Canon HV20 3MP High Definition MiniDV Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
by Canon
Our Price: $1,022.87
Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days
Buy Used: from $300.00 (click here)
Category: Digital Camera
See more digital camera details and other models
Digital product summary information
Manufacturer: CanonRelease Date: 2009-11-30
Model: HV20
Product features:
- HDV camcorder with 1/2.7-inch CMOS image sensor; 24p Cinema Mode
- High-definition 10x optical zoom lens; super-range optical image stabilizer
- Advanced photo features: up to 3-megapixel stills, histogram display, built-in flash, and more
- 2.7-inch color widescreen LCD; color viewfinder
- HDMI terminal; advanced accessory shoe
- AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to B-Male Cable (6 Feet / 1.8 Meters)
- AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to A-Female Extension Cable (9.8 Feet/3.0 Meters)
- AmazonBasics 3RCA Component Video Cable (6 Feet)
- AmazonBasics IEEE 1394 4-Pin/6-Pin FireWire Cable (6 Feet/1.8 Meters)
- AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to A-Female Extension Cable (3.3 Feet/1.0 Meter)
Digital camera reviews of Canon HV20 3MP High Definition MiniDV Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Digital camera Review: 10 Stars
Summary: 5 Stars
My fiance and I took this camera to Tokyo, Japan, and filmed our trip and wedding ceremony in the inner garden of the Meiji Shrine. I purchased a pair of high-capacity batteries, but shooting only about 1 hour's worth of footage each day, I only needed a single one.
This camera uses widely available standard mini DV tapes. This is a huge plus in my opinion, since the video didn't need to be off-loaded each day to free up disc space on an internal drive.
Form factor is good for a camcorder of this small size and weight. It's comfortable, smaller than my last camcorder, and lighter than it looks.
Outdoor footage under natural light looks stunning. Every bit as good as the hi-def television channels. While footage shot under standard indoor lighting is a bit grainy, it's still watchable and better than any consumer standard-def camcorder. External lighting will help a lot for indoor shots.
Editing 4 hours of footage down to a 1 hour movie was easily accomplished with Apple's iMovie HD on my dual G5 Macintosh. iMovie HD handles the 1080i video fine, although it's a bit slower with rendering effects, but hey, what do you expect? There are a lot more pixels involved with HD video.
So now we've got widescreen DVD's of our wedding ceremony and trip, built with Apple's iDVD. The DVD's are down-converted to 480P, but they still look great. Best of all, I've still got the tapes, which I'll re-edit when HD DVD (or Blu-ray) DVD burners become more available. Our precious memories are future-proofed.
This camera will also accept a mini SD card for 3.1 mega-pixel still photos. Very convenient.
Essential accessories are a decent tripod, at least one high-capacity battery, a neck strap, and some kind of padded bag. If you want to take still photos, get a mini SD card. A 2 GB card will hold 1000 photos. If you'll be shooting a lot indoors, the canon video light works with the hot shoe on the camera, is plenty bright and works much better than the bluish built-in LED light.
Everyone who's seen our DVD has commented on the excellent video quality.
This camcorder is a fantastic piece of technology. My wife and I are super-pleased with our wedding DVD, and our friends and relatives that weren't there get to experience the best parts of our trip in life-like detail.
There are cheaper options for HD camcorders, and much cheaper options for standard-def camcorders. But after seeing this video project through from beginning to end, I couldn't imagine doing it with a different camcorder.
10 Stars!
More Canon HV20 3MP High Definition MiniDV Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom reviews:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Summary of Canon HV20 3MP High Definition MiniDV Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
The stylish Canon HV20 gives you the ultimate in HD video and digital photo quality with advanced features for the knowledgeable and demanding videographer. Its 10x optical zoom lens, 2.96 Megapixel CMOS image sensor and Canon s advanced DIGIC DVII image processor ensures meticulous detail and superior color reproduction. 24p Cinema Mode brings film-look options to the HV20 owner- as never before in this class. And, with its HD and Standard Definition recording modes, you can make the move to HD without making your SD equipment obsolete.Camcorders
Cameras and Photo
Most talked about in Canon
Canon EF 28-200mm f/ 3.5-5.6 USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR CamerasCanon; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Canon TTL Hot Shoe AdapterCanon; Digital Camera
Best price: $82.99
Price in other shops:
Canon BCI-3E Photo Ink Tank Multipack for BC-32ECanon; CE
Best price: $15.00
Price in other shops:
Canon BCI-3e Color Ink Tank for the BC-31e InkJet Cartridge - 3 Pack (Cyan/ Magenta/ Yellow) (4480A263)Canon; CE
Best price: $12.00
Price in other shops:
Canon 12x36 Image Stabilization Binoculars with Case, Neck Strap & BatteriesCanon; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Canon 8x32 Waterproof Binoculars w/ Case & Neck StrapCanon; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Canon Sure Shot Snappy LXII Date 35mm CameraCanon; Digital Camera
Canon Sure Shot Owl Date 35mm CameraCanon; Digital Camera
Canon PowerShot S10 2MP Digital Camera w/ 2x Optical ZoomCanon; Windows NT; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Canon BJC-80 Portable PrinterCanon; Windows NT; CE
Best price: $499.99
Similar digital cameras
Tripp Lite F019-006 IEEE 1394b Firewire 800 Gold Hi-speed Cable, 9pin/ 4pin - 6ftTripp Lite; CE
Best price: $2.49
Price in other shops:
Professional 43mm Digital Video Hard Lens Hood With Cap For Panasonic TM300 TM20 HS300 HS250 Canon HV10 HV20 HV30 HV40 CamcordersA&R; Digital Camera
Best price: $6.24
Canon Replacement HV20 camcorder batteryBatteries; Digital Camera
Best price: $8.51
Price in other shops:
Sony High Definition Minidv Videocassette (2-Pack)Sony; CE
Best price: $16.40
Price in other shops:
Canon BP-2L14 Battery for Canon HG, HV, ZR, Optura, and Elura Camcorders (Retail Packaging)Canon Video; Release date: 2009-11-30; Digital Camera
Best price: $39.98
Price in other shops:
Sony DVC60PRL Mini DV Tape 60min Premium Data Cartridge 10 PacksSony; CE
Best price: $19.86
Price in other shops:
Fotodiox Video Camera, Camcorder DV Lens Hood, Sun Shade, 43mm BlackFotodiox Inc.; Digital Camera
Best price: $6.95
Price in other shops:
Zeikos ZE-FLK43 43mm Multi-Coated 3 Piece Filter Kit (UV-CPL-FLD)Zeikos; Digital Camera
Best price: $8.40
Price in other shops:
Digital Concepts 0.45X Professional 43mm Wide Angle HD Lens with MacroDigital Concepts; Digital Camera
Best price: $13.33
Price in other shops:
Belkin IEEE 1394 4-Pin/ 6-Pin 400 Mbps FireWire Cable (6 Feet)Belkin Components; Windows; CE
Best price: $1.99
Price in other shops: