Canon UK has announced the launch of the new LEGRIA HF M series – a selection of compact, easy-to-use, Full HD digital video cameras, comprising the Canon Legria HF M31 (pictured), M36 and M306 models. These camcorders feature a 3.3-megapixel Full HD CMOS sensor, 18x Advanced Zoom Canon HD Video Lens, DIGIC DV III processor and touch control via a newly developed touchscreen LCD.  Advanced Face Detection Technology identifies up to 35 faces at once, whilst Canon’s Instant AF technology provides the high-speed, pin-point auto-focus required for HD. Steady pictures are delivered by Canon’s Dynamic Optical Image Stabiliser technology. At maximum zoom, users can utilise the new Powered Optical Image Stabiliser mode, which greatly improves image stability when focusing on distant subjects. The Legria HF M31 and Legria HF M36 feature an in-camcorder HD-to-SD conversion tool, which combines with an Easy Web Upload feature to allow clips to be transferred to YouTube with the minimum of effort. Support for Eye-Fi connected functions means users can also upload their converted SD video clips direct from the camcorder at a wireless hotspot, without the need for a computer. The Canon Legria HF M31 has 32GB of internal storage plus an SDHC card slot, the M36 has 8GB of internal memory and can also record to a memory card. Both models feature Relay Recording, which automatically switches recording to the memory card when internal memory is full. The M306 model shoots solely to SDHC cards. All of these camcorders shall be available from March, prices to be confirmed.

Note: The Legria line is called Vixia in the US.

Canon Press Release

Canon launches the LEGRIA HF M series – pocket-sized Full HD camcorders with touch-control

London, UK, 5th January 2010 – Canon today announces the launch of the new LEGRIA HF M series – a selection of compact, easy-to-use, Full High Definition (HD) camcorders designed for users who demand outstanding image quality.

Further expanding Canon’s LEGRIA range, the LEGRIA HF M series combines premium Canon technology with advanced features and a highly intuitive new Touch-screen LCD that offers greater control. Easy to use and comfortable to hold, each model offers the ideal package for users looking for exceptional Full HD video in a compact body.

Pin-sharp, shake-free video in all conditions
The LEGRIA HF M series features a 3.3 Megapixel Full HD CMOS sensor, 18x Advanced Zoom, Canon HD Video Lens and DIGIC DV III processing technology. Advanced Face Detection Technology identifies up to 35 faces at once – ensuring that friends and family remain in focus and well-exposed at all times – whilst Canon’s Instant AF technology provides the high-speed, pin-point auto-focus required for HD.

Steady pictures are delivered by Canon’s Dynamic Optical Image Stabilizer technology, which minimises camera shake throughout the zoom range. At maximum zoom, users can utilise the new Powered Optical Image Stabilizer mode, which greatly improves image stability when focusing on distant subjects.

Touch the subject
The LEGRIA HF M series includes the first LEGRIA camcorders to feature a new 6.8cm (2.7”) Touch-screen LCD, designed to provide unique image control and unrivalled ease of use.

A gesture-based user interface (UI) makes camcorder set-up effortless, and Touch Focus, Touch Exposure and Touch Tracking offer the ability to change focus, select exposure levels and track moving subjects simply by touching the screen. Sliding control options allow users to make adjustments, from zoom and focus to aperture and exposure, more easily than ever.

3D Flip View – search and play in seconds
The Touch-screen LCD offers even more benefits during playback. Movies can be viewed easily by flicking from one page to the next, while the eye-catching, new 3D Flip View makes it simple to locate videos within the largest of libraries.

Instead of listing clips in traditional ‘oldest to newest’ order, 3D Flip View groups footage according to the day it was shot. Swipe left and right to find the right day, then up and down to browse through thumbnails of that day’s clips – finding footage has never been easier.

Perfect and personal video made easy
Following the LEGRIA tradition of ease-of-use, the LEGRIA HF M series is among the first to launch with Smart Auto. Originally found in Canon’s digital still cameras, Smart Auto has now been optimised for HD camcorders, intelligently identifying up to 31 scenes and setting the camcorder up to match the conditions.

Canon’s unique Video Snapshot mode shoots video in two, four or eight second segments – producing clips that are short, action-packed and easy to edit. Sections can also be lifted from previously-recorded footage, allowing users to create personal libraries of video content.

Clips can be pulled together to create a video ‘playlist’, while music soundtracks can be added by uploading audio tracks to the camcorder memory. Users can then export the full playlist – including music – as a single Standard Definition movie to upload to the web or burn to disc.

Seamless sharing
The LEGRIA HF M31 and LEGRIA HF M36 also offer an easy way for content to be shared online. Both feature an in-camcorder HD-to-SD conversion tool, which combines with an Easy Web Upload feature to allow clips to be transferred to YouTube™ with the minimum of effort. Supplied PIXELA ImageMixerTM software automatically locates content and allows users to log-in, upload and annotate their footage in one step. Individual user account details can also be stored for regular use.

Support for Eye-Fi connected functions means users can also upload their converted SD video clips direct from the camcorder to YouTube™ (or other supported websites) at a wireless hotspot, without the need for a computer .

As an alternative to online sharing, users can also burn content to disc using Canon’s DW-100 DVD burner. HD discs can be played back using compatible Blu-ray players – providing another way content can be shared with friends.

Flexible flash memory
The LEGRIA HF M31 and LEGRIA HF M36 feature Dual Flash Memory, combining 32GB or 8GB of internal memory with an SDHC memory card slot. Both models feature Relay Recording, which complements Dual Flash Memory by automatically switching recording to the memory card when internal memory is full. The LEGRIA HF M306 shoots solely to SDHC cards.

LEGRIA accessories
All models are compatible with a range of Canon LEGRIA accessories, including lens adaptors, video lights and the new Canon WP-V2 underwater case, which provides the facility to shoot under water at depths of up to 40 metres. The integrated Mini Advanced Accessory Shoe also supports the new Canon SM-V1 5.1ch surround sound microphone.

Canon LEGRIA HF M series – key features:

  * 3.3MP Canon Full HD CMOS
  * Canon HD Video Lens with 18x zoom
  * 6.8cm (2.7”)Touch-screen LCD
  * Dynamic Optical Image Stabilizer with Powered Optical Image Stabilizer mode
  * DIGIC DV III Image Processor
  * 24Mbps Full HD recording
  * Smart Auto
  * Instant AF
  * Face Detection Technology
  * Relay Recording
  * Pre REC
  * Enhanced Video Snapshot
  * 25p Cinema Mode
  * Mini Accessory Shoe
  * SDHC card slot
  * YouTube™ Ready
  * Eye-Fi connected functions

Canon LEGRIA HF M31 individual features

  * Dual Flash memory: 32GB Flash + SDHC card slot
  * HD->SD movie conversion
  * Headphone and microphone jack

Canon LEGRIA HF M36 individual features

  * Dual Flash memory: 8GB Flash + SDHC card slot
  * HD->SD movie conversion

Canon LEGRIA HF M306 individual features

  * Memory: SDHC card slot only

Availability
The LEGRIA HF M31 is available from March 2010.
The LEGRIA HF M36 is available from March 2010.
The LEGRIA HF M306 is available from March 2010.

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