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The Canon HG10 is a looker, both in person and by the specs sheet. Despite the first class pedigree of the imaging system (identical to the HV20), we were still skeptical of the AVCHD codec, which has given other manufacturers problems with motion. Aside from some issues with 24P performance, it appears Canon has succeeded again. The HG10 tops the competition in performance, portability, and handling. Read on to see how.

The Front (7.5)
The first element to lunge forward on the HG10 is its 10x optical zoom lens. The lens has a focal length of 6.1 ? 61mm (35mm equiv. = 43.6 ? 436mm in16:9 or 40 ? 400mm in 4:3) and an aperture range of f/1.8-3.0. Like the HV20 and Sony HDR-SR7, the lens has 43mm thread for an add-on, such as a fish-eye or telephoto. Lurking beneath the massive lens is a mic input, housed by a thin plastic cover. To the left of the mic input lies the neighboring remote sensor. Along the left side, a vertical strip contains the flash, Instant AF sensor, and video light.

This is a sibling of the HV20?s front end, no bones about it. The HG10 features an identical layout?something Canon is apparently not willing to toil with. There are, however, minor drawbacks. Since the mic jack is mounted to the front of the camcorder, a crafty cable route must be devised to safeguard the field of view from a rogue cord. In addition, the HG10?s video light is tantamount to an LED penlight. We?ve seen keychain lights with more juice. Though Canon did not choose to revamp the front end of the HG10, you?ll find some enthralling architectural enhancements on the back, left, and top sides.

The Right Side (5.25)
There?s usually nothing particularly exhilarating about the right side of an HDD camcorder, but the HG10 spices it up a bit with a vertical panel of ports located toward the lens. The HDMI, AV-out, and component-out terminals are sheltered by a thin plastic cover containing a finger groove at the top for easy access. The cover is connected via two feeble plastic bands that could snap at the drop of a hat if moderate tension is applied. The HG10?s hand strap is borrowed from the HV20 and most of Canon?s other top models. It?s thick, yet feels synthetic and is devoid of adequate padding.

Architecturally, the Sony HDR-SR7 has the upper hand. Every single essential port on that camcorder is located on the right side to ensure minimal cord and cable chaos. Sony?s hand strap is far superior as well, with its breathable mesh fabric and mountains o? padding. Canon?s HG10 sports a solid design, but Sony?s HDR-SR7 is the undisputed champion here.

The Back (8.0)
You?re in for a treat. Remember the HV20?s preposterously stunted, non-extendable viewfinder? Poor alternative monitoring no more! The HG10 features an electronic viewfinder that extends a full inch from the camcorder?s body. It may not seem like a big deal, but this is almost unheard of within the world of Canon consumer camcorders. We?ve been grilling Canon till the cows come home about their pathetic viewfinders?hopefully this new enhancement will set the standard for future models.

Beneath the viewfinder sits the rechargeable battery, tucked within a cavernous battery chamber. While the HV20?s battery lies flush with the back end, the HG10?s battery juts out slightly. A lustrous, milled mode dial is perched upon the top right half, next to the viewfinder?style points galore. Below the mode dial is the Video/Photo mode switch, followed by the cat eye-like record start/stop button. Canon has made some significant improvements in the handling department?you?ll find out as you read on?yet the super-thin record start/stop button that resembles Brancusi?s ?Bird in Flight? sculpture is puzzling. The HDD/charge lamp is located directly to the left and the round DC input is last on the totem pole, residing near the bottom. Notice the lack of rear-mounted joystick? Canon has a special surprise for you...

The Left Side (6.75)
The special surprise here is the free-spinning control dial mounted on the LCD panel. Inside, rather than the more modern joystick, you?ll find a traditional Canon four-way directional pad with a set button embedded in the middle. This is the first control of its kind on a consumer camcorder. The wheel, which spins freely around, allows you to rapidly rifle through menu options. The set button eliminates the daunting task of pressing the center of the joystick without inadvertently executing menu selections. Our only complaint is that the control is on the small side?playing with the D-pad will take some practice. All in all, Canon has raised the bar. The HG10?s 2.7-inch LCD screen is accompanied by a plentiful array of panel controls, including the function, zoom in/out, record start/stop, and BLC buttons that double as playback controls. Good show, Canon!

The LCD cavity is rather desolate, featuring only a bare USB terminal, MiniSD card slot, and minute round playback speaker. Similar to the HV20, the HG10?s MiniSD card slot is guarded by a flexible hinged plastic door that opens and closes securely with ease. Atop the LCD cavity is a row of three round buttons: Quick Start, display, and print. One critical feature characterized by the HV20 was dropped on the HG10?the manual focus dial. To rub salt in the wound, the Sony HDR-SR7 features a multi-control dial with power over exposure, as well. If you look at the HG10?s compact left profile shot, it?s apparent there is no room for a dial. That?s because the HG10?s LCD control wheel provides rapid and superior manual adjustment at the tip of your thumb?no need for a finicky dial. Canon wins this match.

The left side of the Canon HG10 (left), and a look behind the LCD panel (right).

The Top (7.25)
The hits just keep on coming! Take a gander at the HG10?s prosumer grade zoom rocking lever. A toggle switch or slider cannot hold a candle to the smooth precision of a vertical zoom rocker. Canon stands miles above the rest of the market by slapping such a coveted and beloved control on the HG10. Up on top you?ll also find the P (manual)/auto switch and shiny round photo button bookending the kickass zoom control. The built-in stereo microphone is mounted near the lens end. Unlike most top-mounted microphones, the HG10?s ample HDD enclosure distances the hand just enough from shrouding it?unless you have a super long pinky.

While Canon has produced a camcorder with stellar architecture, they managed to retain one dimwitted design flaw. The HG10 is equipped with a hot shoe mounted to the top housed by a covert plastic panel that is not attached to the body of the camcorder. To make matters even worse, the cover does not feature any tabs or grooves that would help to pry it off. Therefore, once you finally wedge a fingernail into a hairline crack on the perimeter of the cover, the force could propel the plastic shield into the sky at a fairly admirable trajectory. Make sure you bring your scuba gear if you plan on filming near a body of water.