Canon HF R60 / HF R62 / HF R600 HD Camcorder Review - Sample footage, WiFi, and more

[@JodyBruchon]

This was the first camcorder I ever bought when I decided I wanted to start getting into filmmaking back in 2015. I loved it then and I love it now. I have long since moved along to better hardware (my current go-to is a Panasonic G7 with an expensive 12-35mm f/2.8 G X lens and a Zhiyun gimbal) but this camcorder still has its place in my equipment bag. It is the smallest camcorder I think I've ever seen, easily tossed in a car cup holder or glove box. It has absurdly long zooms which I've calculated to reach beyond 1000mm in full-frame 35mm equivalence. The purple fringing gets brutal the further you zoom in, but the reach is so good that you probably won't care. The sensor is a 1/6" 3.28MP sensor, so the noise is going to be there no matter how much light you feed it, but that doesn't matter to most people spending $300 on a camcorder. It shoots 1080@60fps which even my Canon T6i DSLR of more than double the cost and several years newer vintage WON'T FREAKIN' DO. I still recommend this even today, but as you have observed, the entire Canon VIXIA HF R-series is basically the same camera, so I usually recommend that newbies go to eBay and find a working R200-series camera instead of blowing the extra money on the newer models. I routinely find older VIXIA HF R camcorders in great working order for $100 on eBay, and it's a wonderful tool for the beginner to get into filmmaking with a real camcorder instead of a cheap stills camera desperately pretending to be (and failing to be) a camcorder.

[@themadmailler]

This was easily THE BEST camcorder review i've seen since i've started shopping for a new unit! Thank you! You did a great job.

[@Power-Ads]

Thanks! I just picked this up on ebay for $80.00 , this video helped me decide to get it, our primary use is getting interviews at NHRA events. The camera has great audio when set to Auto level control. We are using a shotgun mic on channel (A) and two wireless mics on channel (B) We are currently using a Canon HF R800. The HF R62 will be used primarily as a backup or B footage.

[@jaycss]

Thank you for your review. I just purchased the R600 and could not figure out why the WiFi wouldn't setup like the manual says it should. I've spend hours looking for the answer. Then, in your video you explained that this model doesn't do WiFi nor bluetooth. I can now stop wasting my time on something the manual SHOULD have mentioned. You would think that a manual with over 300 pages could mention the lack of internal memory AND the lack of support for wireless communications.

[@DivineMisterAdVentures]

Boy you nailed this. I just bought 2 M300's (silver) and ordered a wireless remote (Canon Malaysia) for a grand total of $200. I'll be adding batteries and a wall charger. This is to populate something like an ATEM Mini. I hope it will look better than the standard Logitech webcam - I know it has better lens and zoom.

[@CMRinehart]

Lon: When I first received this camera, the files I shot in MPEG4 were not recognized in my Pinnacle software. I had to convert it in AVS program to MPEG4 (again), then Pinnacle would accept it. However I made a setting change, and Pinnacle had no problem with adding it. I shot footage with the AVCHD setting, and this solved my problem. Weird I know. FYI. Take care.

[@palliaskamen5722]

Thanks! very informative. I just bought the HF R60.

[@Thaneii]

Thank you for this great review. I just bought the 600 earlier today, so I appreciate your breakdown of all of these.

[@gqkokidko]

Outstanding review, man. Really helpful to a guy (me) that knows little to nothing about video cameras. I appreciate it very much.

[@annettemint]

Great review Mr. Seidman. I purchased the R600 based solely on this review.

[@danlivni2097]

+annettemint How do you like the R600 camcorder?

[@annettemint]

+Dan Livni I like it a lot. Been using it for five months now with no problems.

[@drclivemjones]

Re: Mr moO's question the 606 does not have a mic input. Just checked one out in a store 5 min ago in Australia.

[@BeastyBoyGotFire]

Is there a clean hdmi out? I want to use this camcorder with an external hdmi capture card and was wondering if the screen clutter could be turned off

[@leverettson]

+Beasty Yes, I have mine doing HDMI out but 60P not 60i if there's a way to get the output to 60i I haven't figured out what it is yet.

