Shop RadioShack for Great GiftsCanon FS100 (silver)
Manufacturer: Canon USA Part number: 2699B001
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Convenient, well-designed camcorders that look pricier than they are, models in the Canon FS series--FS11, FS10, and FS100--nevertheless deliver typical budget video in line with their budget price tags.
Read more
Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com Marketplace |  | In stock | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 12/08/2009 |
CNET editors' review
Canon FS100 (silver) price range: $499.95
- Reviewed by: Lori Grunin
- Reviewed on: 06/30/2008
- Released on: 01/24/2008
The good: Compact, attractive design; mic input.
The bad: No optical image stabilization; ineffective wind filter; no headphone jack; modest video quality.
The bottom line: Convenient, well-designed camcorders that look pricier than they are, models in the Canon FS series--FS11, FS10, and FS100--nevertheless deliver typical budget video in line with their budget price tags.
In the continuum that runs from low-resolution, cheapo camcorders like the Creative Vado to high-quality, solid-state "prosumer" HD models like Canon's own Vixia HF10, Canon's line of SD-based camcorders--FS11, FS10, and FS100--falls exactly where you'd expect. At budget prices under $600, they're small, stylish, and provide a reasonably expansive feature set; unfortunately, the real "budget" aspect of these models is the video quality.
The individual models in the FS series differ only by memory and color, with list prices that increment by $100 (but with lower actual street price gaps). The top-end model, the FS11, comes in dark gray and includes 16GB built-in memory; its lesser sibling, the FS10, wears silver and includes 8GB. The cheapest child, the FS100, has no built-in memory but comes in silver, blue, and red. Capacities run about 13.8 minutes per gigabyte of storage for best-quality mode, 39 min/GB for lowest quality; we don't recommend shooting below best-quality, however.
Weighing only 10.7 ounces and fitting comfortably into the palm of a hand--one my size, at least--the FS is, for the most part, quite well designed. As is becoming typical for SD-based models, you choose among video and still, record, and playback modes plus toggling recording on and off via a big thumbwheel at the back of the camcorder. You operate the zoom switch, photo shutter, and on/off switch with your forefinger. The battery and SD card slot lie under a sliding panel on the bottom of the unit. Some of the nicer touches include a built-in electronic lens cover--at this price, they're usually manual--and an LED video light.
Behind the LCD, there's an Easy button for a completely automatic mode and a button to display battery info, which displays the estimated time remaining. There's also a standard mini-USB port, 3.5mm microphone jack, and an AV out connector for hooking up to a TV via the bundled composite cable. As is becoming typical for Canon, you use a joystick on the LCD to bring up a few quick-access controls, including triggering the video light, exposure compensation, shutter speed, and manual focus. It doesn't magnify the focus area while in manual focus, but despite the smallish 2.7-inch LCD, it's pretty usable.
You also use the joystick to navigate the menus, which you pull up via a membrane button on the bevel of the LCD (other membrane buttons include playback controls, recording start/stop, and backlight compensation). Unusual in a budget model, the camcorder offers shutter-priority mode in addition to program exposure and a variety of scene modes. Beyond that, the shooting functions are scarce: white balance, digital and image effects, and a choice of 9Mbps, 6Mbps, and 3Mbps bit rates. Some of the other options, available deeper within the menus, include variable or one of three constant zoom speeds, 16:9 wide-screen recording mode, and a wind screen filter.
I do have a few minor quibbles with the design and operation. First, the zoom switch feels a bit loose, and I had trouble controlling the pace of the zoom with it. The on/off switch lies flush with the body of the camcorder, and thus requires some concerted effort to press. Finally, I don't like the placement of the USB port underneath the LCD or the SD card slot on the bottom of the unit; those just feel like awkward locations.
With the FS series, Canon debuts its Advanced Zoom technology, which transforms the camera's 37x optical zoom into 48x. It does so by moving lens elements to change the area of the sensor focused on by the lens. As a result, the effective video resolution changes while you zoom. For example, with AZ turned off, 16:9 video sensor resolution is about 550,000 pixels. With it on, at minimum zoom, it's approximately 710,000 pixels (full effective sensor resolution), and at 48x, it's 410,000 pixels. So while it's technically not digital zoom, it's still not maintaining the resolution across the entire zoom range (though it's in fact better than status quo at the wide angle). And for that reason, though I know Canon will probably beg to differ, I'm going to refer to it as a hybrid zoom.
