Last Updated on July 9, 2020
The Vixia HF G30 is an upgrade from previously released models from Canon, which are Vixia HF G10 and Vixia HF G20. Among the camcorders released by the company, the G30 is highly anticipated as it contains fixes for bugs and problems that prosumers may have encountered with the two previous models. Not to mention, the various upgrades that come with it.
But how different is the Vixia HF G30 from its predecessors?
Better image processor
Compared to the G10 and G20, the G30 now comes with a DIGIC DV 4 processor that offers an increase in dynamic range. And, the more range a camcorder has the better the quality of its video output, which was lacking in the DIGIC DV 3. With the previous versions, colors and skin tone tend to look flat because of lower dynamic range and tonal values. Fortunately, such problems have been corrected, as you will see in this review.
Features
Larger image Sensor
The G30 comes with a 1/2.84-inch HD CMOS Pro sensor that is larger than the sensor the G20 had, which is 1/3. This means that the pixels are larger, allowing more light to reach them, this will then result to better shots even under low light. In fact, the Vixia HF G30 is rated 1.5 lux, which is better compared to older models.
Upgraded OLED display
With the Vixia HF G20, the screen size may be similar to the G30 at 3.5” but the difference lies in the touchscreen interface. Because with the older models, you’ll have to press harder on the screen before the camera responds, especially when scrolling. This can be a bit difficult to control for some users. Fortunately, sensitivity has been improved with the latest model, with the new screen just gliding smoothly when swiping or scrolling videos and menus. This Vixia HF G30 review, also gives emphasis on the viewfinder that has approximately 1,560,000 dots, which make it easy to see the subject even when the sun is very bright and using the OLED display is difficult. What’s more, the viewfinder can be titled by 45 degrees from the normal position, making it easier to capture images and videos.
Canon Vixia HF G30HD Review
Better recording modes
This camcorder has two memory card slots, but they’re not the only things that make the device impressive. It is the fact that it can record directly to the memory cards with a choice of using one or both simultaneously and whether using the same or different formats. Users can choose between AVCHD and MP4. The former is best for recording videos that will then be saved on discs to be used on DVD or Blu-Ray device, while the latter is for saving videos that will be uploaded on the web.
Added Wi-Fi feature
Aside from using the Vixia HF G30 to stream and upload videos, the Wi-Fi functionality acts as a remote control of the camera. That is, you can use the computer or any mobile device to start or stop the recording, zoom, and to manually adjust settings to get the best shots. This makes the entire video recording process quite convenient.
So what’s the catch with this camcorder?
It’s quite hefty in the price department and doesn’t even come with any internal memory. Nonetheless, the improvements the Vixia HF G30 has over the older versions are worth the increase in price. The G30 showcases the amazing results you can get when different technology comes together. The Wi-Fi functionality alone that lets you control the camera remotely and then use it as a media server at the same time is impressive enough. When combined with other features, what you get is a high-end, feature-rich camera that will more than satisfy anyone looking for a moderately price professional camcorder.
Don’t forget to check out other Vixia HF G30 reviews to learn more about the camcorder.
Canon Legria/Vixia G30 Product Specification
- BABY MODE
VIDEO SYSTEM
Recording Formats | AVCHD/MP4 Simultaneous recording possible |
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Recording Medium | SDXC/SDHC/SD memory cards (2 slots); Double slot recording possible Relay recording possible |
Max Recording Time* | Variable total, depending on memory card size¹ 64GB SDXC card: 24hrs 30mins²³ (not supplied) |
SENSOR
Type | 1/2.84 type advanced HD CMOS PRO |
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Total pixels | 3.09 megapixel |
Effective Pixels: Movie | 2.91 megapixels |
Effective Pixels: Still | 2.07 megapixels (16:9) |
Filter | Bayer pattern filter |
LENS
Advanced Zoom | NO |
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Optical Zoom | 20x |
Digital Zoom | 400x |
Focal length | 3.67 – 73.4mm |
35mm Equivalent Focal Length | 26.8 – 576mm (35mm equivalent without Dynamic IS/28.8-576mm with Dynamic IS) |
Maximum aperture | f1.8 to f2.8 (8 Blade Circular Aperture) |
Minimum focusing distance | 10mm |
Image Stabilizer | Optical Image Stabiliser Intelligent IS with advanced dynamic mode |
Filter diameter | 58mm |
Wide Attachment | YES (optional WA-H58) |
IMAGE PROCESSOR
Image Processor | DIGIC DV 4 |
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Face Detection Technology | YES |
SCREEN
Screen size | 8.8cm (3.5″) Organic LED touch screen, 100% view |
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Pixels | 1.23 million dots |
Touchscreen | YES – Capacitive type Organic LED panel |
Manual adjustment | Brightness |
WI-FI FUNCTION
Wi-Fi Function | YES: Wi-Fi remote and sharing functions (supports 5Ghz¹ AND 2.4Ghz) |
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GPS SUPPORT
GPS Support | Yes: with optional GP-E2 reciever |
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BABY MODE
Baby Mode | NO |
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EXTERNAL HDD STORAGE
Direct storage to external HDD | NO |
