Tech Gadgets
When your life is full of great moments and events, you need to have around a good feature camcorder. If you are familiar with Canon FS100 Camcorder, then you should already know that the new Canon FS200 Camcorder is the FS100 model upgraded. In general, an upgrade (or refresh) is the process of renewing an old model. Basically the refreshed model (like the FS200) is not a new model; it is just the succeeded in line to the old model (FS100). The manufacturer will improve the already good features and diminish the product drawbacks (at least hypothetical, because this is the hardest part in an upgrade). The Canon FS200 Camcorder is an upgrade (a minor one), still sporting great portability, microphone jack, headphone jack, and a full range of color settings.
For only $299.99 to $329.95, you will understand that the Canon FS200 Camcorder is an excellent product for its price range. Unfortunately, the FS200 is not really photogenic. Sure you can look it up online, but it will probably not say much. Once you will have it in your hand you will be shocked to see how small and light the FS200 Camcorder is. The dimensions are indeed remarkable for a camcorder. With a height of 5.84 cm (2.3 inches), wide of 5.59 cm (2.2 inches), deep of 12.19 cm (4.8 inches), the FS200 weights about 223.94 g (7.9 oz).
On the front cover (if you can call it cover), the Canon FS200 sports the camera lens. In the right bottom corner you can observe the video light, and to the left of this light you can find the microphone (built in). On the back cover, the FS200 sports a click wheel which will help you select between three available modes: still, dual shot, and video. In the center of this click wheel you can find the red action key with both purposes (start and stop). On the right side you will get the C power port, while on the left you can find the 2.7 inches display and under the display you will get the whole command station. You get a large joystick, two buttons (for displaying information, and immediate video recording), and three ports.
The zoom scroll and the still photo key are situated on top of the Canon FS200, while the memory card slot and the battery port are included on the bottom of the FS200. The overall design not only looks good, but also feels solid. The case is a little glossy, but in a good way. It resist to fingerprints and scratches because of the materials used.
The FS200 records excellent quality video in MPEG-2 encoding (files will have mod extension). It is strange why Canon didn't provide the nowadays standard encoding (MPEG-4 AVC / H.264). You are allowed to choose from three recording compression, LP 3 MB per second, SP 6MB per second and XP 9 MB per second. The Canon FS200 camcorder delivers excellent videos recorded in broad daylight. For an entry level price, this model offers a great lens package. You get a zoom ratio of 41x advanced zoom, with 37x optical zoom, and 2000x digital zoom. Also the zoom speed is variable (even if the FS200 sports a 3xzoom fixed speed). The focal length found on the FS200 lens is f = 2.9 - 96.2 mm (35 mm equivalent: 45.8 - 1695 mm, advanced zoom off), with an aspect rotation of 16 to 9. The Canon FS200 camcorder features a 2.7 inches widescreen color LCD with approximate 123.000 pixels.
The screen is great not only when you record videos, but also when you playback videos. All the videos recorded are saved directly onto the SDHC memory card. The best solution for the device, would be the SDHC 32 GB memory card. In LP mode, you can record up to 20 hours and 50 minutes, in SP mode you can record up to 11 hours and 5 minutes, while in the highest mode (XP), you can record up to 7 hours and 20 minutes. You don't get a remarkable connectivity with the FS200. Sure, it features AV (composite), USB (2.0 port), microphone input, headphones jack shared with AV out, card slow and DC power, but it lacks HDMI port, Fire Wire, S Video, LANC and others. Canon FS200 camcorder can also take still photos. However, it lacks optical image stabilization, but otherwise the FS200 does a remarkable job.
With a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels, the photos have a good quality, and a high detail rendering. You get a medium white balance setting (auto, manual, tungsten, and daylight), but also programmed modes (auto, fireworks, program, spotlight, TV, sunset, sports, beach, night, and snow). Canon included in the FS200 the BP 808 battery pack. Because the FS200 sports a closed battery slot, you will not be able to fit extra battery packs. The FS200 menu is not exactly user friendly.
You get to many entry levels on one page. It is not a neat menu. You need so much attention, to learn all the details that should just have been included in a sub menu. Canon ships the FS200 along with the battery pack, wrist strap, USB interface cable, stereo video cable, compact power adapter, music CD, editing software, and digital video solution disk. Overall, the Canon FS200 camcorder is an obvious choice for anyone that wants excellent video and still pictures in a small product (easy to handle), with no other high features for less than $350.
