Product ReviewsCanon HV20 High Definition Camcorder

BEST PROSUMER HD CAMERA TO MAKE A FILM WITH

Loaded with features , the price is really affordable now. A great HD camera to get started with. Instantly shoot another tape - way cheaper than digital media cards - tapes work like a permanent back-up. Way steadier and smoother shots than Go-pro. If you are trying to make a quality film with Hollywood type shots - this is the one (HV 20 HV30 HV40 )
Proven tape technology - just make sure your computer has a firewire input. I have made over 20 documentaries with this camera.Read full review...

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My favorite type of video camera so far

I bought my first Canon HV20 because a user said that he could mix tapes from it with his best professional work and not see any real difference. It is reasonably light and compact, and I have liked the fact that it uses tape because that prevents losing any whole files due to corruption of data. That camera failed after three years, for an unknown reason, but I repaired it and also bought an HV30, to stay in the same type of tapes and functioning. Both models work almost identically, so there is no issue in switching back and forth. I sometimes use the HV20 in a scuba housing, and it is important to me that it has a rear viewfinder, since there is no room in that tube to open the side screen. The image quality is like being there, so much better than with older video and film, and the batteries last through one or sometimes two hour-long tapes, depending on the shooting situation. I sometimes call it "a camera that doesn't need light," because it has really good low light capability, compared to other cameras in my experience, although it does acquire noticeable image "noise" in low light. It is getting harder to find computers that download firewire, but so far that option is available to me, so I am satisfied.Read full review...

EXCELLENT Firewire Streaming Capable Camera!

So 100's of reviews of this thing exist. Why pitch in 2 more cents if they're not of any value, right?

You're looking at this camera, and it's great. It's the second generation of a 4 generation consumer-level legendary line-up. It's an HDV (High Definition Video) MiniDV camera. Please don't scoff at this as a relic of 6 years ago. Here's why.

I am the AV director for my church, and as of recent we have desired to STREAM VIDEO out of the church to the masses. Oh, but do that with quality. The quality of "High Def" please, whatever that means. SO start looking around at a camera with passable firewire throughput 1080 video, and on a church budget of less than $200. Bingo: the HV20.

I'll leave the rave qualities to the reading that can be found in other reviews. The REAL bottom line is that this camera is CURRENT: 1080p 24fps with a few decent controls for those interested in manual settings (me), acceptable 10x optical zoom (but can be mated with other fixed converter lenses like we have in the Vivitar Series 1 line, employing a 58mm x.43 and x2.2 lens (we have two cameras).

Life is compromise. HD video ISN'T HD once you compress it into the streamed video world. Does that mean is doesn't look good, or doesn't work well? NO! It means that any fault this camera has is totally enveloped into the fudge-factor of streaming quality bandwidth. I.E. Joe Q. Public just won't know for the worse.Read full review...

Canon HDV-20 camcorder wins

I have two Canon HV20 high definition camcorders. They are lightweight and produce a broadcast quality image in good lighting. Unlike many newer camcorders the single CMOS chip Canon HV-20 records using Mini-DV videotape cassettes. Recording can be selected for the HDV high definition format or standard definition DV format. Both formats record data at 25 mbps.

An especially useful feature of recording with HDV videotape is the convenience of editing. Both HDV and DV tapes can be easily transferred into a computer's video editing software. Much more so than video recordings made with the newer AVCHD solid state digital format. For editing the AVCHD video files usually have to be converted to another high definition format and the conversion procedure requires a computer with exceptionally large storage drive capacity (hundreds of gigabytes). While HDV files also require large amounts of storage the amount of storage required is perhaps 1/3 less than than of AVCHD.

When they were introduced a few years ago the single CMOS chip Canon HV-20 camcorder was about $1,000. (US). With careful shopping on EBay it's possible to find one of these cameras at less cost. The Canon HV20 is very compact and lightweight. It's great for traveling and on location photography. The camcorder has dozens of special features with manual control available for all aspects of the recording. The Canon HV-20 also has the ability to record at 24 frames per second progressive which creates a sort of film effect.

I've used Canon HV-20s for both principle and B roll scenes in combination with larger professional video gear. The HV-20s integrate very nicely and with little effort before and after editing they integrate nicely in broadcast program production.Read full review...

