Canon VIXIA HF G21 Full HD Camcorder

The only thing this camera is missing is the ability to shoot 4k video. If that is super important than obviously look elsewhere, but the G21 has been great for our video needs. We shoot several worship services each week from 2 G21 camcorders and a Canon EOS M. The g21 has been perfect and produces great video in low light and good color. We always use the 24p frame rate and our church couldn't be happier with the results considering we spent less than 2k on cameras.Almost went with a Sony or Panasonic in 4k, but went out on a limb with the g21 and I'm very glad we did. Great video quality!

First off this was an open box purchase. There was no box but everything was included that I expected. Wonderful condition and this model is a very solid unit with an extensive range of features. I am really enjoying this purchase.

No 1080p24 setting

We returned this camera. Bought it to be a 2nd camera. Spend the extra $$ and get either a XA20 or a G30. This camera’s zoom rocker isn’t as smooth as the other 2 models. There is a jump point where it goes from slow to fast. The XA20 is smooth all the way from slow to fast. Canon’s product video on this item shows it has an infrared switch. This camera did not. I saw this as a mis-advertisement. The XA20 & G30 both had a remote sensor for a wireless remote and a larger screen. I knew these differences and was going to tolerate it. Image quality is great just as the other 2 models. Strong 20X zoom as does the other 2 models.

Great quality picture and functions. Works great as a webcam when using on zoom meetings Used to stream church services. Tried several other camera, but this is the only one I could get to work.

This is a very nice pro-sumer level camcorder. It's got more features and is more customizable than an entry-level camcorder. Yet it is very easy to use for someone who doesn't need that flexibility. I don't think the lack of 4K is a drawback here. For the uses that most people will put this to, a standard high definition (1080p) is going to be very adequate.There are five different customizable buttons. The first one is pre-set to switch quickly between auto-focus and manual. Then there's a manual focus ring, which really makes finding focus easy. The touch screen on the LCD viewer is very responsive -- this is the first camcorder I've owned where the touch screen is as simple to use as a phone screen.You can record either in the AVCHD format or the MP4 format. AVCHD is a bit more compressed, so it will allow you to capture the same level of quality in a smaller file size. It does need to be converted to a different format for playback, so if you are going to edit the footage that's probably the best choice. If you plan to upload it directly or view it without editing, it would be easier to record in the MP4 format.It's got two slots for SD cards. You can either duplicate your footage so that you have a backup of everything you shoot, or you can shoot in sequence where it starts recording in the second card after the first has filled up.There are two accessory shoes - one standard one that fits any standard independent accessories such as lights and one mini advanced shoe that can be controlled through the camera. I have a Canon mono-directional microphone that fits there and adds a lot to the auditory quality of recordings. The only complaint I have is that the hot shoe is in the back with the "cold" shoe in the front - and I'd prefer it was in the front so that I could use the microphone and another accessory. But that's a complaint specific to my setup.I really got this as a second camera to my Canon XA30, which is a slightly more professional setup. They do have a similar size and form factor. They produce similar quality images, even though this one has slightly less flexibility. Having this allows me to have a two-camera setup for documentary shoots.The images look very high quality, and this produces a much better image in low light and indoor settings than I've seen with entry level cameras. It's also got a 20x optical zoom. You can go further with digital zoom but that's not an option I'd ever use. If I needed a closer image I would enlarge it during the editing process.If you want to really control the image and set up exactly the kinds of shots you want, it might be better to go with a DSLR camera that allows for interchangeable lenses. But for documentary style shooting where you really just want to set things up in advance and adjust minor things on the fly, this makes a great camera setup. I'm quite happy with it.

I REALLY wanted to like this camcorder. The CMOS sensor is fantastic but the camera will just not focus right. It's a constant fight to focus on a foreground subject. It loves focusing on the background. Even tapping the LCD to focus made no difference. I've tried everything and eventually gave up. It loves focusing on walls and trees if that is what you want. Been doing video for 30 years. Try Sony.

The camera has been working great. No issues