57x Advanced Zoom

You won't miss any of the action when shooting video with the VIXIA HF R500 camcorder and its impressive 57x Advanced Zoom range. Long-range shooting allows you to create videos with dynamic variety, and is less likely to disrupt the action you're shooting. It's perfect for formal ceremonies, animals in the wild, candid family videos and more. Advanced Zoom, available in manual mode, has been achieved with more efficient use of the effective imaging area. It takes the camcorder's telephoto power from 32.5mm all the way to 1,853mm (35mm equivalent) for extraordinary flexibility in shooting. For more convenient shooting and better creative control over your videos, the camcorder offers continually variable Zoom Speed settings, with 15 levels available.

SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization

Canon's sophisticated SuperRange Optical Image Stabilizer corrects camera shake instantly, so even handheld video taken at long focal lengths is sharp and steady. Providing continuous adjustment throughout the entire zoom range to correct a broad range of motion, with extra compensation applied at wide-angle focal lengths, the Dynamic Image Stabilization system on the VIXIA HF R500 stabilizes rotational camera shake. Controlling rotational camera shake – horizontal, vertical and roll axis – ensures smooth, distortion-free video, even when you're walking while shooting.

3.28 Megapixel Full HD CMOS Image Sensor

The VIXIA HF R500 camcorder is equipped with a 3.28 Megapixel Full HD CMOS Image Sensor to capture your memories in true 1920 x 1080 resolution. Canon's advanced, high-resolution HD CMOS Image Sensor features extra sensitivity that delivers beautifully lifelike Full HD video with natural color, even in low light. On-chip noise reduction brings bright clarity to every frame. Video is rich, clear and amazingly detailed anywhere you view it, even when played back on a large HDTV.

DIGIC DV 4 Image Processor

The VIXIA HF R500 incorporates the latest and most advanced Canon HD Image Processor, the DIGIC DV 4 Image Processor, for exceptional imaging performance. The DIGIC DV 4 Image Processor features dramatically increased processing power and captures more light, for brighter, noise-free images even in dark scenes.

Record to Removable SD Memory Cards

The VIXIA HF R500 camcorder records Full HD video directly to a removable SD memory card. Widely available in several capacities, SD memory cards let you share your videos quickly and easily. In addition to SD memory cards, the VIXIA HF R500 also lets you use super-high capacity SDXC cards. The same size as a standard SD card, a SDXC card can hold up to 2,048 GB, and provides ultra-fast data transfer.

MP4 (35 Mbps) or AVCHD Progressive (28 Mbps) Recording

The VIXIA HF R500 gives you the highest quality recording, whether you're capturing MP4 or AVCHD files. 1080/60p recording captures twice the amount of information as 60i, and with images captured at a rate of 60 frames per second, diagonal noise is eliminated so even fast moving subjects show up crisply with motion and patterns clearly recorded. This greater sense of detail and faithful rendering of moving edges, plus enhanced color and fine tonal gradation, gives your video everything Full HD has to offer. AVCHD Progressive records at a bit rate of 28 Mbps, which is the highest in the AVCHD standard, and MP4 files are captured at a bit rate of 35 Mbps, so regardless of the format you're shooting or viewing, image quality is as high as can be.

3.0-inch Capacitive Touch Panel LCD

The VIXIA HF R500 features a 3.0-inch Capacitive Touch Panel LCD screen, making shooting and other operations easy. Simply open the panel and the power is on. The display is clear and vivid, and just as with your smartphone or tablet, a gentle touch activates intuitive functions. Choose a focal point, track moving subjects, control exposure for selected areas, and operate camcorder controls from the screen, all with a simple touch. In addition, the easy-to-use user interface makes your shooting experience simpler and more fun. The Home button is on the menu screen, and provides quick access to all functions. Clear explanations for key settings pop up when selecting shooting modes and recording formats, so you can be confident in the decisions you make.

Baby Mode

A complete solution for capturing, tracking, organizing and sharing every precious moment of your baby's development, Baby Mode on the VIXIA HF R500 camcorder has been advanced to allow you to follow the growth of up to three children. A custom control button on the shooting screen activates the mode, and optimal settings for the shooting conditions, including Intelligent IS and more, are automatically selected. Simply pick up the camcorder and start recording, knowing capture will be of the highest quality. Videos shot in Baby Mode are automatically saved into a dedicated Baby Album so they'll never get lost among your other videos. You can then view the Baby Album chronologically for a seamless way to relive and share your baby's growth with friends and relatives.

When you're shooting in Baby Mode, the camcorder's Pre-Record (Pre REC) function is always on. This places the camcorder in a stand-by “pre-roll” mode, where it continuously records three seconds of video to memory before you even press the record button. When you start recording, the additional video is recorded too, so it's easier than ever to capture the baby's “firsts” and every special moment.