[@BeastyBoyGotFire]

Fred Hunt AWESOME! Thank you

[@lukehitson588]

So, to ensure I am understanding, if I purchased the R600, I could plug into a Blackmagic via HDMI and use the camera to livestream?

[@WavyVaporizers]

can any of these vixia use a controller to control your camera to start recording or stop recording??

[@Dvirgil13]

You did not mention a firmware upgrade on the 60 series that includes fast and slow motion options, that the 50 series does not have, also lens threads were added to change optics.

[@trei2unu]

I like Canon camcorders over other brands because of their color reproduction and sky exposure (does not make stupid unnatural blue like Sony's do) but they really need to make changes in their field of view department. I know that probably most users need a lot of zoom or at least that's what makes them buy, but Canon should make a few affordable models that can go wider than a 32 mm equivalent.. Sony has a 26 mm lens, I'd love to see that on Canon too or even wider would be fantastic. For tight spaces, family, parties, etc you need a wide angle lens.

[@trei2unu]

***** Yup, I knew about the vixia mini series, and they're great I'm glad to see this type of cameras from others than Gopro. Unfortunately I can't get over the barrel distortion fisheye lenses have.. and I know you can have wide angle even with a fisheye lens but without the distortion. HTC with they're RE camera did that, I guess the camera corrects the distortion while it's recording so you'll end up with flat lines at the end. That type of processing I'd like to see in the vixia mini or gopro, at least as an option.

[@CMRinehart]

Another nice review Lon. Obviously you know Canon doesn't offer a driver for the 60 or 62. Very strange.

[@EA40]

HA! I had no clue that the zoom type (optical/advanced) affected stability! Amazing to know that! Now the HF R600 is about $200 now, which is not a bad price at all. How good/bad is battery? When would the R700 be released? And also, when could we see one with 4K? That's an important thing, though at the moment I would rather film in 1080p/60fps than 4K 30fps

[@Tech1Tv]

I like this guy, good review. My pastor wanted a new camcorder that can record HD and he buy the Canon HF R50 for the church. It record good when i test it today, the battery life seem really short though. Can the Wi-Fi models transfer pictures and videos to a laptop if they connected to the same Wi-Fi?

[@Tech1Tv]

***** Oh wow that's that good then, that's the reason my pastor wanted a Wi-Fi camcorder because the old one he have doesn't have Wi-Fi.Well thank you for the reply, i will let him know.

[@kaibaCorpHQ]

@@Tech1Tv Talking to yourself down here?!

[@jonnygamer9947]

@@kaibaCorpHQ idk

[@PMDownUp]

Wow, thanks for model number tips! Why doesn't Canon put a flash light in the camcorder.

[@Ngotdzung]

thanks for a great review, I just bought a r700, and I love it.

[@voltron5128]

Great review...liked and subscribed! Just 1 quick question...My local Cosco has the HF50 for $229 and the HF600 for $279....I agree with your assessment of the wifi not being worth it, but is it worth it to pay an extra $50 to not have it by going with this year's 600. I'm leaning toward paying the extra $50 just so I don't have to mess with the wifi menus at all and worry if there's a battery drain just by having it as an option in the 50.......thanks for your time!

[@JustOzzy82]

I have just bought the HF R72 and for the life of me I can not get it to connect to my PC. My PC will not detect it and Canon website offers no drivers what so ever. HELP ME PLZ!!!

[@Sargebri]

When you hook it up to your computer put it in playback mode. That's what I do.

[@GoreeEnterprises]

I'm having the same problem with my Canon / HF R62. I cant get my computer to detect it.

[@HeskeyLive]

i was wondering if this camera would be good for recording football videos outdoors?

[@CMRinehart]

What I discovered is this camera does not have a driver available from Canon. That means I cannot connect the camera to a computer, leave the card in camera, and just add the footage to my editing program. It won't work. So I have two choices. Remove the SD card and put it in another camera that has a driver on your computer, or convert it to MPEG, then then add file to your editing program. My 2011 Canon model HMF40 had a driver, so I could just add files into editing with the SD card still in camera. So be aware this camera has no driver before you buy.

