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Questions & Answers

tom w : Will I be able to record audio from an external source?ANDREW R : Camera is equipped with a 3.5mm mini jack for external mic input

Reviews about this item

Review Summary

2019-11-14T20:09:33

Rated 5 out of 5

Canon VIXIA HF G21 2.9MP Camcorder, 20x HD Optical Zoom, Full HD Video

Awesome products. everything works perfectly, and a great deal on this purchase.

Joseph L.

2019-11-14T20:08:16

Rated 5 out of 5

Canon VIXIA HF G21 2.9MP Camcorder, 20x HD Optical Zoom, Full HD Video

Great job. Arrived really fast. Very professional camcorder. Work very well.

Joseph L.

2019-03-18T20:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Easy Setup

I bought this a few days ago and it was an easy setup!

Bstephens16

2018-11-27T13:17:56

Rated 5 out of 5

Canon upgrade

This is a serious step up from the Canon camcorder I am replacing. The camera has a nice beefy feel in the hand, but works well on a tripod, too. Having both a mini hot shoe as well as a full sized cold shoe is great as well.

JOEL W.

2018-07-16T20:00:00

Rated 3 out of 5

Didn't meet my expectations

In bright sunlight the screen was no better than the one on my Elura 100. Despite making all the adjustments to the screen brightness, I still could not make out the image on it when trying to use it in bright sunlight. I returned it.

jimbir

2018-02-22T19:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

CANON HF G21 THE FANTASTIC CAMCORDER

This is a sound device; a "Hummer" (Humvee of camcorders- with its rock solid build, crisp /well thought out positioned controls - and it has that perfect feel in the hand for balance and mobility. It's beautiful. The camera LCD screen has that "Jaguar car door closing" feel of a superiority fit. I tried the manual setting with slow/fast motion in 60P/ 35 mbps on first usage during an early morning sunrise jaunt with low light /cloudy conditions to capture a barn owl foraging nearby as if the owl had volunteered to be the subject for this review. Editing was so simple on my Mac- I just connected the cable, turned it on and watched it do its thing. I posted the raw video file (MP4) to youtube wondering if the product will show the "P" after the 1080 quality setting- AND IT DOES! I used the 2.5x SLOW/FAST record setting to test on first experience--as posted for the youtube for all to see - the example illustrates how the slow motion capture of the owl in flight was exactly why this camcorder shines- the G21 outperformed my needs- and clearly, it is overqualified and the camcorder above the competition across the board. The low light capability of this G21 is out of this world - simply stunning- the quality of all the features for smart recording just blew me away...after years of waiting to upgrade (from old Vixia HV30/HV40's), this was the right choice. The improved sensor is so noticeable to the naked eye while in the field and focus quality on Auto is like cruise control - the camera does all the work. Colors are sharper than expected- and all my handling "noise' on the camera body was not picked up as it should have been- major improvement. Focus ring and zoom dials are clean, well constructed and holds quality throughout the shot to the core of the subject ---****and this is why I picked this camcorder- to film birds from far distances- and this camcorder does everything in one package of greater value than the price tag by Canon as offered. ***This camcorder is a steal for the consumer. Thank you Canon for making this product affordable- I also use the super expensive $$ Sony TV professional cameras costing tens of thousands of dollars- and seriously, I would rather have this Canon in my hands- no need for Wi-Fi in my world and that 4K chatter on the market - stick with what works- G21 fits the bill.

Pueo C.

2018-01-22T03:57:48

Rated 5 out of 5

Canon VIXIA HF G21 2.9MP Camcorder, 20x HD Optical Zoom, Full HD Video

I love everything about the Canon VIXIA HF G21 2.9MP Camcorder, 20x HD Optical Zoom, Full HD Video

HARLENA J.

