In the continuum that runs from low-resolution, cheapo camcorders like the Creative Vado to high-quality, solid-state “prosumer” HD models like Canon’s own Vixia HF10, Canon’s line of SD-based camcorders–FS11, FS10, and FS100–falls exactly where you’d expect. At budget prices under $600, they’re small, stylish, and provide a reasonably expansive feature set; unfortunately, the real “budget” aspect of these models is the video quality.

The individual models in the FS series differ only by memory and color, with list prices that increment by $100 (but with lower actual street price gaps). The top-end model, the FS11, comes in dark gray and includes 16GB built-in memory; its lesser sibling, the FS10, wears silver and includes 8GB. The cheapest child, the FS100, has no built-in memory but comes in silver, blue, and red. Capacities run about 13.8 minutes per gigabyte of storage for best-quality mode, 39 min/GB for lowest quality; we don’t recommend shooting below best-quality, however.

To make sharing footage with friends and family even easier, the FS10 is compatible with Canon’s new standalone Canon DVD Burner DW-100. The burner connects directly to the camcorder, allowing videos to be copied to a full-size DVD without the need for a computer – the perfect accessory for anyone who enjoys sending movies to distant relatives and friends. A new Intelligent lithium-ion battery system displays exactly how much recording time is left. Accurate to the minute, the system makes it easier to monitor available power and therefore avoid running out at the crucial moment. Writing to flash memory has a far lower power requirement than other recording formats, too – over three hours of shooting is possible with the supplied battery pack.

Combining video recording with advanced digital photography features, the Canon FS10 captures high quality stills. Photos are easily transferred to a computer via USB. A Canon Solution Disk, supplied with every model, helps users store, enhance and manage their digital still photos. Each FS series model features a microphone input connection, allowing superior quality audio to be captured. By attaching an external microphone, users are better able to record a strong soundtrack in otherwise challenging circumstances – at a school concert for instance, or similar occasions when ambient noise might otherwise interfere with what is being recorded.