Product Description

The FS100 is one of Canon's first Flash Memory camcorders. In addition to the advantage of added recording time, Flash Memory offers quick response time, because it doesn't have to wait for moving parts. The FS100's lower power consumption rate allows your battery to last longer. Measuring only 2.3" wide, 2.4" high and 4.9" deep, it combines big video storage capacity in a small, easy to carry body. The 2.7" Widescreen LCD on the FS100 lets you see more of what your camcorder is recording. With the FS100 you get a powerful 1.07 Megapixel CCD image sensor. The video you shoot will be sharp, clear and more true to life, as will your still photos. The Genuine Canon 48x Advanced Zoom on the FS100 extends the power of your zoom. In both wide angle and telephoto positions, there is virtually no loss in image quality throughout the range. The Canon DIGIC DV II Image Processor is the next generation of Canon's exclusive DIGIC DV signal processing technology to ensure optimal image quality for still images, even though video and still images have different color requirements. Focal Length - f=2.6-96.2mm Minimum Focusing Distance - 10mm (wide)/1m (tele) White Balance - Daylight, Tungsten, Auto, and Manual Programmed AE - Auto, Program, TV, Portrait, Sports, Night, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Spotlight, and Fireworks 2-channel Dolby Digital Audio (AC-3) 3.5mm Stereo Mini-jack Microphone Terminal Dimensions - Width 2.3 x Height 2.4 x Depth 4.9 (58x60x124mm) Weight - 9.2 ounces (260 grams)

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #108 in Camera & Photo
• Color: Silver
• Brand: Canon
• Model: FS100
• Dimensions: 2.30" h x 2.40" w x 4.90" l, 1.00 pounds
• Display size: 2.7
• Included Software: Yes

Features

• Capture video to SDHC cards
• 48x Advanced Zoom; image stabilizer
• Widescreen HR recording
• 2.7-inch widescreen LCD
• USB 2.0 compatible for fast file transfer

Manufacturer Description

From the leaders in the imaging industry, the Canon FS-series are the next-generation Flash Memory format camcorders for shooting great video and photos. Flash memory format delivers delivering optimal image quality, quick response time, flexible media exchange, and extended recording times all in a compact and lightweight body. The FS100 provides outstanding features such as 48x Advanced Zoom an SDHC card slot for your once-in-a-lifetime memories.

Canon FS100 Highlights

1/6-inch, 1.07-megapixel CCD image sensor Whether you’re shooting video or photos, you will benefit from the camcorder’s razor-sharp CCD image sensor.

48x optical zoom in action

Genuine Canon 48x Advanced Zoom Capture the action from even farther away when using Canon’s exclusive Advanced Zoom. By utilizing Genuine Canon Optics and the DIGIC DV II Image Processor, Canon has developed a new way to extend beyond the optical zoom, both wide and telephoto, while continuing to maintain optimal image quality. With Canon’s Advanced Zoom, you can now enjoy stunning video from any distance.

Image stabilizer Shoot rock-steady video -- even when you’re at maximum telephoto without a tripod. It is even effective while panning or zooming.

DIGIC DV II image processor DIGIC DV II is the next generation of Canon's exclusive DIGIC DV signal processing technology. Even though video and still images have different color requirements, DIGIC DV II digital signal processing ensures optimal image quality for both video and still images. Thanks to DIGIC DV II image processing, the FS100 produces video with improved color reproduction -- especially in skin tones, and dark and light scenes. It also uses a hybrid noise reduction system that employs two types of noise reduction -- for images that are crystal clear.

Quick Start Instead of powering off your camcorder between shots, simply press the Quick Start button to put the camcorder in stand-by mode. Quick Start considerably reduces the power consumption of the battery and allows the user to return to recording mode in less than a second, so you’ll never miss another special moment.

Widescreen HR recording The FS100 records true widescreen for picture perfect video. Canon’s image processing system uses the entire width of the image sensor, capturing a big picture in true 16:9 widescreen so no one and nothing is left unseen. And Canon camcorders take advantage of more pixels to give you amazing quality.

