Canon HF S10

Click the link below. Brings you to the thread on scubaboard, which has links to vimeo and youtube videos.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/underwate...test-video.html

This page compares the Sony 520, Canon HFS10, Sony HC9:

http://camcorder-test.slashcam.com/compare...c9de761e69.html

On other forums I read that several tests on that sites seems to be very biased.

I prefer camcorderinfo for reliability.

On other forums I read that several tests on that sites seems to be very biased.

 

I prefer camcorderinfo for reliability.

biased? based on what? can you link the threads? i'd be interested to read them. thanks.

was browsing camcorderinfo as well looking at the new canon vs the sony. it seems camcorderinfo is giving the low-light edge to the sony as well:

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Sony-...Comparison.htm#

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Canon...Performance.htm

these comparisons are based at the 60i frame rate. it looks like the Canon does quite a bit better at the alternate frame rates that it has as an option, however, they mention that you can get a choppy or sluggish effect at those frame rates. would be curious to see a sample of footage at that frame rate to judge for myself.

Of note they mention how much darker the Canon image is in low-light at the baseline 60i rate as compared to the Sony. This is pretty obvious if you look at the low-lux sample screen captures taken from the German website review that I linked to earlier above.

One thing that I don't like about the Canon is the noise level that it is showing at low light levels. The test shots at camcorderinfo seem to clearly favor the sony on this and low-light color. I believe they put low-light sensitivity on par.

The impression that I get from Camcorderinfo is that neither the Canon nor the Sony is stellar at low-light performance, but that the Sony delivers better low-light performance, particularly in terms of color and noise levels.

So BOTH the german website and camcorderinfo say the Sony 520 is a better low-light camera than the new Canon. So for my needs at least, I think the Sony is probably looking like the better dive camera. Remember, however, that from my perspective good low-light performance makes or breaks the types of shots that I like to take - at depth (i.e. not generally in the 0-20 fsw range) and filming subjects outside of the useful range of lights (10 feet? or so).

would be interested in hearing some input from others on this! agree? disagree?

biased? based on what? can you link the threads? i'd be interested to read them. thanks.

Hi Lemon,

I reviewed my link and I made a mistake

the site is Infosyncworld.

On http://www.videomakers.net (the biggest italian forum about video technique) many user were complaining about a lot of differencies between tests on infosyncworld and camcorderinfo.

Complaints were about Canon review and expecially about the new Panasonic TM300: Camcorderinfo rates it as probably the best camcorder of 2009 while infosyncworld tears apart it.

Sorry about that

One sad notice on Sony 520 is the absence of C-Lank control.

Once I have a Sony housing c-Lank controls and had upgrade from analog cams to the new HD (HC3) cam, just adding a DY slate.

Sony decided to discontinue the c-Lank on the new 520. Asked the sony representative and told me the IR control do not operate all the camera setings.

The way to go is mechanical controls housings.

It is a shame once the low light camera profile is adequate for underwater video and exists a lot of c-lank based housings all around, like mangrove h. for sony video cameras.

A downgrade waypoint tech I think. Maybe sony wants to give a chance to my next upgrade to canon S10?

Hi Lemon,

I reviewed my link and I made a mistake

the site is Infosyncworld.

 

On http://www.videomakers.net (the biggest italian forum about video technique) many user were complaining about a lot of differencies between tests on infosyncworld and camcorderinfo.

Complaints were about Canon review and expecially about the new Panasonic TM300: Camcorderinfo rates it as probably the best camcorder of 2009 while infosyncworld tears apart it.

 

Sorry about that

thanks for the link! yes, it seems the panasonic is getting great reviews. i wonder if anyone will make a housing for it?

Hi everyone,

What is the best SDHC card type for using with this camera? I am comparing this vs the Sony XR520 which has HDD built in.

Obviously the bigger/faster it is the better! But do you need to go to a class 6 card, or is a class 4 fast enough? (Class 4 is the minimum that Canon recommend). Is it just a matter of speed for downloading into the computer, or can it affect the performance of recording? It seems hard to find class 6 32GB cards.

Also, a little off topic but still related... Which editing software can you drag and drop the files from the SDHC card onto the PC and then just start editing with the software? (rather than import at live playing speed?)

Thanks for any tips you may have. I'm coming from 8 years of using tape, so need some advice.

I picked up an HF S10 the other day (keep selling the one I get for myself). Although I wont be taking it underwater while out here in the Azores, I will get to play with the cam alot, and hopefully get some topside video of Sperm Whales...but more importantly actually get a little time to play with the camera. L&M is shipping their housing starting the week of the 15th!! Very exciting!!

I hear the Pano Tm300 is an awesome camera. A friend of mine keeps talking it up, I hear its a heck of a 3 chip camera for the buck. Anyone get their hands on one yet?

I picked up an HF S10 the other day (keep selling the one I get for myself). Although I wont be taking it underwater while out here in the Azores, I will get to play with the cam alot, and hopefully get some topside video of Sperm Whales...but more importantly actually get a little time to play with the camera. L&M is shipping their housing starting the week of the 15th!! Very exciting!!

 

I hear the Pano Tm300 is an awesome camera. A friend of mine keeps talking it up, I hear its a heck of a 3 chip camera for the buck. Anyone get their hands on one yet?

Hi Mike,

I am thinking about the L & M Housing for this. Do you know what the story is with control on the L & M housing? White Balance etc? Also have you heard what the specs are for the WA Lenses?