Canon VIXIA HF G21 Specifications

  • Standard Definition or High Definition

    High Definition

  • Power Supply (rated)

    7.4V DC (Battery Pack), 8.4V DC (DC IN)

  • Television System

    NTSC

  • Video Recording system

    Compression: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
    File Format: AVCHD Ver 2.0 Compliant (AVCHD Progressive), MP4
    AVCHD: Linear PCM (2ch)/ Dolby Digital (2ch)
    MP4: MPEG-2 AAC-LC (2ch)

  • Audio Recording system

    28 Mbps or 24 Mbps video recording modes only; 16-bit resolution
    Dolby Digital (5.1ch) is provided when the 5.1-Channel Surround Microphone SM-V1 is used

  • Recording Time

    SD/SDHC/SDXC 8GB
    1440 x 1080 AVCHD (5 Mbps) 3 hours
    1920 x 1080 AVCHD (17 Mbps) 1 hours
    1920 x 1080 AVCHD (24 Mbps) 40 minutes
    1920 x 1080 AVCHD (28 Mbps) 35 min

  • Recording Time (cont.)

    SD/SDHC/SDXC 16GB
    1440 x 1080 AVCHD (5 Mbps) 6 hours 5 minutes
    1920 x 1080 AVCHD (17 Mbps) 2 hours 5 minutes
    1920 x 1080 AVCHD (24 Mbps) 1 hour 25 minutes
    1920 x 1080 AVCHD (28 Mbps) 1 hour 15 minutes
    SD/SDHC/SDXC 32GB
    1440 x 1080 AVCHD (5 Mbps) 12 hours 15 minutes
    1920 x 1080 AVCHD (17 Mbps) 4 hours 10 minutes
    1920 x 1080 AVCHD (24 Mbps) 2 hours 55 minutes
    1920 x 1080 AVCHD (28 Mbps) 2 hours 30 minutes

  • Recording Time (cont..)

    SD/SDHC/SDXC 64GB
    1440 x 1080 AVCHD (5 Mbps) 24 hours 30 minutes
    1920 x 1080 AVCHD (17 Mbps) 8 hours 20 minutes
    1920 x 1080 AVCHD (24 Mbps) 5 hours 55 minutes
    1920 x 1080 AVCHD (28 Mbps) 5 hours 5 minutes
    SD/SDHC/SDXC 128GB
    1440 x 1080 AVCHD (5 Mbps) 49 hours
    1920 x 1080 AVCHD (17 Mbps) 16 hours 45 minutes
    1920 x 1080 AVCHD (24 Mbps) 11 hours 55 minutes
    1920 x 1080 AVCHD (28 Mbps) 10 hours 10 minutes

  • Recording Time (cont...)

    SD/SDHC/SDXC 8GB
    640 x 360 MP4 (3 Mbps) 5 hours 40 minutes
    1280 x 720 MP4 (4 Mbps) 4 hours 20 minutes
    1280 x 720 MP4 (8 Mbps) 2 hours 10 minutes
    1920 x 1080 MP4 (17 Mbps) 1 hour
    1920 x 1080 MP4 (24 Mbps) 40 minutes
    1920 x 1080 MP4 (35 Mbps) 30 minutes

  • Recording Time (cont....)

    SD/SDHC/SDXC 16GB
    640 x 360 MP4 (3 Mbps) 11 hours 25 minutes
    1280 x 720 MP4 (4 Mbps) 8 hours 40 minutes
    1280 x 720 MP4 (8 Mbps) 4 hours 20 minutes
    1920 x 1080 MP4 (17 Mbps) 2 hours 5 minutes
    1920 x 1080 MP4 (24 Mbps) 1 hour 25 minutes
    1920 x 1080 MP4 (35 Mbps) 1 hour

  • Recording Time (cont.....)

    SD/SDHC/SDXC 32GB
    640 x 360 MP4 (3 Mbps) 22 hours 55 minutes
    1280 x 720 MP4 (4 Mbps) 17 hours 20 minutes
    1280 x 720 MP4 (8 Mbps) 8 hours 40 minutes
    1920 x 1080 MP4 (17 Mbps) 4 hours 10 minutes
    1920 x 1080 MP4 (24 Mbps) 2 hours 55 minutes
    1920 x 1080 MP4 (35 Mbps) 2 hours

  • Recording Time (cont......)

