HD camcorders: Compare features & prices Canon Legria HF R38 review Back to Results

The Canon Legria HF R38 is a high-definition camcorder with a 32x optical zoom, built-in wi-fi and image stabilisation. How did it fare in the Which? tests? Read our full review to find out how we rate the HF R38 for image quality, battery life and its ability to take still photos.
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Specification criteria Specification
Recording format
Video resolution High definition
Recording format Memory Card / Flash
Memory card Yes
Built-in memory type SD memory card
Built-in memory size (GB) 32
Hard disk memory size N/a
Flash memory size 32
Recording time internal memory (minutes) The amount of footage at the highest quality setting you can store on the built-in memory, in minutes. 175
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. 32.0
Lens cover Tethered means it is attached with plastic slider, manually operated
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. optical
Dimensions
Size (wxhxd) (cm) Dimensions as you look at the camcorder side on. 6.5 x 5.6 x 12.4
Weight (g) Includes the device, the recording media, battery and hand strap. 277
LCD screen
LCD screen size Size of the LCD screen, diagonally across in inches. 2.8
Touchscreen Yes
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 Yes
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 Yes
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
Still photos to memory card Yes
Battery life
Battery life How much recording time, in minutes, you should get with a fully-charged battery. 60

Canon Legria HF R38

  • Launch date: Jan 2012
  • Which? score: Subscribe
Top 3 of 15 retailers
Amazon.co.uk £289.00
Ebuyer £300.50
CCL Computers Ltd (Intel) £301.14
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