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  • Performance

  • Format

  • Auto / Manual Controls

  • Still Features

  • Handling and Use

  • Audio / Playback / Connectivity

  • Other Features

  • Conclusion & Comparisons

  • Photo Gallery

  • Performance
  • Format
  • Auto / Manual Controls
  • Still Features
  • Handling and Use
  • Audio / Playback / Connectivity
  • Other Features
  • Conclusion & Comparisons
  • Photo Gallery

Performance

The Canon FS11 has the same imaging system as the FS10 and FS100. Inside, you'll find a 1/6-inch CCD. The gross pixel count is 1,070,000, which is a larger pixel count than the average low-end camcorder with a 1/6-inch chip. However, more pixels in the same amount of surface areas can sometimes result in decreased low light ability. We'll get to that later in the review. The effective pixel count of the FS11 is tricky to explain because it changes depending on the shooting mode. All the Canon camcorders mentioned above have a new feature called Advanced Zoom, which plays with the pixels to boost zoom. Here's a breakdown.
 

 

 

We tested the video quality both in and out of the lab. First, we shot a DSC Labs Chroma DuMonde color chart at an even, bright 3000 lux. Under these conditions, the Canon FS11 looked pretty good. The colors are intensely vivid, which can be offputting, but is the standard for consumer camcorders. We compared it to the JVC GZ-MS100, last year's JVC GZ-MG155, and last year's Sony DCR-SR42. Overall, the Sony had the most even colors, though the Sony saturated the blues too much and the Canon pushed the greens too much.

Canon FS11 3000 lux auto

The Canon FS11 produced a respectable amount of sharpness in the areas of fine detail. In this regard, the JVC was about able to match the Canon. Most of the entry-level Sonys from last year, including the DCR-SR42, created more in-camera sharpening, which added the appearance of more detail without actually adding anything.

The camcorder also offers some one-touch color altering modes. The results can be seen below.

*Canon FS11 3000 lux Vivid

*

*Canon FS11 3000 lux Neutral

*

Canon FS11 3000 lux Soft Skin

Out of the lab, the Canon FS11 performed quite well. We were pleased to see that, for its price range, the Canon FS11 produced great colors, sharp images, and quick, effective responses to changing lighting conditions. After looking at so many high definition camcorders this year, it's hard to overlook the fact that MPEG-2 camcorders like the FS11 have a lot of compression artifacting, which hurts the overall sharpness. If you can swing it, there are solid HD camcorders only a couple of hundred dollars more. What you'll gain is a huge increase in video quality.

Overall, if you're dead set on a standard definition camcorder, the Canon FS11 is among the better choices this year. We'll have reviews of competing camcorders, such as the Sony DCR-SR65 and Panasonic SDR-H60 coming soon.

Video Resolution* (4.81)*

The video resolution of the Canon FS11 was tested by shooting a DSC Labs video resolution chart at an even, bright light. The playback footage was then examined on an HD monitor. We found the FS11 to produce an approximate horizontal resolution of 350 line widths per picture height (lw/ph) and a vertical resolution of 275 lw/ph. This was better than average for a camcorder in this price range, but only by a little.

Low Light Performance* (4.98)*

The low light performance of the Canon FS11 was tested in three stages. First, we shot the DSC Labs Chroma DuMonde at an even 60 and 15 lux, then compared them to like camcorders. At 60 lux, the FS11 lost a good deal of fine detail and a decent amount of color information. The noise is clearly evident to the eye, and flickers and pops like a swarm of mosquitoes. The colors are strongly saturated. It doesn't look bad, but it doesn't look great. Of the competing camcorders, the Sony DCR-SR42 looked decent, with better looking colors but more apparent noise. However, the JVC GZ-MS100 was the surprise low light performer. It's sharp and colorful, even if the colors are oversaturated. The noise is evident, but of a much finer grain that's easier to overlook.

Canon FS11 60 lux auto

Canon FS11 60 lux 1/30th shutter

We also looked at the Canon FS11 at 60 lux with the shutter speed lowered to 1/30th. There was virtually no change in image quality.

Canon FS11 15 lux auto

At 15 lux, the Canon FS11 lost a lot of fine detail. It didn't help that the camcorder had trouble focusing in this light. However, the camcorder does a decent job retaining some color information. To be fair, most camcorders in this price range don't do a very good job at 15 lux. The Sony DCR-SR42 and JVC GZ-MG155 looked terrible. The JVC GZ-MS100 looked to be the best of the bunch.

Canon FS11 15 lux 1/30th shutter

When we dropped the shutter to 1/30th, there was a very minor increase in brightness.

