What To Know
- If you’re looking for a reliable and feature-rich camcorder for capturing precious moments, the Canon Legria FS36 and Canon Vixia HF M400 are two compelling contenders.
- The Vixia HF M400 shares a similar compact design with the FS36, offering a comfortable grip and a large 3-inch touchscreen LCD.
- The M400 also features a built-in microphone and a variety of shooting modes, including a dedicated “Sports” mode for capturing fast-paced action.
Choosing the right camcorder can be a daunting task, especially with the plethora of options available. If you’re looking for a reliable and feature-rich camcorder for capturing precious moments, the Canon Legria FS36 and Canon Vixia HF M400 are two compelling contenders. Both camcorders offer impressive video quality, user-friendly features, and compact designs, but each has its unique strengths and weaknesses. This comprehensive comparison will help you determine which camcorder best suits your needs and budget.
Video Quality: A Tale of Two Sensors
Both the Canon Legria FS36 and Canon Vixia HF M400 boast impressive video quality, but there are subtle differences in their image sensors and recording capabilities.
Canon Legria FS36: This camcorder features a 1/2.84-inch CMOS sensor with 3.29 million effective pixels. It can capture Full HD (1920 x 1080) video at 60 frames per second (fps) in AVCHD format. The FS36 also offers a variety of recording modes, including slow-motion and high-speed recording, allowing you to capture action sequences with clarity.
Canon Vixia HF M400: The Vixia HF M400 utilizes a 1/3-inch CMOS sensor with 2.91 million effective pixels. While it also records Full HD video at 60fps, it uses the H.264 codec, which is known for its efficient compression and high-quality output. The M400 also offers a wider range of recording resolutions, including 720p and 1080i, providing flexibility for various projects.
The Verdict: While both camcorders deliver excellent video quality, the Legria FS36’s larger sensor might offer a slight edge in low-light performance and image detail. However, the Vixia HF M400’s H.264 codec provides efficient compression and superior file sizes, making it a more practical choice for long-term storage and editing.
Lens and Zoom: Capturing the Action from Afar
The lens is a crucial component of any camcorder, and both the FS36 and M400 offer impressive optical zoom capabilities.
Canon Legria FS36: Equipped with a Canon HD Video Lens, the FS36 provides a 57x optical zoom, allowing you to capture distant subjects with remarkable clarity. The lens also features a wide-angle setting, perfect for capturing expansive landscapes or group shots.
Canon Vixia HF M400: This camcorder boasts a 32x optical zoom, which is still impressive but slightly less powerful than the FS36. However, the M400’s lens features a wider aperture (f/1.8-3.8), allowing for better low-light performance and shallower depth of field for creative effects.
The Verdict: The Legria FS36’s 57x optical zoom is ideal for capturing distant subjects, while the Vixia HF M400’s wider aperture lens offers better low-light performance and creative control. Ultimately, the choice depends on your priorities – reaching far-off subjects or capturing stunning footage in low-light conditions.
Design and Features: A User-Friendly Experience
Both the Canon Legria FS36 and Canon Vixia HF M400 prioritize user-friendliness and ease of use.
Canon Legria FS36: The FS36 features a compact and lightweight design, making it easy to carry around. Its intuitive controls and large LCD screen provide a comfortable shooting experience. The camcorder also includes a built-in microphone and a variety of shooting modes, including manual control for experienced users.
Canon Vixia HF M400: The Vixia HF M400 shares a similar compact design with the FS36, offering a comfortable grip and a large 3-inch touchscreen LCD. The M400 also features a built-in microphone and a variety of shooting modes, including a dedicated “Sports” mode for capturing fast-paced action.
The Verdict: Both camcorders offer a user-friendly experience with intuitive controls and comfortable designs. The FS36 might appeal to those seeking more manual control, while the M400’s touchscreen interface and dedicated “Sports” mode cater to a wider range of users.
Connectivity and Extras: Expanding Your Options
Connecting your camcorder to other devices and accessories is crucial for sharing your creations and enhancing your workflow.
