Canon HV20 3MP High Definition MiniDV Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom by Canon
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Digital camera reviews of Canon HV20 3MP High Definition MiniDV Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Digital camera Review: Canon HV20: groundbreaking HD cam in 2007, but a little dated now
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought my Canon HV20 from Amazon three years ago (2007), but I am only now posting a review. In 2007, the HV20 was revolutionary because it was the first serious affordable HDV camcorder you could get for just under $1,000. The key word is serious, because the predecessor of the HV20 was the Canon HV10, which offered great performance, but fell short in features necessary for serious videography/movie making work. Even three years later, the HV20 is still popular among many indie moviemakers.
I did not own the HV10, but I read the reviews. According to the reviews, the HV10 had about the same picture quality as the HV20, since they used the same sensor. Three years ago, the nearly 3 MP CMOS sensor was about the highest resolution available in consumer camcorders at the time.
For me, the biggest weakness of the HV10 was the lack of an external microphone input. For me, that feature is a must, because I almost always use an external microphone. Not only does an external microphone offer inherent superior audio quality, it is infinitely more versatile than the internal mic. For one thing, the only way to get halfway decent audio with an internal mic is to be up close to the subject (person) on camera, because the farther away you are, the lower the audio clarity of the desired sound and the higher amount of extraneous and unwanted sound that is recorded. But it is not always feasible to get up close; thus, in those situations, the audio quality of an internal camcorder microphone suffers. Also, having an external microphone input permits you to use just about any kind of microphone you wish to use, whether a handheld mic, shotgun mic, wireless mic, etc.
Fortunately, the HV20 has a mini stereo microphone input, which is usually only available on higher end camcorders. Another thing I didn't like about the HV10 was its shape. I like the form factor and ergonomics of the HV20, which I think is just right for a compact camcorder.
About the only thing I hate about the HV20 is the zoom toggle switch. I am accustomed to the zoom rocker you find on pro camcorders. Not only do they offer more precise zoom control, I find them much more comfortable and natural to use. The toggle switch on the HV20 irritates my finger after I use it awhile, which was never a problem for me before on my other camcorders, which used the superior zoom rocker. That is my only real complaint, but the other advantages of the HV20 outweigh the drawbacks.
As I write this review, the HV20 was succeeded by the HV30 and HV40, which are very similar to the HV20, but they offer more frame rate options. From what I have read, the HV40 offers native 24 fps progressive (24p) recording instead of the HV20's 24p in a 60i "container." The latter method requires a "pulldown" step in post-production. I have no experience using 24p, but I have read about issues associated with non-native 24p that the HV40 resolves with its native 24p mode. I only use the 60i (60 fps interlaced) mode and was not interested in its 24p mode anyway. But if 24p is important to you, the HV20 has it, but the HV40 would be even better.
Another advantage of the HV20 versus some other HD camcorders is that you can select standard definition (480i) output, in which the HDV stream is converted to DV format. Before I bought my HV20, I was not sure if it would preserve or discard the date/time data when down-converting to DV. The date and time data embedded in the video is important to me and I would hate it if that data would be discarded in the down-conversion. Fortunately, the HV20 preserves that data and outputs the video as if you shot it in standard DV, if you need to convert it to standard defintion. I raise this issue, because some camcorder users need options for standard definition, whether to transfer the HD footage to standard DVD or import it into editing software if you require it be in standard definition. Since this camcorder easily converts footage to standard definition, I see absolutely no reason not to shoot in HD all the time and get the maximum resolution it produces.
Before I bought my HV20, I was looking to invest in an AVCHD camcorder and pass on the HDV format. But, in 2007, AVCHD camcorders did not match the quality of HDV yet and they were considerably more expensive.
Today, however, the best AVCHD camcorders have surpassed the performance of the HV20 and comparable HDV camcorders. That is why I gave the HV20 four stars instead of five. Also, they offer much greater recording time than HDV, which mostly use mini-DV tapes, which typically offer about one hour recording time. The industry is moving away from videotape and flash memory is displacing tape as a recording medium.
Still, there are some advantages of tape over flash media. For example, most mini-DV tapes are much less expensive than flash memory. Also, if you transfer your HDV footage to a hard drive, your tape becomes an archive backup to your hard drive. Despite the shortcomings of tape, such as signal loss, tape particle dropouts and a mechanical tape transport mechanism that wears out, tape has proven to be pretty reliable over the decades.
Even though the technology of the HV20/HV30/HV40 is now dated, they are still great camcorders and that is why they still have a loyal following.
Digital camera Review: Compact HD camera, best HD value.
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a great camera. The video output is incredible; guaranteed to put the output of your VHSC, Hi8 or older cameras to shame. The tapes are kind of expensive, but the quality is worth it.
I haven't tested the firewire output yet, but everything I've read elsewhere leads me to believe that this will work great with my Mac.
I've owned many Canon cameras over the years, and I am never disappointed.
Digital camera Review: Ergonomics very poor
Summary: 2 Stars
I was excited about the possibilities of a digital camcorder, especially if I could use it as a "pass through" for converting my analog tapes to digital to computer as well as shooting better video. I read many reviews of the models with "pass through" capabilities. Many reviewers cited the poor ergonomics of the mini dv camcorders. So I went today to Circuit City and handled several of them. I found most of them impossible to handle with one hand. The buttons are too low, too cramped together. You can't use the tip of your thumb to turn the record button on and off. To reach the tiny zoom wheel on top is most difficult without jarring or moving the camera. The cameras have a flimsy feel. Even if I could learn how to use it, when I need to ask someone else to operate it they would find it difficult to impossible.
No one has had a problem handling my Sony high8, and its video has very good resolution. I hope it lasts a long time. In the meantime I'll be searching for a stand-alone analog-to-digital converter. If I can't find that I'll just use my DVD copier and do the limited editing it is capable of.
Digital camera Review: Excelent image but recording randomly freeze
Summary: 1 Stars
Hi, I just bought the canon HV20. The image is amazing.
However, I went out for a test shoot. Then I rewinded the tape and playback. For some reason, the footage randomly freeze for a second, and then jump forward a second or two in time (always at the same point). In 10 minutes of shooting, it happens 4 times. I thought it was a tape defect, but it wasn't.
I don't know if anyone else has the same problem.
Digital camera Review: Excellent Camera
Summary: 5 Stars
The HV20 is an excellent camera, I have used it a couple of times doing some ski shots. It has many manual settings, so I am still trying many of them to check with is better for ski shooting.
There are 2 things to keep in mind:
1. If you buy A neutral filter to protect the camera lens, you need to buy a cap for the filter. This is because the camera does not have a cap (It has an automatic cover that protects the camera lens when the camera is off).
2. the Camera records on tape only at 1440x1080, 60i or 24p (24p recorded actually at 60i with pulldown cadence inverse telecine). This is because the camera records with the HDV standard, which is 1440x1080 60i. The camera does capture at 1920x1080 if you record from your PC through the HDMI connector (I have not tested this).