The second stage of the low light testing involved shooting the same chart under a light that was slowly and steadily lowered while connected to a waveform monitor. When the FS11 was able to output a maximum exposure level of 50 IRE, we note the lux level from the lights and mark it down as the camcorder's sensitivity. Ultimately, the Canon FS11 was able to output 50 IRE at 13 lux. The JVC GZ-MS100 and Sony DCR-SR42 produced the same sensitivity. The JVC GZ-MG155 was much worse, requiring 22 lux of light to produce the same exposure.

The final test involves shooting an X-Rite Color Checker chart at an even 60 lux, then outputting frame grabs from that clip to Imatest imaging software for data on color accuracy, noise, and saturation. We found the Canon FS11 to produce a color error of 11.8, a noise level of 1.4325%, and a saturation level of 72.08%. These scores are average-to-good when compared to the previously tested competition. The JVC GZ-MS100 produced much more accurate color and less noise. The JVC GZ-MG155 had less accurate color, but less noise. The Sony DCR-SR42 had worse color and more noise.

Overall, the Canon FS11 was a decent low light performer, but failed to stand up to the the JVC GZ-MS100.

Stabilization* (4.78)*

The FS11 is equipped with Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS), a shake reduction system that functions by utilizing pixels along the borders of the recorded frame to compensate for camcorder shake. This lowers the effective resolution of the image, which is something you generally want to avoid. The preferred system is Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), which operates by isolating and stabilizing the lens element from the body of the camcorder.

We tested the effectiveness of the FS11's EIS using our custom built camcorder shake emulator at two speeds, Speed One and Speed Two. Speed one simulates typical handheld shake, while Speed Two is akin to shooting out of the back of a bumpy car. The FS11 displayed an impressive 81.25% shake reduction at Speed One and a miserable 11.11% shake reduction at Speed Two. Pint-sized camcorders with EIS simply cannot handle high frequency shake patterns. The JVC GZ-MS100 was a nearly identical story at Speed Two, exhibiting an 11.1% shake reduction.

**

Wide Angle*** (9.6)*

We tested the FS11's maximum wide angle measurement using a vertical laser. The FS11 was set to Manual mode with EIS disabled and the Zoom pulled back fully during testing. The video was later interpreted on an external monitor in order to obtain a true wide angle reading. The FS11 displayed a maximum wide angle measurement of 48 degrees, which is average.

Format

Compression* (4.0)*

The Canon FS11 records standard definition video in the MPEG-2 format, similar to the format used by most standard definition flash/card memory, hard disk drive, and DVD camcorders. The only critical difference between each manufacturer's small variation is whether the camcorder outputs files with embedded audio or separate audio and video files. Each have their occasional headaches, but the all-in-one files are easier to transfer from camcorder to computer using a simple drag-and-drop action. The Canon FS11 has the other kind of files, with separate audio and video. This means you'll need software that can read the files and know how to piece them back together. Most free or cheap editing software will do the job.

MPEG-2 leaves a lot of image artifacting, mostly in the form of squarish chunks that seem to segment the screen. There are three quality settings on the Canon FS11, and the lower the quality, the more these artifacts increase. Quality settings include XP (9Mbps), SP (6Mbps), and LP (3Mbps).

*The SD/SDHC card slot is located

underneath the camcorder.*

Media* (7.5)*

The Canon FS11 records to either a 16GB internal flash memory or removable SD/SDHC cards, granting the camcorder a lot of flexibility when it comes time to record. You can rely on one media as your primary source and another as backup. 16GB is a lot of recording space. If you budget your time out, you can fit a whole vacation on the internal memory and a card or two. Below are the approximate recording times based on quality:

Editing* (5.0)*

Editing the video from the Canon FS11 is simple enough with most free, cheap, and widely available software. The file format has been around long enough to enjoy wide support. The camcorder also ships with basic editing software for both PCs and Mac on a pair of discs. You won't be creating Hollywood films with the software, but it will do the job for simple home videos.

Auto / Manual Controls

Picture & Manual Control
Automatic Control (6.0)

The Canon FS11 has a prominently displayed 'Easy' button inside the LCD cavity, a small salvation for technophobes and point-and-shooters. In this mode, the camcorder takes all the burden of focusing, exposing, and adjusting colors off your hands so you can shoot carefree. All the auto adjustments were very good on this camcorder. The auto exposure had an odd habit of exposing almost instantly from dark to light, but gradually light to dark. This isn't a complaint as much as an observation. The auto focus worked very well as long as the light was good. We found that at around 15 lux (the rough equivalent of a dimly lit room) the focus would bounce around, unable to fix on the target. The auto white balance was a pleasant surprise, adjusting color accurately for all types of lighting. By comparison, the JVC GZ-MS100 had a hard time adjusting under fluorescent lights. However, most Canons and Sonys tend to have good auto responses overall, making them reliable purchases for the point-and-shoot crowd.

