Compare Prices : Canon HV-30

Review summary: Of the camcorders we've recently reviewed, there is only one whose image quality can rival our Editors' Choice Sony HDR-SR11 Handycam, and it's the Canon Vixia HV30 ($899 direct). So why doesn't Canon merit our coveted award? Operating a tape-based ...

Pros: Excellent video quality. Good sound quality. Option to record in 24 progressive frames per second to create a film-like effect

Cons: Menus and backup can be a drag. Video-editing software is not included

Verdict: The Canon Vixia HV30 delivers excellent video quality, though recording video to miniDV tape feels low-tech and slows down your operation.

Review summary: Canon's tape-based Vixia HV30 camcorder ($1000 as of September 28, 2008) combines the aging medium with modern image processing to lay good-looking HDV video onto inexpensive MiniDV tapes.

Pros: Easy to archive and edit HDV footage Bright, colorful video quality

Cons: Bulky compared to tapeless camcorders Nonstandard accessory shoe

Verdict: Unlike tapeless AVCHD camcorders, the HV30 moves HDV content linearly via FireWire instead of USB. Though not as slick as the random-access transfers on AVCHD models, the HV30's approach works with less-robust computers and a greater number of Windows ...

Review summary: The HV30 is a good camera. It captures really good images for its category. And, even though it isn't tiny, it will fit nicely in a small bag or even an oversized coat pocket

Pros: Excellent image quality Lots of manual controls Good price for the feature set

Cons: Not very ergonomic Mic picks up vibration

Verdict: Pretty pictures and good flexibility. Great consumer camera.

Review summary: The HV30 was very easy to use, but felt a bit chunky to us

Pros: Superb stills and video ; Tried and tested format ; Better image quality than HDD models ; Faster import than HDD models

Cons: Cumbersome to use ; Last year's HV20 is essentially identical

Verdict: If you want a very good camcorder, then we recommend the Canon HV30. It has a higher quality image than the latest HDD models at the same price. Better still, shop around for last year's HV20. It is considerably discounted now but virtually identical, ...