CANON VIXIA HG21

What should i be looking for in a HD Camcorder?

I am looking in to getting a HD camcorder in the next few weeks and im not sure what spec. i should be looking for when looking for HD camcorders. I will be getting some professional usage out of the camcorder. Including short films and music videos. At this point in my career i wont be looking at the large shoulder cams until the demand calls for it, right now im looking more in to the HD Handy cams. I am currently looking in to purchasing the Sony HDR-SR12 or the Canon VIXIA HG21 or the Panasonic HDC-HS100. I am certain that i need the camcorder to be able to use an external mic and an external light, with a possible option of interchangeable lenses. Any advice at to what technical specs that i should be paying attention to would be more then helpful. Thank you In advance.

With the problems associated with hard drive based camcorders – it is well known they cannot handle vibration (loud music, loud crouds, loud engines, loud anything), have high altitude (low air pressure will cause the hard drive heads to remain parked) problems over 9,800 feet, data recovery issues (non-removable memory), extra steps to make data file archives, HDD camcorders are not generally recommended – and are not typically used by real professionals.

Flash memory and miniDV tape do not share the problems HDD camcorders have. Flash memory uses AVCHD compression – an in its current implementation, this is very anemic. Hopefully the camcorder manufacturers resolve this. I strongly suggest you look at miniDV tape based camcorders which record to DV and HDV:

Consumer grade (small lenses and small imaging chips = poor lowlight behavior; only 1/8″ mic jack requires using BeachTeck or juicedLink XLR adapter for pro-mics; need camera bracket for mounting accessories):
Canon HV30
Sony HDR-HC9

Prosumer (bigger lenses and imaging chips results in much better low light performance; only 1/8″ mic jack requires using BeachTeck or juicedLink XLR adapter for pro-mics):
Sony HDR-FX1, HDR-FX1000

Pro (XLR mic jacks, big lenses, big imaging chips):
Canon XHA1
Sony HVR-V1U, Z1U, Z7U
Panasonic HDX200 series, HDX300 series

Yes, I shoot music videos.

Canon Vixia HG21 HD/720p Stereo and movement TEST 2.

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Canon VIXIA HG21 Camcorder Memory Card 8GB (SDHC) Secure Digital High Capacity Class 4 Flash Card $28.95 8GB (SDHC) Secure Digital High Capacity Class 4 Flash Card...

Battery for Canon ZR 600 (1360 mAh, DENAQ) $17.90 Capacity: 1360mAh Voltage: 7.4V Compatible Parts: BP-2L12, BP-2L14...

Canon VIXIA HV40 HG21 HG10 DC410 DC310 HV30 DVD Camcorder Canon ZR960 MiniDV dc220 dc320 dc100 dc210 Camcorder Case Bag Messager Bag $49.99 Gadget Explorer Camcorder Case SLRC-2 fits flash camcorder, DVD camcorder, HD Camcorder with lenses and accessories. Ashelves and flexible walls provides the ultimate impact protection and positions camera for quick access. Impact-resistant base protects your hardware from moisture and toppling over. Dedicated camera space helps prevent loss or damage of accessories during frequent removal or acce...

Canon VISIA HF200 HFS100 FS200 HF20 FS10 HF10 FS200 HFS10 FS11 HF100 FS21 HF11 FS100 FS22 Flash Memory Camcorder Case Camcorder Bag Message Bag $49.99 Gadget Explorer Camcorder Case SLRC-2 fits flash camcorder, DVD camcorder, HD Camcorder with lenses and accessories. Ashelves and flexible walls provides the ultimate impact protection and positions camera for quick access. Impact-resistant base protects your hardware from moisture and toppling over. Dedicated camera space helps prevent loss or damage of accessories during frequent removal or acce...

Camcorder Bag Canon Flash Memory Camcorder MiniDV Camcorder Canon DVD Camcorder Canon VIXIA Camcorder Case Message Bag $49.99 Gadget Explorer Camcorder Case SLRC-2 fits flash camcorder, DVD camcorder, HD Camcorder with lenses and accessories. Ashelves and flexible walls provides the ultimate impact protection and positions camera for quick access. Impact-resistant base protects your hardware from moisture and toppling over. Dedicated camera space helps prevent loss or damage of accessories during frequent removal or acce...

Canon BP-827 Lithium Ion Battery Pack for Vixia HG, HF S & HF M Camcorders $105.00 Canon Battery Pack BP-827 for the HG20 and HG21 Camcorder. Also works with VIXIA HF S10 Dual Flash Memory and the VIXIA HG20 Hard Disk Drive...

Canon VIXIA HG21 AVCHD 120 GB HDD Camcorder with 12x Optical Zoom $1,299.00 The Canon HG21 AVCHD Hard Disk Drive camcorder sets a new standard for High Definition, delivering optimal image quality, long shooting times along with the extraordinary ease and versatility when viewing video on television or a computer. Capture amazing HD video with even greater detail and color reproduction with its innovative 24Mbps capability, and the addition of a video-capable SDHC card sl...

Deluxe 57 Camera Tripod with Carrying Case For The Canon VIXIA HF S10, HF S100, HF200, HF20, HF11, HF100, HF10, HG21, HG20 Flash Memory Camcorders $14.49 The Digital Concepts TR-60N Camera Tripod is designed for most film and digital cameras as well as camcorders. Featuring a quick-release plate that makes it a breeze to switch to handheld shooting and a professional grip for fluid 3-way panning and tilt, the TR-60N lets you capture images from any angle you can imagine. The tripod can extend to a height of 55 inches when in use, and collapse to ju...

Canon VIXIA HD Camcorder Digital Field Guide $6.48 The exciting world of HD video is in your hands Your Canon VIXIA HD camcorder delivers crisp video and still images with eye-catching, brilliant colors, enabling you to create amazing video works of art. To help you get all that your camcorder has to offer, this convenient, portable guide shows you how to use the various modes, settings, and features, but that's not all. It also provides an ove...