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Canon VIXIA HF M300 Flash Memory Camcorder - 2010 MODEL | 
| Brand: Canon
Category: Photography
Buy New: Too low to display
as of 9/8/2010 13:41 CDT details
New (21) Used (5) Refurbished (1) from $433.99
Seller: Adorama Camera
Rating:  8 reviews
Sales Rank: 210
Color: Silver
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: Yes
Optical Zoom: 15
Battery: 1 Lithium-Ion
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 2.4 x 2.7 x 4.9
MPN: HF M300
Model: HF M300
UPC: 013803121704
EAN: 0013803121704
ASIN: B00322OOCS
Shipping: Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days
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| Features:
| • | Records crisp high definition video directly to removable SD memory cards | | • | Genuine Canon 15x HD Video Lens delivers unsurpassed image quality | | • | Canon 3.89-Megapixel Full HD CMOS Image Sensor captures video at 1920 x 1080 resolution | | • | Canon DIGIC DV III Image Processor provides the ultimate in color and imaging performance | | • | Dynamic SuperRange OIS corrects a full range of motion |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Full HD video recording. Optical Image Stabilization. A genuine glass lens. Video Snapshots. What's not to love about the Canon VIXIA HF M300? This digital camcorder is packed with advanced features like a 2.7" touch panel LCD viewscreen, 24p and 30p video recording modes, a 3.3-megapixel camera, and Touch & Track. This camcorder is simply brilliant. But what else would you expect from Canon?
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 8
 Excellent when using manual settings; Horrible noise when using default settings (program AE); Not for point-and-shoot users August 8, 2010
A Roxette fan (Cebu, Philippines)
15 out of 15 found this review helpful
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)).
THE LITTLE CAMERA THAT CAN August 7, 2010
D. Miller (WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA, US)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have used a Panasonic combo digital camcorder/camera for the past 5 years and wanted to upgrade to HD. Its amazing what 5 years of technology creep will do. This Cannon produces superior HD 16X9 at about 1/4 the size and about 1/3 the price of my old Panasonic. It is easier to use, and it is much easier to load video into my computer. No wires, no moving parts, just plug the memory card into the computer and go. In short, very happy with the Cannon.
Great little camcorder! June 8, 2010
M. L. Pomerleau (Portland, OR)
5 out of 9 found this review helpful
Camcorder meets all expectations. I really like the touch screen feature! It also is small enough to easily fit in my purse and a coat pocket. I am very happy with the purchase.
Nice HD video, but bad low light quality May 7, 2010
Sam (Council Bluffs, IA United States)
37 out of 38 found this review helpful
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.
Good Mid-Priced Camcorder with little drawbacks! - Bought for $418 July 15, 2010
P-Square (Florida)
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
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.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 8
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