Canon HG10 AVCHD High Definition Camcorder with Optical Image Stabilizer

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Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.2 x 3 x 5.1 inches ; 1.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000U8HBRW
• Item model number: 2183B001AA
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (159 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #243 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)

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  #1 in	Camera & Photo > Camcorders > Hard Disk Drive
  #10 in	Camera & Photo > Camcorders > High Definition

• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 18, 2005

Product Description

Manufacturer Description
The Canon HG10 AVCHD hard disk drive camcorder delivers high definition technology with the effortless ease of recording video directly onto a hard disk. Incorporating the latest AVCHD (Advanced Video Codec High Definition) format, it puts superb image reproduction and advanced features at your fingertips in a compact AVCHD Format HDD camcorder, which means you'll carry it everywhere you want to capture the special moments in your life in true HD.

Among the Canon Exclusive features on the HG10 are Canon's own Full HD CMOS sensor and advanced DIGIC DV II image processor. More exclusives are SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization, Instant Auto Focus and our new 2.7-inch widescreen multi-angle vivid LCD. With the Genuine Canon 10x HD video zoom lens and a host of other advanced features, the HG10 is the right choice in HDD camcorders.

Canon HG10 Highlights

AVCHD-format HDD in a compact size The HG10 is Canon's first AVCHD (Advanced Video Codec High Definition) hard disk drive camcorder. AVCHD uses an MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video codec, recording true 1080 high-definition resolution video. It allows you to capture more video onto a hard disk using less storage, for extended recording time. You can play the video directly from the camcorder on your HDTV, or easily download it onto your Windows XP or Vista system computer for playback, editing or sharing with friends and family. You can also burn video onto DVDs which play in AVCHD compatible Blu-ray disc players. Higher audio quality is also yours with the AVCHD format. All of this comes in a compact AVCHD format HDD camcorder, measuring only 3.2 inches wide, 3 inches high and 5.1 inches deep.

Added to the HG10's handy size is the convenience of shooting high definition onto a hard disk. You'll never tape over a precious moment by accident, since the disk automatically searches for a blank space on which to record.

Full HD on a 40GB hard disk drive The HG10 captures 1920 x 1080 high-definition resolution video onto a 40GB hard disk drive. A convenient format for anyone who wants to transfer video to a computer for viewing, editing or sharing, it also makes your life easier as you never have to worry about not carrying around enough recording media with you as you shoot your future memories. In LP mode, you'll be able to record up to 15 hours of video. Even when shooting in super high quality mode, five-and-a-half hours of footage is yours without taking a break to change tapes or DVDs.

HDD recording also delivers true random-access play, letting you get to the scene you select instantly.

With the HG10's built-in HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) Terminal, it's easy to transfer the HD video signal to your HDTV. With a single cable, you'll send a pure digital signal, audio and video, to your television to get the ultimate HD viewing experience.

1920 x 1080 full-HD CMOS sensor The HG10 captures 1920x1080 HD video through its Canon-designed-and-manufactured CMOS image sensor, similar to the CMOS image sensors in Canon's EOS-series digital SLR cameras.

Compared to a CCD, the HG10's CMOS's high color resolution and advanced color reproduction gives brilliant results. It is also unique in featuring Canon's proprietary noise reduction technologies for crisp, sharp images. Low noise technology also means that even in dimly lit scenes, the signal from each pixel is as pure as possible, with minimal noise or other aberrations. It's the ideal sensor for HD.

The HG10 uses an RGB Primary Color Filter with Bayer Placement Pattern that separates light into red, green and blue color components. This results in vibrant images with deep, rich, accurate color and natural-looking tones similar to what you'd obtain from 3CCD camcorders. In addition, the Bayer Placement Pattern delivers sharp high definition images with true-to-life color reproduction. As an added benefit, the CMOS sensor provides outstanding image capture in low light conditions.

Canon 10x HD video zoom lens The HG10 comes with an outstanding high-definition video lens -- a 10x HD Genuine Canon zoom lens. It's the tool you need to record long shots of your child on the soccer field, wide shots of beautiful landscapes, and everything in-between. And because it comes with three pre-set zoom speeds, you always get smooth, steady, professional-looking zoom shots.

