Canon Legria FS37 vs Contour Roam: Your Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Camcorder

Choosing the right camcorder for your adventures can be a daunting task, especially with the plethora of options available. Two popular contenders in the market are the Canon Legria FS37 and the Contour Roam. Both offer compelling features and cater to different needs, making the decision a tough one. This blog post will delve into a comprehensive comparison of the Canon Legria FS37 and Contour Roam, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses to help you make an informed choice.

Canon Legria FS37: A Versatile Camcorder for Diverse Needs

The Canon Legria FS37 is a versatile camcorder designed for capturing high-quality videos in various settings. Its key features include:

• High-quality video recording: The FS37 boasts a 32GB internal memory and supports SDXC card expansion, allowing for extended recording time. It captures Full HD 1080p video at 60fps with excellent image quality, thanks to its 32.5mm wide-angle lens and advanced image processing.
• Impressive zoom capabilities: The FS37 offers a powerful 57x Advanced Zoom, allowing you to capture distant subjects with clarity. This makes it ideal for wildlife photography, sporting events, and other situations where zooming is crucial.
• Advanced features: The FS37 is packed with features like face detection, scene recognition, and various shooting modes, enhancing your creative control. It also includes a built-in microphone for capturing clear audio, as well as a headphone jack for monitoring.
• Compact and lightweight design: The FS37 is relatively compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry around. Its ergonomic design ensures comfortable handling, even during extended recording sessions.

Contour Roam: A Rugged Action Camera for Extreme Adventures

The Contour Roam is an action camera designed for capturing extreme sports and outdoor adventures. Its key features include:

• Rugged and waterproof design: The Roam is built to withstand the harshest conditions. It’s waterproof up to 10 meters, shockproof, and dustproof, making it ideal for activities like skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and more.
• Wide-angle lens: The Roam features a wide-angle lens that captures a wide field of view, perfect for capturing the action from all angles. This is particularly useful for action sports where you want to capture the entire scene.
• Easy to use: The Roam is designed to be user-friendly, with simple controls and a clear LCD screen. It’s easy to mount on helmets, handlebars, and other surfaces, making it ideal for capturing a first-person perspective.
• High-definition video recording: The Roam captures 1080p video at 30fps, providing clear and detailed footage of your adventures. It also includes a built-in microphone for capturing audio.

Canon Legria FS37 vs Contour Roam: A Detailed Comparison

Now, let’s delve into a detailed comparison of the Canon Legria FS37 and Contour Roam, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses across various aspects:
Video Quality:

• Canon Legria FS37: The FS37 offers superior video quality compared to the Contour Roam. It captures Full HD 1080p video at 60fps, resulting in smoother and more detailed footage. Its image processing and wider lens also contribute to its overall image quality.
• Contour Roam: While the Roam captures 1080p video, its frame rate is limited to 30fps. This can result in slightly choppier footage, especially when capturing fast-paced action. However, its wide-angle lens ensures a wide field of view, capturing more of the action.

Features:

• Canon Legria FS37: The FS37 offers a wider range of features, including face detection, scene recognition, and various shooting modes. Its advanced zoom capabilities also make it more versatile for capturing different types of content.
• Contour Roam: The Roam focuses on simplicity and ruggedness. It features basic controls and a limited set of features, but its waterproof and shockproof design make it ideal for extreme adventures.

Design and Ergonomics:

• Canon Legria FS37: The FS37 is designed for comfortable handheld use. Its compact size and ergonomic grip make it easy to hold and operate, even for extended periods.
• Contour Roam: The Roam is designed for mounting on helmets, handlebars, and other surfaces. Its compact size and rugged design make it ideal for capturing action from various angles.

Cost:

• Canon Legria FS37: The FS37 is generally priced higher than the Contour Roam. This is due to its advanced features, higher video quality, and overall versatility.
• Contour Roam: The Roam is a more affordable option, making it a budget-friendly choice for those seeking a rugged action camera.

Who Should Choose the Canon Legria FS37?

The Canon Legria FS37 is an excellent choice for:

• Hobbyists and filmmakers: Its high-quality video recording, advanced features, and versatility make it ideal for capturing professional-looking footage.
• Travelers and vloggers: Its compact size, zoom capabilities, and various shooting modes make it perfect for documenting travel adventures and creating engaging vlogs.
• Families and events: The FS37 is suitable for capturing family gatherings, celebrations, and other events where high-quality video recording is desired.

Who Should Choose the Contour Roam?

The Contour Roam is a great option for:

• Extreme sports enthusiasts: Its rugged design, waterproof capabilities, and wide-angle lens make it ideal for capturing action sports like skiing, snowboarding, and mountain biking.
• Outdoor adventurers: The Roam is perfect for capturing adventures in challenging environments, such as hiking, camping, and kayaking.
• Budget-conscious buyers: The Roam offers a cost-effective solution for capturing high-quality action footage without breaking the bank.

The Verdict: Choosing the Right Camcorder for You

Choosing between the Canon Legria FS37 and Contour Roam depends on your specific needs and priorities. If you require high-quality video recording, advanced features, and versatility, the Canon Legria FS37 is the better choice. However, if you prioritize ruggedness, waterproof capabilities, and a wide field of view for capturing action sports and outdoor adventures, the Contour Roam is a more suitable option.

Beyond the Canon Legria FS37 and Contour Roam: Exploring Other Options

While the Canon Legria FS37 and Contour Roam are excellent choices, other camcorders might better suit your needs. Consider exploring options like:

• GoPro Hero series: Known for their rugged design and wide-angle lenses, GoPro cameras are popular among action sports enthusiasts.
• DJI Osmo Action: This action camera offers impressive stabilization and image quality, making it ideal for capturing smooth and cinematic footage.
• Sony Action Cam series: Sony action cameras are known for their advanced features, including 4K video recording and slow-motion capabilities.

Information You Need to Know

Q: Can I use the Canon Legria FS37 for live streaming?
A: The Canon Legria FS37 does not have live streaming capabilities. However, you can use it to record high-quality footage and upload it to platforms like YouTube or Facebook.
Q: Is the Contour Roam compatible with external microphones?
A: The Contour Roam does not have an external microphone input. However, it features a built-in microphone that captures decent audio.
Q: What are the battery life differences between the Canon Legria FS37 and Contour Roam?
A: The Canon Legria FS37 offers a longer battery life than the Contour Roam. However, both cameras are compatible with external batteries, extending their recording time.
Q: Can I use the Canon Legria FS37 for underwater filming?
A: The Canon Legria FS37 is not waterproof. However, you can purchase an optional waterproof housing to use it for underwater filming.
Q: Can I edit footage from the Contour Roam on my smartphone?
A: Yes, the Contour Roam’s footage can be edited on your smartphone using the Contour Roam app. This app allows you to trim, add music, and share your videos directly to social media.