Ultimately, however, it all ends up downsampled to a standard-definition video resolution of 720x480, or 345,600 pixels. So one would think the real question is, "How does it look?" And the answer to that is: "It looks better than digital zoom." But the real question should be, "Who the heck can use it?" Aside from the fact that I couldn't find anything interesting to shoot that far away during testing--even at a mere 37x--you run into serious control problems with these extra-long zooms. First, they're usually on cheap camcorders without optical image stabilization, so the telephoto video tends to be a jittery mess. And second, when you're zoomed out very far, if the subject moves out of the frame, it can be close to impossible to find them and get them back in frame without zooming out. So really, these ultramegatelephoto zoom lenses serve one purpose: to shoot distant, nonmoving subjects from a tripod mount. Hello, stalkers and stakeouts!
As for the rest, the FS models perform very well, from the fast, accurate autofocus and speedy autoexposure adjustment, to the solid LCD, which is a bit coarse but remains viewable even in direct sunlight. The latter is essential because of the lack of an electronic viewfinder, which is typical for the FS series' class. Like most flash-based models, the battery should also outlast the time required to fill up a 16GB card. Start-up and shutdown are relatively quick, and Canon includes an instant-start standby mode that toggles when you open or close the LCD.
Because the camcorder is higher-end looking than its price tag implies, the typical budget video it produces is that much more disappointing. Except when zoomed in, the video looks pretty soft, and like many of its peers, seriously blows out highlights. Most colors tend to look washed out, and orange hues shift. Low-light video is even softer, and relatively noisy. (For examples and more information about video quality, click through the slide show.) The audio is OK, though the wind filter is pretty ineffective. Canon bumps the saturation up tremendously for still photos, but they're low resolution--about 800,000 pixels--and are suitable only for scaled-down Web use. On the compatibility upside, most software recognizes the MPEG-2 MOD files, and I had no problem connecting the camcorder to a current Mac.
Unfortunately--or fortunately, depending upon your perspective--flash card prices are volatile enough that it's hard to make a recommendation as to which model to buy. Just remember to factor in the cost of a Class 4 or better SD card, though you probably should double-check that it supports a minimum transfer rate of 10MB/sec or better, since that's not a given, and figure out which total is cheapest. There's really no advantage to having the memory built in, except for the convenience of not having to make sure a card is fast enough. (In fact, I tend to prefer it not built-in, because then I don't have to worry about making sure the camcorder is recording to the right place.)
Any one of the Canon FS series models--FS11, FS10, or FS100--is a stylish, flexible camcorder that produces serviceable video for its price. The flash-based camcorder market is composed of an odd group of competitors, including the much cheaper straight-to-Web mini models, with the occasional ultracheap HD unit like the Aiptek Go-HD or DXG DXG-567V; alas, a real recommendation from among the group will have to wait until we can review the latter devices.
User reviews
-
-
Best flash media, standard defination (not HD) camcorder.
by duncanshaw on August 2, 2008
Pros: Great stable zoom,3 hour battery life,well made.Canon tech support
Cons: no threads to attach lens filter,editing sortware supplied not the best. Get your own
Summary: Tried theCanon DC 330 miniDVD. Also great camera.Same price $300. Then tested Canon FS 100! Same innards as Dc330 but much smaller and convenient! Quality on my monitor is ...
Summary: Tried theCanon DC 330 miniDVD. Also great camera.Same price $300. Then tested Canon FS 100! Same innards as Dc330 but much smaller and convenient! Quality on my monitor is excellent.The steps getting the vid out of the camera and onto the computer are alot less than tape/DVD based camcorders. I was nervous about editing the .mod files they put out. I have Adobe Premier Elements, Ulead Video Studio 11 Plus and they work great. Do a quick search on how to work with the .mod files these flash camera put out. Simple as renaming them .meg or mpeg. SDcopy is popular. In Adobe Premier Elements for example. I read the SD card with card reader. I open up Adobe. I drag the .Mod file to the project table then right click the movie in the table ,5th down is interpete footage then click on conform to then chose wide. Will play letterbox format for you to edit.
Canon left off threads to attach a protective filter!
If ANYTHING gets down there the camcorder is ruined.
