Canon FS100 Flash Memory Camcorder with 48x Advanced Zoom (Silver)
Brand | Canon |
Connectivity Technology | USB |
Flash Memory Type | SDHC |
Color | Silver |
Special Feature | Lightweight |
Screen Size | 2.7 Inches |
Optical Zoom | 48 |
Included Components | Battery |
Video Capture Resolution | 480p |
Minimum Focal Length | 2.6 Millimeters |
About this item
- 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
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Exchange will be given if the camcorder is not as described. Full refund will be given if replacement of the same model is not available. Missing or damaged accessories initially received will be replaced at sellers expense and does not qualify for a refund. 20% restocking for returns that are for reasons not caused by seller even with-in the 14day period. Returns are not covered against Water damage, Impact, Abuse.
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Product information
Product Dimensions | 4.9 x 2.4 x 2.3 inches |
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Item Weight | 2.3 pounds |
ASIN | B00114LG7U |
Item model number | FS100 |
Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. |
Customer Reviews |
4.2 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #493,230 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #1,894 in Camcorders |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | Yes |
Date First Available | January 7, 2008 |
Manufacturer | Canon |
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Product Description
From the Manufacturer
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
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the ease of use, video quality, and size of the camcorder. For example, they mention it's easy to operate automatically, takes great videos, and is very good for video shooting. Some appreciate the value for money, saying it'll last a long time. That said, opinions are mixed on quality.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the camcorder easy to use. They mention that it has an easy mode, it operates automatically, and that all functions are easy to maneuver. They also appreciate the SD card format, which is easy to download to computer and makes editing and splicing easy. Customers also mention that the recording was pretty simple.
"...We are thrilled! The kids say the picture is great, it is very easy to operate automatically, yet the capability is there to be creative and..." Read more
"...The menu options on this are pretty simple and the "easy" button makes things, well.. easy...." Read more
"...My wife likes the camera because it has an EASY mode and she feels very comfortable with that feature...." Read more
"...Once I got home, it was fairly easy to transfer to my PC and then burn a DVD. Warning-the manual is terrible...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the camcorder's video quality. They mention that it is better than cell phone quality, it is easy to use, and it takes great videos. Some customers also mention that the cam is great for video shooting, and that the video is crisp and clear.
"...What does that mean? Better videos. The 48x advance zoom is awesome and if you want only the optical at 37x, that is great too...." Read more
"...If you are looking for an inexpensive camcorder that gives great SD quality and does not use tapes then this model should be on your short list...." Read more
"...The quality is very good (standard definition). I highly recommend this camcorder." Read more
"...Contrary to first impressions (below) this camcorder is capable of remarkable video quality - even in EZ mode...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the size of the camcorder. They mention that it's small, compact, and fits in the cup of their hand. The SD card is small and quiet, making it easy to use. Some customers also say that the cam is fun to use and fits the shape of their hands.
"...Oh, and the size is amazing! It literally fits in the cup of your hand, and light weight too!..." Read more
"...And, size - I can hide the camera in the palm of my hand. It's tiny, lightweight, and easy to shoot without getting tired...." Read more
"...This model is very small. I bought a case for it that fits on my belt and I can carry it right next to my digital camera if I want...." Read more
"...Color is absolutely beautiful (wine) and size is smaller than a can of Pepsi and really made to fold into your hands (I have small hands)...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the value of the camcorder. They say it's an excellent camera for the money, the SD cards are getting cheaper every year, and it performs well for the price. Customers also mention that the zoom and SD card make it a great entry-level unit for churches. Overall, customers are happy with the quality and price of the product.
"...Batteries and charging accessories cost a fortune, although SDHC cards are cheap...." Read more
"...taking interviews at parties, cafes and other noisy crowds at a vary cheap price...." Read more
"...This camera is a very good value for the money...." Read more
"...a Disney vacation as I was looking for something simple, small and cheap...." Read more
Customers like the zoom of the camcorder. They say the zoom is amazing, impressive, and clear. They also say the long zoom capability is great for wildlife viewing, and the narrow zoom angle is great. Customers also appreciate the variable adjustable speed and the dedicated microphone.
"...It starts and stops amazingly quick, picks up sound well and the zoom feature, although I have heard others complain, works well...." Read more
"...What does that mean? Better videos. The 48x advance zoom is awesome and if you want only the optical at 37x, that is great too...." Read more
"...Photos: Pro - focal range starts at 1 cm. Cons - no macro preset; max res of 1152x648.Bottom line: Video quality - a bit disappointing...." Read more
"...-Better quality-Good zoom (although surprisingly slower than previous Canons, not by much though)..." Read more
Customers like the sound quality of the camcorder. They say that the sound seems better than their last camera, and is almost noise-free. They also say that audio gain is at their finger tips, and the playback is outstanding.