Touch Decoration in Baby Mode includes stamps to mark each video with your baby's current height and weight. And with a single registration of the baby's birth date, the camcorder will automatically calculate the number of days old and stamp videos accordingly, creating an exact diary of developmental milestones for years to come. The number of decorations has been vastly increased on the VIXIA HF R500 so it's even easier to make a fun video commemorating your baby's special moments. The camcorder's other Touch Decoration options, including your own drawings, captions, animations and more, are fully available in Baby Mode, and all can easily be appended to previously shot video as well.

High Capacity Battery

The VIXIA HF R500 is powered by a high capacity battery pack. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery not only lets you shoot for long periods, but features intelligent technology that accurately indicates remaining battery time down to the minute, for extra insurance that you'll never miss an important shooting opportunity.

Intelligent IS

Intelligent IS makes it easy to shoot clear, sharply focused video, even in situations that typically cause camera shake. The Intelligent IS system analyzes the shooting situation for you, then automatically switches to the image stabilization method best able to produce sharp, steady video. Four IS systems cover the gamut of shooting situations. Dynamic IS corrects minor movement and the shaking caused by walking while shooting. Macro IS delivers perfectly steady close-up shots. Powered IS comes into play when you're using the VIXIA HF R500 camcorder's powerful zoom, correcting shake that can occur in telephoto shots. Tripod Mode stops IS when the camcorder is stationary.

Smart AUTO and Auto Tele Macro

Smart AUTO lets you capture clear, bright, well-focused video while the camcorder takes care of all the details. The system recognizes 38 shooting situations based on numerous factors, then automatically chooses the optimal settings for the situation. When you shoot a nearby subject in telephoto zoom mode, Auto Tele Macro gives your video the high-end artistic effect of a well-focused subject against a beautifully blurred background.

Audio Scene Select

Audio Scene Select on the VIXIA HF R500 makes it even easier to capture clear, high quality audio with a choice of five audio modes to choose from based on your shooting situation: Standard, Music, Speech, Forest and Birds, and Noise Suppression. Each of these modes has pre-determined optimized settings best suited for the shot you're capturing, resulting in outstanding video with realistic, immersive audio. Audio settings can also be custom set to meet your shooting needs

Cinema-Look Filter Effects

The VIXIA HF R500 allows you to create cinematic looks with the use of Cinema-Look Filters. This feature offers a choice of seven varied built-in adjustable filters, which give the look of a variety of cinematic styles by compensating for the color, gamma and other aspects of the image's quality. The looks can be previewed in the LCD display while shooting, and also applied post-capture for additional convenience and versatility. Choose from:

Cinema Standard - Recreates the warm tones and muted highlights of classic film

Cool - Adds a bluish tint for cool, futuristic-looking scenes

Dramatic B&W - Creates bold black-and-white video with high contrast and grain

Old Movies - Gives video the aged look of old cinema

Nostalgic - Recreates the look of old '70s TV programs

Sepia - Applies a sepia tint for an antique, faded look

Vivid - Accentuates primary colors for a bright, cheerful look

The brightness of each filter can be adjusted low, medium or high, for even greater control. When Cinema Standard is selected, color depth, softening, and contrast can also be adjusted.

Genuine Canon Face Detection

The same high quality Face Detection technology used in Canon digital cameras is available in Canon high definition camcorders. Up to 35 faces can be tracked automatically, ensuring razor-sharp focus and natural, accurate exposure. Of the faces tracked, 9 detection frames can be displayed at one time.

In fact, the system is so intelligent that it will recognize faces turned downwards or sideways. In addition, a specific face may be selected as the main subject for continuous tracking. This feature is convenient in searching for clips that feature the specific subject's face. In search and playback, use of the Face Index will display those frames with the chosen face as a thumbnail in each shot in which it appears. Your selected face can also be linked as a timeline to further identify footage containing your subject.

Video Snapshot

Video Snapshot allows you to capture the highlights of a once-in-a-lifetime trip or a family milestone with the same ease as taking photos. Simply record a series of short video clips – or select your favorite clips while in Playback Mode – and blend in your favorite background music to create an exciting movie that will grab everyone's attention. Video Snapshot on the VIXIA HF R500 allows selectable recording time (2, 4, or 8 seconds). Additionally, audio from an external source such as an MP3 player can be played along with the Snapshot movie, and playback can be controlled from that source.

24p Cinema and 30p Progressive Shooting Modes

The VIXIA HF R500 camcorder's sophisticated shooting mode options offer superior creativity and functionality. 24p Cinema Mode gives your video a film-like feel, making it look as if it were shot at the same frame rate as movie film, with a frame capture rate of 24p recorded at 60i. The camcorder also gives you the option of recording in 30p Progressive Mode, which is ideal for clips you intend to post online.

Accessories Get the Most from Your Camcorder

Canon helps you get more out of your camcorder with a wide range of accessories that inspire your creativity and productivity alike. The Wireless Microphone WM-V1 streams audio wirelessly from subjects up to 164 feet away. It's perfect for adding your subject's voice at times when you can't get in close to shoot, and can also be used as a stand-alone transceiver to cue shooting and more.