Super Spectra Coating technology results in images with minimal flare and ghosting. Plus, the new lens' aspheric design reduces aberration and increases resolution, ensuring crisp, sharp video and enhancing the HD image quality. Not only that, but a new gradation neutral density (ND) system gives you better exposures in bright shooting situations.

In addition, for those times when you need to get a particular shot from a very long distance, this flexible lens also has a 200x digital zoom.

DIGIC DV II DIGIC DV II is the next generation of Canon's exclusive DIGIC DV signal-processing technology. Designed specifically for HD, DIGIC DV II ensures optimal image quality. It also ensures optimal image quality for still images, even though video and still images have different color requirements. DIGIC DV II is just another one of Canon's advanced technologies that make the HG10 an exceptional performer.

Thanks to DIGIC DV II image processing, the HG10 produces video with improved color reproduction -- especially in skin tones, and dark and light scenes. It also uses a hybrid noise reduction system that employs two types of noise reduction -- for high definition images that are crystal clear.

Plus, DIGIC DV II features improved continuous shooting of digital photographs with the HG10. You can shoot five (3.1 Megapixel) still images per second, and enjoy faster processing of your images to your memory card (1.4x normal card; 2.5x Hi Speed card). It also helps lower power consumption for longer battery life.

SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization The high-resolution images of high-definition video demand a steady hand. It's easier to get those clear, steady images with the HG10, thanks to Canon's innovative SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization. It combines gyro- and image-sensors to give image stabilization through a wider range of camera motions. Some image stabilization systems correct one type of camera motion or vibration better than another. But Canon's SuperRange OIS corrects for a wide range of camcorder motion: the fast vibration you'd experience while recording from a moving car; the medium-speed motion of hand-held recording; and the slower motion of body sway. No matter what you're recording and how you're recording it, the HG10's stabilization design corrects camcorder shake instantly. SuperRange OIS also delivers steady images when shooting at long focal lengths.

In addition, optical stabilization keeps your shot steady without a loss in image quality -- something that can't be said for electronic image stabilization. And image stabilization isn't just for video; you can even use it for taking sharper, clearer digital photographs with your HG10. Thanks to Canon's expertise, it's easy to eliminate one of the telltale signs of amateur video and photography.

Instant AF Another critical objective when shooting in HD is achieving a very sharp focus. The HG10 camcorder features Canon's revolutionary Instant AF focusing system which offers a dramatic improvement in auto focus speed and accuracy (compared to traditional auto focus systems). The Instant AF feature uses an external sensor, in combination with Canon's auto focus system, to help significantly decrease the time it takes to find focus, even in low light conditions. This system achieves focus instantaneously, reducing focus "hunting." The benefits of Instant AF are especially seen in high brightness and night shooting situations. With Instant AF, it's possible to capture fast, accurate focusing, even when following a moving subject.

24p Cinema Mode 24p Cinema Mode enables all aspiring moviemakers to achieve a professional "film-look." You can change the camcorder's frame rate to 24p, which provides the same frame rate as movie film. In addition, you can use the HG10's CINE setting, which changes the color and tonal characteristics, evoking the look and feel of a movie shown in a theater. For added flexibility, these settings can be used together or independently.

HDD photo grab from video Another feature you will find only on the HG10 is the capability to capture still frame images onto a miniSD card from recorded video on the hard disk drive. None of Canon's competitors allow you to review your already shot footage to select just the right still to save and share. It's just one more way the HG10 gives you more flexibility to meet your creative desires.

2.7-inch Multi-Angle Vivid Widescreen LCD The 2.7-inch multi-angle vivid widescreen LCD on the HG10 lets you see more of what your camcorder is recording. Using a hard coat anti-reflective surface and improved color reproduction, the scene in the viewfinder is more accurate to what you're capturing in the camcorder. An added benefit is the wider range of viewing angles possible with this new LCD screen. With less glare and deeper contrasts, groups of people can gather around it and see the image displayed more clearly than ever before.

