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Canon Vixia HV20 High Definition MiniDV Camcorder
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Bizrate User Review.

Product Rating: 4 star(s) Once-in-a-while value!

, Oct. 5, 2008
Comments:
Great "B-roll" or back-up when used with my GL-2. The 10X zoom limits use for sports. In low lighting the picture becomes somewhat grainy, but color remains excellent. For most uses in good lighting it delivers a phenomenal picture. I can use the DV o...

QuickTake:

Pros: Great picture, good input-output options (mic, headphone, DV, HDTV); Hot shoe; good choice of manual options
Cons: Viewfinder does not extend, 10X optical zoom limits possibilities, Zoom control is too small. Poor microphone placement is not very directional and likely to pick up handling noise. Hot-shoe cover not attached to camera.
Bizrate User Review.

Product Rating: 4 star(s) Overall a good buy

, Aug. 5, 2008
Comments:
dc 330 is a fine choice because it comes with software that is needed for this type of media. That is, if your going to use a dvd, then software is a must...or skip this for another type of camera ie Hard drive. The dc30 is better for taking film in a lig...

QuickTake:

Pros: Easy to use.
Cons: I do not know when it is recording.
Bizrate User Review.

Product Rating: 4 star(s) Some issues, but can't beat the footage for the price

, Jun. 26, 2008
Comments:
Well, of course the hype would have you believe that this is the best camcorder on the market right now -- they are right! You can't beat the specifications -- native 24p being the hallmark. But the camera lacks controls necessary to be a great working ca...

QuickTake:

Pros: 24P! What more do you need from a $600 cam?
Cons: Grainy in low light.
zdnet.com Professional Review.

Product Rating: 3.85 star(s) Canon HV20 Mini DV/HDV Camcorder

Comments:
When Canon first showed us the HV10, we were surprised that the company chose a vertical form for its first compact HD camcorder. In our review, we found that the vertical design brought with it some irksome ergonomic issues. Canon's follow-up, the HV20,

Review Verdict: Canon's HV20 camcorder is a great choice for HD-happy amateurs, but its low-light performance could have been better.

Read full review at zdnet.com

QuickTake:

Pros: The Canon HV20 high-definition camcorder has excellent video quality, nice features, HDMI output, and an accessory shoe.
Cons: Can't change white balance while shooting; night mode doesn't help poor low-light performance.
zdnetindia.com Professional Review.

Product Rating: 3.85 star(s) Canon HV20 Mini DV/HDV Camcorder

Comments:

Review Verdict: Canon's HV20 camcorder is a great choice for HD-happy amateurs, but its low-light performance could have been better.

QuickTake:

Pros: The Canon HV20 high-definition camcorder has excellent video quality, nice features, HDMI output, and an accessory shoe.
Cons: Can't change white balance while shooting; night mode doesn't help poor low-light performance.
pcworld.com Professional Review.

Product Rating: 4.25 star(s) HV20 Mini DV HD DVD Camcorder

Comments:
This high-definition camcorder is a bit heavy and bulky, but it's a good performer with lots of features.

Review Verdict: Since the HDV format demands less computing power than the AVCHD format does, I would steer clear of AVCHD models unless I had an extremely powerful PC. And the HV20 one of the better HDV models on the market, at a pretty good price to boot

Read full review at pcworld.com

QuickTake:

Pros: Many features, including accessory shoe, Very good battery life
Cons: Some tiny controls, A bit bulky and heavy
digitaltrends.com Professional Review.

Product Rating: 4.25 star(s) Canon HV20

Comments:
The Canon HV20 is the company's second HDV model, following on the heels of the HV10. Note: the HR10, the company's first AVCHD camcorder using mini DVDs, will be introduced...

Read full review at digitaltrends.com

QuickTake:

Pros: Excellent HDV video, OIS, nice form factor
Cons: Bulky tape-based format; editing software is not included
goodgearguide.com.au Professional Review.