This works for me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJRyzHsfS_w
Bought at Best Buy. UV filter by
Sunpack. $10. 34mm/37. Shipping tape or scotch tape will secure it to the camera just fine. Just be sure smear,dust,water is not on the filter. Will show up on your vid.4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Great cam!
by ro7477 on June 15, 2009
Pros: - SD card is awesome
- outdoor shooting is great
- zooming is fantastic (provided you use a tripod)
- so small it fits into my pocket!
- great battery life and no noiseCons: - cam is not the best at night
Summary: Hey guys, so you all have heard it all by now on here. Let me give you a few tips on how to use this cam (based on the cons ...
Summary: Hey guys, so you all have heard it all by now on here. Let me give you a few tips on how to use this cam (based on the cons i have read on here).
I just finish an extensive overseas trip with this cam. a lot of heat has been aimed at this cameras performance at night - well you can judge for yourself. here is a video i just shot - with no/low lights, its a aviation videos so we are in motion. You be the judge - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkNAmwcE1dQ
- zooming is unpredictable some say on here. well, i am not sure if they know that you can change the soeed setting of the zoom. set it to 3 and you'll be fine!
- to get better image quality - turn the image stabilization off (the outdoor image is sharp but just in case you need that little push over the cliff)
- everyone says the videos grainy at night. that is correct - but, why do you think we spend $5000 or more each time we plan an indoor shoot for a wedding/professional shoot etc? there is a reason for spending so much cash for lighting, right? so, get on with the program and dont be complaining.
i use this cam for vacation/travel videos - this is the best fit for what we need. love it
Updated on Jul 16, 20092 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Great Overall, a few drawbacks but its $300,
by badhairdude on July 27, 2008
Pros: 37x zoom, ease of use, cheap, decent video quality, mic in, great design, batterylife
Cons: slightly washed out colors, no optical zoom, bad low light condition
Summary: For a regular user, this camera is great. It doesn't compare to HD camcorders, but for $300, it's the best deal. I'm just going to highlight my ...
Summary: For a regular user, this camera is great. It doesn't compare to HD camcorders, but for $300, it's the best deal. I'm just going to highlight my thoughts into random sentences.
Colors are washed out if not in sunlight. 37x zoom is great and sharp, but WILL be unstable without a tripod. Zoom toggle is flimsy. Easy to edit with a PC (get sdcopy). Video light is pretty crappy. Menu navigation is easy. Battery life is great, up to 3hrs. audio is pretty good.
The stuff i do is for youtube and i used mr. divx to convert my files and the quality is superb, the best quality/compression I've found on the internet and i was looking and testing for days.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Not Mac Compatible!!!
by 13craig on June 15, 2008
Pros: Idiot-proof setting, easy to navigate menus
Cons: .mod video format - horrible
Summary: Requires the third-party software (included) to do anyhting with your movies. Software is NOT Macintosh compatible!!!
HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT!!!Summary: Requires the third-party software (included) to do anyhting with your movies. Software is NOT Macintosh compatible!!!
HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT!!!2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Outstanding value
Pros: Ease of use. Battery life. Zoom. Price. Size
Cons: None so far. If you want to be very picky then the location of the power button
Summary: I've got a Sony mini dvd, takes a great picture, sound is great, but needed a longer zoom and converting it to regular dvd was an absolute chore. This ...
Summary: I've got a Sony mini dvd, takes a great picture, sound is great, but needed a longer zoom and converting it to regular dvd was an absolute chore. This is so easy it's unbelievable. I put the card in my card reader, drag n drop. Double click on the video and there it is. It seemed to me when I converted the files from Sony I lost quality, not hear. An item to mention, it's got a big zoom, use a tripod when you are at full zoom otherwise you'll notice your recording movements. A great buy! I'm really wow'd by it!
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Good Compact Camcorder - Easy to Use
by fearlessphil on September 18, 2008
Pros: Great outdoor video, no moving parts, easy to get the video from camera to computer, can't record over your movies like a miniDV camera (this happened to me).
Cons: Still shots are poor, indoor video is mediocre, no on camera video editing, you have to convert files to burn them to DVD, video is a little grainy on my HD TV.
Summary: I bought this camera to replace a Sony Handycam miniDV. I have gone through two of of the Sony Handycams. The tape eject mechanism failed on both cameras. So I ...
