Canon FS100 Camcorder - Image quality
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Unfortunately, image quality is where the whole package begins to disappoint. The camcorder deals reasonably well with outdoor subjects in good light. Images do tend to have washed out colors and overexposed highlights, but not to the extent that they are a major problem. However, the fact that the camera only produces adequate results in favorable conditions sends out a warning about the quality to be expected in poor light.
Sadly, this concern is fully borne out by the results: even outdoors, the quality drops away markedly in overcast conditions. Indoors, color accuracy sometimes seems more a result of guesswork than reality as all the intensity and vibrancy disappears in video shots, to leave a washed-out imitation of the actual scene. Still images are a little better: color saturation is higher but accuracy is still hit and miss. Noise is also a significant issue, again becoming severe in low light. Noise artifacts are clearly visible at 1:1 scale in video captured under good room lighting (around 50 lux). Noise is also apparent in objects filmed outdoors in good light at maximum zoom.
Video also tends towards an overall softness that further reinforces the sense of disappointment. Once again, well-lit outdoor sequences just about get by, but the problem worsens rapidly with the light. It's difficult to say why this might be the case. The lens is one possible culprit; another is the down sampling routine which reduces material shot at anything up to 710,000 pixels - effective sensor resolution - down to the 345,600 pixels of standard definition video. Excessive softness is a predictable outcome of any image down sampling exercise, so it's a shame that Canon wasn't able to compensate more effectively for this in software.
Jitter is another problem, especially at higher zooms when controlling the camera's stability can become a major challenge. On higher end camcorders this problem is mitigated by some form of optical image stabilization technology, but such solutions are expensive, so Canon has understandably opted for less effective electronic stabilization instead. Another area where they have saved on production costs is by electing not to include a viewfinder, so all video must be framed and shot using the LCD, further contributing to jitter problems.
The bottom line
Canon has set the bar high with the overall impression created by this camcorder and its extensive feature set. This makes it hard to avoid the feeling that the FS100 ought to be capable of better than it actually delivers, and the sense of disappointment is intense. This is perhaps slightly unfair. Despite its limitations, the video quality obtainable with the FS100 is no worse than many camcorders in its class, and a whole lot better than some.
The FS100 undoubtedly has a lot to offer. Full of features rare at this kind of price, it certainly looks, feels and handles like a real SD camcorder. Unfortunately the images it produces, while certainly not terrible, somewhat fail to live up to this impression of quality. This makes it difficult to offer a wholehearted recommendation. Nonetheless, for the less demanding or entry-level movie maker who wants a reliable, name-brand camcorder with a decent feature set that won't break the bank, the FS100 could be just the thing.
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