Canon Vixia HG21: How it Compares to the Canon Vixia HG10

Some people have invested in the Canon HG10, thinking it's a pretty good deal, while others go for the Canon Vixia HG21 camcorder. A detailed analysis seems to suggest that the Canon Vixia HG21 is actually the better camcorder.

Here are some of the specifics. The Canon Vixia HG21 has way more video recording hours in high definition, three times as many, to be exact, as the Canon HG10 does at 5 Mbps. This is due to the fact that is has a 120 GB hard drive, while that of the HG10 is only 40 GB. One advantage of the HG10 is that it can do Advanced Video Codec High Definition (AVCHD), while the Canon Vixia HG21 can't. Another area where the HG10 comes out on top is that it can play directly to an HDTV or computer, but the Canon Vixia HG21 cannot.

What's more, the HG21 will save its videos straight to the hard disc drive with the Dual Recording System. For convenience and portability, you can shoot and have your video go straight to the SDHC card, then pop it out to transport it somewhere else. Along with the Canon Vixia HG21, it also has the Optical Stabilization (OIS) system in addition to Advanced Focus (AF) for all the HD applications.

The perfect film appearance can be achieved with the HG10's 24p Cinema Mode, but the Canon Vixia HG21 is even better with 25p. Poor audio reception can be a problem for both, but only the Canon Vixia HG21 has hookups for external microphones. Another thing it has that the HG10 doesn't is manual controls for all your sound recording, which includes not only audio control levels but also those for the microphone. The perfect quality can be reached with the audio level meters built into the Canon Vixia HG21.

Image sensors also differ between the two camcorders. A 2.7 inch CMOS with RGB Primary Color Filter is the mechanism for the HG10, but the Canon Vixia HG21's image processor is a DIGIC DV II that does better HD movies. Its maximum capturing speed is 24 Mbps, compared to just 5 for the HG10. Plus, when you're finished shooting, you can edit/manage your footage with PIXELA ImageMixer on the Canon Vixia HG21.

Although the HG10 competes in many ways, the Canon Vixia HG21 camcorder comes out best overall. It has more features and is better in some of the features they share.