Two weeks with the Canon HV20 - Techwatch: Satellite TV forums, FTA, Cable, Hardware, & Tech forums

jaelupo · 09-04-07, 06:41 PM

After nearly two weeks with my Canon HV20 I would like to post some thoughts on this great camera. Most of you have seen my videos in the download section and I am sure you are very impressed as am I of the quality and resolution of this $1,100 camera. Just 3 or 4 years ago a camera of this quality would be nearly $30,000. This is my first HD camera and for anyone that has never used an HD camera before I can tell you that anything you shoot from a trash truck to a flower everything is just amazing. In fact with the right monitor and footage some clips appear to be in 3D. I am not sure why this is but several people I have shown sample clips to have made the comment. The detail must be so high that you actually have depth perception in the images. I have never seen this with any other camera I have used HD or SD.

Well you know the good now here is the bad:

1. The camera is not much to look at. Canon could have done a better job with the design of the camera. Not a big deal but, no Eye Candy here.

2. The Zoom toggle is way too small and hard to control. This is a major problem and needs to be addressed by Canon.

3. The battery doesn't fit very tight. Not a big deal but it makes the camera feel cheap.

4. Too much plastic is used on the body of this camera. Most of Canon's still cameras are all metal bodies; I don't know why they didn't use more metal on such a high end camera.

5. Manual focus is worthless; Canon should have put a focus ring on this camera. The little dial up and down is so hard to use, forget it if you are holding the camera in one hand and trying to use the little wheel with the other. It kind of works when on a tripod but it is too easy to bump the camera when using it. Very bad design.

6. When the camera is off you can hear and feel the lens moving around inside the camera. It feels like something is broken inside the camera. Other users have reported this so I know it is normal behavior. As soon as you turn on the camera the Optical Image Stabilization is engaged and the lens doesn't shake anymore.

At the end of the day the only thing I care about is the final Image quality and for that I am very happy. Canon has a few items to improve upon on this camera but overall this is one amazing deal on an HD camera.

Jae

PhantomEWO · 09-04-07, 11:34 PM

This is indeed the type of information we all need to hear about, the good and the bad .. even though the bad isn't too bad

. Thanks

lovehateHDV · 10-04-07, 12:42 AM

Somewhere, sometime I heard that exposure can't be controlled while shooting.

Is it true?

jaelupo · 10-04-07, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovehateHDV

Somewhere, sometime I heard that exposure can't be controlled while shooting.

Is it true?

I will take a look at that and get back to you. I don't think you can change that while recording. I will let you know.

Jae

Luke · 10-04-07, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaelupo

I will take a look at that and get back to you. I don't think you can change that while recording. I will let you know.

Jae

Maybe it was ZDnet: 'can't change white balance while shooting.'
Looking at the manual I don't see mentioned that you can't change exposure or white balance while recording but without actual having one can't say for sure.

jaelupo · 10-04-07, 06:04 AM

I also forgot to mention the problem with the LCD screen and the viewfinder. When you shoot video looking through the LCD screen it just looks so dull and plain. This is common on most cameras in fact even the $4,000 cameras have cheap screens. I would like to see a high def screen like the Sony PSP screen used on these types of cameras. It would just give you a feel of HD while you are shooting.

Regarding the viewfinder; this thing is a real waste of money on an HD camera of this size. The screen doesn't move at all unlike some Panasonic camcorders where the view finder slides out and tilts up. The size is also so small that you can tell what you are shooting. Save the money Canon and put it into a better LCD screen.

Jae

jaelupo · 10-04-07, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovehateHDV

Somewhere, sometime I heard that exposure can't be controlled while shooting.

Is it true?

While the camera is in manual mode you can change the apature and shutter priority while the camera is recording. This is done using the joystick control in the back of camera. The white balance can not be changed while recording.

