VIXIA HF R42
4.7
5
3
3
Can't use CameraAccess on Android 4.1 (Galaxy.S3)
First... The camera is very cool.
This review is just to let potential buyers know that it uses USB 2, not 3, so downloads of large video isn't a fast as it could be.
Secondly, you can't use the WiFi Camera Access app with Android 4.1 or later. It only works with 4.0.
April 19, 2013
Very nice features
Great features! I had the following requirements & it met them all: External microphone option, ability to turn off Auto-focus & do it manually, save to various quality levels of MP4 format, large enough internal storage (add-on cards never perform like on-board storage), ability to record while plugged in.
April 11, 2013
Best Camcorder Ever
The Canon VIXIA HF R42 is the cat's meow.
This camera allows you to add live edits! You can actually add rising bubbles, or draw free hand, or stamp stars, hearts and even change the colors of those objects. I was amazed to see that image overlays were also possible and stunning; frame your video with a nice looking photo album in the background with the video within a picture frame. Date and time can also be placed.
I use mac computers. When connected with usb cable, the camera is smart to use Canon Software when mp4's are being transferred and disk mode (for imovie etc) when AVCHD are viewed. You have the ability on the camera to view internal memory or the SD card and then you can also choose if you want to view AVCHD or mp4 files. Then you connect the camera.
I was surprised that I liked the Canon software (ImageBrowser EX) used to bring in the mp4's and photos. The software was easy to use and can be configured for uploads to youtube, facebook, etc. And you can even remove files from the camcorder using the ImageBrowser EX software.
The low light capability was very impressive. Colors indoors at night with low room lighting (I use LED room lights) were true colors. In a very dark room focus was still sharp. The camcorder surprised me when I zoomed in on some small object from four feet away with decent room lighting: the VIXIA HF R42 went into telefocus macro mode. I was very impressed with the macro telefocus on a paper clip from four feet away. And the touch focus is a useful tool; focus can fix on a point as you move the camera, way cool!
Connecting to an iPad and iPhone is way, way fly! Control the camera's zoom and then record to iPad or to camera. Wow! I live in a brick house with thick, thick plaster walls. I could record and control the camera from within 50 feet or so through two walls. But it couldn’t go through three walls. Connection was easy on the camcorder side. Simply choose wireless icon and then an ssid and password appear on the display. The smartphone sees this new wireless connection and with password, smartphone is connected. The smartphone/tablet immediately sees a beautiful live image with sound. I am waiting for Canon to make this compatible with Android 4.1 and better, then I will really use this feature. It appears only 4.0 is the highest as of this review time (March, 2013.)
Oddly, when the camera is closed, there is a rattle sound inside the camera. When the display is open, the rattle disappears. The rattle is not the display, which appears firmly affixed on its hinge; but the rattle is within the camera itself.
The CMOS is impressive for low light and vivid colors. I also do a lot of work with up-close macro shots; the image is the best I've seen, EVER!
And something I really like is simple, yet profound for me. My last camcorder (Not Canon, but the S company) had ports here, and there, and around here, I was so confused and I had to take the camera off the tripod just to get to the SD card slot (which was needed since computer connectivity was impossible.) But the Canon VIXIA HF R42 was designed with simplicity in mind. Open the display and there are all the ports, save one - the power port is on the opposite side (where it should be.) You have MIC, AV Out (headphone), HDMI, USB, and the SD card slot all nicely hiding behind the display.
I am very pleased with this camcorder and look forward to years of memories and projects being creatively captured with HD video. Again, I hope to use this camera soon with wireless to Android 4.1 and higher.
March 29, 2013
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