Product Comparison: Canon VIXIA HF G20 vs Canon VIXIA HF G40

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Canon VIXIA HF G20 Internal Flash Memory

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Canon VIXIA HF G40 Full HD Camcorder

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General Specifications

Brand

Canon

Model

VIXIA HF G20

VIXIA HF G40

Origin

Japan

About the Product

True video enthusiasts and advanced amateurs will find their inspirational match in the new VIXIA HF G20. Designed to rival pro-level camcorders in image quality, it's equipped with a Genuine Canon 10x HD Video Lens with 8-bladed iris for stunning quality video and soft, beautiful background blur. The camcorder's Canon HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor provides extraordinary flexibility with extended dynamic range, enhanced gradation, and significantly more light capture for 20% improved low-light performance

Compact, capable and easy to use, Canon's VIXIA HF G40 camcorder offers the optical refinement and dynamic advanced performance experienced videographers want in a lightweight and portable package. Using a Genuine Canon 20x High Definition Optical Zoom lens and a new, highly sensitive HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor with improved low-light performance, the VIXIA HF G40 camcorder provides sharp, Full HD video with beautiful highlight and shadow detail in virtually every lighting situation. A DIGIC DV 4 Image Processor speeds up operation and enables the lens's powerful image stabilization for clear and stable images, even when shooting handheld. For fluid use in numerous situations, the VIXIA HF G40 camcorder has a 3.5-inch touch-capacitive screen, plus a tiltable electronic viewfinder. A host of manual controls are complemented by two modes: Wide DR Gamma and Highlight Priority, which help capture color and detail virtually consistent with how they're seen by the naked eye. Creative options are expanded with a new interval recording option that can capture fast motion of up to 1200x the original speed. Ideal for an incredible variety of uses, the VIXIA HF G40 is a stellar choice for anyone who requires professional-quality videos on the go.

Key Specs

Sensor Resolution

2.07 MP

2.91 MP

Sensor Type

CMOS

Maximum Frame Rate

24 fps

60 fps

Video Resolution

1080 p

What customers say about "Key Specs"

Canon VIXIA HF G20 Internal Flash Memory

Video quality at low light is perfect. Video quality at normal light is perfect. Video quality in night light is perfect.
The color is great as is the low light performance, this camera really is fantastic for those that just want excellent quality home videos in an easy to use package.
It doesn't have the 60p recording and a couple other pro-level features, but it does home videos very, very well.
It doesn't have 60P, why why why!!! so when my 9 yrs daughter was very excited after seeing the cam and turning her face left-right-left, I notice on my TV (HDTV) that moving face is leaving behind the blur effect and not very smooth movement ....I kept the setting on 24P.
The video quality is relatively low. Looking back now I wish I would've not get this and safe the money to get a DJI drone. This video camera is not useful. It cannot replace the video quality of an iPhone.

Canon VIXIA HF G40 Full HD Camcorder

This camera has the same HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor with improved low-light performance, as the higher-end Canon xa30 ($1,599), but without the XLR inputs.
Needed a high resolution camera in HD for streaming the hockey team we have had so many compliments on how clear the picture is. You can not even tell there is the safety netting all around the rink Well worth the money!
Really happy with the camera. It does a really good job staying in focus. The quality is superv!
Absolutely love this camera! Verg easy to use and amazing quality!
The video on this model is muddled and frankly un-HD. I've used 4K camcorders recently and they smoke this model's image quality by far.

Size & Weight

Height

3.1 in.

3.3 in.

Width

3.0 in.

4.3 in.

Depth

6.3 in.

7.2 in.

Weight

22.4 oz.

26.9 oz.

Imaging

Optical Zoom

10 x

20 x

Digital Zoom

200 x

400 x

Aperture

f/1.8 (W) - 2.8 (T)

Image Stabilization

Optical

Face Detection

Yes

Low Light/High Sensitivity

Yes

Image File Format(s)

MPEG4-AVC / H.264

AVCHD/MPEG-4

What customers say about "Imaging"

Canon VIXIA HF G20 Internal Flash Memory

Photo (still image photos) - with remote you can enjoy...Camera doesn't have separate button for photo but LCD panel has the same.
It's much better for that than any dslr I've used. The image stabilizer is very helpful. I have compared it to my dslr footage and it is MUCH more stable meaning you probably don't need a shoulder rig.
This is a great home video camera for family recordings. The image stabilization is the most amazing feature on this camera, but the facial tracking focus is really cool too and our second favorite thing.
The quality of the lens and the manual focus are great for long distance and low light. I record a lot of indoor stage performances and it is perfect no matter where I sit.
The video is crystal clear, sound is good and zoom is great.

Canon VIXIA HF G40 Full HD Camcorder

Great camera. Easy to use. High quality video. Images and color are amazing
I was very impressed with the features and the quality of the image. It is so lifelike and sharp.
The camera gave me great images and it was comfortable and easy to use.
Sadly, this model simply does not hold up well with image quality. I've worked with much older Canon camcorders from the early days of prosumer HD and they had a much better picture.
The video on this model is muddled and frankly un-HD. I've used 4K camcorders recently and they smoke this model's image quality by far.

