Canon VIXIA HF G20 is an upgraded version from its predecessor G10. With the newest technology and some improvisation, this unit has emerged as one of the most popular cameras to date. Especially if you are looking for a camera that is perfectly fit for shooting in challenging low lighting situations, or if you just need to upgrade your current camera arsenal, then G20 should be your unmatched choice.also this one is best for Live Streaming.
It is a great option for indie filmmakers and also a perfect match for professional videographers as well. Detailed analysis of different aspects of this product will let you decide whether to purchase it as a future tool or not. So, here it is.
Canon Vixia HF G20 Review: Best Ever Camcorder?
The body
Compared to similar other camera models, Canon VIXIA HF G20 comes with lower body weight and offers better feasibility in holding or carrying. It features a 3.5-inch LCD screen with a Touch Panel facility delivering enormous 922,000 dots to cover the entire 100% coverage of your shooting area. The bright color delivered by the screen helps in faster navigation. The camcorder is also equipped with a 0.24-inch electronic viewfinder providing 260,000 dots. Whenever you shoot in bright outdoors, it won’t be a problem seeing the LCD display due to these features.
The internal flash drive can provide up to 32GB of space. Additionally, there are also double slots supporting SD/SDXC/SDHC memory cards to provide more storage capacity. Once the internal memory is full, the relay recording feature of this camcorder instantly switches video storing at the memory cards.
Optical lens
This camcorder unit features a 10x HD lens with a focal length ranging between 30.4 to 304mm (equivalent to 35mm). The 8-blade iris of this lens ensures a wider view angle along with amazing background images to provide a more professional look. Ensure more accuracy and precision with the dedicated manual focus ring of this camera unit. This focus assist mode doubles the magnification level of the subject and thus, enables better capture with a more detailed image.
There is a matching dial that enables the user to make different adjustments like aperture control or shutter speed. There are dual manual settings along with six different presets being available to have better control on the white balance. You can adjust the color temperatures in the range between 2000k and 15000k. VIXIA HF G20 camcorder also includes a waveform monitor to provide you the highlights of color peaking or image brightness.
There is a unique lens hood coming with this camcorder to control the amount of projected light on the lens and to avoid any possible lens glare. Thus, the best image quality is ensured.
Image quality
Canon VIXIA HF G20 features a 1/3-inch professional 1920 x 1080 image sensor that delivers high-quality resolution, wider dynamic optical range, and improved poor-light performance. This sensor also uses fewer yet larger and more sensitive pixels, eventually resulting in more optimized visual performance. It captures full HD images and produces outputs at 1920 x 1080 resolution.
The highest bit rate offered by this unit in AVCHD format ensures real-life tone and detailed imaging at 24Mbps video recording. The larger pixel area ensures better light rendering and improves the dynamic range by around 280%. The cinema look filter of this camcorder produces innovative, catchy videos and makes the unit a fun camera for hobbyists or occasional users. Again, the professionals will also be benefited from the advanced wide-ranged effects like Dramatic B&W, Nostalgia, Cool, Vivid, Sepia, Memory, or Dream flashback. Overall, this camcorder delivers amazing image quality.
Visual performance
The DIGIC DV III image processor of G20 is a super-strong one. It results in more realistic color rendering and sophisticated noise reduction, which eventually leads to amazing low-light performance. It delivers up to 1.2 lux illumination under poor light conditions. The dynamic Super Range optical image stabilization process of the camcorder provides better adjustment. More compensations for the purpose of eliminating unwanted shaking are provided while handling this camera unit.
It keeps your handheld videos steadier and calm. The Intelligent IS system makes a proper analysis of your shooting situation. Then it detects the best image stabilization method for you and automatically switches the current one to it. Thus, the best crispier image quality is produced.
Audio quality
The audio system of the Canon VIXIA G20 is way ahead of the other camcorders. It features an external mic jack to enhance your camcorder sound. It also comes with a Digital 2 channel Dolby stereo sound system. You can add this to your headphone jack, and it will help monitor the sound quality of your camcorder. The increased audio adjustability feature of the camcorder increased the audio clarity at the medium and lower frequencies, which enables the record of the faintest sound clearly. The three microphones positioning at the three different points help in the adjustment of the audio quality depending on the zooming position.
The front microphone provides monophonic recording, whereas the regular one delivers a normal stereo effect, and the rear one ensures a more enhanced or wider stereo effect. Canon VIXIA HF G20 is the best one to record concerts or live music for its advanced audio system.
Other features
The Smart Auto feature ensures the proper focus on shooting, whereas the Auto Tele Macro allows better close-up captures. The touch decorations on the touch panel let users add animation effects, stamps, or handwritten messages and give the random videos a more individual look. The pre-record mode allows the capture of three seconds of videos and store them in memory even before pressing the record button. It helps not to miss anything. Story creator option will assist you in choosing from different themes, including party, ceremony, blog, kids, and travels. You will love this feature for sure.
Pros
- Efficient video shooting at different lighting conditions.
- External microphone connection accompanied by top-notch audio recording quality.
- A whole lot of different video effects to customize your shoot.
- Superior image stabilization technique.
- Contains more outputs to provide a plethora of options to the users than other brands and models.
Cons
- No built-in Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Shorter run-time of the batteries.
- Older versions of touchscreen being operated by pressure instead of heat.
Bottom Line
Despite missing modern technological features like GPS, in-built Wi-Fi, and 3D support, Canon VIXIA HF G20 delivers the professional level due to its compact, lightweight construction and amazing low light performance. It’s also competitively priced and cheaper than the earlier G10 version. Overall, it is a great camcorder that you can add to your arsenal.