It might not be the latest model, but it still a good buy

I picked this up mostly because of the the price. These cameras are a cult favorite and for good reason. Canon incorporated many features found in high end cameras (mic level control and monitoring, manual picture control) into the HV20. Even today, Canon still sells this camera's replacement, the HV40, due to demand.

Yes, this camera uses tapes, but unlike AVC-HD flash-based camcorders, it uses MPEG-2 video that most computers can easily edit. It also fully supports legacy DV recording and playback if you don't need/require HD video for a project. The only real benefit AVC-HD cameras have over the HV20 is true 1920x1080 video resolution (HDV is natively 1440x1080) and the ability to shoot 60p video. The latter only supported by a handful of cameras (not Canon's ironically enough), and requires a very powerful computer to edit. Most people won't even notice the difference, particularly if your final product is going to be posted on an online video sharing site like YouTube.

The only issue I noticed with this camera is that the built in mic picks up a lot of camera noise (tape transport, zoom lens) and handling noise. This can easily be solved by connecting an external microphone, which the HV20 has a port for. This camcorder also lacks a LAN-C jack, so if you happen to have a wired tripod remote, it will NOT work.Read full review...

One step below pro equipment... with Pro quality that compares equally.

This is a really Great piece of less than Pro equipment. The image quality in HD is very impressive and the availability of aftermarket accessories geared towards this specific model makes it a "film makers" right hand tool. I use this for Product Demonstrations, music videos, and short films, and with a DOF adapter will be using it for greater productions that demand this type of HD Widescreen technology. Even now having it for months... I am discovering new settings such as Cinema mode for film look, Output in True HDV not just digital video. I am not disappointed. I do recommend purchasing some extended life batteries so you can shoot longer.Read full review...

Awesome, if you need a bit more than just a compact camcoder.

Oh, I just love it!

At first I dreamed about this camcoder. Because I knew it has semi-professional features and quality. That's, probably, still the only one in that position. Then I bought it. And I liked it. If there's enough of light, the picture quality is awwwessssome! Then I bought another one... Well, now I have FOUR of them (and a DSLR). I'm filming live concerts with multiple cameras, and it's important to have several same camcoders. Also, I can combine two pairs with a self-made rig for 3d-stereo shooting.

Another cool thing: it can shoot at 25p/30p (depending on your region). It still records as interlaced on the tape, but the two fields are of the same time period, so it's progressive (if you're into filming and know exactly what exposure you need, you understand this).

Now disadvantages: you cannot normally control iso (boost), you cannot adjust exposure and aperture at the same time. The normal cassettes are limited to 60 minutes (there are 80-minutes available on ebay, so I can recommend you to buy some). The NTSC-version claims it can shoot with 24p, but that's not true - these are not real 24 frames per second, they're created with pulldown from 60i. Neither HV20 nor HV30 can do a proper 24p. Only HV40 can. Please keep in mind!Read full review...

Great camera, few drawbacks.

The camera is built for a smaller hand than I, so it takes some getting use to as far as getting a "feel" for all the buttons. The quality of the video is very good. Wish it had a bit more optical zoom, but is good for family get together's, and travel, but forget the football games. what is the best part of all is the quality of the still photos that this little camera produces. they are fantastic, not like most of the time when the stills from a camcorder are all fussy. A slight drawback is that the battery is a little short lived, so get two. In short, I am very happy with the camera and will use it a great deal on out trip to Europe.Read full review...

Great camera for the price

I am not a pro. I wanted a point and shoot but I hated how slow their shutter speeds were as well as the lack of an optical zoom. This camera is great. Starts up great and takes wonderful pictures. Good zoom and incredible camera for the price we got. It's a bit bulky so you don't always have it with you, but I have a camera phone for the things that you want to capture when you don't have a "real" camera. We love this camera.Read full review...

Canon HV20 GREATcamera for $400

Read the specs and reviews. I know alot of pros and serious video hobbyists who swear by these Canon HV-20 cameras. The specs and reviews are great and there is alot about them on the Internet. It's a $1200 camera I found barely used for $400. It shoots 24P which few in this price range can. It shoots great in low light. The sound is not great for critical sound situations, but an external mic can be added. The widest lens aspect on most all these small cameras is not as wide as I like so I also added a wide lens adapter.Read full review...