Two new LEGRIA HD camcorders from Canon

Canon supplements its LEGRIA high-definition consumer camcorder range with two new flagship models, each possessing 64GB internal flash memory - enough for over 24 hours of continuous recording.

Both LEGRIA HF21 and LEGRIA HF S11 models are claimed to offer a range of improvements over previous models, including an advanced Dynamic Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) system, an enhanced Video Snapshot mode and new low-light shooting capabilities. Both products capture to high capacity Flash memory providing faster lighter operation whilst consuming less power than HDD (Hard Disc Drive) based camcorders.

LEGRIA HF S11: The new flagship of the AVCHD fleet

The new flagship in the range (which still includes the TIPA award-winning LEGRIA HF S10), the LEGRIA HF S11 HD camcorder includes Dual Flash Memory recording, which lets users capture footage on the internal memory and on removable SDHC flash memory cards. At 64GB, the HF S11 features the greatest amount of internal memory available in any current camcorder, enabling users to capture over 24 hours of video when in LP mode.

The LEGRIA HF S11 has been given a genuine Canon HD 10x optical zoom Video Lens, an 8 Megapixel CMOS sensor and a DIGIC DV III image processor. The HD camera system delivers 1920x1080 Full HD video recordings at 24Mbps and up to 8.0MP still photos. The option to use 25p progressive capture for making movies is designed to deliver a film-like quality whilst further improving low-light sensitivity.

The full range of manual controls are included, too; manual adjustment of focus, exposure and audio levels using the camcorder’s built in control dial. In addition, the HF S11 includes Auto Gain Control limits – allowing users to fine-tune the camcorder’s gain in low-light – so the optimum balance between the low light detail and the darkness of night can be found. Zebra patterns and Colour Peaking help to set up shots perfectly, whilst the Colour Bar/Test Tone generator will help pro-users set up their other equipment repeatably.


LEGRIA HF21: Canon's "user-friendly HD camcorder for families"

The equally new LEGRIA HF21 boasts 64GB internal flash memory in a pocket-sized and super stylish design and is "packed with intuitive features" - such as Canon’s Video Snapshot mode which allows four-second clips to be captured with a single press of the record button, then easily arranged into a movie and set to music on the camera – enabling complete newbies to put together films without needing to edit on a PC. For the HF21 this has been enhanced to allow capture of four-second clips during movie playback as well as during live-shooting. The HF21 comes pre-loaded with five music tracks, but users have the option to upload their own song selections using the supplied Music Upload software.

The Face Detection feature can detect up to 35 faces in a frame, and controls all the technical settings automatically to ensure friends and family’s faces always appear clearly in the video. It is even able to select a single face to track in crowded scenes.

Like the HF S11, the HF21 also features Canon’s new Dynamic OIS for shake free footage when filming on the move – whether walking, jogging or climbing. Combined with Canon’s 15x optical zoom HD Video Lens, a 3.3 megapixel CMOS sensor and DIGIC DV III image processor, the HF21 delivers outstandingly smooth HD quality video footage and striking, rich still images.

For shooting in low light conditions – such as at parties or evening events - Canon has introduced two new scene modes. Night mode automatically reduces light levels so users can faithfully reproduce the darkness of night, whereas Low Light mode makes it easier to capture every detail even in fading light. Whether using these scene selections or letting the camcorder take control in Dual Shot mode, users can always rely on the HF21 to capture outstanding HD footage.

The HF21’s 64GB flash memory is enough to rival many Hard Disk Drive camcorders for recording capacity, in a compact and stylish form. The LEGRIA HF21 will record over 24 hours of HD footage (LP mode) while Canon’s Dual Flash Memory system allows for extended recording - a feature that enables users to extend the recording time by adding an SDHC flash memory cards or share HD movies easily by copying from the internal memory to the SDHC card.

Availability in Europe

We're reliably informed that both the LEGRIA HF21 and Legria HF S11 will be available from September 2009.

Source: Canon UK Press Release. This story by Colin Barrett, SimplyDV.