Canon Legria FS36: The FS36 offers a variety of connectivity options, including HDMI, USB, and composite video output. It also features a built-in SD card slot for recording and storage. The FS36 also supports Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to share your videos wirelessly to your smartphone or tablet.
Canon Vixia HF M400: The Vixia HF M400 offers similar connectivity options as the FS36, including HDMI, USB, and composite video output. It also features a built-in SD card slot and supports Wi-Fi connectivity for wireless sharing. The M400 also includes a built-in GPS receiver for recording location data with your videos.
The Verdict: Both camcorders offer comprehensive connectivity options for sharing your videos and expanding your workflow. The M400’s built-in GPS receiver provides an added advantage for capturing location data, especially for travel enthusiasts or those documenting their adventures.
Battery Life: Powering Your Creative Journey
Long-lasting battery life is crucial for capturing extended events or spontaneous adventures.
Canon Legria FS36: The FS36 features a battery that provides up to 2 hours of continuous recording time. While this is a decent amount of time, it might not be sufficient for longer events or extended travel.
Canon Vixia HF M400: The Vixia HF M400 boasts a battery life of up to 2.5 hours, slightly exceeding the FS36’s capacity. This extended battery life is a significant advantage for capturing longer events or multi-day trips.
The Verdict: The Vixia HF M400’s extended battery life provides a crucial advantage for capturing extended events or travel adventures. However, both camcorders offer decent battery performance for typical shooting scenarios.
Price and Value: Finding the Sweet Spot
The price point is often a deciding factor when choosing a camcorder.
Canon Legria FS36: The FS36 is generally priced slightly higher than the Vixia HF M400, reflecting its powerful optical zoom and advanced features. However, it still offers excellent value for its price, considering its impressive video quality and user-friendly design.
Canon Vixia HF M400: The Vixia HF M400 is priced more affordably than the FS36, making it a compelling choice for budget-conscious users. Its impressive video quality, user-friendly features, and extended battery life provide excellent value for the price.
The Verdict: The Vixia HF M400 offers exceptional value for its price, providing a compelling balance between features and affordability. However, the Legria FS36’s advanced features and powerful optical zoom justify its slightly higher price point for those seeking the best possible performance.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Camcorder for You
Both the Canon Legria FS36 and Canon Vixia HF M400 are excellent camcorders that offer impressive video quality, user-friendly features, and compact designs. The Legria FS36 excels with its powerful optical zoom and advanced features, while the Vixia HF M400 provides exceptional value for its price, offering a compelling balance between features and affordability.
Here’s a quick recap of each camcorder’s strengths:
Canon Legria FS36:
- Powerful 57x optical zoom
- Larger sensor for better low-light performance
- More advanced features and manual control options
Canon Vixia HF M400:
- Wider aperture lens for better low-light performance
- Extended battery life
- More affordable price point
Ultimately, the best camcorder for you depends on your specific needs and priorities. If you prioritize reaching distant subjects and value advanced features, the Legria FS36 is an excellent choice. However, if you’re on a budget and value extended battery life, the Vixia HF M400 offers exceptional value and performance.
Answers to Your Questions
Q: Which camcorder is better for low-light shooting?
A: The Canon Vixia HF M400’s wider aperture lens (f/1.8-3.8) provides better low-light performance compared to the Legria FS36.
Q: Which camcorder is better for capturing fast-paced action?
A: Both camcorders offer high frame rate recording for capturing fast-paced action, but the Vixia HF M400’s dedicated “Sports” mode might be slightly more effective.
Q: Which camcorder is better for travel vlogging?
A: The Vixia HF M400’s extended battery life and built-in GPS receiver make it a better choice for travel vlogging, allowing you to capture longer videos and track your location.
Q: Which camcorder is better for beginners?
A: Both camcorders are user-friendly and suitable for beginners, but the Vixia HF M400’s touchscreen interface might be slightly easier to navigate.
Q: Which camcorder offers better image stabilization?
A: Both camcorders offer impressive image stabilization, but the Legria FS36 might have a slight edge in this area, providing smoother footage, especially in challenging conditions.