Canon HV-10 HDV Camcorder (2.96MP, 10x Opt, 200x Dig, 2.7" LCD)

• Reviewed by: sanrafa

  Strengths: Hi-definition video, small size, price, features, picture quality

  Weaknesses: Have to adapt to new way of holding camera. Picture quality in low light.

  Overall: This camera is great. The picture quality in hi-def in sunlight compares to hi-def programming on TV. You have to adapt to holding the camera with your fingers in a different way, but once you get used to it, then it becomes easy to handle. The first few days I was concerned, but now I love it. There's no better hi-def camera in the market in my opinion. I like the small size, the small buttons don't bother me like others, and the price of $649 in Amazon is unbeatable. Go for it, you won't regret it.

• Reviewed by: kgivens

  Strengths: Hi-def in the palm of your hand! More features than you can possibly need. Outstanding image quality on hi-def playback.

  Weaknesses: Probably too expensive for the casual user. Pitiful battery life. Definite learing curve if you expect to master this thing. May be too small for some, buttons are close together

  Overall: Got forced into upgrading the family camcorder when my son started an ambitious science fair project that involves capturing video of red blood cells moving through vessels on the surface of the human eye (no lie). We needed a way to capture the image to tape, and hi-def seemed like a good idea at the time. Was amazed at the tiny size of this camcorder when it arrived. Weight will not be a problem if you are travelling with it. The main flaw is simply the density of buttons, jacks and switches on the tiny camera body, and the incredible font of features they represent. Took me about an hour of reading the manual and experimenting to figure out how to capture a video stream into the camera. Read many reviews that commented on the short battery life, all of which said you will probably want to upgrade to a longer-life battery. I didn't run out of juice during any or our trials, but constantly worried about it. At the end of the day, we were very impressed with the video quality, at least for our geeky science videos. Now I'm looking for an opportunity to film our kids with it!

• Reviewed by: pwr000

  Strengths: high video quality, stabilizer, 10x zoom, compact and camera build-in light

  Weaknesses: When the environment is quiet, you can hear the motor noise

  Overall: I bought this camera in September before leaving for Europe trip for its compact body and HD capability.This camera was used on daily basis during the month long visit. This camera did not disappoint me. The HD image quality is superb, which matches some of the HD TV programs. Its image stabilizer works surprisingly well.Following are the features that I really like. ? HD image ? Stabilizer ? 10X room ? Compact body ? Electronic lens cover ? The build in light for shooting in the darkHere are a few things that need fixing. It may record the motor noise when the environment is quiet Although it is rare, the image may freeze for about a third of a second occasionally.

• Reviewed by: davidpsacco

  Strengths: Small and compact design, excellent picture quality, sharp image stabilization, automatic lens cover, nice lcd screen

  Weaknesses: Not as comfortable to hold as Sony HDR-HC3, battery life of standard battery

  Overall: This is an awesome camcorder! I have nothing but good things to say about the image quality. Color are rich and lines are sharp. You won't have any problem getting the finest details our all your special memories.

• Reviewed by: shankar_roy

  Strengths: HDV 1080iSmall Form Factor3.1MP Digital CameraUses MiniDV tapes which are easily available

  Weaknesses: Uses MiniSDUses old tape format MiniDV over 10 yrs oldDifficult to change tape with tripod onNo external Audio input.No 4 channel audio recording

  Overall: Canon HV10 is the cheapest, smallest HDV camcorder to date. (For the uninitiated, the HD video (HDV) format records compressed HD video onto standard Mini DV tapes.) An excellent HD video camcorder with some annoying quirks, the Canon HV10 delivers almost everything a technophile wants for making home videos.