Display

Display Type

TFT LCD

Touch Screen

Yes

Aspect Ratio

16:9

Screen Size

3.5 in.

Touch Screen
Screen Size

What customers say about "Display"

Canon VIXIA HF G20 Internal Flash Memory

It also has an eye piece in addition to the large screen, which is handy when the light from the screen is a distraction.
The touch screen is better than my other model as well as the access to the SD cards.
You can touch the screen and the focus will track whatever the object was, very nice for crowds or varying object distances.
LCD panel is good...but finger prints/dirt is annoying...I can't put screen protector like my smart phones
Seems good overall, touchscreen is a pain to deal with though.
Good images and format. But the features of the camera could be improved. Too many menus within menus and hard to scroll and press. And finger pressing smears up the LCD screen.

Canon VIXIA HF G40 Full HD Camcorder

The touch screen tells you a great deal and the viewfinder is handy. All in all it's a great camera for the price, and I've always had good luck with Canon
This pro-sumer camera provides great video quality, lots of features to customize your shot and a great touch screen.
I chose this camera for its 20X zoom, its OLED touch screen, and its tilting EVF viewfinder. I
Nice, large focus ring, that can be switched between Focus/Zoom. I can't imagine trying to set manual focus via touch screen

Features

Slow Motion Recording

Yes

HDR Mode

Action Camera

Night Recording

Yes

Wind Noise Reduction

Shock Resistant

Water Resistant

Extras

Pre-Rec function, Touch & Track technology, Intelligent Image Stabilisation (IS), Audio Scene Select function, RGB primary color filter

New, Advanced HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor, Dual SD Card Slots, Using Readily Available, Consumable Media, Dual and Relay Recording, Wide DR Gamma (600%), Highlight Priority Mode, View Assist Function that Supports Highlight Priority Mode, Ergonomic, Portable Design, High Definition Peaking for Focus Assist

Microphone Type

Surround Microphone SM-V1

What customers say about "Features"

Canon VIXIA HF G20 Internal Flash Memory

Multiple setting (Auto, Manual, Cinema), so good for professional....Not for my use though...I just shoot for and with family...not a professional.
View finder is cute and almost great (though not like EOS 7D).
The cinematic features and modes are outstanding. They also match pixel per pixel...it makes so much sense when you watch it over and over again on any HD television.
The options for audio complete this amazing camera and add limitless creativity to the creation of a pro caliber film.
I was not able to control the manual focus ring...don't understand how much value add it has.

Canon VIXIA HF G40 Full HD Camcorder

Great camera in full HD, and all the features that we needed for the office. Just a heads up, this is NOT a 4K camera, so don't complain it doesn't shoot 4K, because it's suppose to.
Awesome picture and features. quality is amazing. great for the price!
Perfect!!! It has all of the features we were hoping for. The quality is awesome!!!
This camera is for both the beginner and the advanced user and has a tremendous feature set.
I purchased the camera because of this feature and I am disappointed that it does not do what you have advertised.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi Enabled

Yes

Microphone Input

Yes

Tripod/Monopod Mountable

Yes

Output(s)

Mini-HDMI (Type C), USB 2.0, 3.5 mm 4 pole mini-jack (video/audio output only), Component video, Composite video/audio

Composite Video Out, HDMI, Mini-HDMI (Type C), USB 2.0, Headphone

What customers say about "Connectivity"

Canon VIXIA HF G20 Internal Flash Memory

Remote Controller is great to play/shoot the video/image.
The camcorder comes with accessories in the box, such as the HDMI cable, the lens cap for lighting, also AV cords for you to plug the device into a TV or monitor.
The usb interface is slow for dumping video to a computer.
It would be nice to be able to plug the camera into my computer directly via USB and access my clips, but this is a minor inconvenience.
The USB connection on the camcorder is *very* flaky. It works only occasionally, which means transferring video to a computer is a huge pain.

Canon VIXIA HF G40 Full HD Camcorder

One reason I purchased this model is because it has LANC connectivity, so that when I mount the camera on a studio tripod, I can control the zoom with a thumb control on the handle of the tripod.
Beautiful, reliable interface, fast capture and simple connection to computer.
I don't care for the WiFi connection for now, but the software that can be downloaded handles data transfer to the computer well.
However, you advertised that this camera will function as a webcam using a USB connection. This is not accurate. The USB only functions as a FTP for your recorded images and video on the SD card.
They must be aware of the problem because the camera comes with a whole separate instruction book for wifi set-up. It's disappointing that in a computer age where it usually only takes one or two clicks to connect to wifi, that this is so complicated

Power

AC Adapter Compatible

Yes

Battery Model

Canon BP-808 Li-ion rechargeable battery

Canon BP-820

Charging Interface(s)

USB

Warranty / Certifications

Manufacturer Warranty

1 year(s)

Certifications