Canon VIXIA HF R800 Camcorder Review: Modest Price, Average Video

2023-01-10 | Yvonne

Tip: During testing, the Canon’s VIXIA HF R800 stood out for its size and portability, while video quality fell short in darker settings.

Canon VIXIA HFR800 Camcorder Review: Moderate Price, Average Video. The Canon VIXIA HFR800 Camcorder was tested and stood out because of its portability and size. However, video quality suffered in darker environments.

Canon VIXIA HF R800

We like this

Portable and small
Nice touchscreen
Very reasonable
32x optical zoom

The Things We Hate

Noisey footage in darker environments
Below-average video quality
It can be difficult to find the right menu option for you.

Canon VIXIA HF R800, a small 1080p camcorder with enough features to warrant its modest price tag.

Our expert reviewer purchased the Canon VIXIA HD R800 Camcorder to thoroughly evaluate and test it. Continue reading to see our complete product review.

Although the Canon VIXIA HFR800 Camcorder has a number of features, it is not the best. It also lacks the advanced functions of high-end models. The performance of the Canon VIXIA HDR800 Camcorder is also inferior to many modern smartphones in several metrics. Even with these disclaimers, the HF R800 Camcorder is a good choice for most users.

As absurd as it sounds, the HF R800 has a handful of key selling points. These include the 32x optical zoom and image stabilization. Let's look at the strengths and weaknesses of the HF R800, as well as where improvements could be made.

Features and Design: The is ultra-portable, yet simple

It's a surprise to open this box after you have become accustomed to using and testing larger cameras. The device is small and has a barrel-shaped shape that anyone who used a consumer grade video camera will recognize. Although it would be easy for people to overlook the HF R800 based only on its price, Canon quickly proves that the camera is worth the investment.

One of the first things we noticed was how few buttons there are anywhere on the camcorder—a result of the touchscreen. A physical lens cover switch is located on the right side of camcorder. A zoom slider is located on the top of this device. The Record button is located on the back, just next to the battery. The power port is located below this button.

The rest of the buttons are found on the LCD panel. This is all. While some users may prefer to have more control over their functions via physical buttons, for the majority of consumers this might prove beneficial.

Tilt control is available on the LCD screen. It can tilt 90 degrees down and 180 degrees forward, so it faces the front. It is a great feature for those who use the camcorder to record video. We were able to navigate the menus of our camcorder with no difficulty thanks to its touchscreen. However, the LCD screen itself was not as bright and vibrant as it should be to work under direct sunlight.

Although the VIXIA HFR800's physical design impressed us, it was not able to deliver good video quality.

The Canon VIXIA HDR800 Camcorder weighs 10.8 ounces, including battery and memory card. It is also light, considering its small frame. While most users won't have any trouble using the camcorder during normal recording times, it may cause fatigue over prolonged periods of time. Canon doesn't mention any type of dustproofing or water-proofing. This could indicate that there aren't.

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Setup: Open the box and get.

Canon gets top marks for its setup of the VIXIAHF R800. The product was easy to set up and use. The Basic Setup section of the manual only requires you to choose a language and set the time. Next, select between an onboard or SD memory card. You will have hopefully inserted it by now.

You're well-prepared if you aren't as experienced with video cameras or need more information before you can start to use the device. The Canon VIXIA HF R800 Camcorder manual is concise and clear. It also contains useful illustrations that help to clarify any ambiguities.

The lens cover can be operated manually by users, something that is quite unusual considering all other camcorders tested did this automatically.

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Software and formats: Barebones options

The HF R800 can record 1080p/60fps video at 17, 24,/35 MBps and 720p/60fps at 4 MBps. You can save footage straight to a standard SD memory card. Or you can import the footage using the supplied mini-AB USB cable. The process was easy and didn't pose any problems in pulling the footage out of our camcorder. To establish a USB connection, the camcorder must be pressed first.

Canon compensates for the loss in video quality with an acceptable amount of functionality and a very affordable price.

Canon offers basic functions in its camcorder to allow you to cut clips or add effects. The feature isn't promoted very much, and it certainly feels somewhat gimmicky.

Quality in Video: There is a lot to love

Although the VIXIA HFR800's physical design impressed us, it was not able to deliver good video quality. It produced grainy footage that lacked clarity and sharpness overall. The footage had a noticeable green tint towards the edges. We also noticed that edge sharpness was affected quite a lot, with a noticeable drop off at the edges from the middle of the frame.

We were pleased with the 32x optical zoom and 57x Advanced mode, which allowed us to see closer to our subject. We were also more amazed than expected by the image stabilization. Although the camcorder was unable to walk well, it did an admirable job in stabilizing itself handheld, at even the extreme end of zoom. The R800 was slightly heavier than it should have been, and this surprised many.

The HF R800 has a 0.5x slow-motion recording mode, time-lapse function and allows users to capture images in a range of 2:1 to 1200.1 ratios. Canon also offers a zoom framing aid function. This allows you to tap the screen to reduce the magnification, locate your subject and then continue at the previous zoom level. A highlight priority mode was another interesting option that attempts to correct backlight in bright situations.

You can also check out other reviews on video cameras below $100.

Quality of the Photo: Expected Performance

Unfortunately, the Canon VIXIA HDR800 Camcorder isn't able to deliver much in terms of still-image quality. While many camcorders can take pictures at higher resolutions than video, the HF R800 stills only have 1920x1080 resolution, which is 2.1 megapixels. It is hard to believe that this camcorder can take photos at a lower resolution than most other cameras these days. Those looking for still images should probably look elsewhere.

Prices: Affordable enough for a place

The $249.99 price of the Canon VIXIA HD R800 Camcorder (often lower on Amazon) helps to justify its purchase. The R800 is priced low enough by Canon to be worth consideration for those who aren't looking to depend on their smartphones. The Canon VIXIA HD R800 Camcorder has enough functionality to be competitive against other budget alternatives.

Canon VIXIA HF R800 vs. Panasonic HC-V770

The Panasonic HC-V770 Camcorder is a great option for those looking to upgrade from Canon VIXIA HF R800 Camcorder. It has a better list of functions and features, as well as better quality footage. You also get an improved onboard microphone and better low light performance. There is even a shoe adapter that can be used to attach additional accessories. The HC-V770 is twice as expensive as the HF R800.

Final Verdict

Low-cost fighter.

Although the Canon VIXIA HD R800 Camcorder may not be the right choice for novice filmmakers, budget-minded shoppers who are looking for all the features of a dedicated camcorder should consider it. Canon compensates for the loss in video quality with a good amount of functionality and a reasonable price.

Specifications

Product name VIXIA HFR 800
Canon Product Brand
Prices from $249.99
Dimensions of the product: 4.6x2.1x2.3in
Limited Warranty 1 Year
Compatibility Windows and macOS
Maximum Photo Resolution 20MP
Max Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 (60 fps)
Optional Connectivity: USB and WiFi

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