    SD/SDHC/SDXC 64GB
    640 x 360 MP4 (3 Mbps) 45 hours 55 minutes
    1280 x 720 MP4 (4 Mbps) 34 hours 45 minutes
    1280 x 720 MP4 (8 Mbps) 17 hours 20 minutes
    1920 x 1080 MP4 (17 Mbps) 8 hours 20 minutes
    1920 x 1080 MP4 (24 Mbps) 5 hours 55 minutes
    1920 x 1080 MP4 (35 Mbps) 4 hours

  • Recording Time (cont.......)

    SD/SDHC/SDXC 128GB
    640 x 360 MP4 (3 Mbps) 91 hours 55 minutes
    1280 x 720 MP4 (4 Mbps) 69 hours 30 minutes
    1280 x 720 MP4 (8 Mbps) 34 hours 45 minutes
    1920 x 1080 MP4 (17 Mbps) 16 hours 45 minutes
    1920 x 1080 MP4 (24 Mbps) 11 hours 55 minutes
    1920 x 1080 MP4 (35 Mbps) 8 hours

  • Video Format

    1920 x 1080p at 59.94 fps (28 Mbps AVCHD)
    1920 x 1080p at 23.98 fps (24 Mbps AVCHD)
    1920 x 1080p at 23.98 fps (17 Mbps AVCHD)
    1440 x 1080p at 23.98 fps (5 Mbps AVCHD)
    1920 x 1080i at 59.94 fps (24 Mbps AVCHD)
    1920 x 1080i at 59.94 fps (17 Mbps AVCHD)
    1920 x 1080i at 59.94 fps (5 Mbps AVCHD)

  • Video Format (cont.)

    1920 x 1080p at 59.94 fps (35 Mbps MP4)
    1920 x 1080p at 23.98, 29.97 fps (24 Mbps MP4)
    1920 x 1080p at 23.98, 29.97 fps (17 Mbps MP4)
    1280 x 720p at 59.94 fps (8 Mbps MP4)
    1280 x 720p at 23.98, 29.97 fps (4 Mbps MP4)
    640 x 360p at 23.98, 29.97 fps (3 Mbps MP4)

  • Image Sensor

    1/2.84" CMOS, RGB Primary Color Filter

  • Total Pixels

    Approx. 3.09 megapixels (2208 x 1398)

  • Effective Pixels

    Approx. 2.91 megapixels (2136 x 1362)

  • Lens

    Zoom Ratio: 20x Optical / 400x Digital
    Focal Length: 3.67-73.4mm (35mm equivalent: 26.8-576mm with Standard IS/IS Off, 28.8-576mm with Dynamic IS)
    Zoom Speed: Variable speed / Constant speed (16 levels); Fast, Normal or Slow Max. F/Stop: f/1.8-2.8

  • Focusing System

    Hybrid AF (TTL-video signal detection system and external phase difference metering system), Normal AF (TTL-video signal selection system), Face Only AF, Manual Focus
    Hybrid AF Controls: Instant AF, Medium AF

  • Manual Exposure

    Available

  • Programmed AE

    Auto Mode: Smart Auto
    Manual Mode: P, Tv, Av, M (Manual Exposure), SCN (Portrait, Sports, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Night, Low Light, Spotlight, Fireworks)
    Cinema Mode: P, Tv, Av, M

  • Max Shutter Speed

    1/2000 sec

  • Minimum Focusing Distance

    20mm (at wide end), 60cm (from lens front) across zooming range

  • White Balance

    Auto, Preset (Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent H, Fluorescent), Color Temperature Settings (2,000-15,000K), Set (1/2)

  • Frame Rate

    AVCHD: 60p, 60i, PF29.97, 24p
    MP4: 60p, 30p, 24p

  • Minimum Illumination

    P Mode: Approx. 1.2 lux (shutter speed 1/30 sec., with auto slow shutter on)
    Low Light Mode: Approx. 0.1 lux (shutter speed 1/2 sec.)

