Just bought the Canon HV20: HD for $1,000
Cory Bergman April 4th, 2007
I asked a couple months ago for ideas for a new HD video camera that wouldn’t break the bank, and we received plenty of great suggestions. After some research, Kate and I just bought the Canon HV20, which was just released, for $1089. It’s 1080i with a 10x optical lens (with the ability to add a wide-angle), and a 24p cinema mode for that film-style look. It has a saddle on the top for a boom mic, as well as a headset jack and a HDMI port (along with Firewire and USB 2.0). The camera store where we bought the HV20 said it’s their most popular seller by far (the owner even bought one.) We’re going to give it a spin tonight, so we’ll let you know how it goes. Pic…
14 Comments Add your own
1. adam | April 4th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
I’m very curious to see if you find a drop off in quality at the lens’ widest setting. It’s the classic curse of smaller cameras but with the kind of resolution they’re touting these days I can’t help but hope it’s clean at any focal length, zoom or aperature. Have fun.
2. Allen | April 4th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
I want one. Then again, I can’t even talk my wife into letting me buy an HDTV yet…not that she wears the pants in the family or anything.
3. Greg | April 4th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
What program are you going to use for editing?
4. Allen | April 4th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
You should buy the new 8 core Mac Pro that was just announced today while you are at it!
5. LR Fiancee | April 4th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
We’re using Final Cut Express HD for editing.
6. Greg | April 4th, 2007 at 10:39 pm
That should be fun…I’ve used FCP personally and most of our production managers use it…don’t know what the delta is between FCE and FCP. Are you going to publish some of your stuff on the web? If so, you may want to invest in either Flash 8 or On2 Flix to get your files into flash (much better publishing options).
7. Chet | April 5th, 2007 at 1:42 am
What format does it output in? The problem with the Sony HD camera is that it outputs the HD content in a format nothing can edit (but the camera) and to output it to something editing software can use, it uses lower quality mpeg 1.
8. charlie | April 5th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
Can’t wait to read your follow-up on this. I bought the HV10 and loved it, but found the vertical design difficult. I thought out ebaying it for one of these, but decided to save my washingtons for an XH-G1 instead.
9. LR Fiancee | April 5th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
Chet,
I’m not really sure what the output is, but it works great with Final Cut Express and the quality hasn’t suffered.
10. Gene | April 5th, 2007 at 9:15 pm
Does it ACTUALLY record 1920×1080? I’m jealous, as my $4000 Sony only does 1440×1080…
11. Trevor | April 6th, 2007 at 7:06 pm
Chet,
I use a sony HDV camcorder almost weekly and editing is just as easy as any other mini dv/HD camera w/ FCP 5 or FCE or even iMovie, w/ apsoultly no loss in quality. ?
PS.
Nice camera choice…
12. Barrio Boys.com | April 11th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
I received my HV20 for $950 from Custom Supply, INc 205.252.0141 tonight, Apr 11 07.
Having played with the DV Canon GL and XLs, I’m totally thrilled with this camera. You MUST read the manual, as it is not out of the box intuitive. Complaints have been that you can’t lock exposure, but you can. You set shutter (TV) to 60, and then you can press the func button while shooting to lock the exposure as +1 or -1, what have you.
I’m still figuring out the final cut pro workflow. My only capture preset is HDV, which is kind of lame given I shot 24P.
All said, give Custom Supply a call. They are legit, and they filled my order fast. Best, Anthony - Barrio Boys dot com
13. rob s | August 28th, 2007 at 11:54 pm
Does anyone know why I cant get my imac (osx 10.3) to recognise my HV20. It doesnt seem to want to talk to iMovie - do i really need Final Cut or an alternate editing program?
14. Noura | January 21st, 2008 at 4:25 pm
I have hooked up my mac osx to canon HV20, i have the connection ok. i am trying to export a final cut edited sequnce and record it onto the tape in the camera. i am using this first time and i notice on the remote control there is no RECORD button. how do i get the camera to record the sequence playing on my screen? Please help i have a deadline. thanks
Leave a Comment
(Please keep URLs out of the comment body or the spam filter will block you.)Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed