First Look Review: Canon Legria HF-G25 (aka Vixia HF-G20); (Unboxing, Part 2)

The second part of my unboxing. A first look around, and review of, the Canon Legria HF-G25 (aka Vixia HF-G20 in the USA) high definition camcorder just after unboxing it.

This video goes through some of the camcorder's features and functions; the first video was the actual unboxing.

Buy the HF-G25 via our Amazon UK link and it helps us keep the reviews going; thank you.

Filmed on a Sony Z5 and edited in Sony Vegas Pro 12. Voice recorded on a Rode Lavalier mic.

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Published by Tubeshooter magazine:

[pd]

Hi There thanks for getting back to me so soon with regard to my question. Yes all worked and I have now taken the option of not displaying the date/time. Been out with the camera today during the nice weather so about to look at the results. Many thanks again for your help.

[greglumley]

Love your sense of humour! I can't believe you only have 5000 hits on this your presentation is excellent, clear and to the point. Excellent and well done you Lol!!

[UKAirscape]

Hello; apologies for the delay in replying. Yes, the viewer does (just) pull out far enough if you have the large battery, though the battery will dig into your cheek a little as you hold the camcorder to your eye. I would say that the viewfinder picture is pretty decent, certainly sufficient to gain focus and exposure, especially with the aid of the focus assist. You won't have access to the menus with the fli-out screen shut though, and some of them are useful when filming.

[UKAirscape]

Thank you. The trouble with comparing images on YouTube is that you never really know what kind of editing / treatment / recompression they've been subject to so my advice would be to be cautious about comparing one with the other. Some people complain about the Panny's colour balance but in other respects it's excellent; I don't think either is a bad choice! The hf-g25 is very similar to the prior hf-g10 so take a look at those videos too. And the new G30's just been announced but it's costly!

[paoloyt]

Thanks for sharing this interesting part two : you have highlighted all the external commands of the brand new Canon.
I do agree with you about the cheap battery to be charged only via cam: at that price we all would expect to have a larger battery and - at least - a separated charging device
Looking forward to see more tests.

[UKAirscape]

Yes - depending on the receiver unit. Canon make their own model which is of course compatible; others would need to have a suitable output (3.5mm jack at mic or consumer line level) to plug into the camcorder. Or, if the wireless mic receiver has XLR (balanced) outputs then you'd need to add an XLR to 3.5mm adapter such as those made by Beachtek or JuicedLink

[UKAirscape]

Hello again; I received the UV filter today (Hoya Pro1 Digital UV) - fairly cheap but it's mostly going to be there as a lens protector. I can confirm the lens hood does still fit the camera with the filter in place.

[UKAirscape]

You're correct about the lens hood of course, I was unsure when I recorded that. I have used manual focus extensively (although actually the Auto is pretty good in many situations). It's not so fine on longer distance as you have observed but it's usable.

[UKAirscape]

Thank you. I don't have the HF-G10 but I certainly wouldn't say the new one feels cheap or insubstantial. In fact, when I first took it out of the packet I was surprised at how solid it seems. Provided of course that it is not ill-treated and thrown about (!) when filming, I think it will be quite durable. I also secretly suspect the G25/G20 is exactly the same body as the G-10 but with the new lens cap and tweaked software to give it the lowlight improvement so it should be just as solid.

[UKAirscape]

Those are the only ones I am specifically aware of. I suggest you Google them for more product details and prices as that will give you the best range of information and reviews.

[UKAirscape]

Thank you. I'm thinking about some videos like that but it's such a big subject I am not sure where to start! I may create a video about using the zebra bars to help with for exposure this weekend. Do you have a specific topic that you might like covered? Eg shooting interviews (for example) or anything else?

[UKAirscape]

Thank you. You must have read my mind because I'm going to record a video specifically about the menus this weekend - there's an awful lot to say so it might end up as two videos.

[ThatFCN]

Hey, Great video by the way. But would you please make a video on how to use the menu and just explain the basics of the menu and how to use the camera. I am very camera savy but for some reason this camera has confused me so much with the frame rate being PF30 and things like that!

[UKAirscape]

Hmmm, that is a very good question and as I don't have any filters at the moment I can't definitively answer it, sorry. However, I've had a good peer inside the cap as fitted and I *think* (don't hold me to this) that you should be able to get a filter on as well - there's a little gap between the end of the lens and the plastic of the hood. I was intending to get a UV filter (more as lens protection during filming than anything else) and will report back.

[UKAirscape]

Note that the lens is slightly different on that model (20x and sticks out from the body slightly longer) so whilst I imagine the fitting and gap between the lens and lens hood will be identical, I cannot guarantee it!

[UKAirscape]

Hi. Yes it is possible; I have a Hoya Pro-1 Digital UV filter screwed on under the hood at the moment.

[peterchrissie]

This was a great help i am getting this camera soon. I would have liked to see what the cinima effects can do even though i have the editing programme. I was hoping it would look like a movie you see at the cinima. Thanks again all your videos are very good.

[SFLMedia]

Great unboxing! What size lens thread does it have?

[UKAirscape]

Hello. It's not a light; it's the sensor it uses for the Autofocus. The remote sensor is actually on the top-left hand side of the flip-out screen (it looks like a space where another button should go). There is no built-in light of any kind on the camcorder.

[AndersBixbe]

The part number for the lenshood is D52-0380-000. I bought it from Convena. It costs 30€. The hood fpr HF G10 is D52-0370-000 and costs 9€. They are interchangable.