| Canon VIXIA HV30 MiniDV High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom | 
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| Brand: Canon
Category: Photography
List Price: $899.99
Buy New: $549.00
You Save: $350.99 (39%)
Buy New
Avg. Customer Rating:   (41 reviews)
Sales Rank: 27
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Monitor Size: 270
Includes Software: Yes
Special Features: nv:Sensor^2.96 Megapixel|Size^1/2.7-inches|Image Resolution^1920 x 1080|Movie Resolution^1440 x 1080|Storage Media^High Definition miniDV (recommended) (63min.) or miniDV cassette|Storage Media^MiniDV Cassette|Compressed Format^JPEG|Movie File Format^HDV|Movie File Format^DV|Optical Zoom^10x|Digital Zoom^200x|Focal Length^f=6.1-61mm|Focus Mode^Manual|Focus Mode^Instant AF|Focus Mode^TTL - AF|LCD Monitor^2.7-inches|LCD Pixels^211,000 pixels|LCD Coverage^100%|Shutter Speed^1/2000
Optical Zoom: 10
Digital Zoom: 200
Connectivity: IEEE 1394 (FireWire)
Display Size: 2.7
Maximum Focal Length: 61
Minimum Focal Length: 6.1
Maximum Resolution: 2070000
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 8.8 x 5.6 x 5.5
MPN: HV30
Model: HV30
UPC: 013803091595
EAN: 0013803091595
ASIN: B00114PN1U
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews:
 Amazing Little Camera!! November 21, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
This camera has performed above and beyond my expectations. As an amateur filmmaker I have been comtemplating purchasing a Panasonic AG-HVX200A which can cost upwards of $5000. I instead decided to save my money and buy the Canon HV30 at almost one-tenth of the price. I will start off saying that the image is amazing. The camera allows you to shoot both HD and SD (not sure why anyone would should Standard Def anymore), and it also gives you the option to shoot in 24P or 30P format. I recently shot a short in 24P and added the camera's "Cinema" mode, and the result was astonishing. Keep in mind, this is a a handycam, not a prosumer 3-chip camera. I also bought an external microphone, which I highly recommend. The camera has a built in sound meter that helps you monitor the sound for a more professional recording. I was also very pleased with the camera's manual functions. You can manually control most of the camera's basic functions including focus, exposure and white balance. Battery life is marginal, so I recommend purchasing some longer life batteries. Whether you just want to shoot your family vacations or begin your career as a filmmaker, the Canon HV30 has the versatility to handle it all, and at a very reasonable price to boot.
A Fine Cannon Camera November 20, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I have had a Cannon HV30 for about a month now. The quality is extremely good. There may be bias in this statement because I am moving from standard def video from a Cannon S3 IS camera. The colors are brilliant and the low light performance is amazing compared to any other video that I have ever seen from a camcorder of this price/feature set. Personally, I wish that the manual features were easier to use. Overall, buy this camcorder if you want ease of use and amazing quality.
Seriously GREAT video November 11, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I previously owned a Canon ZR930. I bought it for web and other marketing video. It is a great budget, entry level camera, but the resolution is not stellar and the lower light performance is not great, either. I had to return 2 of them before getting a ZR930 that worked--one had a blown mic port and another had a blown Firewire port. Third time was the charm and the ZR930 is a great entry level camera that can be had for less than $300--and it includes a mic port, which is a must.
I upgraded to this camera (Canon VIXIA HV30) after alot of research and I am glad I went with the one I did. I decided on tape because of the flexibility and proven technology and ease of transferring to computer. Hard drive or flash cameras have a pretty fixed recording time. MiniDV tapes can be swapped out for longer recording. I use Sony Vegas Studio Platinum 9 to edit video and together, this is a pretty unbeatable combination. Imports video directly into my computer, and the quality is breathtaking. Th build wuality on this camera is SUBSTANTIALLY better than the lower end cameras like the aforementioned ZR930. No problems at all with this camera--it has worked perfectly right out of the box and looks and feel more solid in your hands. You are really holding a serious machine.
