one.
Other explorer camcorders were:
o TM700 (Panasonic HDC-TM700K Hi-Def Camcorder with Pro Control System & 32GB Flash (Black)) but you get half of the memory and need a top of the line PC to be able to edit your videos.
o TM350 (Panasonic HDC-TM350 Twin Media Camcorder [Limited Edition]) this one is the real treat, because you get the same memory, better low light performance and the usual 1080i (30 fps) that allows to edit in conventional PCs using regular software.
o TM300 (Panasonic HDC-TM300 Twin Media HD Camcorder (Silver)) is good if you need to save over $300
o GZ-HM1 (JVC GZ-HM1 High Definition Camcorder) Also a good option with better still pictures, good Low Light performance but lack of a 5.1 Surround Sound
Bottom line: If your fingers & touchscreen get alone well plus money if not an issue for you go for it NOW!
about 1 year ago
Review by Gerald Zahavi for Canon VIXIA HF S21 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder – 2010 MODEL
Rating:
This COULD have been a superb video camera, and I would be widely recommending it except for the incredibly poor preamplifier that adds an inordinate amount of hiss to the recording. I tried adding an audio adapter (a BeachTek converter) with no improvement, which means that the problem is in the electronics of the Vixia HF S21 itself. I shot one interview with a Panasonic and with this Vixia (one set up for close-up, one for medium close-up) and with two microphones (identical microphones). The sound quality of the Vixia was far inferior to the Panasonic’s. Make sure you check the audio on this model before your buy; don’t just look at its video qualities!
about 1 year ago
Review by L. Yoshinaga for Canon VIXIA HF S21 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder – 2010 MODEL
Rating:
I purchased the Japan version iVIS Vixia which is exactly the same as all the other Vixia versions made in various other countries including the USA. Just different language options and playback formats NTSC or PAL. One version is not inferior to other versions or superior in manufacturing or quality than other versions. Saved $$ buying direct from Japan. I just changed menu settings to English and playback format is same in Japan as in USA, NTSC.
Going from a mini-dv camcorder to a flash memory one took a little while to digest. However, the technology, speed, download, and accessibility is exponentially better. A lot more versatility than mini-dv, more reliable than Hard Drive based camcorders, and better format for editing than DVD type units. I still need to understand the AVCHD MTS format and how to properly edit the video for playback in a Blu-Ray or standard DVD movie. I am presently using Corel Video Studio Pro X3 for importing, editing, and movie making. Trying different formats, H.264, WMV HD, AVCHD, etc. So far, WMV HD have been the most promising. Still some learning to do. Canon makes it easy with AUTO mode for movie and photo taking with great results. Manual mode affords a plethora of individual adjustments for more mature users.
Ergonomics are very good, power, zoom, record start/stop can be operated with one hand while touchscreen LCD interaction must be used with the other hand. I like the viewfinder while taking shots in a very bright environment. Many functions can be set to be accessed directly from the LCD touch screen which makes it very convenient, like mic levels, zoom, etc. I have smaller hands so this helps me a lot. Well made and sturdy, quality feel. It should be for the price, right! Make sure you purchase an additional battery, I recommend the BP-819, which should be the standard battery this camcorder should come with. The BP-827 is the biggest and longest lasting battery, but protrudes out a little too much from the rear. It’s more aesthetics than function that would be affected.
Very easy to transfer video to PC via supplied USB cable or transfer video to Memory card and download it that way. No more tapes to rewind or fast forward. Video can also be formatted from HD to SD in the camcorder.
So far, so good. I really like this camcorder. This will probably be my last upgrade since most of my kids will be graduating soon. Will use more for my retirement trips if our Government doesn’t put us in more debt and raise our taxes. Otherwise I will just stay home and take movie shots in my local area. Great product at a discounted price. Looked at the Sony and Panasonic equivalent models but settled on the Canon. I have used their products (G6, Powershot SD 780IS, Printer, scanner) over the years and have always been a Canon consumer because of their quality and reliability. I am fixated on this Vixia, you will be too!
about 1 year ago
Review by Jam Balloon for Canon VIXIA HF S21 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder – 2010 MODEL
Rating:
After several problems with the HDC-TM700 I decide to try out this Canon 2010 model that by most of the reviews was a tremendous equipment… Well the reality is that this camcorder doesn’t have a good Audio Quality and low light performance is far from acceptable. After using it for only 2 weeks I returned and now I’m playing with the Panasonic HDC-TM350 Twin Media HD Camcorder (Limited Edition) which seems to be far superior in every aspect.