Superb Shooting Control

Navigation Control dial The HG10's direct-operation Navigation Control Dial makes it easy and convenient to operate. Located on the LCD control panel, it allows you to select the navigation buttons you want with a turn of the dial. Simply press the "Set" button on the LCD monitor and your choice is confirmed. You can also select footage for playback by using this button.

Variable zoom speed control Another sure sign of amateur video is the unsteady zoom shot. But with the HG10's zoom control, you simply select one of three pre-set zoom speeds for smooth, steady, professional looking zooms.

Focus Assist function The image quality of HD demands a properly focused subject. The Focus Assist feature on the HG10 gives you sharp focus by zooming into your image to let you focus on a close up of your subject. It's the way professional videographers and photographers work manually. A Peaking function also helps, by emphasizing image contours.

Level and Grid Markers With the Level Marker feature, it's easy to keep your camera level for more professional looking video. Line up any horizontal lines in your shot -- such as the horizon -- to the marker and you can be sure your camcorder is level.

The HG10's Grid Marker feature lets you compose your shot accurately, according to the grid in your viewfinder. You can even choose from two different colors for the grid. This ensures that you see the grid, no matter what the background color of your shot is.

Program AE mode For the best exposure for various situations, the HG10's Program AE mode will automatically adjust the settings to compensate for the conditions and subject. Choose from Portrait, Sports, Night, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Spotlight and Fireworks. You won't have to guess if you're capturing all the action just the way you want it because the HG10 will do it for you.

Quick Start Never miss a quickly unfolding shot again. Push the Quick Start button between shots -- it places the HG10 in standby mode. When the action starts, push the Quick Start button again to begin recording in less than one second. You'll also help extend your battery life compared with leaving the camcorder in regular recording mode.

Low-light performance By increasing the sensitivity of the HG10s HD CMOS sensor and using improved fixed-pattern "noise" reduction technology, you can now shoot clearer, sharper video at very low light levels. When taken with a 1/30 sec. slow shutter, subjects can be shot at light levels as low as just 3 lux. You won't be afraid to shoot indoors or in poorly lit outdoor locations again.

Built-in electronic lens cover Never worry about a lost lens cover or one that gets in your way when shooting. The built-in electronic lens cover on the HG10 automatically opens when you turn the camcorder on and closes when you turn it off.

Advanced accessory shoe terminal Shoot video like the professionals do, with the accessories that give you the best in audio and lighting. The HG10's advanced accessory shoe provides the power for an accessory video light, video flash or directional stereo microphone- the things you need to bring your video to the next level.

Microphone/headphone terminal Enhance the quality of your audio by using an accessory microphone to capture better sound and headphones to monitor the audio as you hear it. Your videos will sound as good as they look.

Built-in Ultra Video Light Some of the most magical shots are taken at the end of the day or long after the sun has set. You won't miss any of them, thanks to the HG10's bright built-in Ultra Video Light. The light lets you shoot subjects in color in low light up to 4.9 feet away. So, whether it's a shot of a sleeping baby or a dramatic skyline at night, the HG10 captures all the moments you want to record.

Long battery recording time You can truly take advantage of the long recording times offered by HDD video thanks to the long life of the HG10's bundled battery. Your actual recording time can be up to 70 minutes with the LCD used in the Normal brightness mode. Getting the shots you want, when you want them, will be easier than ever.

Advanced Photo Features

3.1-megapixel photos The same Canon CMOS image sensor that ensures sharp, vivid HD video also gives you brilliant digital photographs. Like the CMOS image sensors in Canon's EOS Series digital SLR cameras, the HG10's image sensor results in outstanding digital photographs. It gives an impressive resolution of 1920 x 1440 for sharp, crisp still images.

DIGIC DV II The DIGIC DV II features improved continuous shooting of digital photographs with the HG10. You can shoot five (3.1-megapixel) still images per second, and enjoy faster processing of your images to your memory card (1.4x normal card; 2.5x Hi Speed card).

