HD camcorders: Compare features & prices Canon Legria FS406 review Back to Results

Standard definition camcorders are pretty rare these days, but the Canon Legria FS406 is one such example. It certainly has price on its side, but how does it perform in our full lab tests? We put it through the same raft of tests that our HD camcorders go through to find out.
Sign up to access the full review

Specification criteria Specification
Recording format
Video resolution Standard definition
Recording format Memory Card
Memory card Yes
Built-in memory type No
Built-in memory size (GB) 0
Hard disk memory size n/a
Flash memory size n/a
Recording time internal memory (minutes) The amount of footage at the highest quality setting you can store on the built-in memory, in minutes. n/a
Copy video onto memory card option Some models allow you to copyvideo onto the memory card, from the main recording media, such as the hard disk or internal flash memory Yes
Lens
Optical zoom The higher the number, the more you can zoom in. 10 means 10 times magnification. Optical zoom usually ranges from 10 times to 40 times. 37.0
Lens cover Tethered means it is attached with plastic slider
Lens converter possible A lens converter fitting allows you to attach a wide angle or telephoto converter lens No
Image stabilisation system Optical stabilisers use a small mechanical adjustment to compensate for trembling motions; electronic stabilisation uses a digital adjustment, which is not always as effective. electronic
Dimensions
Size (wxhxd) (cm) Dimensions as you look at the camcorder side on. 6 x 6 x 12.5
Weight (g) Includes the device, the recording media, battery and hand strap. 266
LCD screen
LCD screen size Size of the LCD screen, diagonally across in inches. 2.6
Touchscreen No
Extra features
Video lamp Provides additional light when the scene is dark No
Backlight comp If parts of the scene are too dark, this will help brighten them up No
Gain up This function brightens up the whole scene No
External mic input If the camcorder has an input (sometimes called a hot shoe) an external mic can be added for better sound quality No
Headphone socket No
Viewfinder The eyepiece viewfinder. Almost always colour, they are on the odd occasion black and white. No
Widescreen Format Whether the camcorder has an setting allowing recording in 16:9 mode Yes
Still photo mode
Resolution (megapixels) 0.3
Battery life
Battery life How much recording time, in minutes, you should get with a fully-charged battery. 173

Canon Legria FS406

  • Launch date: Jan 2011
  • Which? score: Subscribe
Top 3 of 4 retailers
Carbon Fusion £194.29
Comcen £251.10
DigitalRev £678.00
Compare prices