The FS11 has a small handful of one-touch correction features that allow the shooter some sort of image quality control without them having to understand some of the more complex controls like shutter speed. A button on the bottom edge of the LCD panel engages the Backlight Compensation, which should be used when shooting a subject against a strong backlight.

Canon once again offers the Image Effects round of controls, though in a less impressive array than on the HD line of camcorders. On the FS11, you can choose between Vivid, Neutral, and Soft Skin modes, all of which affect how color is captured. The upper-end Canon camcorders offer a greater level of control in this regard, including the ability to alter in-camera sharpening and create a custom setting.

The Canon FS11 also has a number of Scene Modes (often called 'Program AE' modes by other manufacturers). Options include: Portrait, Sports, Night, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Spotlight, and Fireworks. Note that the camcorder cannot be in a Scene mode and allow you manual shutter speed control at the same time. You'll have to choose one or the other.

Overall Manual Control (5.0)

The Canon FS11 does not have the fully equipped package of its upper-end and high definition cousin camcorders, but it's still a powerful tool for serious videographers on a budget or a great model for beginners looking to learn more about video. You'll find manual focus, exposure, shutter speed, white balance, and several one-touch controls listed above. *

Zoom (6.0)*

The zoom control on the Canon FS11 is located on top of the camcorder towards the back, placed accordingly for the index index. It's large enough for an easy grip, but feels cheap. Nevertheless, the level of control it offers it quite good. The FS11 is capable of producing an incredibly slow zoom, which should please all those aspiring filmmakers out there. Depending on finger pressure, you can get about 3-4 different zoom speeds.

When zooming, a scale appears in the upper left corner that gives you a sense of range. However, the camcorder does not offer the actual numerical value of the zoom power. We like that the Canon FS11 includes the option to fix the zoom speed, regardless of finger pressure. There are three settings: Speed 1 (slow), Speed 2 (medium), and Speed 3 (fast).

Zoom Power Ratio (37.0)

The Canon FS11 offers a huge 37x optical zoom, among the largest of any camcorder this year. Perhaps you've noticed that it's always the cheaper camcorders that offer the biggest zooms. That's no accident. First of all, there are some laws of optics at work for compact camcorders that dictate that only smaller sensors - such as the 1/6-inch CCD on the FS11 - can accommodate big zooms. Secondly, the manufacturers are in a constant war to have the biggest zoom on the block, constantly besting each other by small increments.

It's this second reason that Canon unveiled a new technology this year called Advanced Zoom, which extends to 48x. By way of imaging wizardry, the camcorder performs some digital processing 'without deterioration in image quality,' according to the manual. We tested the feature by shooting some high contrast, fine detail images from a great distance. There was very little increase in resolution, but neither was there a decrease in resolution. You can 'move closer' to the action, if only by a little, without fear of ruining the image. Keep in mind, however, that this is a standard definition camcorder recording in a consumer format. The image won't look amazing, no matter what zoom you're at.

Of course, the Canon FS11 also offers digital zoom of 2000x. With the powerful optical zoom and Advanced Zoom, you have no excuse to fall back on digital zoom at all.

Focus (4.0)

The manual focus on the Canon FS11 is not very good, so you'll want to rely on the automatic focus when you can. To activate the manual focus, push in on the joystick. The Joystick Menu pops up in the lower right corner. Toggle through the options until you get to 'Focus.' The focus is adjusted by pushing back and forth on the joystick. Unfortunately, you only have the image itself on the LCD screen to tell if the picture is in focus. The LCD is relatively low-resolution, so this will largely be a guessing game.

The Focus tool in action

Canon's HD camcorders offer an assist function that automatically bumps the preview up with a digital zoom to help you see your subject better, and the zoom is not recorded to the final footage. Something like this, or better, is standard on HD camcorders. Sadly, you won't find it on the FS11.

Exposure & Aperture (6.0)

The Canon FS11 offers a simple exposure compensation tool, found in the Joystick menu. When activated, a scale appears in the top of the screen with a range of -11 to +11. The scale is relative to the automatic exposure adjustment. For instance, if you have the camcorder pointed into a dark corner and activate the exposure compensation, the scale will only go up to +1 or +2, because the auto exposure has already been pushed near its brightest point. The opposite would happen if you pointed it into a bright light.

