Max. Recording Quality: 1080p60 | Min. Illumination: 1.2 lux |Flip Screen: Yes | Touchscreen: Yes| WiFi: Yes| External Mic. Port: Yes | Video File Format: AVCHD (28Mbps), MP4 (35Mbps) | Sensor: HD CMOS Pro | Internal Memory: No | Battery: Between 1 and 2 hours continuous recording | Focal Length: 26.8 – 576mm | Max Aperture: f1.8 (wide) – f2.8 (tele)
This model is now discontinued. The new version is the Canon VIXIA HF G40 and it comes with a faster processor and a larger sensor.
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The Good
The Canon VIXIA HF G30 is the fix to the G20’s flaws. It achieves better image quality and has a faster processor. It is the camcorder you will want to get if you’re really serious about vlogging, although it does cost a lot of money.
Full manual mode lets you record with the best quality – Most camcorders don’t have full manual mode. This is one of the main reasons DSLRs are taking over them. This one, on the other hand, lets you set aperture, focus and exposure manually. You won’t have to rely on the camera’s automatic mode all the time.
If you’ve used cameras for a long time, you might know the importance of manual setting. This is the way to achieve the best recording quality. No more unnecessary grains or uncalled depth of field will step in your recording. This can also save you a lot of time, since you won’t need to repeat scenes because of bad setup.
What about white balance? it comes with one auto mode, 2 manual settings and 6 presets. You will also be able to set different color temperatures from 2,000K to 15,000K.
It records 1080p60 video – Contrary to its predecessor, this camera can record video at 60 frame rate. This makes its recording quality smoother. On the other hand, you won’t be able to record at a lower frame rate if you want it. This is something you can do with DSLRs.
Why the Canon VIXIA HF G30 Makes Vlogging Easier
MP4 file format makes editing much easier – It will save you a lot of time when editing. You won’t be able to edit AVCHD file format if you don’t have a powerful computer. The Canon VIXIA HF G30 gives you the ability to record in both formats –even at the same time. When vlogging, being able to record MP4 will save you a lot of time; you won’t need to convert video clips to edit them.
Its touchscreens means less time wasted – Having a touchscreen is not just a marketing strategy. It really makes navigating through the menus much easier. You don’t need to go through all the options to reach where you want to go. This makes configuration much faster. You will spend less time setting the camera than recording.
Its WiFi unlocks cool features and makes uploading easier – You will upload your videos faster thanks to this. You will also be able to control the camera from your smartphone. This feature can make recording easier, as you won’t need to go to the camera if you need to start recording again or change a setting.
Downsides to Getting a Canon VIXIA HF G30 for Vlogging
There are some things to bear in mind before getting this camcorder:
Just like any other camcorder, a big part of its cost is its zoom – Why is this a downside? Well, for vlogging, you won’t need to use zoom. This is an addition for home recording, but it’s not particularly helpful for vloggers. The Canon VIXA HF F30 has a 20x zoom, which is a monster zoom. A lot of the money you will pay is because of a feature you’re not going to use. To get rid of this additional cost, it may be a good idea to get a good DSLR for video.
Now, not everybody likes DSLRs and camcorders are certainly more comfortable and easy to use. This is just a personal choice you will have to make.
It’s pricey – This camcorder will cost you around the same a Canon EOS 70D with a 50mm fixed lens will cost you (it might cost you a bit more actually). The only reason to get this one over the 70D is because camcorders are easier to use, can record for longer time and are more comfortable. Bear in mind that having the Canon EOS 70D will give you a bigger sensor, a lot more versatility and cinematic quality.
It’s battery is not the longest, and it doesn’t have internal memory – This means that you will need to pay a little bit more after getting the camera. You will need a big memory and you will probably want to get a battery like the Canon BP-828 to get up to 3-4 hours of recording.
Don’t want to spend so much money on a camcorder? You might want to read the Canon VIXIA HF G20 review if you want to get a very similar camera for a much lower price.
Will has been a full-time content creator since 2014. He’s an audio, video, and tech hobbyist dedicated to reviewing products and giving you the best tips he knows to grow your audience.