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Canon HV20

85

Very Good

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6 User Reviews | add yours »

Pros
Many features, including accessory shoe
Very good battery life
Cons
Some tiny controls
A bit bulky and heavy

Canon HV20 Review

by Alan Stafford

- Compared to Panasonic's sleek HDC-SD1, the Canon HV20 looks a bit ungainly, mostly because it has a large MiniDV tape mechanism grafted onto one side. The HV20 records 1920-by-1080-pixel HDV-formatted high-definition footage or standard-definition footage to MiniDV tapes, whereas the HDC-SD1 records in AVCHD format to SDHC Cards. However, they weigh almost the same: The HV20 weighs 18 ounces, the HDC-SD1, 17 ounces. (Canon will release its first AVCHD camcorder, the HR10, in August.)

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User Reviews for Canon HV20

Reviewed by: gerrywhite

Duration of ownership: 2 Months

Strengths: HDMI output is a major plus Video under low-light levels is very good Video in daylight in HD is incredible Easy to handle once you get used to it

Weaknesses: Zoom button is a bit small Cover for hot shoe does not have connector -- so it could be easily lost Mea culpa -- can't figure out how to adjust speaker volume

Overall Evaluation: I already had a miniDV camcorder (Panasonic GS59) when I decided to buy this one. While my GS59 does a great job, doing video with HD was something I could not resist. Thank goodness for 2-year no-interest payment plans! This camera is easy to handle and it comes with a hi-capacity battery. Some of the accessories I had to get included: - a car-adapter charger and an extra battery - shoulder strap - cushioned camera bag My next purchases will be a wide-angle adapter (43mm) and a polarizing filter. Keep those in mind if you get this camera. The salesperson at Circuit City almost had me talked out of it when she mentioned I'd need a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD recorder to make DVDs for my friend -- none of whom have those units either. Then I realized I can create HD videos on my laptop or desktop and just put them on my website. No sweat! Overall, I am VERY impressed with the HV-20.
Reviewed by: cb2561

Duration of ownership:

Strengths: Image Quality in normal lighting is beyond anything I have ever seen in HDTV! Plenty of PortsUses Mini DV CassettesGood Image Stabilization24P modeImage quality is absolutely amazing!!!!!

Weaknesses: Moderate to poor footage in low light situationsSomewhat awkward handling when using zoom.

Overall Evaluation: This is camcorder of the year 2008 according to camcorder info. This little camera packs quite a punch. The Image quality is absolutely amazing, beyond anything I have ever seen in HDTV. The only drawback is poor to moderate low light performance < 30 lux and the zoom button feels awkward. I give it 4 1/2 stars. For this price $710 with a 4yr warranty it is by far the best deal out there.

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