2.7-inch widescreen LCD A widescreen LCD lets you see exactly what your camcorder is recording, and what your TV will display later. Display widescreen video on a standard television as well.

Joystick The joystick makes using the camcorder easier than ever. Extra buttons have been eliminated, allowing you to control playback, focusing, exposure, and menu options from one convenient place.

Level and Grid Markers It's easy to keep your FS100 level for more professional-looking video. Simply press the Level Shot Control button, and a horizontal marker appears in your viewfinder. Line up any horizontal lines in your shot to the marker and you know your camcorder is level. Also, the Grid marker is very convenient for setting up the special balance in your shots. Since background colors vary, you can select from two line colors to make the lines easily visible.

Intelligent Lithium-ion battery The remaining battery time is now indicated down to the minute, so you will never have to guess the recording time available.

Smooth zoom control Want to shoot like the pros? Three fixed zoom speeds allow you to produce smooth video that will be enjoyable for everyone to watch.

Level Shot and Grid Markers It's easy to keep your FS100 level for more professional-looking video. Simply press the Level Shot Control button, and a horizontal marker appears in your viewfinder. Then line up any horizontal lines in your shot to the marker and you know your camcorder is level. The Grid marker is also very convenient for setting up the special balance in your shots. And since background colors vary, you can select from two line colors to make the lines easily visible.

Built-in electronic lens cover A built-in electronic lens cover means no dangling lens cover to lose.

Still image recording Capture stunning photos in 4:3 aspect ratio to an SDHC card.

USB 2.0 Hi-Speed terminal The FS100 features a USB 2.0 Hi-Speed terminal which allows for ultra-fast transfer of movies and photos. Additionally, it can connect directly to any PictBridge compatible printer.

Advanced Photo Features A variety of features allow you to capture great photos.

• 9 Point AiAF Bring off-center subjects into sharp focus.
• Image Effects Choose from the following effects to add a creative flare to your photos: Vivid, Neutral, Low-Sharpening, and Soft Skin Detail.
• Drive Modes
• Special Scene Modes A wide selection of automatic exposure modes makes it easy to capture great video or photos under any condition. Choose from: Portrait, Sports, Night, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Spotlight, or Fireworks.

Microphone terminal The FS100 features a microphone terminal for attaching an external microphone.

One-touch power button Power your camcorder with a touch of a button just like a digital camera.

Canon DVD burner compatible Take care or those precious moments shot with your FS100 by backing up your footage on the new Canon DW100 DVD burner. This simple and easy to use burner eliminates the need for a PC but still guarantees the assurance of knowing your memories are preserved to an AVCHD disc.

9 selectable languages English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese

Recording times



One-year parts and labor limited warranty Canon’s camcorder limited warranty provides protection long after other manufacturers’ warranties expires.

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Customer Reviews

Light weight duty, light weight camera
For a number of years now, possibly 5, I've been using a Sanyo Xatci, since they first came out, mainly for it's small size, portability, flash based media and ease of use. It was not however used for it's high quality results. And for indoors, forget it, the light only worked for snap shots, not video. So for outdoor events, it was handy and easy to carry. But you could forget about it for indoors or low light situation. It's audio was also very poor unless your subject was within a few feet and battery power, under continuous filming you were lucky to get 60 minutes out of it.

I've waited a long time for another flash based card/medium, reasonably priced, light weight, small form factor,long battery life, a light for indoor recording, and the ability to use an external microphone. Over the last year or so, there have been some early models from different makers, however, they were very expensive, and still a little heavy. Also, the external microphone option was missing.

Along came the FS100. I've read the reviews on Amazon about this camera and other forums. I spent a lot of time researching other cameras, but couldn't find anything comparable in the price bracket. Since I was ordering from Amazon not an Amazon Market Place vendor,(though I've had good experiences with the majority of them as well) I felt confident in making the purchase that should it not meet my needs or expectations, returning it would not be a problem.