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VIEWFINDER
Screen size | 0.61cm (0.24″), 100% view |
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Pixels | 1.56 million dots |
MINIMUM ILLUMINATION
Minimum Lux. | 1 lux |
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Night Mode | Low Light (0.1 lux) |
Auto Gain Control limit adjustment | YES |
FOCUS
Auto/Manual | YES / YES |
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Control | AUTO: Face Detection AF/Face Only AF/Instant AF/Medium AF/TV AF MANUAL: Lens ring, Touchscreen LED, Focus Preset |
Manual Focus Assist | YES (Magnification, Peaking) |
CREATIVE FEATURES
Creative Features | Cinema-Look Filters |
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AE MODE
Smart AUTO | YES (38 scenes) |
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Program AE | AUTO; M mode: P, Tv, Av, M (manual exposure), SCN (Portrait, Sports, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Night, Low Light, Spotlight, Fireworks); Cinema mode: P, Tv, Av, M |
Zebra | YES |
BACKLIGHT COMPENSATION
Backlight Compensation | YES (automatic or user control) |
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WHITE BALANCE
Type | FAWB |
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Auto | YES |
Set/Preset | YES: Set 1, Set 2, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Colour Temperature |
SHUTTER SPEED
Maximum | 1/2000th sec. |
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Slow | 1/2 sec. |
IMAGE QUALITY ADJUSTMENT
Image Effects | NO |
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Custom Functions | Brightness, Contrast, Sharpness, Colour Depth |
CUSTOM CONTROL
Custom Control | YES : control dial plus 5 assignable buttons |
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STILL IMAGE
Capture image size | 1920 x 1080 (not Cinema mode) |
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Continuous shooting mode | NO |
Auto Exposure Bracketing | NO |
Simultaneous Photo Recording | YES |
Selecting AF Frame Function | NO |
Histogram | NO |
Photo Button | Touchscreen LED |
Photo Burst | NO |
SELF TIMER
Self timer | NO |
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REC. REVIEW/REC. SEARCH
REC. review/REC. search | YES/NO |
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RECORDING MODE
Recording mode | Four AVCHD recording quality modes¹ 50P: 1920 x 1080, 28Mbps² 50i/PF25: 1920x1080, 24Mbps² 50i/PF25: 1920x1080, 17Mbps² 50i/PF25: 1440x1080, 5Mbps Five MP4 quality recording modes 50p: 1920 x 1080, 35Mbps² 25p: 1920 x 1080, 24Mbps² 25p: 1920 x 1080, 17Mbps² 25p: 1280 x 720, 4Mbps 25p: 640x360, 3Mbps |
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Progressive shooting mode | YES (25p) |
Slow and Fast Motion Recording | MP4 Mode only (2x Fast/ 0.5 Slow) |
x.v.Color | NO |
Video Snapshot | YES during recording |
Pre REC | YES with assigned button |
Dual Shot | NO |
Colour Bars and Test Tone | NO |
SEARCH
Still image | NO |
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Date | NO |
MEMORY CARD
Multi Media Card | NO |
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Secure Digital Card | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
Movie Recording | YES |
Internal Data Transfer | MOVIE: Yes (card A to B) STILLS: Yes (card A to B) |
AUDIO
System | Dolby Digital 2ch (AC-3 2ch); 5.1ch surround sound (via Optional SM-V1 microphone) |
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Audio Scene Select | YES |
Zoom Microphone | YES (customisable frequency response and directionality) |
Manual Rec. level control | YES |
TERMINAL
Headphone | YES |
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Microphone | YES |
USB | YES (Mini-B, Hi-Speed USB – Output Only ) |
DV | NO |
Direct Print | NO |
Analogue-in | NO |
AV | YES (output only) |
Component | YES (output only) |
HDMI | YES (HDMI™ Mini Connector Output Only) |
Built-in charger | YES |
QUICK START
Quick Start | NO |
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ACCESSORY SHOE
Accessory shoe | YES ( cold shoe and mini Advanced Accessory Shoe) |
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PC CONNECTION KIT
DV Network Solution Disk | NO |
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Application software | YES |
USB cable | YES |
WEB
Easy Web Upload | YES |
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Convert to MP4 | YES |
HD -> SD conversion | NO |
WIRELESS CONTROLLER
Wireless controller | YES |
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BATTERY PACK
Type | Lithium Ion |
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Intelligent Battery System | YES |
Battery included in the kit | BP-820 |
Max recording time (included battery) | 3hrs 10mins |
Long life Battery | BP-828 |
Longer recording time** | 4hrs 55mins¹ |
DIMENSIONS
W x H x D | 115 x 84 x 231mm (with lens hood) |
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Weight | 900g (with lens hood and battery) |
Max Recording Time* | ¹ Class 6 or hiher SDHC card recommended for 50P recording, Class 4 or higher SDHC card rcommended for 24Mbps/17Mbps modes, Class 2 or higher SDHC card ² Lowest Mbps recording mode ³ Recording for more than 12 hours continuously is not possible |
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Wi-Fi Function | ¹ 5GHz band not supported in Qatar and Indonesia |
Recording mode | ¹ Variable bit rate used in all recording modes ² Class 6 or hiher SDHC card recommended for 50P recording, Class 4 or higher SDHC card rcommended for 24Mbps/17Mbps modes, Class 2 or higher SDHC card recommended for other recording modes, Memory card not supplied |
Longer recording time** | ¹ Normal LCD brightness and optional long life BP |
Canon HF G30 HD Test Footage