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Are the Canon FS series camcorders good for Youtube and artistic short film?

I'm a novice filmmaker looking to start a vlog soon, but I plan to shoot outside a lot and possibly use far zooming/low light shooting. I'm looking for the best quality/resolution camcorder available within a $200-500 price range, and the Canon FS cameras seem to have it. After a few weeks of researching for a camcorder I may want for Christmas, I've settled on the FS100 for the moment: http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=2544&modelid=16185

Besides price, I don't see too much of a difference between it and the other two. I should mention that I've chosen a flash memory camera because I hear that both the image and sound quality is better in relation to HDD due to the compression of the files. In addition, I am told the memory sticks are extremely inexpensive and reusable nowadays. I also like this camera because of the option to add an external mic, which I think I may have a use for in noisy situations.

The only drawback about the FS100 is that I hear that the provided editing software is horrible, but that's ok considering I plan to use Windows Media Maker anyway. I just have a few questions that I need answered yet:

1.) I hear the videos made are MOD files, so can they be converted into a high quality format to use on Youtube?

2.) I have considered shooting in sephia or blue surreal coloration. Does this camcorder have any of those options?

3.) And by far my biggest concern: How easy would it be to upload my videos to Youtube using this camcorder? Is flash memory the best way to go in terms of getting the highest possible quality on Youtube?

Public Comments

1. The FS series should be fin for your stated requirements.

The formats saved by the HDD and flash memory cams are the same. The file types may differ, but both are highly compressed MPEG2 files for standard definition. You may need a file converter. StreamClip works well.

The editing software included in the box with any camcorder is useless. MovieMaker is a good place to start. Sony Vegas is a step up.

You can either adjust the colors when recorded using the white balance (balance using blue green or red) - better would be to adjust the colors when you edit.

Highest possible quality is high definition recording. Check vimeo.com... you will use the same file export methods for the standard definition camcorders... I use 1080i HDV minidv tape based cams.