Focus features Auto Intelligent Auto Focus (AiAF) ensures sharp images and gives creative flexibility. Even when your subject isn't in the center of the frame, the HG10's 9-Point AiAF will automatically select from nine metering frames on the screen to help bring images into sharp focus.

Since it is critical to achieve very sharp focus when shooting in HD, the HG10 camcorder features Canon's revolutionary Instant AF focusing system. It offers a dramatic improvement in auto focus speed and accuracy (compared to traditional auto focus systems). The Instant AF feature uses an external sensor, in combination with Canon's auto focus system, to help significantly decrease the time it takes to find focus, even in low light conditions. This new system achieves focus instantaneously, reducing focus "hunting." The benefits of Instant AF are especially seen in high brightness, and night shooting situations. It's even possible to capture fast, accurate focusing, even when following a moving subject.

And because a properly focused subject is more critical than ever with HD, the HG10 also features Focus Assist. This helps in capturing your subject in razor sharp focus. (When you start recording, this assistance is automatically cancelled.)

Auto Exposure modes Like any good digital still camera, the HG10 lets you choose from a range of exposure modes. Auto mode automatically sets the exposure, letting you concentrate on your subject. AV (aperture priority) mode lets you control depth of field by letting you choose the aperture. TV (shutter priority) mode lets you select the shutter speed for sharp, action shots. In P (program) mode, the camcorder adjusts camera settings automatically.

Program AE mode Your life happens everywhere, so the HG10 gives you settings that automatically result in the best exposure settings for different conditions and different subjects.

Portrait mode ensures shallow depth of field for a pleasing background to your shots of friends and family. Sports mode stops the action with faster shutter speeds. Night mode is designed to give you great shots after the sun goes down. Snow and Beach modes compensate for bright surroundings and give you the proper exposure on your subject. Sunset mode results in vibrant, well-exposed colors for one of the toughest subjects to capture. Use Spotlight mode when your child is on stage and in the spotlight--literally--and you want to make sure the exposure is right for them. And Fireworks mode records brilliant images of another tough subject: the holiday fireworks display.

Simultaneous photo recording With the HG10, you can record HD video and capture a 2-megapixel photo to a memory card--simultaneously. Simply press the photo button and you've got an email-ready digital photo to share with friends and family.

Histogram Display For the advanced digital photographer, the HG10 comes with a Histogram Display -- a feature found in Canon's line of digital SLR cameras. The display allows you to see the brightness information of your still images, so you can adjust your exposures as you shoot.

Level and Grid Markers With the Level Marker feature, it's easy to keep your camera level for more professional-looking photographs. Line up any horizontal lines in your shot--such as the horizon--to the marker and you can be sure your camcorder is level.

The HG10's Grid Marker feature lets you compose your shot accurately, according to the grid in your viewfinder. You can even choose from two different colors for the grid. This ensures that you see the grid, no matter what the background color of your shot is.

Photo Grab from Hard Drive The versatile HG10 even lets you capture a still image from an already recorded movie. While playing the movie in your camcorder, simply press the photo button to capture a 2.07-megapixel 16:9 still frame on a miniSD card. It's another way the HG10 lets you enjoy and share your precious memories.

Built-in flash Your HG10's built-in flash lets you capture superb photos indoors and in low light conditions. The HG10 also features red-eye reduction.

Share your photos Print/Share turns your HG10 into a photo lab in the palm of your hand. Simply connect your camcorder directly to select Canon printers or any PictBridge-compatible printer with the supplied USB cable. Then, with a simple touch of the Print/Share button, print directly from your HG10 without going through a computer.

Print/Share also makes it easy to transfer your still images to your computer. Simply connect your HG10 with your computer, press the Print/Share button and your photos are downloaded to your computer.

The HG10 makes it easy to store digital photos on an optional miniSD Memory Card. Popularly used in today's newest cell phones and half the size of a standard SD card, the miniSD Card offers the benefit of high-capacity storage in a very small size.

