1. Introduction
The Canon VIXIA HF R200 is a compact and lightweight Full HD camcorder designed for capturing high-definition video. It features dual SDXC-compatible memory card slots, allowing for extended recording times and flexible data management. This manual provides essential information for setting up, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting your camcorder.
Image 1.1: Front view of the Canon VIXIA HF R200 Full HD Camcorder. This image displays the camcorder's compact design, lens, and overall form factor.
2. What's in the Box
Verify that all the following items are included with your Canon VIXIA HF R200 camcorder:
- Canon VIXIA HF R200 Camcorder
- Lithium-Ion Battery
- AC Charger
- Video Cables
- Mini HDMI Cable
- USB Cable
- Instruction Booklet
- Software CD (Pixela Video Browser)
3. Setup
3.1. Charging the Battery
Before initial use, fully charge the included Lithium-Ion battery. For accurate battery life indication, it is recommended to fully charge the battery and then use the camcorder until the battery is completely drained. This calibrates the battery meter for precise remaining time display.
3.2. Inserting SDXC Memory Cards
The VIXIA HF R200 features two SDXC-compatible memory card slots. Insert Class 4 or higher SDHC or SDXC cards into the designated slots. The camcorder supports Relay Recording, which automatically switches recording to the second card when the first becomes full, ensuring continuous capture.
3.3. Initial Power On
Open the LCD screen to power on the camcorder. The built-in electronic lens cover will automatically open. Close the LCD screen to power off the camcorder and close the lens cover.
4. Operating the Camcorder
4.1. Basic Recording
Press the record button to start and stop video recording. The camcorder offers quick response time due to its flash memory system. The Pre-Record feature continuously buffers three seconds of video, ensuring you capture moments even if you press record slightly late.
4.2. Zoom Operation
Utilize the zoom lever to control the 28x Advanced Zoom lens. This feature allows for seamless zooming from wide to telephoto focal lengths while maintaining optical quality. The zoom mechanism is designed for quiet operation.
4.3. Dynamic Image Stabilization (IS)
The Dynamic IS system continuously adjusts to correct a broad range of motion, providing smooth and steady video, especially when shooting while walking. This system offers enhanced compensation at wide-angle focal lengths compared to conventional electronic image stabilization.
4.4. Touch Panel LCD Controls
The 230,000-dot touch panel LCD provides intuitive control and menu navigation.
- Touch Focus: Tap on the subject on the screen to shift focus during recording.
- Touch & Track: Select a subject on the LCD to maintain precise focus and exposure, even for moving subjects.
- Touch Exposure: Adjust exposure by touching an area on the screen. Drag on the panel to fine-tune brightness levels.
- Touch Decoration: During shooting, add animations, freehand drawings, stamps, and decorative frames to your video.
4.5. Smart Auto Mode
Smart Auto mode intelligently detects and analyzes faces, brightness, color, distance, and movement to automatically select the optimal settings for your scene. This ensures accurate results across various shooting conditions.
Tele Macro
Within Smart Auto mode, Tele Macro automatically zooms the lens to the telephoto end and sets a minimum object distance of approximately 1.3 feet, enabling spectacular close-up shots with shallow depth of field.
Video 4.1: Demonstration of the Tele Macro feature. This video illustrates how the camcorder automatically adjusts for close-up shots, highlighting the shallow depth of field effect.
4.6. Face Detection
The camcorder can track up to 35 faces automatically, ensuring sharp focus and accurate exposure. You can select a specific face for continuous tracking, which is useful for searching and playback.
4.7. Advanced Video Snapshot
Record short video clips (2, 4, or 8 seconds) and combine them with background music to create dynamic highlight reels. Audio from external sources like MP3 players can be integrated.
4.8. Still Image Capture
The VIXIA HF R200 can capture 1920 x 1080 still images from recorded video during playback. Additionally, it can capture 30 photos from one second of video, allowing you to extract action-filled stills.
4.9. Cinema Modes
- 24p Cinema Mode: Changes the frame capture rate to 24p (recorded at 60i) to achieve a professional "film-look."
- 30p Progressive Mode: Captures video in 30 progressive frames (recorded to 60i), ideal for internet footage, action, and sports shots, and enhances quality for photos captured after recording.
4.10. Eye-Fi SD Card Compatibility
The camcorder is compatible with Eye-Fi SD memory cards for wireless transfer of videos and photos to a computer or direct upload to online sharing sites. Please consult the Eye-Fi card manufacturer for specific functionality and regional approvals, as Canon does not guarantee support for all Eye-Fi card functions.