The Exposure tool in action

The FS11 does not offer any way to directly adjust the aperture, which is a shame. Upper-end Canons do offer this option. At the same price point as the FS11, any Panasonic camcorder has aperture adjustment. Some JVCs also offer this. However, you won't find it on any Sonys.

Shutter Speed (6.35)

The Canon FS11 does offer a Shutter Priority mode, which is located in the Function menu. When activated, the shutter appears in the upper left corner of the screen. Options include: 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/100, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, and 1/2000. This is a decent range, but falls sort on the uppermost and lowermost range of speeds.

In normal shooting, the auto shutter does not drop down below 1/60th. There is an Auto Slow Shutter feature located in the Admin menu that, when activated, allows the auto shutter to drop as low as 1/30th.

White Balance (5.5)

The white balance options on the Canon FS11 are simple: Auto, Daylight, Tungsten, and Set (Evaluative Manual). A step up to the higher-end and HD Canon camcorders have more options, but as we've stated already, the FS11 is not one of those. The limited number of presets is a small loss, but it hurts the target audience of point and shooters who need all the one-touch help they can get. Making a manual adjustment is easy. Just toggle over to the Set option and push in on the joystick. There is a moment of adjustment time, and your colors will adjust.

Gain (0.0)

The Canon FS11 has no manual gain control. Panasonic is the only consumer camcorder manufacturer to offer this feature. JVC offers the ability to turn the auto gain on and off.

Other Manual Controls (1.0)
Markers -**The camcorder allows you to add screen markers to help you set up your shot. These markers are not recorded to your final footage. Options include a single horizontal line in white or grey, or a 9-sector grid in white or grey. 

Still Features

Still Features* (7.0)*

Canon equips most of its camcorders with a comprehensive set of still features, regardless of the price range or audience. That said, the resolution on this camcorder is not on par with a point-and-shoot still camera by any means. The FS11 can capture still images in the following sizes: L (1152 x 864), LW (1152 x 648), and S (640 x 480) at Super Fine, Fine, or Normal quality. Images can be captures to either the 16GB internal flash memory or a memory card. The FS11 does not have a Dual-Record mode like most Sony camcorders. Dual Record mode allows the shooter to capture an image while in Video mode, so if you see an irresistible shot you can capture it instantly, rather than switching over to Photo mode.

In Photo mode, you can access manual mode, Shutter Priority and Scene Modes. White Balance settings are Auto, Daylight, Tungsten, and Set (Manual), and you can apply the following Image Effects: Vivid, Neutral, and Soft Skin Detail. The Digital Effects options have been slimmed down compared to video mode. You'll only find  Black & White and Sepia modes.

There are four distinct shooting modes: Single, Continuous, Hi-speed Continuous, and Auto Exposure Bracketing. While shooting in Single mode, one image is captured per snap. Continuous mode captures multiple images every .5 seconds and Hispeed Continuous mode captures images at an even faster rate while the Photo Capture button is held down. Auto Exposure Bracketing captures three images--one at Auto Exposure, one an EV step down, and one an EV step up in order to provide a selection to choose from on the fly.

One of the most rewarding features on the FS11, and all Canon camcorders, is the image data that accompanies a still in Photo Playback mode. We're talking Levels histogram, Image Size, File Size, White Balance, Exposure, Shutter Speed, and Image Effect Setting, Quality, Date, and Time captured. No other manufacturer packs in this much info.

The FS11 is devoid of a Flash and has a 10 second Self Timer to round out the rest of the onboard still features.

In order to access the Photo Function menu, simply press the Function button while in Photo mode. A clean, organized menu appears and consists of the following items:

The FS11 Photo Function menu

The Administrative Photo menu is accessed by selecting Menu from the Photo Fucntion menu. In the Administrative Photo menu, the following options are available:

The FS11 Administrative menu

In Photo Playback mode, the Photo Playback menu is accessed by selecting Menu from the Playback Function menu. In the Photo Playback menu, you will find the following options:

The FS11 Photo Playback menu

All in all, the FS11 is only a marginal performer for photography functions. If you're an avid shooter who wants high quality stills on your plate, the FS11 will only take you so far. It's fun to snap images with and provides a plethora of image info and Manual/Auto controls. But with no flash and constrained resolutions, the FS11 cannot match a cheap point-and-shoot digital camera.

****Still Performance*******(7.47)*

The still performance of the Canon FS11 was tested by shooting an X-Rite Color chart at an even, bright light, then running the stills through Imatest imaging software to determine color accuracy, noise, and saturation. At best, the camcorder was able to produce a color error of 8.03, which was a decent but not a great score. The noise measured 1.7775%, not a great score for noise for a camcorder in this price range. The saturation measured 100.5%.  By comparison, the JVC GZ-MS100 measured better in all counts. Last year's JVC GZ-MG155 had the same color accuracy, but better noise performance. Last year's Sony DCR-SR42 had slightly better color performance, but about the same noise.

