Canon HV30 Reviews: Canon MiniDV storage Full HD camcorder
21 Real Customer Reviews - Summary
+ This camcorder scores very high on image quality. - It has no outstanding negative points.
“Plenty of features for both dv and hdv production. menus clear and comprehensive …”
Anonymous verified purchaser
View all 21 real customer reviews
Available via Reevoo.com from £780 – £1005 at 3 retailers
10x optical zoom, Image Stabilisation, 1.8 hours of battery More product details »
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Score 9.0/10
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Score 8.4/10
Real customer reviews
21 verified purchasers have reviewed this product.
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*not all purchasers provided a score or review
Anonymous verified purchaser
Score 9.0/10+ Plenty of features for both DV and HDV production. Menus clear and comprehensive and image quality very high. Conforms well to what may be expected from the Canon stable
- Rather a small piece of kit for anyone with big hands! As a result, some controls are a little difficult to operate - particularly for someone accustomed to a larger semi-pro or pro camera. But this is a domestic camera after all. Would work better on a tripod - always a good piece of advice anyway
purchased 10 Jul 2008
Anonymous verified purchaser
Score 10.0/10+ Phenominal quality. Outputs galore, component, usb, firewire, HDMI. A Quality product
- Not true HD. 1440 (1080i) upsampled to 1080p (1920)
purchased 30 Nov 2008
Anonymous verified purchaser
Score 8.0/10+ Small size, good quality footage, still photo capable
- Expensive
purchased 24 Oct 2008
George, Wirral Merseyside , “Filming for over 40yrs.”
Score 10.0/10+ Light and easy carry around particularly on holiday
- Eye viewing not too practical [ i do have a CANON XM1 as well ] ....
purchased 24 Nov 2008
Anonymous verified purchaser
Score 8.0/10+ The image quality is super when seen on an HDTV with 1080p. Considering it's compact size the results are very good. Price is also very competitive compared to other camcorders. I highly recommend this camcorder - Canon has come out with a great product.
- Battery life is a bit short - in fact I had to purchase another battery within 2 weeks of buying the camcorder.
purchased 21 Mar 2009
Anonymous verified purchaser
Score 10.0/10+ Excellent image quality and features (25p filming mode)
- V. poor focus wheel
purchased 10 Feb 2009
Steven, Dumfries , “Cautious Purchaser - Saved”
Score 9.0/10
+
Excellent build quality, reassuring weight, very stylish, video light,connectivity and for myself, in my opinion tape is still king with the benefit of still's to card.
Excellent value for money.
Looking forward with excitement, to the learning curve that seems to be ahead!
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It's only bad point that I can see, is well documented in all reviews and that is the manual focus being positioned in a strange place. I was fully aware of this before purchase and I am sure that it is just a matter of time spent playing with it, before I am used to it. Don' let it put you off.
purchased 19 Feb 2009
Anonymous verified purchaser
Score 8.0/10+ Great videos. High definition at good price. Mini-DVD videos are easier to edit on my PC. Can play back tapes from my old video camera on the TV.
- You need to buy a case. Hard to follow the instruction manual.
purchased 01 Dec 2008
Anonymous verified purchaser , “Film Maker...”
Score 10.0/10+ Amazing picture...very filmic which is what we wanted. Very easy to set up.....great for young film makers. Buy it!!!!!!
- None......for the price.
purchased 03 Dec 2008
Alan, Loughborough
Score 9.0/10
+
Excellent image quality on an easy to use media (miniDV tape)
Light weight
Excellent features which I am still exploring.
- It was expensive but I suspect it is going to be value for money.
purchased 18 Feb 2009
Denis, London
Score 9.0/10+ SOUND AND PICTURE QUALITY GOOD
- Reviewer left no comment
purchased 25 May 2009
Anonymous verified purchaser
Score 9.0/10+ Excellent image quality
- Not a lot
purchased 11 Jan 2009
Anonymous verified purchaser
Score 9.0/10+ Reviewer left no comment
- Reviewer left no comment
purchased 30 Dec 2008
Anonymous verified purchaser
Score 9.0/10+ Reviewer left no comment
- Reviewer left no comment
purchased 09 Feb 2009
Anonymous verified purchaser
Score 8.0/10+ Reviewer left no comment
- Reviewer left no comment
purchased 04 Jun 2008
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£780 – £1005 at 3 retailers
Expert reviews for Canon HV30
TechRadar expert review
We preferred the picture quality from this HV30 (MiniDV tape) compared to the Sony HDR-S11 (hard drive) camcorder we reviewed last month. Both are similarly priced, and offer a similar range of features. Both can import footage straight into iMovie. The key difference is the formats. MiniDV is a cassette tape format that records using HDV, which offers better bit rate, meaning less image compression and less unwanted artefacting than a hard drive or solid state drive that uses the AVCHD codec. MiniDV tapes are also switchable and more robust than hard drives.Superior film quality We st…
This Canon HV30 review continued on TechRadar
reviewed 04 Oct 2008
PC Advisor expert review
The Canon Vixia HV30 is a fine choice for die-hard MiniDV users, offering superb video quality and a bunch of nifty features.
