Despite my office filled with camera gear, computers and software, I’ve never owned a camcorder but wanting one for years. My complaining must have finally gotten to my wife, because she ordered the brand new Canon VIXIA HG21 from B & H Photo for Christmas.

Of course I knew, and was on the lookout. But she took the delivery and wrapped it! Made me wait for Christmas Eve, knowing full well I was leaving on a trip and would take it along.

I’ll admit, it did make it seem more like a special Christmas present than if I’d torn into it the day it arrived, but now I’m stuck on my trip trying to read the manual (yes, the manual is always the best place to start) and learn these rather complicated functions.

The quality of the images is fabulous … at least in the viewfinder. I’ve yet to figure out how to download to my laptop.