Last Updated on January 13, 2019
Vixia G10 Review
The first moment the Canon Vixia G10 was launched, camera enthusiasts already had the feeling it will definitely reign supreme through the year. And it did. Even close competition, the Panasonic HDC-HS900, wasn’t able to up its defenses to prevent the G10 from hitting the goal. Canon’s game-winning slapshot has certainly raised a new bar in the camcorder market and with this Canon Vixia G10 review, we’ll find out exactly how and why.
The Vixia G10 Shooting Features
This section always comes with an endless discussion for any camera and the Canon Vixia G10 cranked out a plenty with its manual controls.
Manual Controls
The camcorder’s manual exposure gives 70-100% Zebra patterns as blown highlights. And with its waveform monitor feature, adjusting gains which can be set to as high as 24dB comes pretty easy. It also has a focus assist magnification which superbly focuses in improved resolution and a focus assist alternative in the form of color peaking.
Other manual control features worth mentioning are the digital level meter, test tones, 2000-15000 range of White Balance adjustment, SMPTE standard color bars and the unique in-camera filters ranging from Old Movies, Nostalgia, Vivid to Dream.
Vixia G10 Review Test Footage
[youtube height=”500″ width=”820″]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUnhroseDhI[/youtube]
Image Quality
If there’s anything you will ever read in other Canon Vixia G10 reviews, it’s that the G10 definitely reigns in the aspect of image quality. It’s expected though, especially that it has been equipped with the 1/3-inch HD CMOS Pro chip at 2.07MP.
The camcorder captures videos at 24Mbps in AVCHD format and has an 8-bladed iris which allows users to shoot smooth bokehs. What’s more is that it has 10x optical zoom HD video lens with an f/1.8 aperture, perfect for 20mm macro shoots. These aspects really set this camera apart
Frame Rates
The G10 comes with 4 different frame rates. It can capture single frames without interlacing with its native 24p. It also has simulated 24p and simulated 30p at 60i. But the simulated frame rates prove useful only for down-conversions or when working with other simulated frame rates on the 60i timeline. Nonetheless, if you are aiming to get those film-like shots, the Canon Vixia G10 is the camcorder for you!
Image Stabilization
Image stabilization of the G10 is most certainly impressive. You can even press down and hold the power IS button to further minimize camera shaking.
Audio
If audio is a subject of your worries, it won’t be anymore with the G10. The camcorder’s built-in microphone comes with 4 settings: normal, wide, monaural and zoom. Frequency responses can be adjusted from low to mid-range but if you are a serious shooter, you might want to consider using a directional or an aftermarket boom.
Design
The G10’s top-notch build is one quality that earned the camcorder a lot of positive Canon Vixia G10 reviews. Its focus ring shifting comes smooth and it has a custom dial at the backside which controls the shutter/aperture, gain/exposure and manual exposure. Canon also improved its zoom rocker, further widening and refining smoothness. And with the dual SD/SDXC/SDHC card slots, users can go get themselves cards with 64GB capacities for continuous recording with Canon’s relay technology.
Canon Vixia G10 Review: Verdict
At $1500, you may think that the Canon Vixia HF G10 is much of an investment but it is one that you will definitely not regret getting. With its impressive image quality, prosumer-esque manual controls, and top-notch build, perhaps it’s safe to say that it is indeed much ahead in the competition. Although many have expressed their preference for bigger battery pack or a zoom ring, on the consumer level, the G10 is everything you will ever ask for and more
Unboxing the G10
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