Customer reviews from usa.canon.com
Canon - VIXIA HF R20 8GB Flash Memory Camcorder - Black
Average customer rating
3.8
(11 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 11 reviews
5 Stars
5
4 Stars
3
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Star
2
80%of customers recommend this product.
(
8 out of
10)
Customer Reviews for Canon - VIXIA HF R20 8GB Flash Memory Camcorder - Black
Customer Rating
5
Great camera!!
on September 14, 2011
Posted by: Cameradude
from Virginia, VA
I have had this camera for about 2 weeks and this camera is great! The inly real problem I've had is that in low light it docent look so good but over all its a great camera for the price
Pros: good battery life, Easy Computer Connectivity, Great sound/audio, Accurate, Vivid Colors, Compact Design, excellent image quality, durable, Good Software Compatibility, Ergonomic/comfortable to hold, easy to use
Cons: Poor Low-Light Performance
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
A great purchase
on March 30, 2012
Posted by: ShootitB&W
from Chicago, IL
I purchased this camcorder back in Dec.2011, basically to use it for documentary projects at film school. The funny thing is that the R20 shoots HD video better than some of the $2000 camcorders that the school issues out (camcorders, not the DSLR's). Another aspect to mention would be it's surprising durability. I unfortunately made the mistake of letting some friends borrow the R20 and it's been dropped three times (once from 3 ft. onto a tile floor), left out in a cold car for a few hours, and has had a few jacks ripped out from people tripping over cables linking into it... but the little guy still records perfect. The only thing that I have to complain about the R20 is that the battery life is very short, and it's almost required for you to buy an extra battery/charger ($$$)...but aside from that this camcorder is still great, and I would definitely buy it again.
Pros: good gain control, good manual focus, excellent telephoto zoom, good camera for stills, very durable, excellent hd video
Cons: terrible battery life, poor low-light shooting.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Great Purchase and Great Features
on February 18, 2012
Posted by: Lennyinfla
from South Florida
As someone who does a lot of still photography and videography in the medical field, this camera is supurb for the price and features. One of the best features I like is that it is an affordable camera with an external mic input.
That is a great feature for video taping presentations. Also, the fact that you can use two SD cards for extra long recording time, and the camera will "transfer" HD to SD internally. These features are extremely handy and usually available only in high end cameras. I will probably purchase one or two more of these cameras. The only downside is that I had to purchase some extra after market batteries because the batteries are way over priced.
That is a great feature for video taping presentations. Also, the fact that you can use two SD cards for extra long recording time, and the camera will "transfer" HD to SD internally. These features are extremely handy and usually available only in high end cameras. I will probably purchase one or two more of these cameras. The only downside is that I had to purchase some extra after market batteries because the batteries are way over priced.
Pros: external mic input, two card slots, convert hd to sd in the camera
Cons: batteries are over priced.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Great for the money
on February 20, 2012
Posted by: Anonymous
from St. Louis, MO
This camcorder has exceeded all my expectations at the price point. I attached a "fish eye" lens for wider viewing angles. It's worked well with every type of memory card I've thrown at it. I've found that Class 10 seem to work the best. The "auto mode" isn't always great, but it does the job. You may need to change the white balance manually if you're using CFL bulbs, though. I had no need for the included software (Macbook and WIndows 7 do fine on their own), so I cannot comment on the included programs. The best part is that you can always keep extra memory cards around (or buy them in pinch) if you're on vacation or forget to empty one - unlike Hard drive cameras.
Pros: memory cards - no hdd, good battery life, availability of accessories, price, performance
Cons: auto mode needs updating, auto light conditions doen't work well with cfl bu
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
Excellent piece of equipement
on December 27, 2012
Posted by: PHD
from California.