This Canon HV30 review continued on PC Advisor
reviewed 19 Jun 2008
Expert Reviews expert review
Of all the high-definition camcorders in the Labs, the HV30 is most likely to appeal to video enthusiasts.
This Canon HV30 review continued on Expert Reviews
Product Features
Resolution Quality
 
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Full HD |
|---|---|
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Optical Zoom Ratio
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10 |
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Media Format
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MiniDV |
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Media Format
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SD Card |
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Digital Zoom Ratio
|
200 |
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Image Stabilisation
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Yes |
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Resolution (Pixels)
|
1920x1080 |
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Manual Focus
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Yes |
|
Battery Life in Hours
|
1.8 |
|
Weight (g)
|
535 |
|
Docking Station
|
No |
|
Monitor Resolution (pixels)
|
211000 |
|
Screen Size in Inches
|
2.7 |
| 16:9 Recording Format | Yes |
|
USB Port
|
Yes |
| Remote Control | Yes |
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Waterproof
|
No |
|
Digital Still Photography
|
Yes |
|
Night Recording
|
Yes |
|
HDMI
|
Yes |
|
Dimensions (mm)
|
88x82x138 |
Also known as: HV30, Canon
Camcorders Buying GuideManufacturer's Description
Successor to the award-winning HV20, the HV30 derives all the benefits of the Canon HD Camera System – Canon HD Lens, Full HD CMOS sensor and DIGIC DV II processor – for outstanding HDV1080i images.
- Canon HD Camera System
- Instant AF
- 10x optical zoom lens with Super Range OIS
- Versatile range of connections and inputs
- Multiangle Vivid LCD
- True 25p shooting
- Extended shooting times
- Advanced photo features
- Analogue-to-digital conversion
The digital filmmaker’s camcorder – outstanding image quality and genuine versatility.
Canon HD Camera System
The HV30 inherits the HV20’s Canon HD Camera System – the unique combination of a genuine Canon HD Video Lens, a 2.96MP Full HD CMOS sensor and the DIGIC DV II processor. Designed and manufactured by Canon, these components integrate seamlessly to deliver superb HDV1080i (High Definition Video) images, recorded to tape.
Instant AF
Focusing in HD can be difficult, since even slight errors are noticeable. The HV30 employs a unique hybrid system called Instant AF for extremely fast, accurate auto focusing – making it easier to capture pin sharp HD pictures.
Canon HD Video Lens
A 10x optical zoom lens, specially engineered for HD video, inherits Canon’s extensive expertise in broadcast lens manufacture. With Canon’s Super Range Optical Image Stabilizer, all kinds of camera shake are compensated for.
Filmmaker’s system
An Advanced Accessory Shoe lets moviemakers adapt the camcorder to their needs – a range of peripherals can be added to suit any shooting situation. Manual audio controls allow sound recording to be finely controlled; an HDMI output jack is the quickest way to connect to a compatible HD TV or computer.
Multiangle Vivid LCD
The HV30 features Canon’s advanced 2.7” Multiangle Vivid LCD screen. Making it easier to monitor recording when shooting from particularly high or low angles, it has a wide 135-degree viewing angle. HCAR surface treatment ensures sharp images, a wider range of vibrant colours and reduced screen reflection.
Cinema-style 25p shooting
For ambitious moviemakers, the HV30 features true 25p (progressive) shooting. Allied to a dedicated CINE image mode, movies have the look and feel of film. 25p shooting also offers improved low-light performance, increasing shooting options even further.
Shoot for longer
The HV30 is compatible with Canon’s optional high capacity battery (BP-2L24H) – extending shooting times and cutting out the need to carry spares.
Advanced photography
Digital photos are stored to MiniSD card. Advanced photo features includes a one-push histogram display to monitor brightness levels. Split path processing allows simultaneous video and 2.07MP still capture. Print photos directly on PictBridge compatible printers.
Analogue-to-digital conversion
Via an AV input connection, analogue footage (including old home movies) can be transferred to digital tape for safekeeping.
Compare prices for Canon HV30 on 09 Feb 2010
| Retailer | Customer satisfaction | Delivery | Price | Availability | Total price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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96% 69 reviews of Ask Direct |
Free delivery Courier | £780free delivery | Out of stock |
£780
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No retailer reviews yet | Free delivery | £904free delivery | In stock | Go | |
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No retailer reviews yet | Courier | £1000 + £5 delivery | In stock |
£1005
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