
HF11
Canon launched two new versions of the HD video cameras. The HF11 is unusual among camcorders for building in a large amount of flash-based memory: it incorporates 32GB of the motionless storage and gives videographers as much as 12 hours of HD shooting in the AVCHD (H.264) format without skipping or adding the bulk of a full hard drive. Full-quality 1920×1080 nets about two hours and 55 minutes, but an SDHC card slot allows recording time to potentially double. The HF11 also boasts a 12X optical zoom factor, HDMI video out, and a 2.7-inch preview LCD. Canon anticipates a release for Japan in late August and will price the camera at the equivalent of $1,314 in the country, though any US release is likely to be priced lower.

HG21
An identically-priced alternative comes in the form of the HG21, which swaps the flash memory for a 120GB hard drive that adds weight and size in exchange for longer recording times, capturing up to 45 hours of HD in base quality but still managing 11 hours and 5 minutes at the full 1080 resolution. Canon also says it uniquely supports HDMI-CEC automation and can be controlled by the remote from a CEC-compatible HDTV. The HG21 ships at the same time in Japan as the HF11.
Canon hasn’t set US launch information but typically follows Japanese releases closely with their American equivalents.