Now, I had just switched, after almost two decades with Windows to a Macbook Pro, though I'm running XP on the machine via VMfusion, however my goal was to winnow down my need for Windows products. So, I was somewhat concerned by some reviews and their experiences with OX 10. However, one reviewer made a great suggestion about a third party software which addressed the issue of changing the unusual movie format Movie.MOD to something I could edit or play on the Mac. It's Visual Hub, and works great. Be aware however, the longer the movie the slower the conversion, but it is still way faster than using the old DV tapes.

Now, if you buy a SDHC card and don't want to use the camera's usb cord, you must buy a newer reader that accepts SDHC card. The older readers will let the card fit in the slot, but will not read it. It took me a couple of days to find this out. I went with the FS100, because it didn't come with built in memory, and am glad I went that way, since you could only transfer those scenes via the USB cable.

I bought a 16 gb Kingston card for under 40 at [...], including shipping, and some unknown brand off Ebay for about the same price. (The [...] deal was only available after I'd purchased the one off of Ebay)

I've been playing with the camera now for over three weeks, and I have been pleased overall. Outdoors the pictures are clear, the audio a great improvement over my old Sanyo, and battery life close to three hours with continuous shooting.

Indoors, with the light on, it's still grainy, but much improved over the Sanyo without the light. With the camera set to it's highest quality video using my 16gb card, I can shoot about 3.5 hours.

If you are looking for a video camera for shooting a lot of indoor video, especially in low light, you may be disappointed with this camera. If your shooting indoors with lots of outside light coming in, it's fine.

For sporting events and action videos this camera really excels for with it's light weight and small size, you'll find yourself taking it along with you more often than a standard video camera.

But as others have pointed out, the software, at least for the Mac, is poor. Really poor in fact. Accessories like additional batteries, and a separate charger are outlandishly priced. But like I did with my video card, I found non oem replacements on Ebay for under ten dollars, not including shipping. I recommend buying at least one battery with a charger so you don't have to plug the camera in using the AC adapter to charge the battery.

Bit disappointed with Canon
I bought a JVC Everio GZ-MG155 about one year ago, and was never completely satisfied with the image quality, it was not as sharp as I expected. I decided to give a try with the Canon FS100 since all my digital still cameras had been Canon and I loved the images and colors they produce.
Well, thanks to the Canon FS100 I realized my JVC Everio was not in fact that bad at all...
I recorded some scenes with both cameras and edited them back to back in a DVD, so I could see the footage in my 50'' high definition TV and could compare results.
Outdoors, in sunshine, both camcorders performed more or less the same, same image sharpness, colors, etc. No big difference at all.
Indoors the difference was simply amazing; the Canon FS100 produced grainy images full of noise (annoying red particles around everywhere) in most lighting situations. Just to clarify this point, I'm not talking about recording in low light, I'm talking about regular indoor lighting (in low light the results were even worse). When I saw the recorded footage in my 50'' TV, the amount of image noise and pixelized artifacts was unbearable.
On the contrary, my JVC, does not produce any noise, not even in low light (yes, the image is much darker in low light, however, no noise or red particles floating at all).
I tried the manual controls of the Canon over the weekend (since the camera is so tiny and portable that I really wanted to like it), however I couldn't get any good results indoors compared to the JVC. And another issue also quite annoying; while the JVC stores all the manual settings when you turn the camera off, the Canon erases all the manual settings. This means every time you turn on the camera in manual mode, you need to reset the settings.
Finally, I just decided to stick to my JVC and returned the Canon FS100 to Amazon (which by the way, is great; they gave me a full refund on the camcorder).

My first camcorder meets expectation
I picked this camcorder mainly because 1. I have a Canon camera (S2 IS) that takes great videos, 2. I want a compact camcorder with good battery life. So far it meets my expectations. The SD cards are getting cheaper every year. They will soon replace battery-thirsty and bulky hard-drive camcorders.

Pros:
1. Light-weight, ergonomic to fit small hands.
2. SD card is small, quiet and cheap compared to memory stick or hard drive.
3. video is crisp and clear, the sound quality is great.

Cons:
1. USB port is in the middle of the camcorder, you can't get to it without opening the lcd. And transferring files requires the power adapter and the speed is slow.
2. It takes 195 min to charge which is slow.
3. The "set" key is made of low-quality plastic. Feels like it can break any day.