Summary: I bought this camera to replace a Sony Handycam miniDV. I have gone through two of of the Sony Handycams. The tape eject mechanism failed on both cameras. So I wanted to get away from tape. I really like the convenience of an SD card. Pop out card and insert in laptop. I convert the .mod files to mpeg with free software called SDcopy and burn the movies to DVD. The video quality is on par with the miniDV cameras I had. It seems like all of these budget camcorders have problems with low light and this Canon is no exception. Don't bother with using this camcorder for still shots they are horrible!
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Below average perfomance
by terrym21 on September 14, 2008
Pros: The long recording capacity. External microphone input. Fast power-up.
Cons: Terrible low-light performance. The hues were ok, but grainy....actually more splotchy than grainy. There was a lot of rainbow colors in the images. USB connector under the flip-out display. Internal battery compartment.
Summary: When comparing to my older ZR500 miniDV camcorder, the FS100 was disappointing. The lack of options for higher capacity batteries and no capability for lense filters is a big negative. ...
Summary: When comparing to my older ZR500 miniDV camcorder, the FS100 was disappointing. The lack of options for higher capacity batteries and no capability for lense filters is a big negative. I was hoping to gain at least as good of video quality as I was accustomed to with my miniDV while gaining longer recording time, but this was not the case. I will be returning my unit and probably bite the bullet for an HF100 even though I don't need HD capability yet. I really like the idea of no moving parts with SDHC cards. However, anyone on a buget, for SD video, should consider staying with miniDV.
One other nice feature: audio level meter.
Updated on Sep 14, 20081 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Not Very Mac Compatible, But Pretty Good
by FrootLuipz on July 18, 2009
Pros: Good non-HD quality, portable, strong light, good zoom.
Cons: Horrible image stabilization, not Mac compatible (unless you use iMovie 09), hard to hook up to your computer, mediocre photos.
Summary: This is a pretty good camcorder, but it's not too compatible with my Mac, and the software doesn't work either. My dad bought this because the man at ...
Summary: This is a pretty good camcorder, but it's not too compatible with my Mac, and the software doesn't work either. My dad bought this because the man at the store said it worked well with macs, but it actually has .MOD files, which don't play video unless you convert them, which degrades the quality severely. But, if you use iMovie 09 or 08, it will upload onto that with slightly better results. The low light and night performance is VERY motion blurry, but the light on the camcorder is blindingly bright. Overall, a good camcorder if you know how to get it to work on your computer, but could be a little more compatible.
-
Very happy and durable
by Doloma on June 13, 2009
Pros: Very durable camera, use it on my bike, went down a hill, opened LCD and started shooting at once!
Very light for my needs.
The price is good.Cons: Zooming is not so soft and jumps in big steps.
Had a charger failure and from what i heard, it is a common problem.
Very sensitive zoom button that will start and continue zooming on its own.
Does not reset the zoom when power off and on.Summary: Its money worth buing this depending on your needs.
You get what you pay for and i am happy for what i paid and the uses i have for it....Summary: Its money worth buing this depending on your needs.
You get what you pay for and i am happy for what i paid and the uses i have for it.
With a 16GB card and the battery, will give you a 3 hour video in high quality video. -
Canon FS 100 camcorder
by snowwillow on May 12, 2009
Pros: Good battery life, excellent out door quality, small size, flash drive.
Cons: Needs lots of light. Stills are not that great, but I don't use it for stills.
Summary: I notice that the people who give this camera low marks do so because of lousy software and inability to use Windows Movie Maker. To use WMM, you simply have ...
Summary: I notice that the people who give this camera low marks do so because of lousy software and inability to use Windows Movie Maker. To use WMM, you simply have to convert the files using a free video converter, but in order to avoid these problems get some good editing software, like pinnacle studio 11 ultimate or Sony vegas. For the price, this camcorder is a nice little camera, battery life is great. It didn't come with an sd card and you have to have one, so I bought a 16G and two 8G cards. If you don't want to download via USB, you can use a card reader to copy/paste videos to the folder of your choice. This camcorder is so easy to use. This camcorder is always in my purse along with my canon A570IS digital camera ready to get those great shots of my 3 year old granddaughter.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Canon USA
- Part number: 2699B001
- Description: From Canon's long history of optical excellence, advanced image processing, superb performance and technological innovation in photographic and broadcast television cameras comes the latest in camcorders. With the light, compact Canon FS100, you can have stunning video with the ease and numerous benefits of flash memory, at an affordable price. Flash memory is used in some of the world's most innovative electronic products such as laptop computers, MP3 players, PDAs and cell phones. It is just the thing for catching more of your life's most special moments. In addition you will get the FS100's Canon exclusive features such as Canon 48x Advanced Zoom and Canon?s DIGIC DV II Image Processor, combined with a CCD image sensor, image stabilization and a widescreen LCD. You can even choose the color for your FS100 that suits you best. It is truly a flash memory camcorder that's both hard to beat and unmistakably Canon.
