Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
Sometimes less is more . Take , for example , the Canon Vixia HF M40 camcorder . The camera pluck some feature of speech found in Canon ’s 2010 M - serial camcorders , but the most significant modification is a slightly expectant image detector with considerably fewer pixels . That red ink of pixels provides the camera ’s biggest gain .
The photographic camera ’s 1/3 - in CMOS detector uses 1920 - by-1080 pixels to catch video . That ’s only two megapixels , only two - third of the three megapixels found on Canon ’s likewise price 2010 camcorders and an even little fraction of some other camcorder . The low pixel counting would block a still camera ’s performance , but it ’s incisively the number necessitate for a full HD image . By quash the full identification number of pixels , each pixel can be bigger and therefore can get hit by more photon . In theory , using fully grown pixel should give the tv camera better low-spirited - light performance and greater active orbit . In practice session , it does .
Superior video quality
Even in dumb visible light , the HF M40 captures a eminent - quality television image ; it does n’t give color truth or overcrank gain and consequent disturbance . Under normal light stipulation , HD telecasting shows splendid color and pungency , very good exposure control , and smooth move . The camera ’s impressive dynamical range preserves detail in both phantom and highlights rather than quickly clipping to bleak or lily-white .
The camcorder entrance picture at 60 interlaced field of force per 2d ( 60i ) . The camera lacks a true progressive mode , instead recording 24p and 30p images onto a 60i stream . Canon ’s higher - price camcorders leave lawful reform-minded transcription ; we ’d like to see that potentiality sum to camcorders at the HF M40 ’s monetary value , but the current access only minimally degrade range of a function . Overall , the HF M40 produce the best video range we ’ve find out from a camcorder of its price .
The camera show picture as AVCHD files at data point rates up to 24Mbps , the format ’s maximum . Since most current video redaction program such as iMovie ’ 11 ( ) , Final Cut Pro X ( ) , and Adobe Premiere Pro CS5.5 support AVCHD , editing stuff encoded in the format no longer require unwarranted effort .
Good image control
Camera control condition options range from fully automatic to mostly manual . In Auto mode , the camera controls everything other than lense zoom . Eleven view modes ( for instance , portraiture , play , beach ) give you some control over the trope , with the camera stage setting functions such as profit and whitened residuum . 24p Cinema Mode emulate the bod rate and warm tonic options of theatrical films . A manual mode provides flock of range control condition , but want labour into the television camera ’s menu scheme .
A sizable complement of features such as backlight rectification , focus and exposure trailing , and image stabilization simplify capturing video under a all-inclusive variety of shape . The television camera provide a circle of tools ; subdue the HF M40 postulate investing a small clip take the exploiter manual of arms and work with the television camera .
16 GB of intragroup flashbulb computer memory holds from 85 arcminute to six minute of telecasting , depending on compression preferences . Two card slot permit additional transcription onto SDXC memory board card . The supplied 890mAh lithium - ion battery runs in record modality for about two hours , sufficient for typical users . Canon trade a 1780mAh bombardment for $ 120 . A 3.5 mm laborer support external microphones .
Small quibbles
The HF M40 is not all Pixar movies and popcorn . The 10x rapid growth lens system execute adequately and has a 35mm - equivalent focal stove from 43.6 mm to 436 mm . We would favor a wide short oddment , say 30 mm or so . The headphone jack exercise in manual and automatic modes , but not in Cinema Mode . The television camera lacks a viewfinder . The built - in microphone captures exculpated auditory sensation , but the wind filter falls short . Still photos show practiced colour and sharpness , and look honorable enough for partake on Facebook or as small prints . But the two - megapixel resolving lags far below what you get in even a modestly price still television camera .
You get at the television camera ’s features through a 3.0 - column inch LCD mite silver screen . The screen door and menu organization functions sufficiently well , but is neither as reactive nor as visceral as an iPhone . These are all quiddity , not deal breaker , but they point to the biggest challenge facing the HF M40 and every mid - degree camcorder .
Macworld’s buying advice
Dedicated HD camcorder like the HF M40 are getting tweet between the increasingly satisfactory video capabilities of smartphones and the fussy - but - pretty television functioning of DSLRs . But today there ’s still a sound - sized niche for somewhat priced HD camcorders ; the good ones aggregate ease of employment , flexibility , and hunky-dory video image quality . The Canon Vixia HF M40 , with its TV - specific CMOS image sensor , is a very good one . In fact , the Canon Vixia HF M40 is presently the best mid - priced HD camcorder we ’ve tested .
[ Jim Feeley is a video producer and author establish in Northern California . ]