Product Rating: 3.5 star(s) Canon HV20

Comments:

Review Verdict: The Canon HV20 offers an affordable introduction to high-definition video. While not particularly outstanding, it performs solidly in every area and will satisfy the majority of users.

Read full review at goodgearguide.com.au

QuickTake:

Pros: Excellent cinematic mode, plenty of different modes, great picture quality.
Cons: Finicky interface, a little bulky for our tastes.
trustedreviews.com Professional Review.

Product Rating: 4.5 star(s) Canon HV20 - HDV Camcorder

Comments:
After a slow start with HDV, Canon is back on form with this prosumer offering.

Review Verdict: After a slow start with HDV, Canon is back on the form it had when the market was predominated by DV. Not only does the company now produce the best professional HDV camcorder currently available, the HX-A1, it has the most successfully realised HDV model

Read full review at trustedreviews.com

pcadvisor.co.uk Professional Review.

Canon HV20 HD camcorder

Comments:
Compared to Panasonic's sleek HDC-SD1, the Canon HV20 HD camcorder looks a bit ungainly, mostly because it has a large MiniDV tape mechanism grafted onto one side.

Review Verdict: Since the HDV format demands less computing power than the AVCHD format does, we would steer clear of AVCHD models unless we had an extremely powerful PC. And the Canon HV20 is one of the better HDV models on the market, at a pretty good price to boot.

Read full review at pcadvisor.co.uk

pocket-lint.co.uk Professional Review.

Product Rating: 4 star(s) Canon HV20 camcorder

Comments:
- With the world going high-definition, is only fair to expect any footage you shoot should be too.

Review Verdict: When it comes to video performance the Canon HV20 is very impressive. As we start to live in a HD world this is on the very cutting edge

Read full review at pocket-lint.co.uk

QuickTake:

Pros: Video quality, options, 10x optical zoom
Cons: Size, limited cables in the box
stuff.tv Professional Review.

Product Rating: 5 star(s) CanonHV20

Comments:
Canon's second HD camcorder sticks with the old-school DV tape but brings film-like 24P movie shooting to the masses

Read full review at stuff.tv

QuickTake:

Pros: Captures in 24P. Stunning image quality. Good manual controls
Cons: Feels cheap. Ugly design
digitalartsonline.co.uk Professional Review.

Product Rating: 4.5 star(s) HV20

Comments:
The HV20 records 1920-x-1080-pixel interlaced (1080i) HDV video (or standard DV) footage to MiniDV tapes. It offers a 24p mode to simulate the look of film...

Review Verdict: If you're looking for an HDV camera to complement your XL A1 or H1, or for Web or motion-graphics projects, the 510g HV20 is the best sub-£1,000 model on the market

Read full review at digitalartsonline.co.uk

QuickTake:

Pros: High capture quality for a sub-£1,000 camcorder. Wide range of accessories.
Cons: Few manual controls. No pro audio inputs.
photographypress.co.uk Professional Review.

Product Rating: 4 star(s) Canon HV20 camcorder

Comments:

Review Verdict: When it comes to video performance the Canon HV20 is very impressive. As we start to live in a HD world this is on the very cutting edge.

Read full review at photographypress.co.uk

QuickTake:

Pros: Video quality, options, 10x optical zoom
Cons: Size, limited cables in the box
gadgetspeak.com Professional Review.

Review : Canon HV-20 HDV Camcorder

Comments:
Canon's new HDV camcorder. Presented with all the "hype" of a film star. Is it an "Oscar" or a "Razzer"?

Review Verdict: At the moment, prices are all over the place. I paid £699 at Equipment Express but was quoted £999 at Jessops. Potential buyers should also be prepared to budget for a mini SD card, leads for HDMI and computer IEEE 1394 connections and, if req...

Read full review at gadgetspeak.com

easycamcorders.com Professional Review.

Product Rating: 5 star(s) Quick Review Camcorders: Canon HV20

Comments:
Here it is! The king of castle. The Canon HV20 ($1099 MSRP). This camcorder packs in a beautiful image, superb ease of use, and a hearty cluster of manual controls. If you can look beyond its imperfect design and awkward handling, you will be treated to t

Read full review at easycamcorders.com

camcorderinfo.com Professional Review.

