Canon VIXIA HF M300 Full HD Flash Memory Camcorder

First off, as the title of my review states, this camcorder is not recommended for users who don't want to fiddle with manual controls and just prefer to point-and-shoot. If you only use the default program settings (Program AE mode), you will be in for a disappointment when using this camcorder indoors. At the default program settings, this camcorder excessively jacks up the gain control and uses a fast shutter speed of 1/60s resulting to horrible trailing noise in even relatively bright indoor conditions. No problem however for bright outdoor conditions if that's what you intend to use it for. You just can leave it in the default 'Program AE' mode.

For indoor conditions however and for most other dim lighting conditions, I suggest you use the following manual settings

for the best video quality:

1. Shooting mode: Choose Shutter priority with 1/30s shutter speed (1/60s and above is only good for daytime outdoor conditions).

While the motion will be somewhat less smoother with a 1/30s shutter speed vs. 1/60s shutter speed, the slower shutter will allow for more light in challenging situations which will make the camcorder not jack up the gain control (AGC) to the maximum setting.

2. AGC (auto gain control): Set this to 16dB or less. This is sort of like an ISO setting in a digital camera. The higher the setting, the brighter the video capture but the more horrible and visible the trailing noise is. Setting it at 16dB or less limits the camcorder to manageable noise levels which, in low light and upon viewing in my Avia calibrated Sony LCD tv, is acceptable and very natural looking (grainy) rather than horribly blotchy in appearance which happens when the AGC is set too high (typically 18dB or higher). (The higher, the more blotchy and trailing the noise is when recording in moderate to low lighting conditions.)

3. Picture mode choose 'Custom' and adjust the settings as follows for better color and detail retention:

Brightness = +1 (more shadow detail)

Contrast = -1 (less highlight clipping even with brightness set to +1)

Color = +1 (increases color saturation to compensate for the desaturation brought about by '+1' brightness and '-1' contrast)

Sharpness = 0 (improves video detail and changes the noise characteristics from 'blotchy'[-1] to 'grainy'[0] [more preferable])

(Some of you may prefer the +1 sharpness setting)

4. XV color mode = ON (Set this to 'ON' for a wider color gamut video capture.)

There you have it. Using these settings for your HF M300 camcorder should yield the best HD video quality in any indoor lighting condition, at least if you have calibrated your LCD tv like I do. (I use 'AVIA guide to home theater' in calibrating my 1080p Sony LCD tv.)

If after following the suggested manual settings above, you still feel the camcorder's HD video is horrible in indoor/low light conditions and there are better options out there for the same price range, then go ahead, buy them instead of this reasonably priced camcorder (at least when compared to the Sony XR150 which I also reviewed and returned because of super clean, soft and mushy, 'upscaled' HD video). The Canon Vixia HF M300 is probably the best performing camcorder for its price (currently at $438.82) in all lighting conditions. Simply spectacular in daylight, and very good in low light if you just try these custom settings. Forget the overpriced $649.99-$1,499.95 Vixia HF 100 (2008 model) and the $849.99 Vixia HF 200 (2009 model). They have since been replaced by this 'touch screen' 'XV color' equipped $438.82 HF M300 (2010 model) at a fraction of the cost of the previous two models and with better features. Forget also about using the MXP (24mbps) mode when recording your HD videos with this camcorder. You will not see any significant improvement in video quality as compared to the FXP mode (17mbps). Besides, using the MXP mode will not allow you to burn your HD movies into DVDR for viewing later in its native HD resolution because of the bit rate output limit of the DVD media. (You'll need to burn MXP (24mbps) videos in expensive BDR discs and burners for HD playback if you really want the highest quality which is practically indistinguishable from the FXP mode (17mbps)).

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Update: November 19, 2010

I would just like to add that this camcorder takes very good photos! I once forgot to bring my digital camera to a school event so I had to make do with this camcorder's photo options. I am impressed!!! The photos print nicely in 4"x6" up to 5"x7" for the typical family photo album. The colors are much better also than my Fujifilm F30 digicam's colors! Sometimes, if I don't intend to print photos larger than 4"x6", I just bring this HD camcorder with me and leave my digital camera behind as it does both photos and HD videos in one package. The built in flash makes good photo capture in low light possible!