[@CMRinehart]

+Lon Seidman I've just never done that. I always grabbed and edited footage right off the camera. If you record with internal memory, you have to convert it before editing. More work and a pain indeed.

[@jcdockter]

Lon, great review. I have a few questions, in case you know the answers: 1) If I want to use the CameraAccess WiFi app to control three Canon Vixia HF R60 camcorders, can I do so by simply signing out of one camera's ID (in the app) and then signing in to the other camcorder's ID? Do I have to use NFC to sign in to the next camera or will the camcorder's ID show up on the LAN (somewhere in the app) and then allow me to sign in to be able to control camcorder #2, for example? 2) I read that use of the HDMI port disables WiFi access, or vice versa. Does that mean I cannot run video out of HDMI through a video capture device and use the remote zoom via WiFi at the same time (I would not technically be recording on the camcorder, just capturing the live view through the capture device)? I plan to mount the camcorder on a motorized pan and tilt head and I really need some way to remotely access the zoom function while being connected to the HDMI port. Of all the other consumer camcorders I've researched, this model comes the closest to what I need (especially with a mic input). I welcome your thoughts. P.S. I really wish there were a dedicated remote port or an adapter cable option to allow access to the zoom function through another port on this model. 3) If this model will not work, is there another camcorder (consumer or pro-sumer) you'd recommend that has a mic input, hdmi out, and remote zoom control (preferably corded). Thank you.

[@trikstertwo3037]

I'm looking into this camera for my dad. According to your review you can only use the wi-fi for remote control. However, according to the manual you can use the wi-fi to upload videos to facebook/youtube, to transfer videos to your ipad for editing/upload and you can use the wi-fi to view videos stored on the camera using a computer or ipad. For a non-techy being able to go directly from the camera to youtube sounds great; did you test this feature? Also the R62 has a larger batter plus the 32gb internal storage. I would seem those two features combined would take a big chunk out of the $50 (current) price difference versus the R600 ($20 for a 32gb memory card $30 for the bigger battery)? Thanks for the great review!

[@pjhanna4519]

Great video......Question. How do you feel this camera would do filming outdoor soccer games??

[@jasminegutierrez454]

Are the HF R600 and HF R500 compatible with fish eye lenses?

[@tfarino]

Can you pause live video recording with this camera?

[@BigMikeLV]

Is there a way to start and stop this camera with a cable? I want to use it on a pole for filming lacrosse but I need to be able to start and stop it.

[@AmericanMoviePodcast]

I am using The 600 to livestream, the image is not being picked up through blackmagic intensity shuttle. The input is not being picked up by the black magic shuttle. What output setting should I use for it to work on livestream OBS or black magic media express. much appreciated

[@Heliarc91]

Hi. Anyone know the max SD card size on this model? Just got threw returning amazon junk. Ordered this camera used on ebay. Wondering what biggest sd card i can order for it is

[@Aroneuos]

You mentioned that you cannot live stream with this- thank you as i have been searching for an answer to this- BUT, you seam to be streaming from it? I noticed you connected the HDMI connection? How did you do this??

[@JodyBruchon]

The best way to do this today is to get an Elgato HD60 S USB 3.0 capture card. That's what gamers use to capture console HDMI output on their computers for Let's Plays.

[@ariescastro7607]

Lon, which is better between this camcorder vs Panasonic fz1000? ?? I don't care the 4k capability of panasonic 30fps rather than full hd 60fps of Canon vixia r600. Please do a comparison video samples. Thanks. Have a great day.

[@tavismacdonald7759]

I have a um 900 cheap USB mic. If I get an adapter from USB to the 3.5 input jack would this record video and the audio from the USB mic at the same time.?

[@eddiemattison7792]

Haven't figured out how to make the wifi work. What was the name of the app again, and could you please post a link "how-to" to connect camcorder to phone (and upload videos to KZbin link, please). Thanks alot! Good video

[@KevinGeneFeldman]

My only issue is that with this camera and others like it that I've had, the lens is extremely claustrophobic and its hard to record in close environments like a bedroom. The other camera I'm looking at has wide angle, but its a point and shoot without a mic jack.

[@MoeCamera]

what's the difference between these camcorders and the vixia hfg20?