Product Rating: 4.3 star(s) Canon HV20 HDV Camcorder Review - Canon HDV Camcorders

Comments:
Review of the Canon HV20 high definition camcorder. The Canon HV20 won camcorder of the year - read the review here.

Read full review at camcorderinfo.com

maximumpc.com Professional Review.

Product Rating: 3.5 star(s) Canon HV20 HDV Camcorder

Comments:
Old-school HDV shines and stumbles at the same time.

Read full review at maximumpc.com

QuickTake:

Pros: buttah-smooth video, crisp and vivid in bright light.
Cons: Cheap-feeling plastic, stuck with miniDV tapes.
simplydv.co.uk Professional Review.

Product Rating: 5 star(s) SimplyDV Review: Canon HV20 HDV / DV Camcorder

Comments:

Review Verdict: Fantastic piece of kit that newbies and upgraders will both like - the ability to shoot and share both HDV and DV in such great quality coupled with excellent value for money makes this a winner.

Read full review at simplydv.co.uk

QuickTake:

Pros: Great body styling & handling, lovely pictures and sounds, multiple inputs and outputs and more features than you can throw a stick at
maclife.com Professional Review.

Product Rating: 5 star(s) Canon HV20

Comments:
The consumer HD camcorder to beat.

Review Verdict: . Ready to take the dive into HD video? You won't go wrong with the HV20.

Read full review at maclife.com

QuickTake:

Pros: Amazing image. Works with external mics. Smallish form-factor. Footage works with all video editors. Great value for price. Tape will soon be obsolete.
Cons: Tape will soon be obsolete.
camuser.co.uk Professional Review.

Product Rating: 5 star(s) Canon HV20

Comments:
The unstoppable popularity of high definition has ushered in of a wave of affordable HD camcorders for home users and Canon's HV20 is no exception. In an effort to grab some of this lucrative market, Canon released the HV20.

Review Verdict: If you're looking for great value high definition without sacrificing functionality, the HV20 is a great place to start. Comprehensive connectivity coupled with fantastic user-friendliness and superb playback quality make it the leader in its class.

Read full review at camuser.co.uk

QuickTake:

Pros: Improved graphics card, Takes RAM up to 4GB, Santa Rosa chipset, Longer battery life, Competitive pricing, Crisp picture, Clear sound, Wide range of features, Very stylish design, Solid build quality, Lightweight, Strong performer, Robust build, Fair pric
Cons: No antiglare screen option, High price, Flat virtual surround, Processor not up to scratch, Poor connectivity, Not the most attractive to look at, Audio quality can be hampered by upwards-facing mic
techradar.com Professional Review.

Product Rating: 4 star(s) Canon HV20

Comments:
A lot has been packed into the HV20, but it's far from bulky

Review Verdict: If you're looking for great value high definition without sacrificing functionality, the HV20 is a great place to start. Its comprehensive connectivity coupled with fantastic user-friendliness and superb playback quality make it the leader in its class

Read full review at techradar.com

QuickTake:

Pros: Good lens; Strong audio; Easy to handle; Impressive performance
Cons: Bulky; No lens rings
Computeract!ve Professional Review.

Product Rating: 5 star(s) Review: Canon HV20 digital camcorder

Comments:
Canon's attempt to create an HD movie star

Review Verdict: £700 might seem expensive but you won't find a better camcorder for anything less than twice that.

Read full review at Computeract!ve

QuickTake:

Pros: Stunning picture, Stunning picture, Optical image stabiliser, Ultimate connectivity, 25p cinema mode, SD card slot
Cons: Camera is on the bulky side, Camera is on the bulky side
mobilemag.com Professional Review.

Canon HV20 HD Camcorder Does 1080p with 24p Cinema Mode

Comments:
You don't have to rely on those big budget Hollywood studios to get your 1080p fix, because you can make high-resolution videos of your own with the all-new Canon HV20 HD camcorder...