REALLY great picture quality. My rough estimate is better than broadcast tv and pretty close to cable HD channels and DVD quality. Very good audio with the built in mic. Includes a microphone input to add an external mic. MUCH better lower light performance than my ZR930. Normal room lighting is good enough to get decent video. Better lighting results is crisp video with great color.
Lots of picture setting that I have not even begun to investigate yet. A camera that is great to turn on and shoot, with alot of options to play with down the road!
Very happy with this camera. I find it to be light and comfortable to use. Small enough so that it fits right in a large jacket pocket.
Nothing bad to say.
Best Video Quality I've Ever Seen in a <$2000 Camcorder November 7, 2008
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
I've been buying camcorders since they've existed and every time I've brought a new camcorder home I've had the same experience, that is, the picture I saw on my TV never matched my expectations, it never even came close. I always hoped to see the quality of video I saw on the TV and news shows I watched and was always disappointed when the camcorder video quality always fell well short of that expectation. Until now! The Canon HV30's 1080i HD video quality on my 46" LCD screen is stunning, better than I could have ever hoped. The first time I saw some video I took of beautiful Snoqualmie Falls I kept saying "wow" over and over. The video quality was far above any non-HD broadcast video and, to my eye, on par (or close to) with the video I see on many HD broadcast channels. OK, this camera is obviously not of the same caliber of those used for network HD televison, but dang, it comes as close as any "prosumer" camcorder I've ever seem.
I also must say the the image stabilization is the best I've ever seen as well. Rock solid video even at long distance, 10x zoom. Pans can be made easily to look Steadicam solid. Very impressive.
I can't really think of anything negative to say about the HV30. I guess if I had to pick something it would be battery life of under an hour. The can be addressed with an optional long life battery. But that is really being nitpicky, this camera is fantastic.
You can read all about the bells and whistles elsewhere, but if VIDEO QUALITY is THE most important thing to you then this camcorder should be your only choice.
Professional HD quality without the professional price tag October 20, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
This year's version of last year's camcorder of the year ([...]) with a black paint job and the addition of 30p mode. Great camera.
Pros:
-Amazing quality HD video
-Uses more common video format than the AVCHD of it's hard drive and flash memory siblings with less compression artifacting and more compatibility with current video editing software (AVCHD editing is very CPU intensive and resource hungry. IMPORTANT: Premiere Pro CS3 and earlier DO NOT support this format without buying an expensive codec. However, CS4 does support it)
-Suprisingly small size for a camera this good
-Manual focus dial
-Manual shutter and aperture priority settings
-Great low-light performance
-Three shooting modes (24p, 30p, 60i)
-Both a viewfinder and an LCD screen
-Accessory shoe
-Lots of ports (mic, headphones, AV, mini HDMI/firewire, USB, I may be forgetting a couple)
-Good image stabilization
Cons:
-Manual focus dial could be bigger
-Side strap isn't the softest
-Viewfinder doesn't telescope or tilt
-Cannot adjust both shutter speed and aperture manually, only one or the other (e.g. you can manually set shutter speed but then the camera automatically adjusts aperture, or vice versa)
-Front LED light is either too bright up close, or not bright enough from far away, would prefer IR night vision as an option
-Menus take a little getting used to, not the most convenient layout
There are more pros and cons here, but these are the ones that are important to me. Overall this camera is GREAT. I absolutely love the amazing quality of the pictures; the high resolution and the wonderfully saturated colors. Great camera, especially for $[...]!
Note: I also recommend getting a Raynox 6600Pro lens for this. I have the 52mm version with a 43mm-52mm adapter (read the recommendations on [...]). Many many uses for it and it works wonders with this camera. Also, if you want to see what this camera can do, just search HV30 in vimeo or youtube and you will find many videos showing off the quality this camera is capable of. Enjoy!
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