This pocket-sized Wi-Fi-enabled minicamcorder does a lot, but it's still a bit of an oddball product. by Joshua Goldman July 31, 2013 1:00 AM PDT (Credit: Canon) When Cisco killed the Flip and Kodak folded, the minicamcorder market basically went with them. That is until GoPro and the like morphed the market into action cams. Canon's new Vixia mini falls somewhere in between those two segments, looking like part Webcam and part minicamcorder. In front is an f2.8 fisheye lens with a 160-degree angle of view for movies (170 degrees for photos), which is typical of what you'd find on action cams. For those times when you want a more normal view, a Close-Up mode cuts out the distortion, recording a centered 1,920x1,440 resolution video. Canon's Vixia Mini personal compact camcorder (pictures) 1-2 of 6 Scroll Left Scroll Right The 12-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor can record high-bitrate MP4 files in 1080p. There are also high speed and slow motion recording options (two for each). Everything gets stored to microSD card, which is not included. There is no external mic jack, but Canon says the stereo mic in front delivers high-quality sound, while Audio Scene Select modes, allow you to adjust the sound for your surroundings such as music or speech or suppressing road noise. On top is a 2.7-inch touch screen that's attached to the camera on two parallel hinges allowing you to flip it up and tilt it forward and back. There is also a built-in stand that will elevate the body up to 60 degrees. The mini also has built-in Wi-Fi for wireless transfers to mobile devices and computers or uploading to Facebook and YouTube. There's a live-streaming feature, too, that will allow you to record to an Android or iOS device as well as control the camera remotely. The Canon Vixia mini will be available in black and white versions when it arrives in September priced at about $300.
This pocket-sized Wi-Fi-enabled minicamcorder does a lot, but it's still a bit of an oddball product.
(Credit: Canon)
When Cisco killed the Flip and Kodak folded, the minicamcorder market basically went with them. That is until GoPro and the like morphed the market into action cams.
Canon's new Vixia mini falls somewhere in between those two segments, looking like part Webcam and part minicamcorder. In front is an f2.8 fisheye lens with a 160-degree angle of view for movies (170 degrees for photos), which is typical of what you'd find on action cams. For those times when you want a more normal view, a Close-Up mode cuts out the distortion, recording a centered 1,920x1,440 resolution video.
The 12-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor can record high-bitrate MP4 files in 1080p. There are also high speed and slow motion recording options (two for each). Everything gets stored to microSD card, which is not included.
There is no external mic jack, but Canon says the stereo mic in front delivers high-quality sound, while Audio Scene Select modes, allow you to adjust the sound for your surroundings such as music or speech or suppressing road noise.
On top is a 2.7-inch touch screen that's attached to the camera on two parallel hinges allowing you to flip it up and tilt it forward and back. There is also a built-in stand that will elevate the body up to 60 degrees.
The mini also has built-in Wi-Fi for wireless transfers to mobile devices and computers or uploading to Facebook and YouTube. There's a live-streaming feature, too, that will allow you to record to an Android or iOS device as well as control the camera remotely.
The Canon Vixia mini will be available in black and white versions when it arrives in September priced at about $300.