Corel Application disc The Canon HG10 camcorder is bundled with a powerful software suite from Corel. WinDVD SE lets you play back your recorded video on your computer. You can also easily perform AVCHD Editing in which you can trim, reorder, and combine scenes, as well as add music, titles, and transitions. With the Corel Application Disc, you can use DVD Moviewriter SE when finished to burn your edited video onto either a full size AVCHD DVD or Standard Definition DVD.
_{*The bundled application is compatible with Windows XP and Windows Vista.}

Product Description
The Canon HG10 AVCHD Format Hard Disk Drive Camcorder delivers high definition technology with the effortless ease of recording video directly onto a hard disk. Incorporating the latest AVCHD (Advanced Video Codec High Definition) format, it puts superb image reproduction and advanced features at your fingertips in a compact AVCHD Format HDD camcorder, which means you'll carry it everywhere you want to capture the special moments in your life in true HD.Among the Canon Exclusive features on the HG10 are Canon's own Full HD CMOS sensor and advanced DIGIC DV II image processor. More exclusives are SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization, Instant Auto Focus and 2.7" Widescreen Multi-Angle Vivid LCD. With the Genuine Canon 10x HD video zoom lens and a host of other advanced features the HG10 is the right choice in HDD camcorders.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

507 of 511 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best hard drive camcorder ever, October 15, 2007

By	Y. Kim "Zelium" (Champaign, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have been using camcorders since 1985 and I've used almost every possible format available to consumers. As of Oct. 2007, I can firmly say that this is by far the best camcorder ever, in terms of the picture quality, convenience, and the price. Although there are some limitations in the AVCHD format (I don't want to repeat here again), the convenience of the hard drive made me choose the HG10 and I have absolutely no regret at all.

First of all, I would like to clarify other reviewer's information that might misguide some folks. The HG10 does include the software to transfer and to edit the video footage for a PC. It comes with Ulead DVD MovieFactory SE for editing and burning DVDs and AVCHD-DVDs (can be playable on some blu-ray players and Playstation 3. It's a dvd that has HD pictures). If other reviewers have only a Mac, their complaints are valid, since the HG10 only includes a picture browser to handle the still pictures, not video for a Mac.

For the most consumers like me, the DVD MovieFactory works pretty well. I just burned a standard DVD (yes, an MPEG2 DVD that you watch everyday) with the DVD MovieFactory and am very satisfied with the result. Converting HD pictures to the SD format does not degrade the original HD quality much and I was impressed by that. I added chapter marks, made menus, and did little editing. Editing the AVCHD format needs a ton of processing power. If you don't have a fast computer (dual core, 2 ghz or faster), it will be extremely slow. I was using a Pentium 4 3.6 GHz, 2 gigs RAM, Windows Vista Business PC to make a DVD and it worked OK. Making an AVCHD-DVD is faster since it does not need to re-encode the video files. If you don't do a complicate editing job and want to merge video clips from the HG10 and burn a DVD, you could use a slower computer for that purpose. I have experience using Adobe Premiere, Ulead VideoStudio, and iMovie (for Mac). Although DVD MovieFactory might not be the right tool for the professional work, it is quite good for a home use. I surprised my friends with the DVDs created from it. My only gripe is a complicated software activation process. You should read the software instructions carefully to avoid the hassle (specially the web link in the last page). I wasted 2 hours just to activate the software.

Yes, the HG10 does not have an IEEE1394 (or firewire, or iLink whatever you call it) port. However, it does not need one. All the footages are already stored in AVCHD format and you only need to transfer those files to your computer. If you have to capture the video and encode it to a file from the magnetic tape (MiniDV), you might need an IEEE1394 port. However, for the HG10, you don't need to do that. If you look at other hard drive based camcorders, they don't have it either (they mostly have a USB port). Right before the HG10, I used a Sony DCR-SR100 and it does not have a firewire port, either.

The HG10 has a mini HDMI (type C) port, so if you want to connect the HG10 via HDMI, you'll need to order a mini-HDMI to HDMI (type C to type A) cable. The HG10 only includes a composite A/V cable and a component video cable. My minor complaint is that it does not come with a shoulder strap. This toy costs $1,000, so a nice looking shoulder strap should be given (I am using one from an old Canon ZR camcorder).