General
- Product Type Camcorder
- Digital Zoom 2000 x
- Optical Sensor Size 1/6"
- Optical Sensor Type CCD
- Image Stabilizer Electronic
- Max Shutter Speed 1/2000 sec
- Shooting Modes Digital photo mode
- Shooting Programs Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Spotlight, Night mode, Sports mode, Portrait mode
- White Balance Custom, Presets, Automatic
- White Balance Presets Daylight, Tungsten light
- Exposure Modes Program, Automatic
- Widescreen Video Capture Yes
Main Features
- Camcorder Sensor Resolution 1.07 megapixels
- Camcorder Effective Still Resolution 0.8 megapixels
- Color Support Color
- Still Image Format JPEG
- Remote Control Camcorder remote control
- TV Tuner None
Memory / Storage
- Supported Flash Memory MultiMediaCard, SD Memory Card
- Floppy Drive None
- Media Type Flash card
- Recording Speed LP, SP, XP
Lens System
- Type Zoom lens - 2.6 mm - 96.2 mm - F/2.0-5.2
- Focal Length 2.6 mm - 96.2 mm
- Lens Aperture F/2.0-5.2
- Auto Focus Points (Zones) 9
- Optical Zoom 37 x
- Lens system type Zoom lens
- Min focal length 2.6 mm
- Max focal length 96.2 mm
- Auto Focus TTL contrast detection
- Features Built-in lens shield
- Focus Adjustment Automatic
- Min Focus Range 0.4 in
- Zoom Adjustment Motorized drive
Additional Features
- Low Lux / Night Mode Yes
- Digital Still Camera Function Yes
- Additional Features PictBridge support, USB 2.0 compatibility, Dolby Digital AC-3 (2 channel) recording
- Remote control Camcorder remote control
- Software PIXELA Image Mixer
- Included Accessories Wrist strap
Display
- Type LCD display - TFT active matrix - 2.7 in - Color
Digital Player (Recorder)
- Type None
Microphone
- Type Microphone - Built-in
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Microphone ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm ), 1 x USB
Audio Input
- Audio input type Microphone
- Microphone type Built-in
- Microphone Operation Mode Stereo
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included 1 x USB cable, 1 x A/V cable
Power
- Power Device Power adapter - External
Battery
- Supported Battery Canon BP-808
- Supported Battery 1 x Canon BP-808 Li-ion rechargeable battery ( Included )
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 1 year warranty
- Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 1 year
Viewfinder / Display
- Display Form Factor Rotating
- Display Format 123,000 pixels
Physical Characteristics
- Width 2.3 in
- Depth 4.9 in
- Height 2.4 in
- Weight 9.2 oz
Product series
-
Manufacturer: Canon USA
Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 37 x, Flash card, 9.2 oz
-
Manufacturer: Canon USA
Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 37 x, Flash card, 9.2 oz
-
Manufacturer: Canon USA
Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 37 x, Flash card, 9.2 oz
-
Manufacturer: Canon USA
Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 37 x, Flash card, 9.2 oz
-
Manufacturer: Canon USA
Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 37 x, Flash card, 9.2 oz
Manufacturer info
- Canon USA
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Canon USA products on Shopper.com
-
- Website: http://estore.usa.canon.com/
- Address:
One Canon Plaza, Lake Success, NY 11042 - Phone: 516-328-5000
- Email: mediacontact@cusa.canon.com
%20-%20Compare%20prices,%20reviews,%20user%20opinions%20-%20Shopper.com&srcUrl=http://shopper.cnet.com/digital-camcorders/canon-fs100-silver/4014-6500_9-32786399.html){kind=small}