CANON'S 2010 LINE-UP – January 7, 2010 - Not a hands on review......yet.

Wow!  Canon must have read my Camcorder Review article and went straight into action developing an extensive line-up of consumer camcorders.  Canon must have been frightened by my assessment of the Sony and Panasonic optical stabilizers and began developing their new "IS Powered" optical stabilizer.  Hit the IS button when you are zoomed out all the way and you will get extra stability according to Canon's feature review.

For those of you who conduct video surveillance on shady clinics, you will enjoy the "Relay Recording" of the VIXIA HF S21.  Once the internal 64gig memory is full, it seamlessly commences recording onto the first of two SD cards.  Once the first SD card is full, it relays onto the 2nd SD card. 

Why not touch your Subject's face on the LCD and have the camcorder track the focus and exposure no matter where it moves on the screen or how close or far it gets.

The VIXIA HF M31 is what I have been waiting for since testing its predecessor, the HF20.  Does the HF M31 overcome the low light weakness?  Does it have improved telephoto?

I cannot assess the low light issue as the camera has not been released yet but I have heard a few positive things. It has the same 15X lens as the HF20 but also has an advanced 18X optical mode. It has Canon's new IS Powered optical stabilizer.

Unfortunately the MIC plug has been moved inside of the LCD display.  To turn off the sound, you will need to use a very short mic plug, almost flush with the side of the camera in order to close the LCD.  Another way to turn off the mic is to adjust the camcorder's volume control although I prefer a physical mic plug.

I am concerned that the VIXIA HF M31 may have touch screen manual focus and exposure.  This is a terrible feature and I will provide an update as soon as I can find out.

I do not have an exact release date for the camcorders but my sources are telling me March to April.

Sony has a great competitor to the VIXIA HF M31.  I’ll review its features next.  I am also waiting for some fresh 2010 camcorders from Panasonic.