Canon LEGRIA HF R-series

Canon have unveiled a completely re-designed range of entry-level High Definition (HD) camcorders, with the launch of the outstanding and enhanced LEGRIA HF R-series. Designed for users looking to take a step-up in video quality from shooting with mobile phones or compact cameras, the new LEGRIA HF R28, LEGRIA HF R26 and LEGRIA HF R206 have been built to make recording video fun. As well as offering Canon’s signature image quality, each model also allows users to shoot, enhance and share high quality HD footage with ease.
 
The new LEGRIA HF R28 , LEGRIA HF R26 and LEGRIA HF R206  all offer creative tools and video quality never previously available in HD camcorders of this level. A first-class specification includes a Full HD CMOS sensor, Smart Auto, and Face Detection Technology, while the new Touch Decoration feature provides instant creativity without the need for a PC. A trio of compact, lightweight designs also means users can carry their camcorder anywhere and shoot incredible video.

Fantastic footage made easy
At the heart of the LEGRIA HF R-series is the Canon HD Camera System, featuring a 3.2MP Full HD CMOS sensor for enhanced performance in low light, a genuine Canon HD Video Lens and high-performance DIGIC DV III processor. A 28x Advanced Zoom allows users to shoot subjects from a distance, while the system also allows the capture of footage at 24Mbps – enabling detailed, fast-paced action to be recorded flawlessly.

A large, 7.5cm (3.0”) high-resolution Touch-screen LCD provides intuitive controls, superb detail and rich colours, allowing users to easily view the scene being recorded. An intuitive, gesture-based user interface can also be navigated with ease, with Canon’s 3D Flip View feature making it easy to find footage according to the day and time it was shot – users can flick between clips with a sweep of their finger across the screen.

The impressive Smart Auto mode makes it easy to shoot excellent video straight out of the box, even for beginners, with camcorder settings automatically optimised according to the scene and light conditions. Smart Auto can now detect up to 38 scenes, and features a new Tele Macro function that enables users to focus on subjects as close as 40cm for impressive close-ups of small objects.

All models also feature a Dynamic Image Stabilizer, which offers an outstanding level of image stabilisation.  Especially important for supressing shake that can be amplified when viewed on HDTVs, Dynamic Image Stabilizer helps users capture smooth movies, even if footage is captured when walking or moving.

Friends and family will always look their best with Face Detection Technology, which can detect up to 35 faces in a scene, ensuring each face is in focus and well-exposed.

Stamp your creativity on your movies
The LEGRIA HF R-series also offers additional creative support to make videos even more personal. Touch Decoration allows users to enhance their videos in a unique and individual way, customising clips with captions, images and animations to create personal video greetings. A supplied Stylus Pen allows for more accurate handwriting input and placement of stamps and images.

Available Touch Decoration enhancements include adding sophisticated special effects to video using only the camcorder, allowing users to instantly achieve effects which may otherwise take hours to master using a PC.  Creating video greetings that can be shared online also provides a fun way to say ‘Happy Birthday’ or ‘Good Luck’ to a long distance friend or relative. 
 
Never miss the moment
All models offer dual memory card slots that support SDXC cards, allowing users to expand beyond the LEGRIA HF R28’s 32GB flash memory to provide the flexibility to shoot even the longest holiday. Using the dual slots, footage can also be copied from one memory card to the other in the camcorder – allowing users to share special memories quickly. Relay Recording allows users to continue shooting without needing to worry about running out of memory, automatically switching to the next available card when the one in use becomes full.

An Intelligent Li-ion system battery allows the user to see how much recording time is left to the nearest minute, so users will always know when to recharge.

For fast, easy online sharing, the LEGRIA HF R28 and LEGRIA HF R26 both support in-camcorder down-conversion from HD to standard definition. Using the free PIXELA software, users can then upload their videos straight to YouTube.  All models are compatible with Eye-Fi wireless memory cards, enabling users to upload footage directly from the camcorder to a range of video sharing sites.

For convenient viewing in the home, each model can be connected directly to an HD television via a mini HDMI connector and cable supplied in the box, allowing video and sound to be connected in one easy step.

Accessories
In a first for entry-level camcorders, each of the LEGRIA HF R-series models features a lens thread, allowing its shooting range to be expanded via the new TL-H34 II Tele Converter Lens, for extreme close-ups, and the WD-H34 II Wide Converter Lens for a wider view in small spaces.

LEGRIA HF R-series features:

3.2MP Full HD CMOS sensor
High-resolution 7.5cm Touch-screen LCD
28x Advanced zoom
Smart Auto with Tele Macro
Dynamic Image Stabilizer
Touch Decoration
24 Mbps image quality
HDMI cable supplied
Face Detection

LEGRIA HF R28 individual features
32GB Flash memory; two SDXC slots

LEGRIA HF R26 individual features
8GB Flash memory; two SDXC slots

LEGRIA HF R206 individual features
Two SDXC memory card slots 

Availability
The LEGRIA HF R-series is available from mid-February 2011.