Customer Rating: 
Summary: Too Hard to Resist!
Comment: Somewhat long/complete review...get a cup of coffee.
Gotta check out the quality of this thing before you buy, it is amazing. Go to youtube or vimeo, search HF100 (or HF10, same thing but with built in memory and different color).
Pros: Video Quality!!!, Size, Weight, look, LCD Screen Resolution, Stereo recording (Left and Right Mics), Flash memory (so easy, cheap, reliable?), 3MP Stills, onboard light (for camera flash or somewhat lighting up your videos), lots of manual options (mic level, zoom, recording qualities), External Mic Jack(important for us music/band folks), Menu is ok once you get to know it.
Cons: Could offer better optical stability, wind interferes with sound, battery life, cost of official replacement batteries
Cons to AVCHD (not camera): Limited editing software, requires powerful computer (I'm running off a NEW laptop, barely keeps up...3GB Ram, AMD 2GHz)
The video quality is highly dependent on the settings you use...60i, 30i, or 24fps? Cinema Mode, Portrait Mode, Auto, etc? LP, XP+, etc?
I suggest Cinema mode in 60i for most recordings. I tried the "easy" button at night, was grainy. I have yet to try the easy button in sunny conditions. I recorded a few scenes in 24fps Cinema, came out pretty choppy, I'm guessing it would be best on a tripod, capturing movement, instead of moving the camera around (I'm no pro).
Some people have mentioned long waits between switching from Video to Still mode...I have tried this with both a 4GB and 16 GB disk...it takes 3-5 seconds with the 4GB and 9-11 seconds with the 16 GB. As other folks have mentioned, it appears to be inventorying the empty portion of the disk, to inform you how many pictures you could take. I suggest recording with a 4GB card if you plan on switching between modes frequently. (Note: I was counting, not official Omega seconds)
For Memory, I have a 4GB PNY Class 4 and the Amazon recommended Transcend 16GB class 6. They both work great, I haven't been able to notice any speed difference.
As we've all read, AVCHD editing is limited. I tried the
Sony Vegas 9 Platinum trial version, works well. The Corel Ulead trial software doesn't include the capability of importing the mts/m2ts files. However, I have purchased Corel Ulead VideoStudio 11.5 Plus [AMAZON.COM EXCLUSIVE] from amazon. I hope it works well with the avchd files.
Customer Rating: Summary: Incredible package
Comment: One of the neatest things about this camera is the ability to shoot a full 1920x1080 HD movie, remove the flash card from the camera and plug it directly into the PC. Plays back in full HD, with full stereo sound immediately.
As for the HD quality, it's as good as anything I've seen on commercial TV.
And even though there are hundreds of options you can setup, I like the fact that I'm just two buttons away from shooting (the power button and the start button) ... so it's always ready to capture, even when I'm not.
The built in screen is incredibly clear, and the integrated joystick lets you set a custom option very quickly.
A unique feature that I've come to enjoy is the ability to take hi-res stills while filming a video. A separate button, on top of the camera, controls still shooting. Best of all, you can pre-set the desired resolution of the still image to be different than that of the video.
And finally, this thing is ultra-compact and ultra-light. That means I can take it anywhere and everywhere ... always ready to capture full HD. And in addition, it imports into both Pinnacle Studio 12 and
Sony Vegas Platinum.
Customer Rating: Summary: Flash memory is the way to go
Comment: This camera is amazing, small size, full Hi-Def 1080i, no worry about tape or disk, excellent image stabilizing, good zoom,
Would be nice to have a viewfinder so can save battery with LCD off.
Getting wind noise from mic, will check how to avoid.
Happy with purchase.
