Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing Results!, 30 Jan 2009
The image quality that can be achieved using this camcorder is absolutely amazing. Whether you are after a camcorder for family events and home use, or a budding amatuer filmmaker on a budget, this is definitely worth considering.
It has an array of options and settings, which includes a CINE (cinema) mode and the ability to shoot in 25fps (frames per second) these two settings combined help to imitate a "film look" to good effect.
The built-in microphone isn't great, but serves it's purpose if you have no other options. Ideally, it is worth purchasing a seperate microphone, even if you are a casual user. This will help to cut out some of the motor noise that is emitted from the camcorder, as well as improve audio quality. The Rode Videomic is a good choice as a budget option as it can be mounted onto the camcorder. For the budding filmmakers, a seperate boom on a pole is recommended.
There are also a few accessories available for this camcorder, including an official wide-angle lens released by Canon, as well as various filters and lens hoods that can attach to the front.
I would definitely recommend investing in a larger battery as the one provided only lasts approx. 40 minutes. I highly recommend buying only official Canon batteries.
The HV30 I purchased from Amazon also included the new firmware (software installed on the camcorder), which fixed the problems that previously occured when shooting in standard definition. If for any reason your camcorder does not have it, you can download it from the Canon website.
Finally, like all high definition mini DV camcorders, the HV30 can record high definition video onto a standard mini DV cassette, so it is not essential to purchase the more costly high definition cassettes unless you desire absolute perfection.
I highly recommend using Panasonic Mini DV's. Whatever brand you choose, it is generally considered wise to stick to the same brand of mini DV as mixing lubricants by two different manufacturers can create a deposit on tape heads.
I hope this review has helped a little, and good luck on choosing your camcorder. There are some excellent alternatives that use SD cards, etc., and all have their pros and cons. But if you're happy using the tape format, then this is the camcorder for you!
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb picture quality, 16 Nov 2008
I do a lot of video weddings and bought this as a backup/2nd camera in September 08. Have found picture quality excellent in both DV or HDV; although best to set white balance manually under flourescent light as tends to be greenish otherwise. I don't know why one of the other reviewers has problems downloading footage to his computer; I have no problems, and no difficulty with the manual either. Although the built in video light looks tiny, it can really get you out of trouble if you're close to a subject in near darkness, and picture noise is really not too bad even in quite low light. I haven't actually noticed any problems with tape noise in quiet situations, and stills taken with the camera in card mode are excellent; although only 3.1 megapixels, the quality and size of the lens produces much better pics than I would have expected. Plenty of manual setting possibilities to tweak the picture if you want to, but I generally just shoot in full auto, and apart from under flourescent as mentioned above, always get excellent results. Was sceptical about zoom control slider at first sight, but in fact it is very easy to control and zoom smoothly and very slowly if preferred without accidently jerking it as can happen with an over sensitive trigger: a problem I have previously encountered with some quite high end Sony products. So I really do recommend this camera without reservation.
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24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly Recommended, 30 May 2008
This camera really is great. I felt like ...Why spend a fortune on a high speed computer and memory to have the headache of AVCHD format when this tape version produces such good quality and is easy to archive. Its good to see Canon have not just followed other brands like sheep and really hope they continue with this range for a few more years.
There are a few small known issues the tape door and a slight motor noise but I can live with this.
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