Canon’s flagship Legria HF S21 offers full 24Mbps 1920×1080 HD video recording plus 25P progressive scan video and is already grabbing the attention of serious videomakers. But can it improve on its predecessors?

In the last year or so, Canon, Sony and JVC have incorporated the highest 24Mbps bit rate recording option on their premium consumer / semi-professional AVCHD camcorder ranges.

Only Panasonic has so far limited maximum bit rates at 17Mbps due to problems that can exist when copying to DVD and then playing back using other complementary devices. Given that it’s not in the business of selling players or TV displays Canon has no such issues, and has pushed ahead to offer a maximum bit rate that is certain to find continued favour with the more serious videomakers in the market place.

2010 Flagship Model: Canon LEGRIA HF S21 AVCHD Camcorder

2010 Flagship Model: Canon LEGRIA HF S21 AVCHD Camcorder

The latest flagship AVCHD camcorder from Canon offers five HD video recording modes, ranging from the 5Mbps, 1440×1080 “LP” mode at the lower end to a 17Mbps, 1920×1080 “FXP” mode as well as 24Mbps, 1920×1080 “”MXP” mode at the top end. The enthusiast will welcome the PF25 Cine Mode, which enables shooting in 25P progressive scan (24P in NTSC markets like USA, Canada, Japan, etc).

There’s also a host of standard features like PreREC (the camera continually caches 3 seconds of recording even when in standby in order that you don’t miss an unexpected action), multiple Face Detection, a built-in ability to trim clips or build playlists in-camera, fast start, and so on.

These are supplemented by enthusiasts’ must-have features like an external microphone input, headphone output and a good level of manual control over all main operations thanks to its Control dial which sits snug to the large 58mm diameter lens barrel.

We’ve had a good look at the Legria HF S21 and we’re very impressed with Canon’s new top-of-the-range AVCHD product.

Read our review of the Canon LEGRIA HF-S21 AVCHD camcorder here

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