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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 & Resolution 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.Sanyo VPC-HD2000 Comparison
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12.Panasonic HDC-HS20 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 HF20
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IntroductionNext: Part 2
Colour & Noise Performance
Product Tour Summary
• Traditional design is compact, but too big to carry around in your pocket
• 15x optical zoom lens offers a wide viewing angle
• Hand strap is large, adjustable, and comfortable
• HDMI and USB port placement is awkward and hard to access behind the hand strap
• Overall a sleek, clutter-free design
Lens & Imaging System
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| The lens has an automatic lens cover. |
The lens on the Canon HF20 has a 15x optical zoom and a maximum aperture of f/1.8 (with the lens at its widest angle). We measured the wide angle of the lens at 51 degrees, which is slightly above average for a consumer camcorder. The camera has a 1/4-inch CMOS sensor, which is smaller than the ones present in both the Canon HF11 and HF S100—as well as the Sanyo VPC-HD2000.
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| Filter Diameter | 37mm | Type | CMOS | |
| Focal Range | 4.1 - 61.5mm | Size | 1/4-inch | |
| Focal Range (35mm equiv.) | 39.5 - 592.5mm | Pixel Count (Gross) | 3.89 Megapixels | |
| Aperture | f/1.8 - f/3.2 | Pixel Count (Effective) | 2.99 Megapixels (video) 3.31 Megapixels (stills) |
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| Lab Tested Wide Angle* | 51° | |||
| * How We Test Wide Angle | ||||
Front
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Flash for still photos |
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Built-in stereo microphone |
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f/1.8, 15x lens |
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Secondary AF sensor, a feature only Canon offers |
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Right
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Mode dial |
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HDMI port (behind hand strap) |
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Large, comfortable hand strap |
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USB port |
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Back
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Memory access indicator light |
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Record on/off button |
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| 1/8-inch mic jack |
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| Component- out jack |
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DC power port |
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BP-809 battery pack |
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Left
| The joystick is well-placed and comfortable |
Playback controls along the bottom of the screen. |
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Video Snap feature and on-screen display on/off |
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Playback speaker |
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Function button to access menu |
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SD/SDHC card slot |
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1/8-inch headphone/AV jack |
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Top
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Shutter button for photos |
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The hot accessory shoe is smaller than a standard size |
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Zoom toggle |
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Power indicator light |
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Power button |
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Bottom
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Battery release
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