General Features
Video Camcorder Features
Digital Still Camera Features
Battery Information
Inputs and Outputs
Software Requirements

General Features

Overview: The Canon VIXIA HF M400 features a 3.0" TFT color widescreen LCD touch screen (230,000 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, as well as playback and menu controls for added convenience.

Note: This camcorder does not feature a separate viewfinder.

Quick Start: When you close the LCD panel with the camcorder on, the camcorder enters the standby mode. In standby mode, the camcorder consumes only about 1/3 the power used when recording, saving energy when you're using a battery pack. When you open the LCD panel, the camcorder is ready to record in approximately 1 second, allowing you to begin recording right away.

Recording Media: The Canon HF M400 captures video and still images onto optional SD, SDHC, or SDXC memory cards (sold separately). Flash memory offers quick response time for recording and playback, as well as a lower power consumption rate for longer battery life. Flash memory is also more shock resistant, and is less likely to lose data because there are no moving parts.

Note: The camcorder has no built-in memory, therefore, you must first purchase a memory card before recording.

Dual Memory Card Slots: The HF M400 is equipped with two slots for inserting SD, SDHC, or SDXC memory cards. When the memory card in slot A becomes full during recording, the recording will continue uninterrupted on the card in slot B.

Recording Formats: The camcorder records movies in MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (AVCHD) video compression format with Dolby Digital 2-channel audio. Still photos are recorded in JPEG image compression.

Image Sensor: The HF M400 features a 1/3" HD CMOS Pro, native 1920 x 1080 image sensor. HD CMOS Pro sensors use fewer (approximately 2,370,000 gross and 2,070,000 effective), but significantly larger and more sensitive pixels, resulting in superb low-light performance and wider dynamic range.

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 card, as well as lower power consumption for longer battery life.

Genuine Canon Video Lens: The HF M400 comes with a Genuine Canon HD video lens with a 10x optical zoom. The digital zoom can be set to 4x or 20x for a total digital zoom of 40x or 200x.

Zoom Speed: The zoom speed can be set to variable or one of three fixed speeds. In the variable position, the zoom speed depends upon how far you push the lever. The purpose of the three fixed zoom speeds is a smoother zoom transition at your choice of speeds.

Optional Lens Attachments: The lens has a 43mm diameter thread for attaching optional converters and filters. The optional WD-H43 wide-converter lens decreases the focal length by a factor of 0.7x, giving you a wide perspective for indoor shots or panoramic views. The optional TL-H43 tele-converter increase the focal length of the camcorder by a factor of 1.5x.

Instant AF: The camcorder has an external distance sensor on the front near the lens to quickly determine the distance between the camcorder and the subject. When the distance sensor is coupled with the TTL (through-the-lens) auto focus system, the camcorder will adjust quickly to a new subject. The Instant AF mode can be turned off, if desired, allowing you to use Standard AF or manual focusing.

Image Stabilization: The HF M400 features Canon's proprietary Dynamic SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization which provides continuous adjustment throughout the entire zoom range to correct a broad range of motion. Extra stabilization is applied at wide-angle focal lengths to eliminate unwanted shaking which is common when recording while walking. An even higher level of compensation is available by pressing or holding the Powered IS button on the touch panel LCD.

x.v.Color: The camcorder can be set to x.v.Color to record video that uses a color space with an extended gamut to achieve deeper colors, closer to real life. Video recorded with x.v.Color can only be played back properly on HDTVs compatible with x.v.Color via an HDMI cable.

Video Snapshot: The camcorder's Video Snapshot mode lets you shoot a series of short video clips (2, 4, or 8 seconds), then combines them with a pre-recorded music track or your own favorite music track, to create an enteraining movie.

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 by touching your point of interest on the LCD touch panel (Touch & Track).

Exposure Modes: The HF M400 features several auto exposure modes, plus a manual exposure adjustment for scenes that appear underexposed or overexposed. The available exposure modes include:

• Smart Auto: You can take videos and photos easily, by letting the camcorder automatically adjust settings based on the recording situation. Some functions are not available during Smart Auto recording.
• Programmed AE: The camcorder automatically adjusts the aperture and shutter speed to obtain the optimal exposure for the subject, while you are able to adjust the other settings.
• Shutter-Priority AE: You can set the shutter speed value while the camcorder automatically sets the appropriate aperture value.
• Aperture-Priority AE: You can set the aperture value while the camcorder automatically sets the appropriate shutter speed value.
• Special Scene Recording Modes:
  • Portrait: camcorder uses a large aperture to achieve a sharp focus on the subject while blurring the background
  • Sports: for recording sports scenes, such as tennis or golf
  • Night Scene: to record nightscapes with lower noise
  • Snow: to record in bright snow scenes without the subject being underexposed
  • Beach: to record on a sunny beach without the subject being underexposed
  • Sunset: to record sunsets in vibrant colors
  • Low Light: to record in low-light situations
  • Spotlight: to record spotlit scenes
  • Fireworks: uses slow shutter speeds for recording fireworks (tripod recommended)
  • Underwater: for recording underwater scenes in natural color (requires optional WP-V3 Waterproof Case)
  • Surface: to record after getting out of the water (requires optional WP-V3 Waterproof Case)
• Manual Exposure Adjustment: When backlit subjects appear too dark (underexposed) or subjects under very strong light appear too bright (overexposed), you can correct by manually adjusting the exposure.

White Balance: The white balance setting 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: the camcorder automatically sets the white balance for natural looking colors.
• Daylight: to record outdoors on a bright day
• Shade: to record in shaded places
• Cloudy: to record on a cloudy day
• Fluorescent: to record under warm white, cool white, or warm-white-type (3-wavelength) fluorescent lighting
• Fluorescent H: to record under daylight or daylight-type (3-wavelength) fluorescent lighting
• Tungsten: to record under tungsten and tungsten-type (3-wavelength) fluorescent lighting
• Custom WB: manually sets the white balance to make white subjects appear white under colored lighting

Self Timer: The HF M400 features a 10-second self timer to allow the photographer to appear in the photo or movies. The camcorder will start recording the movie or take the photo after a 10-second countdown. When using the supplied WL-D89 Wireless Controller, the delay is only 2 seconds.

Onscreen Markers: You can display a grid or a horizontal line at the center of the screen to use as a reference to make sure your subject is framed correctly (vertically and/or horizontally). The onscreen markers do not appear on the recordings.

Mini Advanced Shoe: The HF M400 has a Mini Advanced Shoe for attaching optional accessories to the camcorder. Compatible accessories include the DM-100 Directional Stereo Microphone (280DM100) and the VFL-2 Video Flash Light (280VFL2).

Wireless Controller: The camcorder comes with the WL-D89 Wireless Controller for operating the unit from a distance. With the wireless controller, you can start and stop recordings, shoot photos, zoom in and out, access the menus, and switch between record and playback modes. The wireless controller is powered by a CR2025 Lithium battery (included).

Video Camcorder Features

Recording Modes: The Canon HF M400 captures high-definition video in 16:9 (1920 x 1080) or 4:3 (1440 x 1080) aspect ratios. Using SD, SDHC, or SDXC memory cards, the estimated total recording times are follows:

Frame Rates: You can change the frame rate to change the look of your movies. The following frame rates are available:

• 60i Standard: Records at 60 fields per second, interlaced. Standard frame rate of NTSC analog TVs
• PF30: Records at 30 frames per second, progressive. This frame rate allows you to easily edit your recordings to post them on the Internet.
• PF24: Records at 24 frames per second, progressive. This rate gives your recordings a cinematic look.

Cinema-look Filters: In Cinema mode, the camcorder will adjust the frame rate and several other picture-related settings to give your recordings a cinematic look. You can also select a Cinema-look filter and dial in the effect level of the filter (Low, Medium, or High). The Cinema-look filters include Cinema Standard, Vivid, Dream, Cool, Nostalgic, Sepia, Old Movies, Memory, and Dramatic B&W.

Microphone Directionality: The built-in microphone in the HF M400 is improved over past year's models, offering significant reductions in noise at medium and low frequencies. In addition, you can change the directionality of the built-in mic by selecting one of the following:

• Monaural: Mono recording that emphasizes sound coming from the front of the camcorder
• Normal: Standard stereo recording; a middle point between Wide and Monaural settings in reach
• Wide: Stereo recording of ambient sounds over a more extensive area that adds to the sense of presence of movies.
• Zoom: Stereo recording with the sound linked to the zoom position. the larger the subject appears on the screen, the louder the sound will be.

Audio Equalizer: You can adjust the sound by selecting one of the following EQ settings:

• Normal: for balanced sound under normal recording conditions
• Boost LF Range: accentuates the low frequency range for more powerful sound
• Low Cut Filter: filters the low frequency range to reduce the noise of blowing wind, a car's engine, or similar ambient sounds
• Boost MF Range: best for recording human voices and dialog
• Boost HF + LF Range: best for recording live music and to clearly capture the special sound characteristics of a variety of instruments

Pre-Recording: When the Pre-Recording function is activated, the camcorder starts recording video continuously into a temporary 3-second memory. This feature is especially useful when it is difficult to predict when to start recording, and ensures you don't miss an important shooting opportunity.