  • Image Stabilization

    Optical system (lens shift) + electronic stabilization
    Control Modes: Dynamic IS, Powered IS, Macro IS, Tripod Mode
    IS Modes other than Intelligent IS: Standard IS, IS Off

  • Filter Diameter

    58mm

  • Viewfinder

    0.24" TFT wide color LCD screen, approx. 1.56 million dots, 100% field of view

  • LCD Screen

    3.0" LCD panel with AR surface treatment, approx. 460,000 dots, 100% field of view

  • Microphone

    Stereo (using electret condenser microphone)

  • Recording Media

    2 SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slots

  • USB Terminal

    mini-B receptacle and Hi-Speed USB supported (output only)

  • Video Terminal

    3.5mm diameter 4-pole mini-jack (video/audio output only)

  • Accessory Shoe

    Cold shoe (front area), mini advanced shoe (back area)

  • HDMI Terminal

    HDMI mini connector

  • Microphone Terminal

    3.5mm diameter stereo mini-jack, MIC/LINE switching possible

  • AV Mini Terminal/Headphone Terminal

    3.5mm stereo mini-jack

  • Remote Control Terminal

    2.5mm stereo mini jack (input only)

  • Operating Temperature range

    For Performance: Approx. 0 to 40 deg. C (32 to 104 deg. F), 85% (relative humidity)
    For Operation: Approx.-5 to 45 deg. C (23 to 113 deg. F), 60% (relative humidity)

  • Dimensions

    Approx. 4.3 x 3.3 x 7.2" (10.92 x 8.38 x 18.29cm) (excluding lens hood)
    Approx. 4.5 x 3.3 x 9.1" (11.43 x 8.38 x 23.11cm) (including lens hood)
    All dimensions exclude the grip belt

  • Weight

    Approx. 1.6 lbs (0.73kg) (body only)
    Approx. 1.9 lbs (0.86kg) (includes lens hood, Battery Pack BP-820 and 1 memory card)

  • UPC Code

    013803295269

12 Accessories for Canon VIXIA HF G21 2.9MP Camcorder, 20x HD Optical Zoom, Full HD Video

  • All Accessories (12)
  • Batteries & Power Supply (3)
  • Lenses (2)
  • Cables & Adapters (1)
  • Microphones (1)
  • Filters (2)
  • Camera Flash Brackets (2)
  • Extended Warranty (1)

About Canon VIXIA HF G21

FEATURED REVIEWS

CANON HF G21 THE FANTASTIC CAMCORDER

By Pueo C.

This is a sound device; a "Hummer" (Humvee of camcorders- with its rock solid build, crisp /well thought out positioned controls - and it has that perfect feel in the hand for balance and mobility. It's beautiful. The camera LCD screen has that "Jaguar car door closing" feel of a superiority fit. I tried the manual setting with slow/fast motion in 60P/ 35 mbps on first usage during an early morning sunrise jaunt with low light /cloudy conditions to capture a barn owl foraging nearby as ...

View full Review

Canon VIXIA HF G21 2.9MP Camcorder, 20x HD Optical Zoom, Full HD Video

By Joseph L.

Awesome products. everything works perfectly, and a great deal on this purchase.

Canon VIXIA HF G21 camcorder offers the optical refinement and advanced performance features found in many higher-end camcorders in a lightweight, portable and easy-to-use package. Using a Genuine Canon 20x High Definition Optical Zoom lens and an advanced HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor with great low-light performance, the VIXIA HF G21 camcorder provides sharp, Full HD video with beautiful highlight and shadow detail in virtually every lighting situation.

A DIGIC DV 4 Image Processor speeds up operation and enables the lens's powerful image stabilization to help provide clear and stable images, even when shooting handheld. The VIXIA HF G21 camcorder has a 3.0-inch touch-capacitive screen and a tiltable electronic viewfinder. A host of manual controls are complemented by two modes: Wide DR Gamma and Highlight Priority, which help capture color and detail virtually consistent with how they're seen by the naked eye.