"...It starts and stops amazingly quick, picks up sound well and the zoom feature, although I have heard others complain, works well...." Read more
"...Auto and manual shutter speed, exposure, focus, and audio gain at your finger tips...." Read more
"...-Blinding LED light!!-No motor noise!CONS:..." Read more
"...The sound seems better than my last camera too, especially the bass response. And the size is great, small enough to carry around all the time...." Read more
Customers like the weight of the camcorder. They mention that it's light weight, and can easily fit in their pocket.
"...It literally fits in the cup of your hand, and light weight too!..." Read more
"...It's tiny, lightweight, and easy to shoot without getting tired...." Read more
"...(since the camera is so tiny and portable that I really wanted to like it)..." Read more
"...I wanted one that was small and portable...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the quality of the camcorder. Some mention that the HD is stunning, it gives good picture and sound, and the viewing was beautiful. However, others say that the video quality is a bit disappointing, the picture quality is kind of low, and that the set key is made of low-quality plastic.
"...We are thrilled! The kids say the picture is great, it is very easy to operate automatically, yet the capability is there to be creative and..." Read more
"...in sunshine, both camcorders performed more or less the same, same image sharpness, colors, etc. No big difference at all...." Read more
"...Simple MenuCONS:Picture quality is kind of low... keep your digital camera for those." Read more
"...It's all Mp4, HD is stunning, even Sony couldn't compare when I blew up the Samsung HD photos on Samsung HD screen...." Read more
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My suggestion is to ignore most of the instructions which Canon provides and keep the software CD's in the box. There's a cute warning attached to the USB cable which warns NOT to connect it without first installing the drivers. I connected it to my MAC running OS-X 10.4 and a warning came on the screen to plug in the AC adapter. Once I did that the camera came right up as a disk drive. The manual warns not to access the folders directly. I did that, too and simply copied them to the local hard drive (more on that in a minute). Then, the camera warned NOT to change modes, or disconnect the USB cable, or disconnect the power. Ok... then, after I dismount the USB drive, how do I unplug the camera :) The manual gives a clue to disconnect the USB first, then power off.
By the way, it's just much, much less hassle to purchase an SDHC/MMC card reader and copy the folders off.
If you wish to mess with iMovie and other specialized software, then I suppose you'll have to keep your file structure proper and follow the manual more closely. I use Final Cut on the Mac, not iMovie, so my first concern was, What is a MOD file and an MOI file? That is what you're left with after you copy your card. The short answer is, toss the MOI files - assuming you are not using the on-camera editing features. I just record and dump to the hard drive and edit with Final Cut.
A MOD file (not to be confused with the music format file) is just an mpeg2 file with audio included. This will confuse some Windows programs which expect the audio in a separate file, so use Media Player Classic. Quicktime on the Mac had no problem playing the file, although you may need to download the MPEG-2 Playback Component. Finally, the aspect ratio setting in a MOD file may not be correct for WideScreen format. You may need Mpeg tools to correct the header if you shoot WideScreen.
Next, Mpeg2 is not an "editable" format like DV. It's about 1/5 the size on my system and a single 4gig card backs up nicely onto a single layer DVD-R. You'll need to do something with the MOD files. My program of choice on the Mac is Visual Hub which is quite reasonably priced shareware. I simply dragged my Canon MOD files to it, selected "DV" and "Ready for Final Cut" and "Start." I was left with DV files ready to edit, although 5x larger. There's even a setting to force 16:9 aspect ratio. The catch is that you'll need to re-encode back to Mpeg2 if you're burning for DVD.
The nice thing is there aren't any tapes to get dirty and wear out. Flash cards may be used hundreds or thousands of times, unlike DV tapes which are used once or twice. The size of files are very small and easily archived, over an hour of video on a single DVD-R of raw footage. But, re-encoding to DV and back to Mpeg2 will sacrifice some quality. I think it's a good trade-off to using a DV recorder since you can do in minutes what it would usually take hours or days.
As for the features of the camcorder, it has an external mic jack. Thank-you Canon. Finally, someone is listening. If you've ever had to record a conversation in a noisy room you will appreciate the ability to use a directional mic. No headphones, but it has an audio meter level display. White balance! Numerous white balance settings as well as manual. Auto and manual shutter speed, exposure, focus, and audio gain at your finger tips. And, an "Easy Mode" for full automatic for those who hate buttons or just need to grab a quick action shot - press "on", press "easy", press "record" and you're recording in seconds. No moving parts except for the lens cap, which is automatic and built-in. No more lost lens cap or one which is smacking into the microphone in the wind while you're recording. And, size - I can hide the camera in the palm of my hand. It's tiny, lightweight, and easy to shoot without getting tired.
As for the not so hot stuff, the recording light is an LED. My old Sony Digital 8 camcorder used a tiny light bulb which appeared as natural light. The LED light is certainly better on the battery but makes everything blue-ish. Battery is internal, nice design but you're stuck with whatever capacity will fit into that size battery bay. Batteries and charging accessories cost a fortune, although SDHC cards are cheap. The built-in microphone will need some acoustic foam glued over it or check around for a strap-on wind sock. No viewfinder, not that I use one very much - you will need to shoot with the LCD open.
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).