Canon VIXIA HF10 or Sony HDR-SR11?

Question

I don't want to make a mistake of picking camcorders, which one is better? What is the difference between those two? What are some Pros and Cons between those two.

Answer 1

HDR-SR11 is hard drive based. HF10 is flash memory based.

HF10 can do 24p. SR11 cannot.

Both record highly compressed high definition to AVCHD file format - not all editors can deal with this. As well, Sony Vegas can deal with Sony AVCHD - but apparently cannot deal with Canon AVCHD.

Personally, AVCHD compresses to much for me - compressed digital video = discarded data = reduced video quality. Fore less money and better quality, I'd stick with the Canon HV20 or Sony HDR-HC9 and miniDV tape. Both of these camcorders also have manual audio control - the HF10 and SR11 do not.

HDV is a lot less compressed than AVCHD. BUT, it I have only the HF10 and SR11 to choose from, I would go with the HF10. When I fill a memory card, I take it out and lock it and put in another memory card. Basically the same as MiniDV tape. But if I fill the hard drive, I am stuck.

Answer 2

HF10. Period.

No but really, there's some good reasons. First, the HF10 is cheaper. You can probably get one for around $800 while the SR11 is still selling for $900-$1000 at the lowest. Also, the HF10 records onto flash memory (yes, the SR11 can record onto Memory Sticks but the main storage is a built in hard-drive) which is more reliable than a hard drive. Also, probably the biggest factor would be true 24p/30p recording. Some people say it doesn't make it a difference, but if you compare it with regular 60i footage, it makes a WORLD a difference. That's not an opinion, that is a fact. Even if you're not making movies, it adds a more "refined" (for lack of a better word) look to your videos. Although the Sony has a slightly bigger chip, the HF10 most likely still has better low light performance due to the larger pixels (3.3 MP on a 1/3.2" chip vs. 5.6 MP on a 1/3" chip for the SR11) but more importantly the 24p which allows it to use a slower shutter speed (1/48 or 1/24). The SR11 does have a larger LCD though, and it claims 10.2 MP still images (by interpolation or some other method I'm assuming since the sensor is only 5.6 MP). It also has 5.1 surround sound, but honestly, not counting the fact that you would hear every little detail of your thumb plucking away at the menus, if you think about it, how much of a surround effect can one get when the mics are all pretty much in the same place?

In other words, get the HF10. You won't regret it.