Customer Review(s)
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Good Product, Poor Support
Comment: I am pleased with the camera, but don't try to get any technical information. I tried three times and got conflicting information between two and just a smattering of information all together. Canon's view seems to be that this is a consumer camera and no consumers ask technical questions. The support staff seemed ill prepared to handle even basic questions. If you purchase a consumer-grade camera from Canon, you are on your own. I guess you have to spend over $900 to rate support.
Even though I couldn't get answers or specs, Some reviews, flash memory storage and the processing chip prompted me to buy the camcorder anyway; I could always return it if my evaluation was unsatisfactory. The camera performs well for the price, but, without complete specs, it is a guessing game to perform manual operations and I don't know what will happen if something goes wrong.
Tom H.
Customer Rating: Summary: FS100 -SUITS MY NEEDS
Comment: Canon FS100 Flash Memory Camcorder with 48x Advanced Zoom (Silver)
I purchased the FS100 for my wife's B-day. She wanted something to record our infants 'firsts'(rollovers...crawling, etc all that good stuff). I read a lot of the reviews and took the chance with the FS100 as my first camcorder. I got the package deal @ amazon w/extra battery and 16gb card. Pretty good deal compared to sale prices (e.g.at Best Buy). I also got an extra 8gb card and bag. Total (w/shipping $461)
Camera is pretty easy to use right out of the box(after charging) for a novice. There are plenty of features that you can use to fine tune your recordings...night time, snow backrounds, etc.....read the book...there if you need them.
While recording the mini joystick gets you through the menus relatively easily. You can turn on the LED light with about two movements if you wish. Sound is well, and you can play with that after the fact anyway.
I was tempted to go with an HD, but read mixed reviews for the both the FS100 & for HD devices. Seems there were issues with both. So, I saved at least $400 by not getting one of the comparible HD models.
I think the video on the DVD is fine....and I didn't have to do anything to the format or get another Program to do it. I used the software that came in the box. The only problem I had was that it would not recognize the particular DVD-RW I had. But once I stuck in a DVD-R(up to 16x)walllah...it worked just fine....(for me). Again, I'm not making any professional videos, I'm just watching my new baby roll around on the floor. But plenty good enough to send DVD's to the grandparents and make keepsakes. I haven't had it that long yet, so I'll keep you updated if I run into any other issues.
One other note,...several people complained that the two software programs included do not have manuals. FALSE. The discs have PDF manuals on them. You must install the software first, and then you can open up the pdf's (I dropped them on my desktop) to lead you. They may not be the best programs for video/image stuff, but they are all I need. Definitely reccommend have an extra memory card. The software does take a long time to make DVD. Plan on kicking it off via the SD cardreader and walking away from your computer and just let it go. Then you can pop in your other memory card and still record if you want.
I would reccommend for others that aren't looking to make professional broadcast videos or something....I think it's fine for school, home, the kids soccer games....etc....stuff like that.
