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Introduction
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01.Product Tour
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02.Colour & Noise Performance
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03.Motion & Sharpness Performance
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04.Low Light Performance
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05.Compression & Media
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06.Manual Controls
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07.Still Features
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08.Handling & Use
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09.Playback & Connectivity
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10.Audio & Other Features
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11.Panasonic HDC-TM700 Comparison
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12.JVC GZ-HM1 Comparison
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13.Canon HF S100 Comparison
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14.Conclusion
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15.Photo Gallery
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16.Specs and Ratings
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17.Comments
Canon Legria HF S21
Previous: Part 10
Audio & Other FeaturesNext: Part 12
JVC GZ-HM1 Comparison
Canon HF S21 versus Panasonic HDC-TM700
• Based on our testing, the Panasonic HDC-TM700 is hands down a better camcorder than the Canon HF S21.
• The benefits of the HF S21 include dual memory card slots, 64GB of internal memory, and 3.5-inch LCD.
• The HDC-TM700 is cheaper than the HF S21, and has a 50p recording mode.
The Panasonic HDC-TM700 is the better camcorder by far. The Panasonic did better in our performance testing, has a more extensive array of manual controls, and it is far less expensive than the Canon HF S21. We also found the HDC-TM700 to be more comfortable in our hand and we liked its relatively compact design.
That doesn't mean the Canon doesn't have its benefits. We like that the HF S21 has double the internal memory of the HDC-TM700. The Canon also has a larger, higher-resolution LCD than the HDC-TM700, and it did better in our still image testing. We also like the sleek menu design on the Canon HF S21 better than the simple, antiquated menu you get on the Panasonic HDC-TM700.
So, yes, the Canon HF S21 does have some exciting features, but none of them are impressive enough to outweigh the fact that the HDC-TM700 did much better than the Canon HF S21 in nearly all of our testing categories. The HDC-TM700's 50p mode looked superb compared to the HF S21's highest-quality record mode, and we were very impressed by the TM700's low light capabilities and image stabilisation system.
| Comparison Specs | ||
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| Canon HF S21 | Panasonic HDC-TM700 | |
| Price | £1199.99 | £930 |
| Primary Recording Media | 64GB internal flash memory | 32GB internal flash memory |
| Secondary Recording Media | 2x SD/SDHC memory card slots | SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card |
| Image Sensor | 1/2.6-inch CMOS | Three 1/4.1-inch CMOS |
| Effective Pixel Count | 6.01 megapixels (video) 8.02 megapixels (photo) |
7.59 megapixels (3.05 megapixels x3) |
| Mic Input | Yes | Yes |
| LCD | 3.5-inch with 922,000 pixels | 2.7-inch with 211,000 pixels |
| Viewfinder | 0.27-inch with 123,000 pixels | Yes |
| Weight | 520g with battery | 440g with battery |
| Dimensions | 75 x 74 x 148mm |
66 x 69 x138mm |
| HD | Yes | Yes |
| Frame Rates | 50i, PF25 | 50p, 50i, 25p (Digital Cinema) |
| Compression | MPEG4-AVC/H.264 (AVCHD) | MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (AVCHD compliant, except for 50p mode) |
| Maximum Bitrate | 24Mbps | 28Mbps (1080/50p) 17Mbps (1080/50i) |
| Optical Zoom | 10x | 12x |
| Stabilisation | Optical with Dynamic and Powered IS settings | Optical with Power OIS mode |
| Scores | ||
| Canon HF S21 | Panasonic HDC-TM700 | |
| Colour | 8,05 | 11,99 |
| Noise | 7,28 | 10,81 |
| Video Sharpness | 11,97 | 13,57 |
| Low Light Sensitivity | 4,96 | 6,30 |
| Low Light Colour | 6,55 | 8,34 |
| Low Light Noise | 6,05 | 11,27 |
| Stabilisation | 6,17 | 11,47 |
| Battery Life | 80 min |
107 min |
| Low Light Comparison | |
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| Canon HF S21 | Panasonic HDC-TM700 |
| Stabilisation Score Comparison |
 |
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