Out of the lab, the images look decidedly low resolution and noisy compared to the average point and shoot camera. The largest stills are only 1152 x 864, which is only about one-megapixel. Conversely, the average dedicated still camera is several times that resolution. However, the color from the Canon FS11 is decent and the pictures would suffice for low-res web images. **
**

****Still Resolution*******(10.73)*

The resolution of the still photos from the Canon FS11 were tested by shooting an Applied Image IS) 12233 resolution chart at an even, bright light, then ran it through Imatest imaging software. At best, the camcorder was able to produce a horizontal resolution of 897 line widths per picture height (lw/ph) - with a clipping of 1.4% and a 12.4% oversharpening. The vertical resolution measured 737 lw/ph - with a 5.31% clipping and a very high oversharpening of 42.8%. The clipping on the vertical resolution score was very, very high, which could cast doubt on the accuracy of those numbers. However, we ran the charts at multiple exposures and the camcorder could never produce a clipping error that was much better than this. That said, the overall score for this section is accurate because the horizontal resolution score has more weighting in the score. **
**

Handling and Use

Ease of Use* (7.5)*

This year Canon tried to steal some fire from Sony, implementing its own 'Easy button' and 'Easy mode' on most 2008 camcorders. The FS11 is a consumer's dream--16GB of internal storage, meaning no external media required to fiddle with and a cushy idiot-proof shooting experience. Canon's Easy mode places the FS11 in full lockdown mode. The Joystick menu, Function menu, and even Display feature are all placed behind bars, inaccessible to all. Record Start/Stop and the Zoom toggle are your only artillery in Easy mode. This could not get any simpler, and is practically on par with the Pure Digital Flip Ultra.

If you're a power shooter and want to venture out of the confines of Canon's Alcatraz-like Easy mode, the FS11 has a nice set of Manual controls that are easy to access via the Joystick and Function menus. The Function menu is a bit extensive, but once you get the hang of its straightforward navigation, it's cake. Beginners might get bogged down by the numerous menus and extensive options, so the FS11 is definitely a camcorder to grow with. Taking a little time with the manual is always a good idea.

The FS11's media options and battery life are two of its core strengths. With over 3 hours of battery life on a single charge and nearly 3 hours of recordable space in the highest quality, the FS11 is a trooper. You even have the option to increase your storage capacity using SD/SDHC cards. File transfer to a computer is painless and most major editing programs will work with the video clips right off the bat. Handling the FS11 is just dandy, so read on.

Handling* (4.25)*

The general consensus is that camcorders are shrinking--long gone are the days of the MiniDV titans that offered every kind of connectivity coupled with mammoth frames and solid handling. It's 2008 and Flash media is dominating the market. The FS11 is bound to be popular, not only for its choice of media and decent video quality, but also for the way it compliments the ergonomics and shooting patterns of the typical shooter. Panasonic has placed many of its camcorders on a strict diet, and the SDR-SW20 and SDR-S10 are prime examples of the exceedingly compact route the company has taken. JVC's new Everios are now little munchkins compared to a few years back, and the new JVC GZ-MS100 is even smaller than the FS11.

The Canon FS11 in hand

The FS11 handles better than any camcorder in its class that we've seen so far. The SDR-SW20 leaves a lot to be desired in terms of onboard controls, and JVC's new laser touch panel is no picnic to navigate with. Canon stuck with the LCD Joystick, which was a wise, safe choice.--it's quick, accurate, and conveniently placed. For its size, the FS11 is well stocked--it even sports a Mic jack and a panel of Playback/Shooting controls along the bottom of the LCD panel. Architecturally, the FS11 is a sound camcorder with enough style to knock your socks off.

In hand, the FS11 is surprisingly stable. Your fingers will have a tendency to wrap over to the opposite side of the camcorder, but Canon has beveled a grip trench to catch the ring, middle and index fingers. The stereo microphone is mounted to the front of the camcorder, so as not to interfere with all the action up top. In back, a monstrous mode dial engulfs the vicinity and shifts with smooth precision. The hand strap is not your typical cheapo Canon strap either. Sure, it's not up to par with Sony's cushy hand straps, but it features a breathable mesh liner along the inside and is constructed of thick, synthetic material. The FS11's Zoom toggle is our only real area of complaint. It feels cheap and is not ideally placed. Also, because of the sheer diminutiveness of the frame, some test users complained that they couldn't get a decent grip and control the zoom. Overall, however, congratulations are in order. The FS11 is a winner for its size.

