
(Personally, we feel the 37x optical zoom tips the scales in the FS11's favour - but only just).Īs mentioned above, the FS11 comes equipped with its own 16GB hard drive. If you're unlikely to use an external microphone and aren't too fussed about inbuilt memory, you might be better off going for the cheaper alternative. At $899, the FS11 is $350 more expensive than its Panasonic rival, which basically does the same job minus a few deluxe features. This naturally makes for a superior product, though it is also saddled with a higher price tag. It also has an external microphone jack, which the SDR-S7 lacks. However, the FS11 benefits from a 37x optical zoom (compared to the SDR-S7's 10x optical zoom) and a hard drive (the SDR-S7 has no inbuilt memory). Both models come equipped with similar specifications and components, including an SD/SDHC memory card slot, a single CCD image sensor and a digital image stabiliser. The FS11 can be viewed as a direct competitor to Panasonic's SDR-S7. Nevertheless, it remains a versatile and user-friendly camera that will satisfy beginners and families. With that being said, there are also several cheaper options on the market that offer a comparable (if slightly under par) performance. Aimed primarily at entry-level users, it provides reasonable image quality and impressive features for the asking price. The Canon FS11 is a flash-memory-based camcorder equipped with an SD/SDHC memory card slot and 16GB of inbuilt memory. This trend continues with the release of Canon's FS11: a compact unit that utilises the latest in camcorder technology. From DVD to hard drives, anything that can be found in the high-def sector is also available in plain old SD cameras. This is mostly down to their plummeting prices however, the emergence of new and exciting formats plays a significant role too. Despite abandoning their CRT TVs in flocks and droves, it would appear consumers are more than happy to stick with traditional SD cameras. Standard-def video continues to be big business for the camcorder industry.