I would also like to add that the 'trailing noise' which I and many users see in their HD videos when viewing the capture of this camcorder in their tv screens has MORE TO DO with the NOISE REDUCTION settings in their tv screens. DO TURN OFF ALL noise reduction settings as they tend to make the natural grainy noise of this camcorder (at high gain settings) become horrible, blotchy, trailing noise. Of course stay below 16dB AGC as much as possible. Buy a cheap external LED video lighting like those sold on ebay. (The 'CN 160-LED 9.6W Video Light for DV Camcorder Lighting' costs half the Canon VL-5 accessory video light and provides much higher light intensity: an impressive 100 lux illumination even at 10 ft or 3 meters away at half the price of the VL-5!)

I've only had this for a couple of days, but I wanted to try out different scenarios that I might be working with. I bought this to have video documentation of my older kids in sports and special occasions as well as of my soon to be born son. The camera is feature rich with so many options, that I an not likely to use many of them. Having enjoyed the quality of Canon in my DSLR, this seemed like the logical choice.

Pros:

Image stabilization fantastic stabilization! Every video turns out smooth as silk with canon's stability feature

Color It seems to be very true to life with natural colors

HD video with today's HD tvs, it would be a shame to have anything else

Zoom large enough to get close from a moderate distance and the variable speed is nice too. Better than some, not as good as others.

Mini hot shoe great for adding accessories such as a flash, though I don't have one yet

light weight I can't believe this is only 11oz!

Lens ring threads Filters/protective lenses can be added

Cons:

No internal memory Kind of pricey for not having anything, but I knew that getting into it.

Low light performance It gets pretty grainy fast when the light disappears...even the light that comes with it doesn't help much

Touch panel sensitivity I have been having a difficult time navigating through the menu by the touch screen. It would have been nice to have some physical navigation buttons to assist for this.

Conclusion:

Overall, this is a very nice video recorder that turns out quality videos each time. My only problem real problem is with the graininess of low light videos. This is something I believe is better handled by Sony, which I may get if I decide not to keep this one.

Buy Canon VIXIA HF M300 Full HD Flash Memory Camcorder Now

Purchased Canon HF M300 for $418(four one eight) on Amazon.

I have used this for a week and my feedback.

Pros:

1. Size Its smaller for mid-priced consumer camcorders.

2. Looks stylish(I got a silver color)

3. 15x zoom is enough for most consumer use/purpose.

4. Takes good still photos.

5. Touch screen

Cons:

1. Video looks grainy in low-level lighting. You may need a bigger sensor but then most camcorder(s) have this issue.

2. Camcorder gets HOT and sometimes its a bit unbearable the underneath of the camera(right below the battery) gets hot and you can feel it.

My 4star rating since this behaviour is odd for canon camcorder and this could be a deal-breaker for me.

I may have a defective unit but I'll come back and make an update in the next few weeks(if needed)

3. I can't seem to transfer files using the USB cable. You'll have to use the CD software that came along with the camcorder.

Things to shop for prior to purchasing this camcorder:

1. The camcorder does NOT come with any internal memory, so its best to shop for a 16GB or 32GB SDHC card.

2. Canon does not provide a camcorder bag so buy one.

3. Its touch screen, so buy a screen protector.

Read Best Reviews of Canon VIXIA HF M300 Full HD Flash Memory Camcorder Here

I purchased this camera a few weeks ago (about $380) on AMAZON as a replacement for a 9 year old Panasonic PV-DV953, which was $1000 back in 2004 and was the first 3CCD consumer camcorder (I think). The pana picture quality reproduction was brilliant, so I had delayed replacement until now. The Firewire port on the pana failed, meaning I could not download tape to me PC anymore... time to upgrade (mind you, the pana did get a soaking of saltwater at Seaworld thanks to the killer whale show, so I don't blame the camera for that failure... its a wonder it still works at all...).

I've had pana and sony cameras before, but after reading reviews here and at Camcorderinfo.com, and checking out the cameras in the stores, I went for the Canon HF M300. My original upgrade choice had been the pana TM700, but at around twice the price of the Canon it didn't seem to me that it was going to be the best value.

I'm a family guy with 3 kids and a dog. My camcorder use tends to be indoor kids sports, indoor parties, outdoor vacations, outdoor kids playing etc. I've used the canon just a few times so far to record some samples outdoors and to record a gymnastics competition indoors. I recorded some samples at all of the various frame rates / quality levels and then this morning put the video on DVD (using Cyberlink PowerDirector trial version). I have to say, after looking at the DVD today, the image quality and sharpness is fantastic. Color reproduction I'd say is perhaps not quite as good as a panasonic (reds a bit rich..), but I suspect I can fix that with some settings. But the sharpness of the HD video is a giant step forward from the panasonic, which is a relief because the pana was no slouch.