5. Features Overview
The Canon VIXIA HF R200 incorporates several advanced features to enhance your video recording experience:
- Dual SDXC Card Slots: For extended recording and flexible storage.
- Full HD CMOS Image Sensor: Captures 1920 x 1080 video with exceptional detail and low light performance.
- Genuine Canon HD Video Lens with 28x Advanced Zoom: Delivers impressive image quality with quiet, optical zoom.
- DIGIC DV III Image Processor: Enhances color, detail, and overall image quality.
- Dynamic IS: Advanced image stabilization for smooth, steady footage.
- Touch Panel LCD: Intuitive control with Touch Focus, Touch & Track, Touch Exposure, and Touch Decoration.
- Smart Auto: Automatically optimizes settings for various scenes, including Tele Macro.
- Face Detection: Tracks up to 35 faces for accurate focus and exposure.
- Advanced Video Snapshot: Creates highlight reels with background music.
- Still Image Capture: Extract high-resolution stills from video or capture bursts of photos.
- 24p Cinema Mode & 30p Progressive Mode: For cinematic and web-optimized video recording.
- HDMI Terminal: For easy connectivity to HDTVs, supporting 1080p output.
- Microphone & Headphone Terminals: For enhanced audio control and monitoring.
- Focus Assist: Provides 2x magnification for precise manual focusing.
- Filter Threads: Compatible with optional tele-converters and wide-converters.
- Built-in Electronic Lens Cover: Automatically opens and closes with power.
- Intelligent Battery: Accurately indicates remaining battery time.
- Quick Start: Enables immediate recording upon opening the LCD, conserving battery when closed.
- Pre-Record: Captures 3 seconds of video before the record button is pressed.
6. Maintenance
6.1. Cleaning the Camcorder
Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the exterior of the camcorder. For the lens, use a specialized lens cleaning cloth and solution. Avoid abrasive materials or harsh chemicals.
6.2. Battery Care
To prolong battery life and ensure accurate readings, fully charge the battery before its first use and allow it to fully discharge periodically. Store the battery in a cool, dry place when not in use.
6.3. Software Management
The bundled Pixela Video Browser Software allows for AVCHD editing, playback, and conversion. Ensure your operating system (Windows XP SP2/SP3, Vista, 7) is compatible. For Mac users, applications like iMovie can be used for video transfer and editing by directly inserting the SD card into a card reader.
7. Troubleshooting
7.1. Short Battery Life
If the battery drains quickly, check if features like Advanced Zoom and Dynamic Image Stabilization are constantly active. These features consume more power. Consider turning them off if not needed, or dimming the LCD screen for extended battery life. Ensure the battery has been properly calibrated by a full charge/discharge cycle.
7.2. Grainy Video in Low Light
The VIXIA HF R200 performs well in various lighting conditions, but very low light environments may result in some video graininess. Adjusting exposure manually can help. For optimal low-light performance, ensure adequate lighting or consider using external lighting accessories.
7.3. Faint Noise During Playback
A very faint background noise might be audible during playback, particularly in quiet recording environments. This is generally minimal and not a functional defect. For professional audio, consider using an external microphone connected via the microphone terminal.
7.4. No Hot Shoe for Accessories
The camcorder does not feature a hot shoe or mini-hot shoe adapter. To mount external accessories like microphones or lights, an additional bracket will be required.
7.5. Software Compatibility Issues
If you experience issues with the bundled Pixela Video Browser Software, ensure your computer meets the specified operating system requirements (Windows XP SP2/SP3, Vista, 7). For Mac users, direct transfer via SD card and use of native editing software like iMovie is often a reliable alternative.
8. Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 7 x 6.22 x 5.2 inches |
| Item Weight | 2 pounds |
| Item Model Number | R200 |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion battery (included) |
| Photo Sensor Technology | CMOS |
| Video Capture Resolution | 1080p |
| Maximum Focal Length | 60 Millimeters |
| Maximum Aperture | 2.8 f |
| Flash Memory Type | SDXC |
| Video Capture Format | h.264, mpeg-4 |
| Supported Audio Format | AAC |
| Screen Size | 3 Inches |
| Connectivity Technology | HDMI |
| Date First Available | January 1, 2011 |
9. Warranty and Support
For warranty information and customer support, please refer to the official Canon website or the warranty card included with your product. Canon provides resources for product registration, software downloads, and service inquiries.
For additional assistance, you may visit the Canon Store on Amazon.