Playback Functions: The camcorder uses several special playback modes. During these special modes, there is no sound output. The playback modes include:

• Fast Playback: Plays back the movie at 5x, 15x, or 60x normal speed
• Slow Playback: Plays back the movie at 1/8x or 1/4x normal speed  
• Frame-by-Frame: Plays back the movie frame-by-frame at approximately 0.5 second interval

3D Flip View: The 3D Flip View is a fun way to display recordings in a 3D layout. The videos are organized by recording date, and can be reviewed by swiping your finger left and right, or up and down across the touch screen.

Playlists: You can create a playlist to play back only the scenes you prefer in the order of your choice. Moving or deleting scenes in the playlist will not affect the original recordings.

Photos From Recorded Movies: You can record a single still photo or a series of photos from a recorded movie. The size of the captured photos will be 1920 x 1080.

Digital Still Camera Features

Still Image Recording: The Canon HF M400 camcorder is also a high performance digital still camera, capable of capturing stunning JPEG still images on SD, SDHC, or SDXC Memory Cards. Still images can be recorded at 1920 x 1080 resolution. Approximately 670 photos can be stored on a 1 GB memory card.

Viewing Photos: You can view photos one at a time or several at a time while you're searching. The index screen will display 6 photos or 15 photos at a time. The Photo Jump function will allow you to jump over numerous photos at once. Swiping your finger across the LCD screen will advance photos forward or backward.

Photo Sequence: In the Photo Sequence mode, up to 100 photos can be captured at a time from a recorded movie. Photos are captured at intervals of 1/30 second or 1/24 second if the PF24 frame rate was used.

Battery Information

Lithium-Ion Battery Pack: The Canon HF M400 comes with a rechargeable BP-808 Lithium-Ion Battery Pack (7.4 volts/890 mAh). Optional batteries are available, such as the BP-808, BP-819, or BP-827. The camcorder also comes with an AC power adapter (CA-570) for charging the battery in the camcorder, and operating the camcorder on AC power. The estimated recording and playback times for each battery is as follows (in minutes):

Charging Times: The BP-808 battery charges in the camcorder in approximately 150 minutes. The charging times for the optional BP-819 is 260 minutes, while the BP-827 charges in 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 it shuts off, a warning message appears in the display.

Inputs and Outputs

HDMI Output: The HF M400 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.

Note: An HTC-100 HDMI cable is included with the camcorder.

Component Output: The camcorder has a proprietary terminal for plugging in the optional CTC-100 Component Video Cable. Since the component video terminal outputs video only, the supplied A/V cable should also be used for the audio output.

AV Output: The camcorder features a 3.5mm minijack AV output to play back audio and video on your television using the supplied composite video/stereo audio RCA cable. You can select between a 4:3 aspect ratio and a 16:9 aspect ratio for the video output, based on your television's aspect ratio. The AV output also doubles as a headphone output. The built-in speaker will be muted when headphones or the AV cable are plugged in.

USB 2.0 Connection: The HF M400 features a USB 2.0 High Speed terminal for fast transfer of photos and videos. A 2' USB cable is included.

Microphone Input: In addition to the camcorder's built-in microphone, the HF M400 has a 3.5mm microphone input for connecting an optional external mic. The input is compatible with optional SM-V1 Surround Microphone, and the camcorder will record in 5.1-channels when the SM-V1 is used.

Software Requirements

Included Software: The Canon HF M400 camcorder comes with three CD-ROM application discs: PIXELA's Tranfers Utility disc, PIXELA's VideoBrowser, and the VIXIA disc. These discs include the following:

• PIXELA's Transfer Utility, Ver.1.0: Use Transfer Utility for saving and transferring movies and music files you can use as background music. (Compatible with Windows only)
• PIXELA's VideoBrowser, Ver.1.1: This CD-ROM disc includes:
• Instruction Manual: full version of the instruction manual (.pdf file)
  • Photo Application (Ver. 35): Software for saving, managing, and printing photos.
  • Music Data: Music files that can be used as background music during playback. These files are for exclusive use with the supplied PIXELA software.
  • Image Mix Data: Image files that can be used to mix with live video for the image mix function.

Windows System Requirements (for Transfer Utility disc):

 Windows System Requirements (for VideoBrowser disc):