Menu* (6.5)*

Canon's menu system is not the easiest menu system in the market--it requires some acclimatization through trial and error. There are three distinct menus on the FS11: Joystick, Function, and Administrative. The Joystick menu is activated by pushing in on the Joystick. It's composed of 3 pages with the following options: Instant Playback, Digital Effects, Video Light, manual Exposure, and manual Focus. The Joystick menu is nice to have for on-the-fly adjustment, though a Sony-esque Cam Control dial would be nice here. Using the joystick to adjust focus can result in jerky movement during your shot. It's important to note that the Joystick menu is the only menu available while the camcorder is recording. The others can only be accessed while the camcorder is in standby mode.

The FS11 Joystick menu

The Function menu is accessed by pressing the Function button. Here, a majority of other image controls are available, including Auto and Manual controls. Up and Down navigates through the menu while Right and Left select options within a category. To access an option, press the center of the Joystick. The Function menu contains the following options:   

The FS11 Function menu

The Administrative menu is accessed by selecting that last item, Menu, from the Function menu. Here you'll find more of the business end of options, which consist of the following:

 

**

The FS11 Administrative menu
**

Portability* (8.0)*

The FS11 resides within the snow-capped tip of the Portability mountain. While a number of other tiny camcorders stake their flags at the pinnacle--such as the Sony NSC-GC1 and Panasonic SDR-S7--the Canon FS11 sits comfortably below, offering a little more to grab onto. Measuring 58 x 60 x 124mm (2.3 x 2.4 x 4.9 in.) and weighing in at a slight 260g (9.2 oz.), the FS11 will fit in a fanny pack or coat pocket with ease.The battery life on the FS11 is outstanding, offering over 3 hours of stamina per a single charge. Just one more pack should do the trick. The 16GB of internal Flash memory allows for over 3 hours of recording time as well, but if you're hellbent on capturing more video than 3 hours, you can add an SDHC card. This means a postage stamp-sized memory card and a compact battery to add to your camcorder bag. Yes, the FS11 is a portability star.

The Canon FS11's 2.7-inch, 123,000-pixel LCD screen

LCD and Viewfinder* (4.0)*

The FS11 is equipped with a 2.7-inch LCD screen with a 123,000-pixel display. the LCD screen flips out 90 degrees from the body of the camcorder and rotates up to 270 degrees. The FS11's LCD picture is not the most crisp image we've seen. You should also be aware that we found that the LCD screen could sometimes give the appearance that a shot was blown out when it wasn't.

A row of controls lines the bottom of the LCD panel and consist of the following buttons: Function, Record Start/Stop/Play/Pause, Zoom Out/Rewind, Zoom In/Fast Forward, and Backlight Compensation (BLC)/Stop.

The FS11 does not have a viewfinder, which is to be expected on a camcorder this pint-sized. We still mourn the loss of the viewfinder--what happens when the sun casts a fiery stare and the glare on the LCD is impossible to deal with? Also, when the battery is dying, a viewfinder can be a real battery saver. Luckily, the FS11 has an outstanding battery life.

**

Battery Life*** (19.3)*

We tested the life of the FS11's BP-808 Battery Pack by recording continuously in Manual mode with the LCD screen flipped open and EIS disabled. The FS11 features an enclosed battery design, which means you can't upgrade to a larger battery pack. What if the provided battery pack only lasts an hour at best? Fortunately, the FS11 is a different story.

The FS11's battery held out for 192 minutes and 53 seconds (3 hours, 12 minutes, and 53 seconds). This is one of the greatest consumer battery performances of all time, and you'll have no problem lasting a good portion of the day without have to recharge.

 

Audio / Playback / Connectivity

Audio* (6.0)*

Canon's high definition cams are well-equipped in the Audio department, featuring channel meters, hot accessory shoes, and both Mic and Headphone jacks. That's not the case here, as Canon's Standard Definition camcorders are only thrown a Wind Cut feature to quell some of the overbearing frequencies you might experience outdoors. The FS11's stereo microphone has no other options. Panasonic has implemented Zoom mics in all of their camcorders and Sony has done the same with certain SD models as well. We'd like to see more from the FS11--Audio is a huge deal when determining whether a camcorder is strictly consumer or can venture out into the prosumer world. The FS11 can support a handheld external microphone, but without level control, it won't cut it for some users.

