Canon Legria HF G30 vs Canon Legria HF R36: The Ultimate Battle of Camcorders

What To Know

If you’re looking for a reliable and feature-rich camcorder for capturing life’s precious moments, the Canon Legria HF G30 and Canon Legria HF R36 are two excellent contenders.
The G30 features a more professional-looking exterior with a textured grip and a larger LCD screen, while the R36 adopts a more streamlined aesthetic.
While the R36 offers a more powerful zoom, the G30’s wider optical zoom range provides a better balance of image quality and zoom capabilities.

Choosing the right camcorder can be a daunting task, especially when faced with a plethora of options. If you’re looking for a reliable and feature-rich camcorder for capturing life’s precious moments, the Canon Legria HF G30 and Canon Legria HF R36 are two excellent contenders.
This blog post delves into a comprehensive comparison of the Canon Legria HF G30 vs Canon Legria HF R36, examining their key features, performance, and overall value proposition. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which camcorder best suits your needs and budget.

In This Article

Design and Build Quality
Image Quality and Performance
Lens and Zoom Capabilities
Features and Functionality
Battery Life and Storage

Design and Build Quality

Both the Canon Legria HF G30 and Canon Legria HF R36 boast compact and ergonomic designs, making them comfortable to hold and operate. The G30 features a more professional-looking exterior with a textured grip and a larger LCD screen, while the R36 adopts a more streamlined aesthetic.
Both models offer a good balance of portability and functionality. The G30, however, feels slightly sturdier due to its metal body construction, while the R36 relies on a plastic body.

Image Quality and Performance

When it comes to image quality, both the G30 and R36 deliver impressive results. Both camcorders utilize Canon’s advanced HD CMOS Pro image sensor, capable of capturing high-resolution videos with vibrant colors and excellent detail.
The G30, however, takes the lead with its larger 1/2.84-inch sensor compared to the R36’s 1/2.88-inch sensor. This larger sensor size allows the G30 to gather more light, resulting in better low-light performance and improved image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities

Both camcorders feature impressive zoom capabilities, allowing you to capture distant subjects with ease. The G30 boasts a 20x optical zoom lens, offering a wider range than the R36’s 32x optical zoom. However, the R36 compensates with its 57x Advanced Zoom feature, which uses digital zoom to further extend the reach.
While the R36 offers a more powerful zoom, the G30’s wider optical zoom range provides a better balance of image quality and zoom capabilities. The G30’s lens also features a wider aperture, allowing for better depth of field control and more pleasing background blur.

Features and Functionality

Both the G30 and R36 offer a comprehensive suite of features designed to enhance your filming experience. Both models include:

Manual controls: Both camcorders provide manual control over key settings like aperture, shutter speed, and white balance, giving you more creative freedom.
Slow motion and fast motion: Capture the action in slow motion or speed up the pace with the built-in slow motion and fast motion recording options.
Built-in microphone: Both camcorders feature a built-in stereo microphone for capturing clear audio.
Wi-Fi connectivity: Share your videos instantly with friends and family using the built-in Wi-Fi connectivity.

The G30, however, goes a step further with its advanced features:

Dual-recording: The G30 allows you to record simultaneously in two different formats, ensuring you have a backup copy of your footage.
Built-in ND filter: The G30 includes a built-in neutral density filter, which helps reduce the amount of light entering the lens, allowing for more creative control in bright conditions.
Time lapse recording: Capture stunning time lapse videos with the G30’s dedicated time lapse recording mode.

Battery Life and Storage

Both the G30 and R36 offer decent battery life, allowing you to record for a reasonable amount of time before needing to recharge. However, the G30’s battery life is slightly superior, offering around 2 hours of continuous recording time compared to the R36’s 1.5 hours.
Both camcorders use SD cards for storage, providing ample space for your videos. The G30 supports SDXC cards, allowing for larger storage capacities.

Price and Value

The Canon Legria HF G30 is generally priced higher than the Canon Legria HF R36. This price difference reflects the G30’s superior features and performance.
If you’re looking for a professional-grade camcorder with advanced features, the G30 is an excellent investment. However, if you prioritize affordability and a powerful zoom lens, the R36 offers a more budget-friendly option.

Choosing the Right Camcorder: The Verdict

The choice between the Canon Legria HF G30 and Canon Legria HF R36 ultimately depends on your specific needs and budget.
The Canon Legria HF G30 is the ideal choice for:

Professional videographers or enthusiasts seeking advanced features and superior image quality.
Those who prioritize low-light performance and manual control.
Individuals who need dual-recording capabilities and a built-in ND filter.

The Canon Legria HF R36 is a great option for:

Budget-conscious consumers seeking a powerful zoom lens and a compact design.
Individuals who prioritize portability and ease of use.
Those who are new to camcorder filming and want a straightforward yet capable device.

The Final Word: Beyond the Comparison

Both the Canon Legria HF G30 and Canon Legria HF R36 are excellent camcorders that offer a compelling blend of features and performance. Ultimately, the best camcorder for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
Consider your budget, the type of videos you plan to capture, and the level of manual control you require. By carefully weighing these factors, you can make an informed decision and choose the camcorder that will help you create stunning videos for years to come.