Jae

though · 10-04-07, 06:43 AM

thanks for the info.

otzy · 10-04-07, 07:34 AM

how do you find the image stabilizer? I know some people thinks it great while others say average. How does it work for you?

lovehateHDV · 10-04-07, 08:02 AM

Yeah, how does it handle the footsteps?

EIS would compensate for sudden jerks, but how dow OIS do it?

My general assumption was that OIS is good for tilt-related shaking, but how does it handle sudden up-down shakes?

tnks

09-04-07, 06:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
jaelupo Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 85 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Two weeks with the Canon HV20 After nearly two weeks with my Canon HV20 I would like to post some thoughts on this great camera. Most of you have seen my videos in the download section and I am sure you are very impressed as am I of the quality and resolution of this $1,100 camera. Just 3 or 4 years ago a camera of this quality would be nearly $30,000. This is my first HD camera and for anyone that has never used an HD camera before I can tell you that anything you shoot from a trash truck to a flower everything is just amazing. In fact with the right monitor and footage some clips appear to be in 3D. I am not sure why this is but several people I have shown sample clips to have made the comment. The detail must be so high that you actually have depth perception in the images. I have never seen this with any other camera I have used HD or SD. Well you know the good now here is the bad: 1. The camera is not much to look at. Canon could have done a better job with the design of the camera. Not a big deal but, no Eye Candy here. 2. The Zoom toggle is way too small and hard to control. This is a major problem and needs to be addressed by Canon. 3. The battery doesn't fit very tight. Not a big deal but it makes the camera feel cheap. 4. Too much plastic is used on the body of this camera. Most of Canon's still cameras are all metal bodies; I don't know why they didn't use more metal on such a high end camera. 5. Manual focus is worthless; Canon should have put a focus ring on this camera. The little dial up and down is so hard to use, forget it if you are holding the camera in one hand and trying to use the little wheel with the other. It kind of works when on a tripod but it is too easy to bump the camera when using it. Very bad design. 6. When the camera is off you can hear and feel the lens moving around inside the camera. It feels like something is broken inside the camera. Other users have reported this so I know it is normal behavior. As soon as you turn on the camera the Optical Image Stabilization is engaged and the lens doesn't shake anymore. At the end of the day the only thing I care about is the final Image quality and for that I am very happy. Canon has a few items to improve upon on this camera but overall this is one amazing deal on an HD camera. Jae

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09-04-07, 11:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
PhantomEWO Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	This is indeed the type of information we all need to hear about, the good and the bad .. even though the bad isn't too bad . Thanks

10-04-07, 12:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
lovehateHDV Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Seattle, Earth, Milky Way, the 4D Universe Posts: 171 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Somewhere, sometime I heard that exposure can't be controlled while shooting. Is it true?

10-04-07, 06:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
jaelupo Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 85 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I also forgot to mention the problem with the LCD screen and the viewfinder. When you shoot video looking through the LCD screen it just looks so dull and plain. This is common on most cameras in fact even the $4,000 cameras have cheap screens. I would like to see a high def screen like the Sony PSP screen used on these types of cameras. It would just give you a feel of HD while you are shooting. Regarding the viewfinder; this thing is a real waste of money on an HD camera of this size. The screen doesn't move at all unlike some Panasonic camcorders where the view finder slides out and tilts up. The size is also so small that you can tell what you are shooting. Save the money Canon and put it into a better LCD screen. Jae

10-04-07, 06:43 AM	#8 (permalink)
though Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lincoln, NE -- USA Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	thanks for the info.

10-04-07, 07:34 AM	#9 (permalink)
otzy Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: australia Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	how do you find the image stabilizer? I know some people thinks it great while others say average. How does it work for you?

10-04-07, 08:02 AM	#10 (permalink)
lovehateHDV Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Seattle, Earth, Milky Way, the 4D Universe Posts: 171 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Yeah, how does it handle the footsteps? EIS would compensate for sudden jerks, but how dow OIS do it? My general assumption was that OIS is good for tilt-related shaking, but how does it handle sudden up-down shakes? tnks