[@danielguiao]

Great Review! Is there any way I can use this camera without the battery? I am a surgeon and sometimes the surgeries are so long that the battery won't keep the camera working. Do you have any suggestion for that? Thanks for your great video! I decided to buy this camera because of your review!

[@Pizzapartyat9Tk]

hmm might need to pick up the hf 600 got a good amount of bright shop lights all ready and got a nice 16gb sd card already

[@ashhhooooo]

I feel like the lag between phone ap and camera is just kind of the standard right now. My GoPro has the same issue while talking to my iPhone and android tablet.

[@fantasticfavour]

sir what is the difference btwn this camera and the r700 and which one do u recommend i buy? pls i need ur reply like now. cos i want to get one today

[@erinisaad]

Can the R600 screen turn 150 degrees for selfie videos

[@Wavester64]

Hi Lon - Excellent Review! Some questions if I may: -You mention that you think adding low cost studio lighting is a plus - do you have any you recommend? -You recommend the R600 over the R62 if you don't need to use the WiFi Feature - however the R62 has a bigger battery. Do you know the difference in the size of the battery? I would also imagine the batteries are interchangeable since they are basically the same unit? So if I were to obtain a larger battery meant for the R62, it should work on the R600, right?

[@Wavester64]

Lon - do you recommend this camcorder?

[@moOswe]

Hello there! Very informative video! Ive got a question that might sound stupid. In my country they are only selling the Canon HF R606. Is that similar or even the same as any of the ones you discuss in your video? Thanks in advance, cheers from Sweden

[@SShaBazzz]

Mr moO I think so. from what I've seen, it's similar.

[@GlorieBee218]

Totally Techless here...i have this camcorder and i would like to know how to upload from the camcorder to youtube, i have the usb cord managed to plug it into my tower and that where i am at a loss...HEEEEEEEEEEELP...thanks.

[@erinisaad]

Can we pause a video then continue it using the R600

[@MrDjmurdock]

Other then a GoPro is there a camcorder that is can send the video to my iPhone and stream via Facebook live

[@eddiemattison7792]

Hey, thanks for the video. Can I Pause while filming? I haven't figured out how to do that yet. Thanks.

[@akjr.outdoors5264]

sweet review buying the camera just because of this review gonna use it to film hunts

[@matthewmorris2771]

can i hook up the r600 to my laptop and stream it live?

[@AuRebel]

I was looking to get the HF R600 and was wondering how the macro works if any. I'm currently using a Nikon L810 for my KZbin channel featuring gold and silver coins. Do you have any test footage of focusing in close on a coin to look at the detail? Thanks!

[@marlonsexperiences3267]

Can the USB be used to provide power to the camera?

[@voltron5128]

Thanks for the reply! Definitely will here for more great reviews!

[@monalisabiones7984]

Hi Lon, does Vixia take pictures while shooting??? I loved this camera's features but I can't seem to find this feature.... thxxxx

[@Bigtek01]

Lon I was wondering did this camera work with the Magewell? I am looking at a low cost solution for a static stream setup. Thank you for all of your videos I really enjoy watching them.

[@TurtleBushcraft]

Hi great information I'm looking at the 600. One question that I had was if wile recording you can have it hooked to the HDMI to be viewing on a monitor wile you are recording. thanks for all the great information atb John

[@izzyhopeunlisted]

great review. i was looking at the 600 before this review but after this review, i know i still want the 600. I just wish they would give you a remote so i could do stop motion. also what is the difference between the 500 and the 600. Thanks

[@VeronicaUSA]

Great review. So, since this one is not perfect, what camcorder would you suggest on a higher which would be better in low light situations? Also what external microfone and muffer would you suggest?

[@hmax1591]

Nice video, good content. Thanks for the info. you needed to record live audio, like your beautiful dog. what was wrong with recording her hauling? The audio is also important. Most low lights are inside restaurants, homes, out on the streets at night. Needed to see more of that. But anyway is a good video, specially how you compare the other models and basically try to show how one can safe money if one feature is not needed. It always makes me upset how manufacturers try to milk the market with one little feature from one model to next just to get people to spend their money.

[@bitctv9446]

What would be a good microphone for tjis camera?