I was told that the HG10 uses the same optical mechanism as Canon HV20, which is known to be the best consumer HD camcorder on the market (it records in HDV format on tapes, not AVCHD on the hard drive). So I expected that the picture quality would be pretty good and I was right. If you have a full 1080p HD display, you will be amazed. Personally, I use a 720p projector at home and am quite impressed by the quality of the picture. Unlike Sony AVCHD camcorders, the sound is recorded in 2 channel Dolby Digital format (Sony records in 5.1 channel Dolby Digital). The good thing about 2 channel recording is that it does not record my breath. With 5.1 channel recording, you can easily hear your breathing sound, since two of the mics are catching rear sound.

For the low light performance (like indoor shot), the HG10 is comparatively better than any other consumer level camcorder on the market that I have seen. However, don't expect too much. It cannot be compared to the low light quality of a $3,000 camcorder. My impression is that its low light picture quality is closest to a decent 3CCD high-priced consumer level camcorder.

I have been waiting for long to have an excellant hard drive based AVCHD camcorder. There are many hard drive based camcorders on the market now and none of these have caught my attention for some minor reasons, such as no external mic jack, no usb port on the camcorder, or the poor low light performance. Finally I found the right one and am so happy that I waited.

Thanks to Canon for introducing good equipment at the right price (under a grand). I hope this review helps some people who have waited like me.

== Update, as of Feb. 12, 2008

As of today, I have been using the HG10 for more than 4 months. I have taken so many precious moments and this camcorder never disappoints me. The best moment I had was the day I brought this camcorder to my friend's home for a party. I connected it to Samsung LNT4065F 40" 1080p LCD HDTV and showed a junior high soccer tournament game. Everyone, I mean everyone, in that house said "Wow." The picture quality coming out of this combination was AMAZING !! I felt like I was watching an HD documentary from BBC or National Geographic. As I said in the review, I use an HG10 with a 1080i/720p projector (Epson Cinema 400, 3 LCD projector), but the HG10 picture coming out from the Samsung LCD TV was truly exceptional and far superior (very bright and way more crisp). I have never seen such a good picture coming from any other consumer level camcorder. Although the indoor shots have some grainy pictures (I tested some indoor video shots, too), the outdoor shots are flawless. Most of my friends who saw it wanted to buy the HG10 and I started to dream about having the Samsung LNT4065F LCD TV ever since. :)

The only drawback that I have found new from the HG10 is that if you want to transfer video files from the HG10 to a computer, you must have an AC adapter (correct me, if I am wrong). Sometimes, I want to transfer video to a friend's computer right after I take it. However, if I don't have the AC adapter for the HG10, it simply refuses to do it (it asks me to hook it up). This is very cumbersome to me.

I just heard that the new Sony hard drive camcorder has a 120GB hard drive. However, the 5 hr 30 mins of video in highest quality that I can take from the HG10 is still pretty good.

If I had to choose a camcorder today, I would choose the HG10 again. I can't wait to see what the next version of the HG10 can do.

== Update, for the Mac users, as of Mar. 29, 2008

I recently bought a MacBook and found out one thing that I want to share with other Mac users. First of all, the HG10 does work with iMovie '08 and Leopard OS (10.5) on intel Macs. If you connect the HG10 to the Mac, all the importing process will go very smoothly. You should be patient, since the Mac converts AVCHD files from the HG10 to their propriety format (it increase the size of the original files to 7-10 times). However, iMovie '08 does not import .mts or .m2ts files directly. iMovie can only import AVCHD files from the HG10 or the storage space (external hard drive) that exactly has the same directory structure like the HG10. I mean, it does not import individual .mts (.m2ts) files. I have searched through many apple discussion forums and have not found solutions for it.

If someone only saves .mts or .m2ts files without having the original directory structure (it means, no meta data, video files only) like me, he/she has to use the conversion utility like Voltaic to convert .mts or .m2ts files. If you have a non-Intel Mac, you can import AVCHD files this way (converting through the utility like Voltaic) only, though. This conversion process takes significant amount of time and the storage space.

