What To Know
- The NEX-VG20EH also supports Full HD 1080p video recording at 50fps, but with its larger sensor, it delivers a significant advantage in image quality compared to the Canon Legria HF M56.
- The Canon Legria HF M56 boasts a user-friendly interface and several helpful features, including a built-in image stabilizer, slow-motion recording, and a variety of shooting modes.
- The Canon Legria HF M56, with its compact design, features a smaller battery, resulting in a shorter battery life compared to the Sony NEX-VG20EH.
Choosing the right camcorder can be a daunting task, especially when faced with a plethora of options. Two popular contenders in the market are the Canon Legria HF M56 and the Sony NEX-VG20EH. Both camcorders boast features that cater to different needs, making the decision even more challenging. This comprehensive guide will delve into the key differences between the Canon Legria HF M56 vs Sony NEX-VG20EH, helping you determine which camcorder aligns best with your specific requirements.
Design and Size: Compact vs. Interchangeable Lens System
The Canon Legria HF M56 and the Sony NEX-VG20EH differ significantly in their design philosophy. The Canon Legria HF M56 embraces a traditional camcorder design, featuring a compact and lightweight body with a built-in lens. This makes it highly portable and easy to handle, ideal for shooting on the go.
On the other hand, the Sony NEX-VG20EH adopts a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC) approach. This means it offers a larger body with a separate lens mount, allowing you to swap lenses for greater creative flexibility. While this provides more versatility, it also results in a bulkier and heavier design, making it less suitable for handheld shooting on the move.
Image Quality: Sensor Size and Video Resolution
Image quality is a crucial factor when choosing a camcorder. The Canon Legria HF M56 utilizes a 1/2.88-inch CMOS sensor, capable of capturing Full HD 1080p video at 50fps. This sensor size is typical for consumer camcorders, delivering good image quality in well-lit conditions.
The Sony NEX-VG20EH, however, takes image quality to a whole new level with its larger APS-C CMOS sensor. This sensor size is commonly found in DSLR cameras, offering superior low-light performance, shallower depth of field, and enhanced detail capture. The NEX-VG20EH also supports Full HD 1080p video recording at 50fps, but with its larger sensor, it delivers a significant advantage in image quality compared to the Canon Legria HF M56.
Lens Performance: Fixed vs. Interchangeable
The Canon Legria HF M56 features a fixed 32x optical zoom lens, providing a wide range of focal lengths, from wide-angle to telephoto. This allows for versatility in capturing various subjects, but the fixed lens limits your creative options.
The Sony NEX-VG20EH, with its interchangeable lens system, opens up a world of possibilities. You can choose from a vast range of lenses, including prime lenses for exceptional image quality, wide-angle lenses for expansive landscapes, and telephoto lenses for capturing distant subjects. This flexibility allows you to tailor your lens selection to specific shooting scenarios and achieve the desired visual effects.
Audio Recording: Built-in Microphone vs. External Microphone Support
Both camcorders offer built-in microphones for basic audio recording. The Canon Legria HF M56 features a stereo microphone, capturing a wider soundstage. The Sony NEX-VG20EH also includes a stereo microphone, but it also provides a dedicated external microphone input, allowing for professional-grade audio recording. This is a significant advantage for filmmakers who prioritize high-quality audio.
Features and Functionality: Advanced Features and Ease of Use
The Canon Legria HF M56 boasts a user-friendly interface and several helpful features, including a built-in image stabilizer, slow-motion recording, and a variety of shooting modes. It’s designed for ease of use, making it ideal for beginners.
The Sony NEX-VG20EH, being a more advanced camcorder, offers a wider range of features, including manual controls for advanced users, a dedicated zoom lever, and support for various video formats. It also features a viewfinder for precise framing and a tilting LCD screen for flexible shooting angles.
Battery Life: Compact vs. Power-Hungry
Battery life is a crucial factor, especially for extended shooting sessions. The Canon Legria HF M56, with its compact design, features a smaller battery, resulting in a shorter battery life compared to the Sony NEX-VG20EH.
The Sony NEX-VG20EH, being a larger camcorder, has the capacity for a larger battery, providing longer recording times. However, the NEX-VG20EH’s larger sensor and more powerful features demand more power, leading to a shorter battery life than a typical consumer camcorder.
Takeaways: A Matter of Purpose and Preference
Choosing between the Canon Legria HF M56 and the Sony NEX-VG20EH ultimately boils down to your specific needs and preferences. The Canon Legria HF M56 excels in portability, ease of use, and affordability, making it a suitable choice for casual video recording and travel vlogging.
The Sony NEX-VG20EH, on the other hand, caters to serious filmmakers and photographers seeking advanced features, professional image quality, and creative flexibility. Its interchangeable lens system, larger sensor, and external microphone input provide a significant advantage for those willing to invest in a more robust camcorder.
Answers to Your Questions
1. Which camcorder is better for beginners?
The Canon Legria HF M56 is more user-friendly and easier to learn, making it a better choice for beginners.
2. Which camcorder offers better image quality?
The Sony NEX-VG20EH, with its larger APS-C sensor, delivers superior image quality, especially in low-light conditions.
3. Can I use external microphones with both camcorders?
The Sony NEX-VG20EH has a dedicated external microphone input, while the Canon Legria HF M56 only has built-in microphones.
4. Which camcorder is more portable?
The Canon Legria HF M56, with its compact and lightweight design, is significantly more portable than the Sony NEX-VG20EH.
5. Which camcorder offers more creative control?
The Sony NEX-VG20EH, with its interchangeable lens system and manual controls, provides more creative control and flexibility.