Features
Battery Information
Inputs And Outputs
Software
Features
Overview: The Canon VIXIA HF G20 Flash Memory camcorder
shoots high definition video or digital photos that can be stored on the
built-in 32 GB flash memory or on optional SD, SDHC, or SDXC Memory Cards.
You can store nearly 3 hours of HD video at the highest resolution on the
built-in 32 GB memory.
Image Sensor: The HF G20 features a 1/3", native 1920 x
1080 HD CMOS Pro image sensor. HD CMOS Pro uses fewer pixels (2,370,000) which
are 61% larger and more sensitive than those found in most consumer camcorders.
The result is outstanding video resolution, superb low-light performance, and
wide dynamic range. The sensor's low-light performance is 20% improved, compared
to the Image Sensor used in the HF G10 camcorder (from 2011). The effective pixel count is 2,070,000 for video and photos.
3.5" Widescreen LCD Touch Screen: The HF G20 features a
3.5" TFT color widescreen LCD touch screen (922,000
dots) to make it easy to compose and review your shots. The bright screen lets
you see exactly what your camcorder is recording, and what your widescreen TV
will display later. You can rotate the LCD screen 270° allowing the subject to monitor the LCD screen. The
LCD screen also features an adjustable brightness control. The LCD Screen's frame contains zoom, playback and menu controls
for added convenience.
Viewfinder: In addition to the 3.5" LCD, the camcorder
also features a separate 0.24" TFT color viewfinder with 260,000 dots. You can
switch from the LCD screen and the viewfinder by pulling the viewfinder out. You
can adjust the viewfinder to your eyesight using the dioptric adjustment lever.
The viewfinder includes the same large, comfortable eye cup that is used on
Canon's XA 10 professional camcorder for blocking out extra light to improve
visibility.
Recording Media: The Canon HF G20 camcorder captures video
and still-images onto the built-in 32 GB flash memory or optional SD, SDHC, or
SDXC memory cards (sold separately). Flash
memory offers quick response time for recording and playback. By recording onto
flash memory, the camcorder's power consumption rate is reduced, allowing the
battery to last longer. In addition, by using flash memory, the camcorder is
more shock resistant and is less likely to lose data because there are no moving
parts.
Dual Memory Card Slots: The HF G20 is equipped with two
slots for inserting SD, SDHC, or SDXC memory cards. When the memory card in slot A
becomes full while recording movies, the recording will continue uninterrupted
on the card in slot B. When the built-in memory becomes full while recording
movies, the camcorder will automatically switch to the memory card in slot A
(Relay Recording), and then to the card in slot B. You can also record the same
scene simultaneously to both cards (Double Slot Recording).
Recording Formats: The camcorder records movies in AVCHD
(MPEG-4 AVC/H.264) video compression format with Dolby Digital 2-channel audio,
using the built-in microphone. You can record in 5.1-channel surround when using
the optional SM-V1 Surround Microphone.
Still photos are recorded in JPEG compression.
DIGIC DV III: DIGIC DV III, Canon's advanced HD image processor, delivers enhanced image quality, true color production for both video and photos, and a sophisticated noise
reduction system for exceptional low-light performance. Its high-speed engine powers a variety of Canon technologies, such as the Genuine Canon Face Detection and Advanced Auto Exposure system. DIGIC DV III allows continuous shooting of digital photos, faster processing to the memory, as well as lower power consumption for longer battery life.
Mini Advanced Shoe: The top-mounted Mini Advanced Shoe
allows you to attach a range of optional accessories, such as video lights (VL-5
or VFL-2) and external microphone (DM-100).
Genuine Canon Video Lens: The HF G20 comes with a
Genuine Canon HD video lens with a 10x Optical zoom (35mm equivalent: 30.4 -
304mm) and a selectable 4x or
20x digital zoom for a 40x or 200x total digital zoom. A lens hood is included
to reduce the amount of stray light to enter the lens.
Zoom Speed: The zoom speed can be set to variable or one of
three fixed speeds. In the variable position, the zoom speed depends on how
far you push the lever. The purpose of the three fixed zoom speeds is a
smoother zoom transition, at your choice of speeds.
Digital Tele-Converter: You can digitally increase the focal
length of the camcorder by a factor of approximately 2x and record the
enlarged image at full HD resolution.
Optional Converter Lenses: The HF G20's lens has a 58mm
filter thread, allowing you to attach optional converter lenses to increase or
decrease the focal length. The optional TL-H58 Tele-Converter increases the
focal length by a factor of 1.5 with a minimum focusing distance of 7.5'. The
WD-H58W Wide-Converter decreases the focal length by a factor of 0.7, giving you
a wide perspective for indoor shots or panoramic views. In addition to converter
lenses, you can also attach 58mm protective or natural density filters to the
lens.