Playback* (4.5)
*In order to play back video clips or review still images on the FS11, shift the Mode Dial to either the blue Video Camera or blue Camera icon. In Playback mode, a grey thumbnail menu will appear, featuring 4 tabs at the top: Built-In Memory Playback, Card Memory Playback, Built-In Memory Playlist, and Card Memory Playlist. The Joystick navigates through the tabs and individual thumbnails, which represent individually recorded video clips or captured stills. This is a simple, straightforward system that can easily be mastered.

In order to access the Playback Function menu, press the Function menu button. A list of 5 options will span across the bottom of the screen, consisting of Copy, Add To Playlist, Delete, Select Date, and Menu.

The Playback Administrative menu is accessed by selecting Menu from the Playback Function menu. The Playback Administrative menu contains the following options:

**

***The FS11 Playback Administrative menu*

Connectivity* (5.0)*

Ports are minimal on the FS11, which is typical for an ultra-compact Standard Definition Flash camcorder these days. Canon does manage to throw a Mic input in the mix, which gains the FS11 a few points. The only downside is that there is no accessory shoe, so a handheld external microphone is your only option. Aside from that, ports are pretty standard on the FS11.

The right side is home to the DC input, which is shielded by a round rubberized cover that is anchored into the frame securely. The DC input terminal is a trapezoidal shape, which resists inadvertent unplugging greater than a round jack design.

The LCD cavity houses the AV, Mic, and USB jacks. Connectivity located within the LCD cavity is generally not desired because the cables have a tendency to interfere with your view of the LCD screen. Also, where are you going to throw that Mic cable?

Along the bottom, a large plastic latch slides out and swings down to reveal the enclosed battery and SD/SDHC card slot. Like we've mentioned throughout this review, nobody likes an enclosed battery design because of the inability to upgrade to a larger pack. The FS11 can get away with it, though, thanks to a battery life of over 3 hours. No need to upgrade--just buy a backup pack.

Other Features

What’s in the Box?

The Canon FS11 ships with the following items:

  • CA-590 Compact Power Adapter

  • BP-808 Battery Pack

  • WL-D88 Wireless Controller

  • Lithium Ion Button Battery CR2025 for Wireless Controller

  • STV-250N Stereo Video Cable

  • IFC-400PCU USB Cable

  • Software CD-ROM and Installation Guide, PIXELA Image Mixer 3 SE

  • WS-30 Wrist Strap

  • Software CD-ROM Digital Video Solution Disk

The contents of the Canon FS11 packaging

Based on the 3 hour battery life and massive 3 hour internal Flash memory space, a backup battery and and SDHC card are optional in this case. Canon includes a nice array of accessories, so the need to add to the camera bag is very low priority, unless you're an accessory junkie.

Other Features* (3.0)**

Video Light- *Canon's LED Video Light is a nice little bonus to have when the lights grow dim and the hunger for video ensues. A single bluish beam will be emitted when the Video Light is activated from within the first page of the Joystick menu. Amateurish? Yes. Will most families and beginners care? No.

*Digital Effect- *To spice up your video without even having to do a drop of post work, Canon offers a slew of Digital Image Effects that can be applied in-camera. The menu consists of Fate-T, Wipe, Blk&Wht, Sepia, Art, Mosaic. Art is totally neato (snort).

*Battery Info- *When the FS11 is powered off, you can check the remaining battery life by pressing the Battery Info button. A screen will appear containing a multicolored horizontal percentage meter and numerical value pertaining to the amount of juice left in the FS11's BP-808 battery pack.

Conclusion & Comparisons

****Conclusion**
**

The Canon FS11 is a good camcorder. The video performance is par-to-above average in moderate light, particularly the color. We wish it could have performed better in low light like the JVC GZ-MS11, but it didn't. This is a great camcorder for point-and-shooters or those who just want something they can turn and never have to mess with. The new Easy mode that Canon created this year is perhaps the best idiot-proofing we've ever seen. When engaged, it's virtually impossible to hit the wrong button, making it a great gift idea for the technophobe in your life. To boot, the FS11 looks sleek and has an incredible battery life.

There is a lot of choice out there for recording media in this price range. The Canon FS11, with its 16GB of internal flash memory and SD/SDHC card slot is among the best options. 16GB will hold 220 minutes in the highest quality, and you can start shooting right out of the box. Most camcorders that are card-based only don't even ship with a card - a common source of frustration for first time buyers. If you do decide to buy a removable memory card, you can expand the FS11's capacity quite a bit. While it will never match the huge 60-120GB capacities of hard disk drive (HDD) camcorders, you can be secure in the knowledge that solid state memory is more shock resistant. Also, smaller capacities prompt you to back up your video mode often, a vital chore that too often goes undone.

