Good as an entry-level flash camcorder

I already have a Canon Optura 40, a MiniDV based camcorder.  However, importing DV is a chore.  Also, it is so much nicer to deal with individual files.  It's somewhat like comparing CD to cassette tape (I'm referring to convenience, not quality here).

I stumbled upon the Canon FS10 while shopping at Costco.  What intrigued me was the small size (made possible by use of flash media rather than tape), the ergonomics, and the price ($360 for a FS10 kit that includes a case, extra 4GB SDHC, and neck strap).  The FS10 is actually the middle tier unit in Canon's line of standard definition, flash based camcorders.  They're all the same except for color and amount of built-in memory.  The FS100 is the bottom, available in three colors, and has no built-in memory.  The FS10 is silver and has 8GB built-in (good for about 1:50hr of recording).  The FS11 is the top-end in this range and is grey with 16GB built-in.  All three can accept external SD cards and are otherwise identical is usage.

Interface
There is no viewfinder, so you must use the LCD to capture.  The LCD quality is adequate but does not have as wide a viewing angle as those found in the higher-end Canons.  About par for the course in this class of camera however.

My single favourite part of the UI is the large mode dial that dominates the rear of the camera.  It is the largest dial I've seen on ever-shrinking camcorders in recent years and is so comfortable and intuitive.  In the center of the dial is a large, round Record button. 

The zoom switch is a toggle on the top of the camera.  It feels very loose, but it gets the job done and with some care lets you control the speed of the zoom.  Better yet, in addition to the default of variable zoom speed, you can also set one of three fixed speeds for the zoom.  This is very useful for nice, non-distracting "zoom crawls".
On top behind the zoom is the shutter release button for still image capture.  I'm not particularly interested in this feature, but I do note that a half press sets exposure and focus (focus areas highlighted with green rectangles) and a full press captures the image.  The shutter release seems sluggish, but I suppose it will do in a pinch.

The power switch is also located on the top at the very rear of the camera.  It's a bit recessed, but is not difficult to operate with you index finger.  Even better, in "power save" mode the camera will go to a "standby" mode when the LCD is closed or after a period of inactivity.  Flipping the LCD open instantly reactivates the camera

The other controls are on the LCD screen or in LCD cavity on the left side of the camera.  There's an "Easy" mode button that puts the camera into a point-and-shoot mode and locks out all the options, which might not be too bad for the technophobe or first-timer (or kids).  When not in "Easy" mode, you can access the other options through the menu system that you navigate with joystick and buttons.  The joystick (which can also be pressed in to make selections) can be used to access some options while filming such as exposure adjust, manual focus, and turning off the LED illumination lamp.  Pressing the leftmost button under the LCD brings up the main menu (must not be filming to access this), which lets you set camera mode (Program (auto), Tv (shutter priority), and various scene modes...quite a bit like Canon's still image cameras actually), adjust white balance, as well as other camera setup options.  Finally, there are other buttons below the LCD for playback functions and zoom.

Image quality
Image quality is great in good light, but that's the trick isn't it?  Most camcorders will do pretty well if you have enough light.  Under such conditions color rendition is accurate (not oversaturated like some other entry-level consumer cameras) and noise is controlled.  In lower light conditions there is chroma noise (red/green speckles).  In some ways this is good...the camera is trying to hold onto color info.  In contrast, my old MiniDV-based Optura also gets noisy, but it tends to show up as graininess without a lot of coloring to it so it appears cleaner, at least to my taste.  Actual sharpness is about the same between the two.

The other aspect of image quality I'm interested in is the effectiveness of the image stabilization, which takes the "shakes" out of your video.  The Optura has optical image stabilization (OIS) and the FS-family only has electronic image stabilization (EIS).  In OIS, the compensation occurs in the optical path and does not effect the image sensor.  With EIS, some resolution is sacrificed to do the compensation.  Well the FS10's EIS does definitely work and a casual review doesn't reveal any visible loss of resolution (I know it's there, but it does not cross the threshold for a "casual observer").  However, it definitely does not work as well as the 4-5 year old OIS technology in the Optura.  I guess I'm spoiled by having used OIS so long.

Battery
Battery life is supposed to be around 3 hours, which is well matched to the recording capacity of the FS10 (1:50hr at the highest "XP" recording quality).  By the way, with the included accessories the only way to charge the battery is in the camera by plugging in the included AC adapter.  An external charger would be nice to include, but with the FS10's long batter life and budget status it's not a killer.  Even the higher-end camcorders do not bundle in the external charger.

A keeper?
Ultimately, I returned the camera to Costco and I'm contemplating a Canon HF10 high-def flash camcorder instead.  The FS10 is a step up in convenience both in terms of portability (it makes the Optura look like a beast!) and downloading videos.  However, it's a step down in video quality from my Optura 40 so it's a pass for me.  I'd rather put that $360 toward an upgrade to an HD camcorder.

However, if I wanted an entry-level camcorder I would be more that satisfied with this one.  As it is, I was sorely tempted to keep the FS10 just as a small carry-around camcorder in my SLR camera bag.