I wish iMovie can directly handle .mts (.m2ts) files soon. Until then, I should stick with the bundled Ulead software on PC for my old video backups. Disappointed...

== Update, for the YouTube lovers, as of May. 22, 2009

I still love the HG10. It is the best. Probably you already know about this. YouTube allows to upload the .mts or .m2ts files created by AVCHD camcorders. So, you can upload the file directly without any conversion process on YouTube and it is HD. I cannot thank YouTube enough about it.

120 of 123 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Works well with Leopard, November 8, 2007

By	Biscotti (Los Gatos, CA) - See all my reviews

Import works great with the latest version of iMovie on a Mac. Transfers are fast thanks the hard drive. Editing and transfer to other formats (AppleTV) are very convenient but then my Mac is very fast. I was nervous going with the hard drive over tape but the convenience of it easily offsets any quality loss for the type of recording I'm doing (family and personal). Menus are intuitive and the scroll wheel approach works pretty well (it could be better, but I do prefer it over a joystick). USB 2.0 seems plenty snappy - not missing the firewire.

The hard drive makes it very easy to get out and shoot - no worry about if you are overwriting a keeper tape or if you are going to run out of tape. Its also extremely easy to delete unwanted footage in the field right when you've captured it. This is such a pain on tape that I never do it which results in a lot of wasted time later.

Drive is completely silent. Shoe provides for a shotgun mic which I'll be trying out shortly. Headphone jacks for monitoring sound are there and I've found that to be very important on past units. Construction is solid. Automatic lens cover much easier than having one on a lanyard that you always have to stow. Stand by mode gets you shooting in 1 second which is very nice.

Looking forward to trying the still capability. While the resolution can't match my pocket cam the 10x optical zoom is very nice to have.

On a Mac with the latest iLife and Leopard no software is needed. Drive mounts on the desktop. Movies automatically import into the new iMovie. Absolutely wonderful.

93 of 95 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Camcorder , November 27, 2007

By	History Buff (Boca Raton, FL) - See all my reviews

The Canon HG-10 is a superb follow-on to the top rated and highly acclaimed Canon HV-20.
We could not be happier. This is a gem of a camcorder. Obviously each reviewer has their own specific reasons for purchasing such an advanced camcorder.
This is our third camcorder and we have been shooting family events, vacations and even hurricanes for close to 20 years. We burn our captured footage on a number of DVD's and share with family members (many who live a great distance away). We have two HDTV's and are about to buy a Blu-ray player. Our Sony camcorder died in The UK this summer and instead of buying another SD camcorder, we decided it is time to step up.
Why now?? Although SIMPLE HD capture and burning software and inexpensive High Def DVD burners are behind the curve at the present time, they are going to happen. Sony, Panasonic, Canon and all the rest...will make it happen. This is too big a potential market to ignore -so we decided to shoot in High Def now, save the backed up video on our hard drive and/or off- line storage, and burn in Standard Definition now. When the software makers and DVD burner makers decide to catch up and make it easy to burn family movies, we will have our (saved) high def files ready to convert to Blu Ray or HDDVD or both.
There are a ton of very technical reviews on the HG-10 on this and other websites. CNET and Amazon provide a great deal of information, Camcorderinfo.com and smartguider.com are just two of the many others. We think any buyer should review them all and also do a web search on
"Canon HG-10 reviews"