A couple of minor points I noticed with the canon you cannot download from the camera to PC on battery power.. you have to connect the power supply.. which is mostly fine but a small inconvenience. Second, the factory battery really does not last long. Less that 60 minutes of recording I'd say. The replacement Canon batteries are VERY expensive and a lot of the aftermarket batteries, which are MUCH cheaper, do not work with the camera's software to indicate battery life. However, after searching AMAZON and reading a number of reviews, I did find a battery (Vivitar brand) that seems to be 100% compatible. I ordered and received the 2000mAH battery (factory is about 890mAH) for under $22 it does indeed appear to work 100% with camera. Also note that the camera does not come with a stand-alone battery charger... you can only charge the battery on the camera. OK if you just have one battery, but i purchased an aftermarket wall charger for about $10 on AMAZON. Have not received it yet so cannot comment on its functionality.

I'm knocking off 1 star because (1) its really hard for me to rate anything as perfect, (2) the reasons mentioned above re battery, and (3) the camera's sound reproduction, which I do not think is a good as my old pana. Seems a little muted/muffled. Again may be able to correct through gain in the options, but have not explored yet.

Despite these issues and the expensive Canon accessories, I think this camera is terrific for under $400.. amazing really. If I lost it today I'd definitely get online and order another one tomorrow.

I hope this little baby lasts me as long as my panasonic, which I will now sadly retire.

Brian

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I got this cam this week. And I think it is a great camcorder for beginner or middle level users.

It takes great 1080i videos. Many people have uploaded their videos taken by this cam on youtube, but note that those videos are only at around 6000kbps rates, since maybe youtube compressed the original files when users post their videos on their site. So the really videos we get from this cam is better than those posted (this little cam can go as high as about 24000kbps in MXP mode). It also takes good photos. I am quite happy with both of them.

I am quite satisfied with this cam, except for its touch screen menu designs. It is kind of uneasy to use since this kind of design is new to me(for example, we need to use finger to drag menus up or down to move the one we want to the highlighted column so that we can change the setting). And I find that using the wireless controller works better for me than the touch panel (But I think I should get used to the touch screen after some use in the future). Oh, by the way, opposite to some reviews, I find the wireless controller easy and good to use, just remember to point it to the touch panel, otherwise its signal may not be received by the cam. For example, when taking a photo of oneself, remember to rotate the screen towards oneself before using the wireless controller, and it will work great.

The original battery, when fully charged, showing about 90min time for mine, but since when we use the camcorder, we leave its on without shooting videos for a lot of times, so I would recommend extra battery for this. I ordered the non-oem Canon BP-827 from Amazon market place (New BP-827 Li-Ion 6-Hour Rechargeable Intelligent Battery for Canon VIXIA HF10 HF11 HF100 HF20 HF200 HF S10 S100 S20 S21 S200 HG20 HG21 M30 M31 M300 Camcorders). I haven't get it yet, but according to reviews, most likely it will give me about 320min recording time. I will review it after I get it.

The lens has minimum of about 40mm, so this may cause some difficulty when shooting inside the room. I read a lot of reviews before getting one wide angle lens (other than canon original, too expensive!), and finally I bought "Sony VCLHA07A Wide Conversion Lens for Sony MiniDV & Hi8 Camcorders" also from Amazon.(Sony VCLHA07A Wide Conversion Lens for Sony MiniDV & Hi8 Camcorders ). This Sony wide angle lens worked perfectly with my Canon M300. 0.7 changes my Canon M300 from about 40mm to about 28mm equivalence, which is great. Though I wish it would be 0.45. I didn't buy 0.45 because I looked at many of them and found that they may have about equal effect as the Sony 0.7, since when at 0.45 the video/photo distorted/or has the black frame showing. What's more important, the Sony one almost doesn't distort even when zoomed out a lot.

For camcorder bag, I would recommend "Canon SC-A70 Soft Case for ZR500, 600, 700, 800, 830, 850, Elura 100, Optura S1 & DVD Camcorders" here at Amazon(Canon SC-A70 Soft Case for ZR500, 600, 700, 800, 830, 850, Elura 100, Optura S1 & DVD Camcorders). It is well-made, and hold my Canon Vixia HF M300 with the Sony wide angle perfect. It's original Canon, so quality is good, and it's on sale for only $7.9 and it is Prime eligible LOL.

In all, I am happy with this purchase. Thanks, Amazon! And I have to say, Amazon Prime is great!