Review Verdict: You don't have to rely on those big budget Hollywood studios to get your 1080p fix, because you can make high-resolution videos of your own with the all-new Canon HV20 HD camcorder. Equipped with a genuine Canon CMOS image sensor, this camcorder will do t

Read full review at mobilemag.com

simplydv.co.uk Professional Review.

SimplyDV Review: Canon HV20 HDV Camcorder

Comments:
It records and plays back HDV and DV video. It has loads of inputs and outputs and accomodates a mini-SD card too. In fact, is this just about the most perfect consumer HDV camcorder out there?

Review Verdict: Let's cut straight to the chase. This is a very, very good camcorder! There's nothing at all missing from the feature list and the comprehensive connectivity really is something to write home about. Not only is its HDV/DV recording capability a boon, but

Read full review at simplydv.co.uk

pcpro.co.uk Professional Review.

Product Rating: 4.15 star(s) Canon HV20

Comments:
Although HD broadcasting is slow in coming to the UK, HD camcorders are arriving thick and fast, and prices are dropping. Sony had the first few generations of the consumer HDV market to itself, but Canon has now joined in, with the HV20 representing its

Review Verdict: Canon grabs the crown for the most fully featured HDV camcorder for under a grand.

Read full review at pcpro.co.uk

alaTest.com Professional Review.

Product Rating: 4.8 star(s) Review summary of Canon HV20

Comments:
alaTest has collected and analysed 392 reviews of Canon HV20 from international magazines and websites.

Review Verdict: Experts rate this product 83/100 and users 86/100. Comparing these reviews to 82288 other Camcorders reviews gives this product an overall alaScore™ 96/100 = Excellent.

Read full review at alaTest.com

digitalhomethoughts.com Professional Review.

Canon's HV20

Comments:
Canon's HV20 is a breakthrough video camera: it hits a trifecta of high quality, reasonable price, and small size that will make it a winner in the consumer market. The video quality is excellent, and while it lacks an exposure control to help with those

Review Verdict: Canon's HV20 video camera is an impressive piece of hardware - getting true 1080i video in a small package, all for under $1000 USD, is an impressive feat. When paired with Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate, the Canon HV20 really shines

Read full review at digitalhomethoughts.com

QuickTake:

Pros: 1080/60i quality in a small package; Excellent image quality and colour; Certified for Windows Vista; Surprisingly good still photo capture.
Cons: Small, awkwardly-placed zoom control; No exposure adjustment/override; Ridiculous that no Firewire cable is included; Spartan out of box experience.
wired.com Professional Review.

Product Rating: 3.5 star(s) Canon HV20

Comments:
When it comes to HD cameras, call us hopeless romantics. We'd love to find a shooter capable of taking beautiful footage but without the bulk of a professional cam. Canon's new HV20 got close, but eventually it just broke our hearts. Here's why: We took t

Read full review at wired.com

QuickTake:

Pros: Super clear, super clean, super colorful 1080i video quality. Tapes eject quickly and cleanly. 10x zoom and rapid auto focus. Compact size and light weight (1.3 pounds!) make transporting the cam second nature. Top mounted mic cancels out ambient noise li
Cons: Holy design flaw! The electronic lens cover sputtered and failed to open right out of the box; we had to prop it open with our fingers. Poor menu configuration - especially with playback functions. Image stabilization has its limits: 10x zoom requires a t
reviewed.com Professional Review.

Canon HV20 Camcorder Review

Comments:
A massive 1/2.7-inch CMOS sensor lies within the camcorder's core and spews out 2,900,000 gross pixels. The Canon HV20 shoots both 1080/60i and 1080/24P. In bright light (3000 lux) during 60i, the HV20's image is sharp as a tack and rife with Crayola-grad

Review Verdict: Handling the HV20 is another story. It is devoid of a retractable viewfinder and has a flimsy, low-strung hand strap, an unfinished zoom toggle, and a manual focus wheel that is almost as vexing as the one found on the Sony HDR-HC7. The HV20, despite...