All told, the Canon FS11 is a strong contender in this price range. We'll have a review of most promising contenders, the Sony DCR-SR65 and the Panasonic SDR-H60, soon. **
**

*

**Comparisons*
Canon FS10

The FS10 ($499 MSRP) is the FS11's nearly identical twin. Aside from differing paint jobs and built-in Flash Memory capacity, there is no difference between the FS10 and FS11. Canon opted to go with flashy silver for the FS10 and keep the built-in Flash Memory to 8GB, as opposed to the FS11's 16GB. As a result, you get half the built-in recording time and a body that will reflect sunbeams. On the plus side, you save $100 with the FS10--but $100 for 8GB is not bad...until you check Amazon and find an SDHC card for around $80. You'd get more storage with the FS10 for about $20 less by opting for a 16GB SDHC card. Plus, there's no need to connect the camcorder to a PC--just pop in the card. Think about this one...

*

JVC GZ-MS100*

JVC's first attempt at a YouTube internet cam was a valiant one, but it's not enough firepower to gun down the FS11. It records exclusively to removable SD/SDHC cards. The GZ-MS100 has a basic 1/6-inch, 680,000-pixel imager and offers up a decent image in bright to moderate light and great low light performance. The FS11's 1/6-inch chip has a higher 1,070,000-pixel resolution, but its low light cannot match the killer performance of the GZ-MS100. The FS11's Manual Controls are superior, and the LCD Joystick lays the smackdown on JVC's finicky 'Laser Touch' panel. The FS11 also sports a Mic jack and handles better. The GZ-MS100's other bonuses are its more compact size and YouTube upload feature, which helps even the most basic shooters become video stars--just what the world needs. Battery life and recording capacity favor the FS11. If you want better performance, the JVC is an easy winner. For a more enjoyable user experience and the flexibility of extra memory, the Canon might be your camcorder.

*

**JVC GZ-MG365B*

We haven't gotten our hands on a 60GB hard disk drive Everio yet this year, but here's what we can tell you. The GZ-MG365B ($599 MSRP) joins the lot of 2008 standard definition Everios that feature the 'Laser Touch' panel. It looks cool, but doesn't function that well.  The GZ-MG365 only has a 1/6-inch, 680,000-pixel sensor. A $600 camcorder should be cranking out a higher resolution than that. As far as handling goes, the GZ-MG365B is tiny and nearly identical to the GZ-MS100. The FS11 has a Mic jack, Joystick control, and better video quality (based on the GZ-MS100's performance). The GZ-MG365B's 60GB capacity offers over 14 hours of recording in the highest quality, which is more than enough. If storage capacity is your main concern, check out the GZ-MG365B. Otherwise, it's Canon all the way.

*

Sony DCR-SR65*

So far, the Sony DCR-SR65 ($599 MSRP) is the FS11's prime competition. It's got a 1/6-inch Advanced HAD CCD with a 1,070,000 pixel count, stereo Zoom microphone, and 40GB hard disk drive that offers 9 hours of recording in the highest quality. The DCR-SR65 also has an Active Interface Shoe, Sony's proprietary hot accessory shoe. We haven't roasted the DCR-SR65 over the fiery coals of our testing labs, but this is looking like a close race. The Canon FS11 has a Mic jack and LCD Joystick, but with no accessory shoe, external audio options are slim. This is a total toss up--one that will separate the Sonyites from the Canonites.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters

Beginners, the FS11 will rock your world. It's tiny, has tons of battery life and recording space, and is armed with an Easy mode that would put Autopilot to shame.

Budget Consumers

$600 for Canon's top-tier solid state cam is not bad, considering the fact that it's dual memory--the only camcorder in its price range to offer both internal and external Flash memory. Versatility, decent still features and video quality, and amazing battery life place the FS11 at the top of the value list.

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid

Canon's still features are ample, including extensive image information and shooting modes. The maximum image resolution is on the small side compared to Sony, but the FS11 is definitely a contender.

Gadget Freaks

The FS11's dual memory, tiny architecture, and wicked cool style just might convince a video geek or two to stick with standard definition--until they see the HF10.

Manual Control Freaks

Canon's Manual Controls are hard to beat, offering Exposure, Focus, Shutter Speed, White Balance, and a host of other semi-auto image adjustments. Panasonic offers independent shutter and aperture, but overall, most users will likely prefer the Canon.

Pros / Serious Hobbyists

To a pro, a standard definition solid state cam with these meager specs is like ankle weights for the Incredible Hulk. Sure, they look cute, but are they doing the job?

Meet the tester

Michael Perlman

Michael Perlman

Editor

Michael Perlman is a valued contributor to the Reviewed.com family of sites.

See all of Michael Perlman's reviews

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