After days of reading reviews virtually every web review and visiting at least 7 retail stores we came away with some interesting observations. You are not going to get much technical help at the major retail outlets. You can get hands on and see what works for you. When comparing the HG-10 to the CanonHV-20, there was no comparison as to the ergonomic superiority of the HG-10.
For the technical data you will have to hit the web as the folks in the stores just do not have the depth you need to help you make this kind of buying decision.
We found a few very helpful "gems" in selecting this camcorder.
1) We went to the Canon website.... www.usa.canon.com and downloaded the HG-10 manual in .pdf format (yes it is 118 pages) but if you print the pages in short batches, you will have an excellent and VERY readable document to review BEFORE and after you purchase the HG-10. The manual that comes in the box is very small and hard to read. It would also be a VERY wise idea to also download the .pdf file for the Corel Application Disc Version two.
2) This Corel Guide is a much shorter manual -just 16 pages long. You really want to read this one cover to cover before you buy, and particularly Page 3, where they discuss needed PC systems requirements. You may want to talk (or email) with Canon and/or Corel regarding your PC versus their "recommended size of the PC system". We have a Core 2 Duo Dell so the Corel software posed no problems.
3) We called Cannon Tech support while reviewing the manual. You will be delighted to find out their 800 number ( 1-800-828-4040) is located Virginia, they are very well trained and if you have a problem..they can immediately lay their hands on an HG-10 and go thru a process step-by-step with you. They were even available on a Saturday afternoon.
4) We cannot say enough good things about Canon support. Having spent untold hours since the early days of the IBM PC, on support lines, trying to get help with hardware and software, we think Canon really got it right. A couple short calls to Canon to clarify some questions made it easy for us to choose the HG-10.
On the HG-10 --all the controls were when we really liked them. The HG-10 borrows a lot of its technology from its tape driven HV-20 sister but after living with internal tape transports in many worldwide (hot, cold and dusty) climates and situations over the years, the hard drive was a very logical choice. The 5 and ½ hours of HXP (full 1080) - highest format is plenty for any vacation. Realistically, how many folks want to sit through even a three hour home movie? We have learned from Hollywood.. Keep it short..Keep it snappy..Keep it interesting. Five and ½ hours of High Def video gives you a ton of material to work with from any vacation. When you get home, the Corel software that comes with the Canon allows you to immediately back up your video files and you are ready to initialize (format) the Hard Drive and you are ready to go with a fresh 5 ½ hours of HXP.
Going through the HG-10 manual provides many happy surprises - the camcorder has more features than you can believe and most reviewers do not have the time or space to address all of the abilities of this camcorder. This camcorder takes better still photos than our Sony Cybershot H-5 (which suffers from chromatic aberration in certain situations).
We purchased a 1 GB (Canon recommends no bigger than 2GB) Sandisk mini-SD card that also comes with an SD adapter. If you already have Still Photo capture and edit software, you may not need to load the entire very voluminous still photo (Digital Video Solution Version 27.0) software that comes on a CD with the HG-10. We went through the manual for that disc and it was all about STILL photos. Having more still photo software than we can ever use already on our PC, we skipped that installation.
Why not get a USB-based Media card reader for your PC (if it does not have one) for under $25. When you take still photos just remove the card from the HG-10 and insert it into a USB media card reader. While, we did not by this camcorder for still photos we are more than delighted with the stills that we can capture in Camera mode.

Regarding connections (page 83 in the HG-10 manual) we love displaying the HXP High Def. video footage on our HDTV. We connect the HG-10 to the HDTV via the (optional) mini-HDMI to HDMI cable. The Canon manual calls this an optional HTC-100 HDMI cable. Sony sells a VMC-15MHD HDMI Mini to HDMI that works very well. Canon does not provide this and you will not find these cables in most stores at the present so you may have to order one over the web.
As many highly regarded reviewers have noted, use the HDMI connection whenever you can for the best quality.
Our HDTV had only one HDMI input (already being used) so we purchased a Belkin HDMI 3 to 1 Switch box that allows us to now plug in HD Cable, the HG-10 and a future Blue ray player. We keep the HG-10 HDMI cable always plugged into the home system and by attaching the mini HDMI to the camcorder we can see 1080 HD home movies in an instant.
A couple of user plusses on the HG-10 are the LCD display and the image stabilization. Both are excellent. The size of the HG-10 is amazingly small and it is incredibly light. We cannot believe they pack that much technology into such a small package. The electronic reminder messages on the screen are quite helpful as we all make mistakes. We like the quick start and the Instant auto focus features. We would suggest buying the optional carrying strap and also a second battery when you order an HG-10.
We plan to add more information to this review regarding burning video and creating AVCHD discs but at this time we think this is the perfect camcorder for our needs.