Dynamic Image Stabilizer: The HF G20 has a Dynamic
SuperRange Optical Image
Stabilizer system with Powered IS to compensate for camera shake. The Image
Stabilization system provides continuous adjustment throughout the entire zoom
range, plus extra compensation at wide-angle focal lengths. The Powered IS
function compensates for hand movement at the telephoto end of the zoom range. You can select the degree of
compensation:
- Dynamic: Highest degree of compensation; most effective at wide
angle zoom. (movie mode only)
- Standard: Compensates for a lower degree of camera shake
- Off: No compensation applied. Recommended when camera is on a
tripod.
Operating Modes: Using the Mode Switch on the top of the
camcorder, you can select one of the following Operating Modes:
- Auto: The camcorder takes care of all of the settings while you
concentrate on recording.
- Manual: The manual setting gives you full access to menus,
settings, and advanced functions.
- Cinema: The Cinema mode gives your recordings a cinematic look.
The Cinema-Look filters help you create unique movies.
Video Snapshot: The camcorder's Video Snapshot mode lets you shoot a series of short video clips, then combines them with a pre-recorded music track or your own favorite
music track, to create an entertaining movie. You can select the length of the
video snapshot scenes: 2 sec, 4 sec or 8 sec.
Story Creator: The Story Creator feature helps you create
and organize high quality videos. You can choose from five themes: Travel, Kids
& Pets, Party, Ceremony, and Blog. A list of suggested scenes to shoot is
provided, as well as help with selecting, categorizing, and rating scenes.
Instant Auto Focus (AF): The HF G20 offers Instant Auto Focus, which uses an external sensor, in combination with Canon's auto focus system, to help significantly decrease the time
it takes to focus, even in low light situations. The Focus Assistance feature provides a 2x magnification of your subject in the LCD monitor before you start recording. When recording begins, the Focus
Assist is canceled. Other Autofocus modes include Medium AF and Normal AF.
Manual Focus Ring: The HF G20 has a manual focus ring that helps you achieve the focus you're looking for. The focus ring response can be set to fast, normal, or slow, plus the focus direction can be set in either direction.
Face Detection: The camcorder can automatically detect people's faces and use this information to adjust the focus and set the best exposure and color
control settings for beautiful videos and photos. When there are a number of people in the picture, one person will be determined to be the main subject. You can also select the main subject manually.
Exposure Modes: The HF G20 features several exposure modes,
each depending upon how much control you have over recording-related settings:
- Smart Auto: The Smart Auto setting automatically
selects the best settings for the scene you want to shoot. You get
spectacular recordings every time without worrying about the settings.
- Programmed AE: The camcorder automatically adjusts the aperture and shutter speed to obtain the optimal exposure for the subject.
- Cine Mode: The Cine Mode gives your recordings a
cinematic look. You can select a 24fps progressive frame rate to enhance the
effect.
- Shutter Priority: You choose the shutter speed to
freeze or blur the shot while the camcorder selects the appropriate aperture
for the scene. You can select shutter speeds of 1/8 to 1/2000, or 1/6 to
1/2000 in PF24 mode.
- Aperture Priority: You choose the aperture to affect
the depth of field and the camcorder selects the appropriate shutter speed
for the scene. You can select aperture settings of f/1.8 to f/8.0.
- Special Scene Recording
Modes: The camcorder features the following Preset Scene Recording Modes to match
special conditions: Portrait, Sports, Night Scene, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Low
Light, Spotlight, and Fireworks.
White Balance: The camcorder's white balance system
helps you accurately reproduce colors under different lighting conditions so that white objects will always look truly white in your recordings. You can choose from the following modes:
Automatic, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Tungsten, Color
Temperature, and Custom WB.
Cinema-Look Filters: The
HF G20 allows you to record with the following cinema-look filters: Cinema
Standard, Vivid, Dream, Cool, Nostalgic, Sepia, Old Movies, Memory, and Dramatic
B&W.
Digital Effects: When shooting videos, you can select a fade
or wipe to begin and end a scene. The fader can be activated only one time, or
every time you start/stop recording.
Self-Timer: This feature allows the camcorder to start
recording after a 10-second countdown. When using the wireless remote
control, the delay is two seconds.
Wireless Remote Control: The HF G20 comes with the WL-D89
Wireless Controller. With this remote, you can control the following
functions of the camcorder: Start/Stop, Play/Pause, Menu Navigation,
Display, Photo button (for taking still images), and zoom in/out.
Recording Modes: The camcorder offers five video recording modes:
- MXP: 1920 x 1080, 24 Mbps, 2 hrs 55 min (max recording
time with built-in 32 GB memory)
- FXP: 1920 x 1080, 17 Mbps, 4 hrs 10 min
- XP+: 1440 x 1080, 12 Mbps, 5 hrs 45 min
- SP: 1440 x 1080, 7 Mbps, 9 hrs 35 min
- LP: 1440 x 1080, 5 Mbps, 12 hrs 15 min
Still Image Recording:
The HF G20 flash memory camcorder is also a high performance digital camera
capable of capturing stunning photos onto the built-in 32 GB flash memory or optional SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card.