Read full review at reviewed.com

t3.com Professional Review.

Product Rating: 3 star(s) Canon HV20

Comments:
HD goes retro.

Review Verdict: Reliable rather than racy, but the tortuous PC editing will put most punters off

Read full review at t3.com

QuickTake:

Pros: 10x zoom Crisp GD footage Good at night
Cons: Plasticky build Small display
photographyreview.com Professional Review.

Canon iVIS HV20 Camcorder Reviews

Comments:
The name Canon has always meant photographic and broadcast television cameras with optical excellence, advanced image processing, superb performance,

Read full review at photographyreview.com

videomaker.com Professional Review.

Camcorder Review: Canon HV20 HDV

Comments:
With so many HD camcorders hitting the market, it may seem to be an overwhelming decision to narrow your choice down to one. Thankfully, Canon has come out with the HV20 HDV camcorder, which may just be the lifeboat you need to stay afloat in a sea of opt

Review Verdict: The Canon HV20 is an easy-to-use camera with good image quality and true 24P, which really separates it from the pack

Read full review at videomaker.com

QuickTake:

Pros: 24P Easy menu navigation Good color reproduction and image detail
Cons: Hand strap is awkward Manual focus dial is small
picturecorrect.com Professional Review.

Canon HV20

Comments:
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., January 31, 2007 - Canon extends its leadership role in the creation of feature rich, high-quality, High Definition (HD) camcorders for consumers with the introduction of the Canon HV20 HD Camcorder. With its proud professional pedigre

Review Verdict: In addition to the HV20 HD Camcorder's horizontal design, the HV20 HD Camcorder incorporates an array of new and sought-after features and enhancements that offer users greater creative control and easier connectivity

Read full review at picturecorrect.com

pcauthority.com.au Professional Review.

Product Rating: 4.15 star(s) Canon HV20

Comments:
Canon grabs the crown for the most fully featured HDV camcorder for under $1500

Review Verdict: However, the HV20 does miss having a lens ring, with a small roller wheel taking care of manual focusing. There's also a separate button for backlight compensation. The remaining functions are accessible using the joystick next to the Start/Stop button. T

Read full review at pcauthority.com.au

cnet.com.au Professional Review.

Product Rating: 3.85 star(s) Canon HV20 Review - Camcorders

Comments:
canon hv20 review: Canon's HV20 camcorder is a great choice for HD-happy amateurs, but its low-light performance could have been better.

Review Verdict: Canon's HV20 camcorder is a great choice for HD-happy amateurs, but its low-light performance could have been better.

Read full review at cnet.com.au

QuickTake:

Pros: Excellent video quality, Good feature set, HDMI output, Accessory shoe
Cons: Can't change white balance while shooting, Night mode doesn't help poor low-light performance
cnet.co.uk Professional Review.

Product Rating: 3.85 star(s) Canon HV20

Comments:
The HV20 boasts quite a feature list, including a 3-megapixel sensor, optical image stabilisation, 24p recording, 10x optical zoom, an HDMI output and a long-lasting battery -- all in a horizontal design that's very comfortable to use

Review Verdict: Canon's HV20 camcorder is a great choice for HD-happy amateurs, but its low-light performance could have been better

Read full review at cnet.co.uk

QuickTake:

Pros: Excellent video quality; handy features; HDMI output; accessory shoe
Cons: Can't change white balance while shooting; night mode doesn't help poor low-light performance
cnet.com Professional Review.

Product Rating: 3.85 star(s) Canon HV20 - camcorder - Mini DV (HDV)

Comments:

Review Verdict: Canon's HV20 camcorder is a great choice for HD-happy amateurs, but its low-light performance could have been better.

Read full review at cnet.com

QuickTake:

Pros: The Canon HV20 high-definition camcorder has excellent video quality, nice features, HDMI output, and an accessory shoe.
Cons: Can't change white balance while shooting; night mode doesn't help poor low-light performance.
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OVERALL RATING

Overall Rating: 9.1
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