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Canon FS200 Flash Memory Camcorder with 37x Optical Zoom (Sunrise Red) Price

I decided to write a review to provide a Mac-user perspective. I needed two cameras for a major research project that I’m doing. Since I didn’t want to break the bank, I decided that the FS200 had the best reviews (Cnet & Amazon) for the price. I use a Macbook Air with the latest version of iMovie. But I also have a PC (with XP) that I generally use just to back up of my movies (in the jpeg-2 format that the Pixella software readily converts it to).

So here’s what I’ve found …
The Pixella software that comes with the camera is not compatible with the Mac - it says that on the INSIDE top of the box. But that’s really not an issue since (as others have noted) it’s not all that great to begin with. I have had issues with trying to use a card reader to transfer movies from the FS200 to the Mac - dealing with the .MOD and .MOI files have been a nightmare. However, if you import the movies directly from the camera into iMovie then you can use iMovie to convert the files to ones that you would normally use. I need Quicktime format - but there’s nothing quick about it. The length of time it takes to convert depends on the length of the movie and the quality that you are seeking. It took nearly 6 hours to convert at the best quality and for a movie that is about 80 minutes long. Changing the quality and the amount of pass-throughs during conversion have managed to reduce the time to almost 3 hours. I have even tried to use my PC to transfer the movies and then use the PC Quicktime version to convert to Quicktime movie mode. However, Quicktime simply doesn’t deal with jpeg-2 movies. It has the ability to playback the movies (without sound) when you buy the jpeg-2 feature (~20 bucks) but that does no good when one needs sound.

As far as quality of video is concerned, I have used much more expensive cameras and I really see little difference for my needs. But I’m not producing any feature-length films either. As others have noted the quality seems to decrease as the lighting intensity decreases. The internal mic picks up sound pretty good and the battery life gives about 200 minutes on a full charge. I use 16GB memory cards and get about 9 hours (on LP mode) of recording time. The nice thing about the camera is that it is pretty user friendly and has the option of the external mic feature. I don’t have anything to say about the photo capability and quality - I didn’t buy it to take pictures.

My one complaint is that I cannot find where a time stamp feature is located - if there is one at all. I like to have the time explicitly noted on the actual video during playback (not only while it is recording). That would make it the best little camera for me and I would recommend it completely.

Feature

• Record video directly to a removable SDHC memory card
• Genuine Canon lens with 41x Advanced Zoom, 37x optical zoom and 2000x digital zoom
• Digic DV II image processor
• Widescreen HR recording, Dual Shot Mode and Image Stabilizer
• Ultra-sleek, lightweight design allows you to take your camcorder with you anywhere

Overview

The Canon FS200 Flash Memory camcorder letsyou capture stunning video directly to SDHC memorycards, and share memories quickly and easily. Plus, theCanon FS200 features Canons 41x Advanced Zoom toget you closer to the action and DIGIC DV II ImageProcessor which reproduces images with vivid color andstunning clarity. For lifes bumps and jumps, theres anImage Stabilizer to make your shots rock-steady.Pre-Record lets you capture video 3 seconds before youpress the record button, so you will never miss a preciousmoment. And Video Snapshot Mode allows you tocreate a series of 4-second video clips with music thatare perfect for sharing. Ultra-sleek and lightweight, theCanon FS200 is lightning fast and stylishly designed. So exercise your options. Go for thecamcorder that gives you real choice–the Canon FS200.Canon USA 1-year limited warranty included.

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Customer Reviews

Junk - K. Odom - Yuba City, Ca. United States
I dont understand all the good reviews on this item, I have been messing with this thing for some time now and just found a program that can convert the .mod nightmare to any format,and it works great. Only problem is when you transfer the file to an external hard drive for storage other than the sd card played through the camcorder the playback looks awful.The camcorder also takes pretty bad pictures. I’m disappointed with Canon to have made a product such as this. I was thinking of purchasing the canon sd 1200 for pics but that might be a bad idea. I think I will go with the Panasonic zs1 or zs3. To bad they left quality behind in electronic evaluation.

HOW TO DEAL WITH CANON’S PESKY .MOD FILE - A. Dutton - Washington, DC
I LIKE this camera. It turns on quickly, and takes decent video for a standard definition video camera. It’s compact, light weight, and easy to carry around. The fact that it records to SD cards is what sold me.

BUT…..man, that .mod codec is FRUSTRATING!!!! I spent weeks trying to work with it…trying to import it into Windows Movie Maker to no avail…trying to view my video files on Windows Media Maker. I researched all the information I could find about the .mod codec, and how it’s some type of modified MPEG2 with an AC3 audio codec.

Why the heck did Canon do this?

Well…I have stumbled across free on line editing software that seems to work great with the Canon FS200 mod files. It’s called “Video Pad” video editor by an outfit called NCH software. It was a free download, and if you know how to use Windows Movie Maker, the Video Pad software will probably seem intuitive. Now I’m importing mod files, editing them, and spitting them out as .wmv, .avi, and other popular formats that work with Windows Media, Youtube, etc.

I don’t know why the Video Pad software is free. I hope it isn’t a trial version that disappears in 30 days, or is only good for 100 uses, or so. I don’t think it is a trial version….I have’t seen a watermark or anything that would indicate that.

Anyhow…life is good now that I have this fully functional editing software, and with it, the camera is much more of a useful tool for storing media digitally, and pushing it out to friends electronically.

great camera - S. Cotton - WV
This is a great camcorder. It is easy to use and the pictures are great. Reccommend it to anyone
Product Information : Jan 26, 2010 03:45:08

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 at 5:45 pm and is filed under Canon.You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.