Reprinted from a Canon press release
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., August 19, 2009 – Canon U.SA., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, has introduced a new flagship model to its 2009 VIXIA high-definition camcorder line, the VIXIA HF S11 Dual Flash Memory camcorder. For those video enthusiasts looking to capture the moment in breathtaking HD quality, the VIXIA HF S11 provides advanced HD features and professional-level manual controls. Additionally, Canon announced a new camcorder accessory, the RA-V1 Remote Control Adapter for professional-level functionality when shooting from a tripod.
The VIXIA HF S11 retains Canon’s core imaging technologies, but adds several new features that enhance operability and deliver unsurpassed image quality. The VIXIA HF S11 offers the ability to record up to 24 hours of crisp high-definition video to a 64GB internal flash drive and the option of recording video directly to removable SDHC memory cards for fast and easy sharing of memories. Two new features that help enhance the video capture and viewing experience are Canon’s new Dynamic SuperRange OIS system, which delivers the ultimate in shake correction by providing continuous adjustment throughout the entire zoom range, and an Advanced Video Snapshot Mode which allows you to create the perfect highlight movie to share with family and friends by recording a series of four second clips when in shooting mode as well as in playback mode.
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Canon announced today it’s consumer camcorder line-up for 2009, updating some old favorites and releasing some exciting new models.

Of immediate interest to Videomaker readers is the Vixia HF S10/S100 model. This is Canon’s top of the line AVCHD camcorder, and deserves serious consideration even by professionals. The engineers at Canon have included a 8.59 MP CMOS chip, and the DIGIC DV III processor, as well as allowing compression at AVCHD’s upper limit of 24Mbps. What does all this technical goodness get you? 900 lines of resolution, that’s more resolution than their professional line of HDV camcorders. I was able to see some sample footage from the Vixia HF S10/S100 on a recent trip to Japan, and the image quality was outstanding.

Also updated was the successor to Canon’s popular Vixia HV-20 and HV-30 HDV camcorder, the Canon HV-40. The key update here is the new abiltiy to record in native 24p mode, similar to their professional products. This addition is perfect for this model, one that has found wide acceptance in the low-budget movie making market. In addition the HV-40 sports a new custom key setting, that allows you assign your own functions to a physical button on the camcorder.

Another update was the Vixia HF-20/200 AVCHD camcorders. These are the smallest camcorder’s in Canon’s line up, and have a 15x lens, and the new Video Snapshot feature. This new mode is accessed via a button, and it simply takes 4 seconds of video each time you press record. So what’s the big deal with this feature? Well, if you’ve ever had to sit through hours of boring home movies, you will appreciate Video Snapshot. In addition to limiting shots to 4 seconds, you can use the camcorder to arrange your 4 second clips in any order, and assign a piece of background music (you can upload your own tracks to the camcorder), and play them out straight to the TV from your camera. It’s automated editing for those who can’t be bothered to edit, and seems to work very well in practice.

This is just the announcement, pricing and availability aren’t  set yet. So stay tuned to the Videomaker Blog for further updates.

Press Release Below:

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