What To Know
- The Canon Vixia HF R42 boasts a traditional camcorder design, featuring a handgrip, a zoom lever, and a flip-out LCD screen.
- The Samsung Gear 360 2017, on the other hand, adopts a spherical design, resembling a small ball.
- Its traditional camcorder design and reliable performance make it a good value for money, especially for those seeking a budget-friendly option.
Choosing the right camcorder can be a daunting task, especially when faced with a plethora of options. Two popular choices that often come up in discussions are the Canon Vixia HF R42 and the Samsung Gear 360 2017. Both offer distinct features, catering to different needs and preferences. This comprehensive comparison will delve into the strengths and weaknesses of each camcorder, helping you make an informed decision.
Design and Portability
The Canon Vixia HF R42 boasts a traditional camcorder design, featuring a handgrip, a zoom lever, and a flip-out LCD screen. This familiar layout makes it comfortable to hold and operate, especially for those accustomed to traditional camcorders. Its compact size and lightweight construction make it easy to carry around.
The Samsung Gear 360 2017, on the other hand, adopts a spherical design, resembling a small ball. Its unique form factor allows it to capture 360-degree footage, offering an immersive viewing experience. However, its bulkier size and lack of a traditional grip may make it less comfortable to hold for extended periods.
Video Recording Capabilities
Canon Vixia HF R42:
- Resolution: 1080p Full HD (1920 x 1080)
- Frame Rate: 60fps
- Video Format: AVCHD, H.264
- Zoom: 32x optical zoom
- Audio: Built-in stereo microphone
The Canon Vixia HF R42 excels in delivering high-quality video footage with excellent detail and clarity. Its 32x optical zoom allows for capturing distant subjects without sacrificing image quality. The built-in stereo microphone ensures clear audio recording.
Samsung Gear 360 2017:
- Resolution: 3840 x 1920 (per lens)
- Frame Rate: 30fps
- Video Format: H.264
- Field of View: 360 degrees
- Audio: Built-in stereo microphones
The Samsung Gear 360 2017 stands out with its ability to capture immersive 360-degree videos. Its dual lenses capture a complete spherical view, allowing viewers to explore the scene in all directions. However, the 30fps frame rate may result in a less smooth video experience compared to the Vixia HF R42’s 60fps.
Features and Functionality
Canon Vixia HF R42:
- Manual Controls: Aperture, shutter speed, and white balance adjustments
- Slow Motion and Fast Motion: Capture footage at different speeds
- Image Stabilization: Reduce camera shake for smoother footage
- Face Detection: Automatically focuses on faces in the scene
- Wi-Fi Connectivity: Share videos and control the camcorder remotely
The Canon Vixia HF R42 offers a range of manual controls, allowing for greater creative control over the footage. Its image stabilization feature ensures smooth and steady videos, even when shooting on the move. The Wi-Fi connectivity enables easy sharing and remote control.
Samsung Gear 360 2017:
- Live Streaming: Stream 360-degree video to platforms like Facebook and YouTube
- Stitching Software: Automatically stitches together the footage from both lenses
- Mobile App Control: Control the camera and view footage on a smartphone
- Time-Lapse Recording: Capture time-lapse videos with ease
- Virtual Reality (VR) Playback: Experience the 360-degree footage in VR
The Samsung Gear 360 2017 excels in its immersive features. Its live streaming capabilities allow for sharing real-time 360-degree experiences. The mobile app control offers convenient remote operation and viewing. The VR playback feature enhances the viewing experience by immersing the user in the captured environment.
Battery Life and Storage
Canon Vixia HF R42:
- Battery Life: Up to 2 hours
- Storage: SD card slot (up to 128GB)
The Canon Vixia HF R42 offers a decent battery life of up to 2 hours, sufficient for most recording sessions. Its SD card slot allows for ample storage capacity, enabling you to record extended videos.
Samsung Gear 360 2017:
- Battery Life: Up to 1 hour
- Storage: microSD card slot (up to 256GB)
The Samsung Gear 360 2017 has a shorter battery life of around 1 hour, which may require frequent charging during longer recording sessions. Its microSD card slot provides ample storage for 360-degree videos.
Price and Value
The Canon Vixia HF R42 is generally priced lower than the Samsung Gear 360 2017. Its traditional camcorder design and reliable performance make it a good value for money, especially for those seeking a budget-friendly option.
The Samsung Gear 360 2017, while more expensive, offers a unique immersive experience with its 360-degree video capabilities. Its price reflects its advanced features and innovative technology.
Choosing the Right Camcorder
Canon Vixia HF R42:
- Best for: Traditional video recording, budget-conscious users, those seeking high-quality footage with manual controls.
Samsung Gear 360 2017:
- Best for: Immersive 360-degree video capture, live streaming, VR enthusiasts, those willing to pay a premium for innovative technology.
Final Thoughts: Beyond the Comparison
The choice between the Canon Vixia HF R42 and the Samsung Gear 360 2017 ultimately depends on your individual needs and priorities. If you prioritize traditional video recording with high-quality footage and manual controls, the Vixia HF R42 is an excellent choice. However, if you seek the immersive experience of 360-degree video capture, live streaming, and VR playback, the Gear 360 2017 is the better option.
What You Need to Know
Q: Can I edit 360-degree videos captured by the Samsung Gear 360 2017?
A: Yes, you can edit 360-degree videos captured by the Gear 360 2017 using specialized software like Samsung Gear 360 Action Director or other third-party applications.
Q: Does the Canon Vixia HF R42 support 4K video recording?
A: No, the Vixia HF R42 only supports 1080p Full HD video recording.
Q: Can I use the Samsung Gear 360 2017 for live streaming on Facebook?
A: Yes, the Gear 360 2017 supports live streaming to Facebook and other platforms.
Q: What is the difference between optical zoom and digital zoom?
A: Optical zoom uses lenses to magnify the image, preserving image quality. Digital zoom crops the image digitally, which can lead to a loss of detail and clarity.
Q: What are the best accessories for the Canon Vixia HF R42 and the Samsung Gear 360 2017?
A: For the Vixia HF R42, consider accessories like external microphones, tripods, and lens filters. For the Gear 360 2017, accessories include a selfie stick, a carrying case, and a VR headset for immersive viewing.