[@D6Damager]

Is the lag any better using the NFC connectivity vs. using Wifi?

[@glud800]

Great video, thanks! One question: Can I put my rode video mic pro on top of the camera?

[@iamandrewz85]

How are the manual controls on the rf600? I hate leaving the settings up to the camera.

[@FrumPilot]

Thanks for the thorough review. My question is that perhaps it's advantageous to have the memory so you can have a backup with a sd card. is that possible to record on both the internal memory and sd card simultaneously? TIA

[@FrumPilot]

+Lon Seidman Thanks so much looks Like I'm going with the HF G20 Even though it's an old model, I heard that it has many excellent features and can record on the 2 sd slots at the same time. The other possible choice I was looking into was the Panasonic Hc-V770k. The Canon is more expensive though. Any of your thoughts on any of these two models would greatly be appreciated, as I'm about to Buy one of these. Thanks again for your quick response!

[@JohnWeland]

So this would do HDMI live output?

[@kunjpatel8037]

How we can set slow-motion in canon VIXIA HF R62

[@ashtonhales6394]

what was that pad you used for switching through multiple cameras in the video.

[@hoom5]

Hello, Thanks for the great video. Do you know if it records with closed display? I couldn't find any setting for that

[@scotts9508]

Good review, thanks

[@natmiller238]

Your videos are great. I'm buying a tablet and I have $200. I'm thinking of buying an unbranded windows 8 tablet bundle. Could you possibly make a review on it?

[@timeofsilence]

I sure appreciate your videos. I'm interested in incorporating a BlackMagicDesigns ATEM switcher into my live sound and lighting rig. We have several projectors and screens and I'd like to add the ability to use cameras to project video of the musicians onto the screens. I was thinking about using this camera (Canon HF R600) with the switcher but I wasn't sure if it would be compatible. I understand that the switcher will only accept 1080i or 720p signals. Is there a setting on this camera that would work with that switcher? Thank you!!

[@joelfarkasdi8821]

Does it have a charger or do you have to buy a new battery?

[@zleepyjan]

Thanks i'll get the R600, just curious what camcorder are you using when you recorded this video?

[@magic_minded]

Which is better, the hf60, or the hf600?

[@AhmadKhan-eg3hg]

I have a question for ya. Can you suggest me which is better HFR 50 and HFR 60? Thanks

[@christsdisciplesministrysh7914]

If you can help, we'd appreciate it. We have close to zero experience with technical stuff, so please bear that in mind. We want to create short videos to upload to youtube and facebook. We have no wifi, and our computer runs Windows 7. We were able to record a test video and play it back on the camcorder. It was fine. When we loaded the video onto our computer and played it back, the first sentence was as recorded, and then the audio got garbled, choppy and slow. Can you help us fix this?

[@MagicalBacon]

Umm. So the problem is the video quality on the computer, if I'm correct. The solution is to maybe go to the settings and click 1080p.

[@christsdisciplesministrysh7914]

You are right. The problem is on my computer. I have since been able to slowly (a five minute video takes a couple of hours) upload the video. I will see what I can do about going to the settings on my computer and clicking 1080p. Thanks for the hint!

[@tkoopman]

Thank you for the review! Question, if you are recording and stop will it make a new file, or does it pause and append to the file when resuming?

[@AbdoolIrshaad]

Hi Lon; I am planning to buy a similar camera. Please, can we plug in an audio mixer into it or Line In for a location's audio mixer? Can you test it please? Thanks. Regards

[@AbdoolIrshaad]

Ah ok Thanks :) No my question was because i did not want it to burn the audio chip inside. I will go with the separate audio recording. Can you suggest a quite budget audio recorder?

[@AbdoolIrshaad]

Thanks Lon. Have a nice day ahead. :)

[@ToddCWiggins]

I saw a new one in a DC pawn shop for $135, maybe I should get it.

[@ramenzombie4383]

Todd Wiggins That one was mine and it is filled with ALLLLLOOOTTT of amateur porn.

[@supersam5776]

How did you capture the video from the camera? Did you just record with overlay and copy over or was it plugged in to your pc while filming?

[@DaveKingMusic]

Does this camera offer any control over aperture so that you can control depth of field?