I bought this camera when it first came out. I bought an extra battery from a 3rd party and the when a batter charger came on the market bought it and it came with 2 non-intelligent batteries as back ups. So I have yet to run out of battery power even after hours of "filming". Excellent image quality but a bit of a learning curve for someone not used to touch screen controls. Sound not bad for an in camera mic but not good enough for what I wanted. So I bought a Rode mic for it that is much better and can be used as a desk top or on a boom or on an SLR flash bracket. Lots of recording room on the internal memory and the two additional memory card slots. I also bought a 3rd party ultra-wide angle that seriously expands its content inclusion. When you consider the price, the image quality, the option for smoothing out camera shake, good auto and endless manual controls, the small size and light weight, I think it a very good choice. Not TV production quality but then who would expect it. And found it easy to both connect to my iMac or MacBook to download either directly from the camera or removing the card and using a USB card reader. Not a single problem. Even faster if you have a card reader built into your computer. I too have dropped it a couple of time onto tile floors Ouch! Not a scratch and not degradation of recording quality. Amazing low light quality. I have shot in candle light quite successfully. I have used iMovie 2011 and it imports very successfully with no problems.
Pros: Good Low-Light Performance, Easy Computer Connectivity, Accurate, Vivid Colors, Compact Design, excellent image quality, durable, Ergonomic/comfortable to hold
Cons: Difficult to use, Short battery life
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
3
Not bad but some issues
on December 25, 2017
Posted by: MVid
from Toronto, ON, Canada
The biggest cons are the poor battery life and the headaches trying to down and save videos. I'd recommend an extra battery and an external charger, neither of which are cheap. Also, it's a nuisance downloading videos unless you use the bloated canon software.
My favourite aspects of the video camera are the great quality of video and the option for two external memory (SD) cards. I find I use it for a year or two taking videos of my children before the memory gets full.
My favourite aspects of the video camera are the great quality of video and the option for two external memory (SD) cards. I find I use it for a year or two taking videos of my children before the memory gets full.
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
Big little camcorder
on June 18, 2012
Posted by: DaveK
from Tucson,AZ
I have used this Camcorder now for about 8mo., and am very pleased. The HD is excellent and you have an option of 5 Quality settings. You have in camera storage + 2 SD card slots,(use 16GB class 10 minimum, for best results). the low light is OK, it could be improved, but at what cost?. I also like the fact that it has audio in/out, + full computer&HD outputs.
I record musical performances, so I use an external mic for better sound. The built in mic is above average. the LCD screen is very good in all aspects. Must remove from automatic to fully use menu.
Like most people the battery could be improved, especially in the $$$Cost area(a fair price would in the $45 area), you have to have 2, if you use the Zoom a lot, it's a power robber, other wise it will last about 70-80 min.
for the price I think it's Very Good
I record musical performances, so I use an external mic for better sound. The built in mic is above average. the LCD screen is very good in all aspects. Must remove from automatic to fully use menu.
Like most people the battery could be improved, especially in the $$$Cost area(a fair price would in the $45 area), you have to have 2, if you use the Zoom a lot, it's a power robber, other wise it will last about 70-80 min.
for the price I think it's Very Good
Pros: Good Low-Light Performance, Easy Computer Connectivity, Accurate, Vivid Colors, Compact Design, excellent image quality, durable, Ergonomic/comfortable to hold, Easy TV Connectivity, easy to use
Cons: Short battery life, Limited Software Compatibility, battery cost to high
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
Pretty Good
on November 8, 2013
Posted by: JCD
from California
I'm young and I've never had a camcorder before, just Canon power shots. And let me tell you, power shots are terrible for video, terrible. I wanted to get this for a starter camcorder when I first got enthusiastic about film. I got it and immediately started using it for my projects. I'm kinda sad that it doesn't have a standard cold shoe mount, at least one without a power connection. The problem I'm currently facing is that when I use a 1/4" bolt to connect my camera to my DIY rig, the threading breaks. Overall, great starter, nothing more.
Pros: Easy Computer Connectivity, Compact Design, durable, Good Software Compatibility, easy to use
Cons: Poor Low-Light Performance, Short battery life, Poor sound/audio
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com