Canon VIXIA HF R500 Video Camera, 3-Inch LCD

This is truly a very excellent camcorder. My last camcorder was a Sony ES900 which was 20 years ago and was tape driven. But with technology changing and the fact that I need something simple I can use for my YouTube channel, this caught my attention. I can just record onto an SD card and then put the card into my new HP TouchSmart computer while I easily copy the recording as a mp4 file onto my desktop. From there I can load it into Windows Movie maker, make my additions and edits, publish a final and then load onto my YouTube channel when doing my YouTube addresses. The battery took only about an hour to charge. The SD 64 card, which you have to buy separately, can record up to 8.5 hours of recording material and the battery it comes with is good for two hours of recording time. You can also plug the camera into a outlet power source if you don’t want to use the battery.

I don’t need that much for my needs, but I printed the 200 page instruction manual offered by Canon and as I perused through the manual, I noticed this camera has a lot to offer. You should check out the Canon site and download the manual to get a full insight to what this camera can do. Here is the link:

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/support/consumer/camcorders/high_definition_camcorders/vixia_hf_r500#BrochuresAndManuals

This works very well under low and normal lighting conditions. Very intuitive design. The quick start guide gets you going fast enough and when you download the pdf file of the 200 page full manual, you learn this camera is a little power house with all it can do. I thought of buying the lesser version for $100 less, but as I kept reading on the Canon line of cameras and even the Sony brands; while comparing on the net between the various major stores over a few weeks of reading, I decided to go with this one for the money. I knew what I needed and for me this camera meets those expectations. So far so good. No complaints and no problems with the technology. I’m more than satisfied.

I also bought the accessory package sold on Amazon.com: Here is the link:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0073AVSKG/ref=pe_861660_118320330_fxm_4_0_n_id

You’ll save money buying all the extras as a package deal. The only problem is the long legged tripod, which nis a bit flimsy in my experience with tripods. I bought an all aluminum tripod 30 years ago for $50 and it is still with me today. It is a very sturdy tripod too, but then again $50 bought a lot more than it does today, as the value of the dollar keeps diminishing in its purchase power over time. Such is capitalism with our FIAT currency system in the world. Otherwise it’s a good deal.

This camera does not come with an SD card, like I said earlier. You’ll need to buy one. I bought the SD64 which can record 8.5 hours worth of recording time onto it and which is more than enough to meet my needs. I can easily download the contents to my computer in the form of mp4 files and clear the SD card easy enough to make fresh recordings using the VIXIA HF R500 anyway.

All of it will fit into the camera bag that comes with that package kit I mentioned, except for the tripod. I even bought a stereo lavalier mic for interviews. That all fits into the bag including an 30 foot extension cord for the mic. Not bad for the money I spent.

I also bought the 4 year Smart Guard extended warranty to safeguard my investment. I do this with all my computers and I would recommend it. I eventually have to send my computers in for work from normal wear and tear over time and even with a 2 or 4 year warranty plan, the plans pay for themselves in the end. I expect to have this camcorder for at least 4 years, unless I drop dead and at my age that could happen. (chuckling). However, if I live so long, then I have the added protection if the camcorder gets damaged or through wear and tear, needs repairs.

Oh, one other thing that was not made obvious in the product write up, the lens is protected by a built-in mechanical flip down screen. All you do is flip a side switch and the metal protector retracts which hides the lens, revealing the lens. It keeps the lens protected, so make sure to use it to keep your lens protected when you are not using the camera. Makes me think of some an old German 35mm still cameras I owned some 40 years ago and boy where those cameras built. I still have a few today I keep in my possession. Not saying this is built to those hard standards, but the flap retract technique reminds me of the older German cameras from my youth. I mention this, because I wondered why I did not see any mention of a camera cover for the lens when I was reading up on the Canon camcorders. The reason is it is built in.

Also this camera will hook up to a standard tripod screwing method. It has 3.5 mm jacks for both a headset and external mic in case you want to do interviews with it, using an external lavalier mic, which is what I’ll be using mine for to help me with my YouTube channel work. You’ll find both plugs when you open up the flip screen located on the side of the camera. I mention the 3.5 mm jacks, because that was not made clear in the write up on the camcorder. The mic jack is also stereo too, not mono. So make sure to buy a stereo mic with the 3.5 mm jack. Here is the URL concerning the lavalier mic I bought for this camera and it is a low cost stereo mic with a great sound recording ability. Great value for the money. Nice for the prices I might add.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HHZUXKI/ref=cfb_at_prodpg

Hope I mentioned some things not mentioned in the write up or by others you found helpful.

PS: If you want to see and hear an example of what this camera can do, go to this YouTube link I just did, using all the equipment I talk about in this review. Notice how nice the sound is using the lavalier microphone I provided the link to and the quality of the video?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-UuKp-wnx4

***Update*** Here is a video with my complete rig using the Canon Vixia HF R500 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMuhWBgKnGQ

I researched for a few months looking for the right camera to do remote reporter type work. This camera does it all in a low priced package. I combined it with a Tacstar SGC-598 shotgun mic, and a Chromo Inc.® 160 LED CI-160 Dimmable Ultra High Power Panel led light and mounted it on a Heavy Duty Photography L Bracket . Then I bought a set of Sennheiser HD 202 II Professional Headphones. For under $400 I was able to get a complete remote setup to handle anything I needed. This camera is a powerhouse. The video is phenomenal. The controls are a dream with the touch screen.

For those that have had bad luck or were not satisfied with this camera I am sorry. But for those that understand at this price point what you are capable of getting this camera rocks the chart.

Pros –

Mic jack, Headphone jack, hdmi out that allows you to use a monitor or tv “while” you are recording, audio on screen meter, volume input controls, tons of manual options, 1080p 60 fps, also does 720p which is great if you want to make videos for YouTube.

Cons-

Hard to see touch screen in 12 noon bright sun. (I can deal with that)

If you are looking in this price range then you need to stop right now and forget the rest. This is your camera. I posted a picture in user submitted with my camera setup. Hope this review helps.