Creative options are expanded with an interval recording option that can capture fast motion of up to 1200x the original speed. Ideal for an incredible variety of uses, the VIXIA HF G21 is a stellar choice for anyone looking for dynamic results, at home, on the job and even on the go.

Genuine Canon 20x High Definition Optical Zoom Lens
The VIXIA HF G21 camcorder features a Genuine Canon 20x HD Video Lens offering a 35mm equivalent of 26.8-576mm. With advanced elements and coatings, it helps reduce flare and ghosting, producing sharp, clear images with minimal distortion.

8-blade Circular Aperture
The VIXIA HF G21 camcorder features an 8-blade Circular Aperture, which helps to avoid the "starburst" effect of point light sources in non-circular aperture designs. Out-of-focus areas are smooth, natural and appealing. The professional touch of a manual focus ring allows accurate and precise control. For extra flexibility, the manual focus ring can be easily set to control zoom instead.

Advanced HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor with Impressive Low-light Performance
The VIXIA HF G21 camcorder features a 1/2.84-inch, 2.91 Megapixel HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor that captures approximately 2136 x 1362 pixels, for sharp and detailed high-definition video recording. The high sensitivity of VIXIA HF G21's sensor helps provide vivid, accurate recording through an excellent signal-to-noise ratio.

Superb Low-light Performance
Featuring a low-luminance noise rating of +3 dB, the VIXIA HF G21 camcorder is able to capture clear, sharp images with incredible detail even in low light.

1080/60p Recording in MP4
The VIXIA HF G21 camcorder gives you high-quality recording whether you're capturing MP4 or AVCHD files. 1080/60p recording captures twice the amount of information as 60i and with images captured at a rate of up to 60 frames per second, diagonal noise is virtually eliminated so even fast-moving subjects show up crisply with motion and patterns clearly recorded. This greater sense of detail and faithful rendering of moving edges, plus enhanced color and fine tonal gradation, gives your video everything Full HD has to offer.

And the VIXIA HF G21 can record in internet-ready, easy-to-share MP4 format at up to 35 Mbps. The VIXIA HF G21 also features a maximum bit rate of 28 Mbps for AVCHD recording, the highest in the AVCHD standard. In either format the image quality is outstanding.

Native 24p Progressive Mode
The VIXIA HF G21 camcorder features the Native 24p Progressive Mode, a must for serious filmmaking work. Native 24p matches the frame rate of a traditional film camera, giving the same cadence and temporal motion for "film-like" quality.

Superb Image Reproduction

The VIXIA HF G21 camcorder represents our Full HD System, delivering truly excellent image quality and reproduction for most any application. With its 20x Optical Zoom HD Video lens, its HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor and the powerful DIGIC DV 4 Image Processor working together to capture and process the images at hand, the VIXIA HF G21 is positioned to deliver HD video that is nothing short of stunning.

3.0-inch LCD Capacitive Touchscreen with Tiltable Electronic Viewfinder
The capacitive touch-sensitive Light-Emitting Diode (LED) panel on the VIXIA HF G21 camcorder boasts an impressive viewing angle, color reproduction, contrast and touch responsiveness. The touch responsiveness of the screen is smooth and sensitive, enabling fluid control of the camera.

Electronic Viewfinder
The VIXIA HF G21 features a 0.24-inch, approximately 1.56 million-dot color electronic viewfinder with approximately 100% field of view coverage for detailed, accurate composition judgment. The viewfinder can be tilted up to 45deg. from its normal resting position to enable a great amount of shooting freedom.

Dual SD Card Slots
The VIXIA HF G21 camcorder allows you to record video directly to widely available SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards with capacities ranging from over 32GB to 2TB. They are available in ultra-fast reading and writing speeds and make it easy to share video. When AVCHD/MP4 recording has continued for 12 hours, it will automatically stop. A variable bit rate is applicable in each case.

