Camcorders forum: Canon Vixia HF20 or HF11?

The newer image processor is a big factor in how the overall image turns out. The longer zoom would be nice as well for those far-away shots. The more light you can have in a dimly-lit room, the result is better image quality and less noise.

Canon is well-known and highly-regarded reputation for optical excellence, advanced image processing, superb performance and technological innovation, built on legendary photographic and broadcast television lenses.

The Canon Vixia HFS100 has a:
Dimensions - (W X H X D) 2.8 W x 2.7 H x 5.4 D
Filter Diameter - 58mm
Flash - Built-in
Focal Length f=6.4
Image Stabilization - SuperRange Optical
LCD Screen - 2.7-inch Multi-Angle Vivid widescreen color LCD
Max Shutter Speed - Movie 1/2000, Still image 1/500
Recording Media - SDHC Memory Card
Total Pixels - Approx. 8.59 Megapixels
Video recording system - MPEG4-AVC / H.264

So maybe i'll choose this one..

Thanks to everyone for all the inputs in avsforum and across the internet, especially camcorderinfo.com, testfreaks.com,camcorder-test.slashcam.com and other sites like vimeo, for all the efforts people have taken to post the screenshots, MTS and/or MPG files for comparisons.

I ordered the HF11 online for $700. I then went to Best Buy and with their permission, compared it with both HF20 and HFS10 display models with exactly the same settings (60i).

I focused specifically on the home theater section of the Best Buy which was very dimly lit.

I was surprised at how way superior HF11 was. There is absolutely no confusion now in mind that HF11 beats both HF20 and HFS10 when it comes to this aspect. camcorderinfo.com's reading of HFS10's low light noise is better than HF11, but in reality, HF11 doesn't seem comparable at all. I don't know why though. I am convinced there is a clear reason why camcorderinfo.com rated HF11 the best of 2008.

Hope this helps others. I know HF10/HF100 would have been a more economical choice but I only found HF11 available in reliable(no headaches) stores at the moment.

I don't know if it is normal but HF11 seems to be generating a bit of warmth to sometimes bordering hot/heat, not sure if this is normal for HD camcorders especially the ones processing at 24mbps. Anyone has any inputs on this? Is this normal? Early response is appreciated as I have 14 days to exchange it for a different piece if it is not normal.