Canon HV30: Initial Impressions
As you may know, on Friday I got a brand new high definition camcorder - the Canon HV30, the successor to the bestselling HV20. I am working on a full review that should be ready sometime next week; but in the mean time here are a few quick fire thoughts that have struck me with my first few days of using the camera:
It’s a good size, to to big, nor small. It fits in my hand well, but also has plenty of room for those with bigger hands (I checked with my dad!). The controls are conveniently located so that they are easily locatable without the need of looking down after a while.
The video looks good, very good. I’ve just been recording at standard 1080i, I haven’t had a chance to take a look at the 24p or 30p (a mode which is new to the HV30) modes yet, and I am unsure of what difference that will make. I hope to shortly upload some 720p content - there isn’t currently a service that will do 1080i/pf for you to have a look at. Unfortunately the internet connection where I am currently located (away from home) is not suitable for me to upload any videos - so stay tuned!
Battery life is reasonable, So far I have gone through a couple of charges that each last just over an hour - which is fine, especially as most of the time I will have it plugged in to the wall; for the sort of video that I am going to be producing. But it is nice to know that it will last.
The Audio quality is “okay” - nothing to write home about but still bearable. Luckily I foresaw this possibility and ordered a Rode Video Mic to attach on top - it just hasn’t arrived yet…
Stay tuned for the full review and a couple of videos of the content!
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Congrats! That’s a nice cam.
I would have personally gone with the HV20 though, as the HV30 doesn’t add enough new features IMO to warrant the extra cost. It’s really just the addition of a 30p mode.
March 31st, 2008 at 9:21 pmNick:
We would have got the HV20, but my dad was in the US at the time and managed to pick the HV30 up cheaper than the UK HV20 price.
S everything worked out in the end.
March 31st, 2008 at 10:13 pm