[@DaveKingMusic]

+Lon Seidman Thanks!

[@tiffanyberty9038]

Can you take photos on it? Is there a way to manipulate the video to get a good picture out of it?

[@SepticCornREAL]

Yes

[@VintageElectronicsGeek]

Nice review....would have liked to see a true outside shot, however, I'll rate this review a plus 10....primarily for your dog! :)

[@SKI4EVER9]

Is the wifi good for uploading videos you have already taken on to your phone?

[@koreamedia]

where is the link you said at 2:45?

[@ShreyasSreedhar2]

Can we take photos with this? or at least snaps? do they look good?

[@ShreyasSreedhar2]

***** ah sucks. I really want to up my video quality but Im stuck with which one to choose from with my limited budget of 500$ including a cam with hot shoe, mic, a tripod. But I really don't know which to. Dslr or point and shoot or camcorder. Mind helping me out? Thanks.

[@Brookside975]

Lon, I realize that the wif does not work all that great, but will it work with the latest version of Android 5.1.1? Thanks for your videos.

[@Brookside975]

thank you Lon.

[@hmax1591]

+Steven Meyer in another video I heard the person say that the Wi-Fi only works with Kit Kat of 4.4.4. versions of Android, not the 5.0 or 5.1

[@Brookside975]

I have HFR50 and Android 5.1.1 and it works.

[@matthewmorris2771]

OK thank you. another question if I but the r62 can I use the Wi-Fi to stream it from the camera or anything of that sort

[@MagicalBacon]

Stream as in? And he explained it in the video. You can control the zoom, but it is extremely slow and preferably not used. I would go with the R600. It's $239 on Amazon, which you can't beat! Great deal for the quality and performance.

[@tessac5820]

this camera is amazing

[@FerDeath]

Hi Lon, Great video! I want to start making youtube videos but I need a camera, maybe you can help me with some questions :) I don't know very much about cams, what's the difference if I get a camcorder (HF R600) or a DSLR Camera (suggest one)? Which one do you recommend for youtube videos? How is the photo quality of the R600, do you have examples to share with me? My budget is $300 to $350. Thanks in advance, you got a new subscriber!

[@FerDeath]

***** Thank you very much! I'm going for the R600 for now, maybe in the future I would switch to a DSLR. Have a nice day Lon and thanks again!

[@RRR333DDD]

hey lon i have a question whats your camera and how much? plz help bc i want to be a tech youtuber and your quality looks awsome

[@RRR333DDD]

im good with light but i need a budget dslr or camcorder for about 200$ could u give me one that u think would be good or better yet how about make a video about the best budget dslr camera and camcorder on amazon

[@RRR333DDD]

+Lon Seidman also are u still selling this camcorder bc i would love to buy it

[@Masked]

What type of microphone should i buy with the R62 ? :) thanks for answering plz :) take care ~

[@Masked]

***** Pretty much reviews. Filming myself talking at 3 to 4 meters away in a room :)

[@Masked]

***** I'll check it out thanks a lot :)

[@TheTechteam2012]

What camcorders/cameras did you use to film this video?

[@XTremePyro144316]

i looking to buy of these, but could use your opinion. i video fireworks do you think this would do well or do you have another camcorder in mind for that?

[@XTremePyro144316]

+Lon Seidman thanks, I just need a upgrade from my GoPro hero 2.

[@DIYBeautybyLeda]

What microphone would you recommend for this camera?

[@MagicalBacon]

Look up on EBay/Amazon, a shotgun microphone. Those are great and have amazing sound quality. The only problem is where you can mount it.

[@DIYBeautybyLeda]

Thanks! Will check them out!

[@MrJcapocasa]

Hi Lon, love your videos, can you explain the difference between FXP MXP in avchd mode. ty

[@MrJcapocasa]

***** thank you for the quick response, what is your personal preference avchd or mp4? and do i understand this right FXP shoots at 1080p 30fps MXP 1080i 60 fps or is it vice versa? thankyou very much.

[@MrJcapocasa]

***** thank you.

[@banterboys5320]

Is it possible to timelapse

[@stasisorflux4867]

Big help, thank you!