Double-slot SD Card Recording for Instant Backup
For safety and convenience, double-slot recording allows you to record simultaneously to each of the two SD memory card slots, providing an instant backup for your footage.

Relay Recording
With Relay Recording, the VIXIA HF G21 camcorder automatically switches video recording from one SD memory card to the other when the first memory card becomes full.

Impressive Slow and Fast Motion, including Interval Recording from 2x to 1200x
Slow and Fast Motion Modes allow the VIXIA HF G21 camcorder to record a different frame rate than the playback frame rate (only in MP4 recording modes), for a fast or slow motion effect during playback. Since the camera is recording real frames and modifying the playback rate, there is virtually no quality loss and maximum image quality is maintained. Additionally, interval recording allows the user to record frames at specified intervals, providing time-lapse recording of up to 1200x and slow motion down to 0.4x of the original speed.

Wide DR Gamma (600%)
For natural and realistic-looking image capture that faithfully represents the scene at hand, the VIXIA HF G21 camcorder features a Wide DR Gamma mode. By suppressing overexposure in high brightness areas of the composition, this mode helps achieve a wide dynamic range of 600% to produce virtually seamless tone gradations, resulting in smooth detail, accurate color and virtually no blown-out highlights.

Highlight Priority Mode
To capture highly saturated, realistic colors and to convey gradation characteristics as perceived by the eye, the VIXIA HF G21 camcorder has a Highlight Priority mode that achieves effects similar to HDR modes in other camcorders. By reducing the mid- to high-brightness compression of the standard gamma mode, the Highlight Priority mode helps to prevent loss of detail in high brightness areas. Designed for display on a bright LCD TV, videos captured in Highlight Priority mode should be shown at a high brightness setting to help ensure an accurate portrayal of the effect.

Intelligent Optical Image Stabilization System
The VIXIA HF G21 camcorder offers a powerful optical image stabilization system suited to help reduce image blur due to camera shake in a wide variety of shooting situations. The different image stabilization options can be selected manually or Intelligent IS can use an automatic detection system to identify the proper stabilization mode for the situation. Featured on the VIXIA HF G21 is a Dynamic IS Mode, which provides electronic correction of roll and tilt.

Mini Advanced Accessory Shoe
The Mini Advanced Accessory Shoe allows you to attach our optional accessories, such as the Video Light VL-5, Directional Stereo Microphone DM-100 or 5.1-Channel Surround Microphone SM-V1.

Canon VIXIA HF G21 Features

  • Genuine Canon 20x High Definition Optical Zoom Lens
  • New, Advanced HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor with Improved Low-light Performance
  • Full HD 1920x1080 Recording Capabilities
  • Outstanding Image Reproduction
  • 3.0-inch LCD Capacitive Touchscreen with Tiltable Electronic Viewfinder
  • Dual SD Card Slots, Using Readily Available, Consumable Media
  • Wide DR Gamma (600%)
  • Highlight Priority Mode with View Assist Function
  • Intelligent Optical Image Stabilization System with Powered and Dynamic Modes and Auto On/Off
  • Full Manual Control
  • Ergonomic, Portable Design
  • High Definition Peaking for Focus Assist
  • Assignable Buttons for Custom Shooting
  • Advanced Display Features: Zebra, Color Bars and Test Tone
  • Impressive Slow and Fast Motion, including Interval Recording from 2x to 1200x

Key Features

  • Canon 20x High Definition Optical Zoom Lens
  • New, Advanced HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor with Improved Low-light Performance
  • Full HD 1920x1080 Recording Capabilities
  • 3.0-inch LCD Capacitive Touchscreen with Tiltable Electronic Viewfinder
  • Dual SD Card Slots, Using Readily Available, Consumable Media
  • Wide DR Gamma (600%)

What's in the box:

  • Canon VIXIA HF G21 2.9MP Camcorder
  • BP-820 1780mAh Lithium-Ion Battery Pack
  • CA-570 Compact AC Power Adapter
  • Lens Hood with Lens Barrier
  • Canon 1 Year Limited Warranty