Photos are recorded at 1920 x 1080 only. The number of
still images that can be recorded on a 1 GB SD memory card is approximately 670.
Video Snapshots/Photos From Recorded Movies: You can record
video snapshot scenes and still photos from a recorded movie. The size of the captured photos will be
1920 x 1080.
Pre-Recording: When Pre-Recording is activated, the camcorder starts recording video continuously into a temporary 3-second memory. When you press the Start/Stop button, the scene
recorded will have started 3 seconds before you started shooting. This is especially useful when it is difficult to predict when to start recording.
Built-in Microphone: You can change the directionality of
the built-in microphone to control how sound is recorded. The options include:
Monaural, Normal (stereo), Wide, and Zoom.
Built-in Speaker: The camcorder has a built-in speaker so
you can review the soundtrack as well as the picture when you're using the LCD
screen to playback a recording. The built-in speaker is monaural.
Playback Functions: The camera uses the following
special playback modes: Fast Playback (5x, 15x, or 60x) in either direction, Slow Playback
(1/8x or 1/4x) in either direction, and Frame-by-Frame Playback.
During these playback modes there is no sound.
Battery Information
Lithium-Ion Battery Pack: The Canon HF G20 comes supplied
with a rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery Pack (BP-808). Optional batteries are available, such as the BP-808, BP-819, or BP-827. The camcorder also comes
supplied with an AC power adapter and charger (CA-570). The battery recording and playback times are as follows:
| Battery Pack |
Function |
LCD |
Viewfinder |
BP-808
890 mAh |
Maximum Rec |
105-110 min |
110-120 min |
| Typical Rec |
60-65 min |
65-70 min |
| Playback |
145-150 min |
BP-819
1780 mAh |
Maximum Rec |
215-230 min |
235-245 min |
| Typical Rec |
135-145 min |
145-155 min |
| Playback |
305-310 min |
BP-827
2670 mAh |
Maximum Rec |
330-345 min |
350-370 min |
| Typical Rec |
200-210 min |
215-225 min |
| Playback |
455-475 min |
Note: The times above are based on
using a Memory Card. Times may be slightly different when
using the built-in memory.
Charging Times: The BP-808 battery charges in 150 minutes when charging through the camcorder with the supplied AC adapter. The charging time for the optional BP-819 is 260
minutes, while the BP-827 charges is 385 minutes.
Auto Power Off: After 5 minutes without any operation when
powered by the battery, the camcorder automatically powers off. Approximately 30
seconds before the camcorder automatically turns itself off, a warning message
appears in the display.
Inputs And Outputs
HDMI Output: The HF G20 features a mini-HDMI (Type C) terminal that offers a high-quality digital connection that combines audio and video in a single convenient cable. The HDMI
port is compatible with HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control), allowing you in many cases to control the camcorder with the remote control of the connected TV.
The HDMI can be set to output 1080p signals. A 59" HDMI cable is included.
Component Output: The camcorder has a proprietary terminal for plugging in
the optional CTC-100 component video cable. Since the component video cable outputs video only, the supplied
STV-250N AV
cable should also be used for the audio output.
AV Output: The camcorder features an AV
output to playback audio and video on your television using the supplied
STV-250N composite video/stereo audio RCA cable. You can select between a 4:3 aspect ratio
or a 16:9 aspect ratio for the video out based on your television's aspect
ratio. The AV Output also doubles as a headphone output (selectable in the menu). The built-in speaker will be muted when headphones or the AV cable are plugged in.
USB 2.0 Connection: The camcorder features a USB 2.0 High Speed terminal for fast transfer of
photos and videos.
Microphone Input: In addition to the camcorder's built-in
microphone, the HF G20 features a 3.5mm microphone input for connecting an
external microphone (sold separately). With the optional SM-V1 Surround
Microphone, you can record in 5.1-channel surround audio.
Remote Control Input: The camcorder features a 2.5mm
sub-minijack terminal for connecting an optional Zoom Remote controller (ZR-2000). Functions available with a connected Zoom Remote controller include
power on/off, start/stopping a recording, zoom, focus adjustment, and switching
between manual and auto focus.
Software
Included Software: The Canon HF G20
camcorder comes supplied with two CD-ROM application discs. PIXELA VideoBrowser Ver.2.6
for saving movies, organizing your video library, editing videos, and creating
discs. The VIXIA Disc contains Image Browser EX for saving photos to your
computer and organizing them. Also included on the VIXIA disc are Music Data
(for background music during playback), and Image Mix Data (images to mix with
live video for the Image Mix function).
Compatibility: The Pixela VideoBrowser Ver.2.6 is compatible
with Windows OS only. Image Browser EX can be used with Windows 8, 7 (SP1),
Vista (SP2), and XP (SP3), as well as Mac OS X 10.6, 10.7 and 10.8.