I am thinking about the L & M Housing for this. Do you know what the story is with control on the L & M housing? White Balance etc?

I'm not Mike, but I think he is on vacation, so I'll jump in here.

The housing has Mechanical Controls that access the on/off button, the custom button, and the custom dial.

The Right Electronic Grip accesses REC, Zoom, Function Button, and the Set Button.

The Left Electronic Grip accesses IR Control of the lights, UP, Down, Left, and Right Arrows on the joystick.

My plan is to run exposure on the left handle, changed via the left & righ arrows.

I have AF/MF assigned to the custom button, allowing me to toggle focus with that mechanical control. If I need true manual focus ability is is there w/ three button pushes on the left electronic handle, or by the custom dial mechanically.

The Func. button (right handle) remembers your last menu tab, so assuming your last operation was a one push white balance, this is a two button press execution (Func., Then Set).

This is a very, very functional housing.

Also have you heard what the specs are for the WA Lenses?

They are in development, but no specs have been released yet.

I'm not Mike, but I think he is on vacation, so I'll jump in here.

 

The housing has Mechanical Controls that access the on/off button, the custom button, and the custom dial.

 

The Right Electronic Grip accesses REC, Zoom, Function Button, and the Set Button.

 

The Left Electronic Grip accesses IR Control of the lights, UP, Down, Left, and Right Arrows on the joystick.

 

My plan is to run exposure on the left handle, changed via the left & righ arrows.

I have AF/MF assigned to the custom button, allowing me to toggle focus with that mechanical control. If I need true manual focus ability is is there w/ three button pushes on the left electronic handle, or by the custom dial mechanically.

 

The Func. button (right handle) remembers your last menu tab, so assuming your last operation was a one push white balance, this is a two button press execution (Func., Then Set).

 

This is a very, very functional housing.

 

 

 

They are in development, but no specs have been released yet.

Thanks heaps for this info!

The housing sounds great for all those manual controls! Very functional!!

I guess it's a waiting game on the WA Lenses. Hopefully it won't be too long, as I need to pull the trigger in the next 6 weeks, and it's either this or the Sony XR520 Light & Motion housing, but I really need the Fathom 110 lens for the Sony (or equivalent for this housing). Waiting, waiting, waiting...

I am really leaning this way from a "control of the camera" and "not loosing everything if a HDD fails or housing leaks" point of view.

But totally depends on when it's all available and specs/design on the lenses.

Hey Ryan, I wouldn't call it Vacation, its work!! hahaha. But since the weather is crappy, we cant get out to film Sperm Whales, so Im able to hop on here.

Ryan got all your questions answered I believe. Let us know if you have any more. The Housing is available in the next week or two. I believe our shipment is scheduled to ship out from L&M sometime next week. So they are available in plenty of time (housings anyway). If you must have the WA for your trip, the XR 520 might be the way to go. As of now, no lead time on the WA lens. I know L&M as well as Gates are both working with Fathom to get a lens to fit this camera.

Hey Ryan, I wouldn't call it Vacation, its work!! hahaha. But since the weather is crappy, we cant get out to film Sperm Whales, so Im able to hop on here.

 

Ryan got all your questions answered I believe. Let us know if you have any more. The Housing is available in the next week or two. I believe our shipment is scheduled to ship out from L&M sometime next week. So they are available in plenty of time (housings anyway). If you must have the WA for your trip, the XR 520 might be the way to go. As of now, no lead time on the WA lens. I know L&M as well as Gates are both working with Fathom to get a lens to fit this camera.

Also found out that the L & M Bluefin Pro HF S10 housing can't have a flip macro lens, as the diameter of the camera lens is to big. And the WA lenses won't be here until September, so XR520 it is I'm afraid!

It's a pity, as I think the reliability of SDHC Cards rather than HDD is an advantage, and the control on the housing for the Canon is awesome, plus the camera itself is at least as good as the Sony, but with a couple of (smallish) advantages.

It's incredibly hard to get a perfect setup in a compact travel freindly system, but L & M seem to have come super close with this latest round of models of the Bluefin Pro!

I guess it comes down to what is more important to you, but that Macro flip lens means you can shoot either super Macro or super wide angle on the one dive, and that is awesome underwater!

I was kinda hoping we would be seeing some uw video with the HF S10 by now. Help us out guys!

Our housing shipment is on its way. Im taking it out ASAP when it arrives.

Excellent! Looking forward to some video and your thoughts on the set-up.

I was kinda hoping we would be seeing some uw video with the HF S10 by now. Help us out guys!

What he said!

Ok two things.

1. L&M confirmed yesterday that Fathom has committed to making a 80-90 degree port and a 100-110 degree port for the HF S10 housing!!

2. Ill be spending next weekend over at Catalina diving and testing the HF S10 in the LM housing. If anyone is local in Southern Cal and would like to come out and join me to play with this new bad boy, let me know!! Ill be diving one day at Casino Point and another day aboard the King Neptune.

Here is the latest specs on the Fathom 100 degree port as just released by Light & Motion:

Details are:

Finished optical design of a 100 deg FOV lens for S-10:

• FOV ~ 100 degrees

• Full zoom thru in water

• MOD at full zoom ~290 mm

• Image space "Diagonal CCD Fill" ~ 82 mm diagonal object height

• Distortion at Full Wide < 2 %

• Air / water split shot capability

• Ensquared energy > 90% over entire field at all focal length settings

This design is finished and heading into manufacturing next week.