Customer Ratings & Reviews

When I decided I wanted to get a digital video camera, I knew nothing about them. I impulsively bought the JVC EVERIO Hard-Drive Camcorder. After 8 months, I didn't 'hate' it, but wasn't 'in love' with it. Hard Drive is efficient as there's no need for tapes or DVDs. HOWEVER, I couldn't use advanced editing software, like Final Cut, the way I wanted to. Since EVERIOs aren't FireWire compatible, it was a real nuisance. I went back to BestBuy & the salesrep happened to be an amateur video maker. He said his 'Dream Camcorder' is the CANNON HV20. I asked around for a few weeks & everyone who knew camcorders said the same thing. When it came time for me to buy one, the HV30 was released, which is an upgraded version of the HV20. It uses Mini-DV tapes, which apparently allow for the most editing & I can vouch it works great with Final Cut on the Mac. Personally, I see a huge difference with the High-Definition Mini-DV tapes (Sony) vs. the standard Mini-DV tapes. Since it's a High-Def camera, you definitely want High-Def tapes or you're not shooting high-def quality. It has a full-size HDMI port built-in (cable not included) & comes with a remote, so consider a tripod, which I ended up buying. I sold my JVC EVERIO & couldn't possibly be happier with my CANNON HV30. Last night, I read Consumer Reports & they rated it #6. I personally feel like it should be rated #1. It hasn't failed me yet. If you're not convinced to buy a camcorder, all I ask is you remember one thing: You Only Live Once. With that in mind, get up, get yourself an HV30 & start recording / treasuring your precious moments with your family & friends. You'll appreciate it years ahead & you know it.

I have owned this camera for almost a month now and I've used it almost everyday since. It was my graduation present from college I got it to film a garden walk in my town. It's been great, but it does have it's drawbacks. The microphone is pretty good and picks up a lot of sound. Unfortunately it's on the top of the camera and while it picks up a lot of the sound that I'm trying to capture, it also gets me breathing and other unwanted sounds like that, this is also true for how you touch the camera. I actually flipped it over yesterday so the mic was pointed at the fountain that I had just gotten video of. The viewfinder is pretty much useless. It doesn't slide out and your face is pressed right up against the battery, even more if you have the bigger battery pack on. But the battery life is only ten minutes shorter using the LCD so I don't even bother trying to save that 10 minutes with the viewfinder. If I were to buy a camera in this price range again I would stick with this one given my experience with it. All the controls are with in reach of my thumb when I have my hand in the strap, and you can easily adjust things with out having to use two hands, which I've had to do with other cameras. Instant auto focus can be a tiny bit sluggish but it's nothing to fret over. Switching from instant auto to manual is easy with the button next to the focus knob, which short of a focus ring is the best thing ever. The video light I was quite impressed with, the flash for the stills I haven't had a chance to use that much (taking pics outside in the sun) but when I have used it it's good. The still camera is really good. Really bright, crisp, clear pictures. I'm really impressed with it, especially for one that is built into a video camera. If nothing else, this camera is a miniDV which made it more attractive to me than any Sony or Panasonic hard drive camera. I like the idea of finishing a tape removing it from the camera and having a hard copy of what I've done. Hard drives can crash, tapes won't. Overall I am very happy with this camera. It's a good consumer level camera, and it's possible to create professional looking video projects. For the price, I don't think it can be beat.

After doing a lot of research on camcorders in the $1000 range, it was clear that the HV30 took tops spots which is why I bought it. Vido quality was my higest priority, and the video quality of the HV30 has not disappointed me, it's outstanding in medium and bright light, and does well in lower light conditions. Audio is pretty accurate. You can pick up and start shooting by just knowing the basics of turning on the camera on and advancing to the end of the previous recording. Playback with the LCD is easy to operate. There are lots of features and functions that I have yet to work with (ex. manual settings - P, Tv, AV, etc.), that should only enhance my video. Will be seeking a second battery for backup, so I'm never without power for my camera. The built-in video light is pretty weak. If you need to light up a dark area, and external light would be the way to go.

I finally made the purchase after I decided my hi8 was ready to go. I was waiting for this follow up to the HV20, and very glad I did! I believe tape will be around for a while (in reference to the new flash memory models). My sources told me that the compression on the flash memory models leaves a bit to be desired. So, tape it is! I am very pleased with this model so far. While I knew it was a little noisey in low light, it is well within my expectations, without spending 4x as much! I haven't used all the features yet, but this camcorder is full of them. The predecessor was named camercorder of the year in 07, and this model promises to improve on that standard. Highly recommended!

The HV30 is a great little camcorder with most if not all the amenities of a pro level camcorder. If you plan on making videos with any editing techniques such as transitions and multiple video layers, etc. then miniDV is the way to go. For point and shoot clips, then i would recommend HDD. The HDD camcorder converts your movie directly into the file needed to upload to the web or burn on a DVD. But if you intend on producing quality videos with some editing or other fancy things miniDV is for you. This does not come with video editing software. SO for those of you doing less transitions but still want some use windows movie maker or imovie. For upper echelon editing I would recommend Adobe Premiere CS3 or Final Cut Pro. Most of these programs will be more than you need nevertheless check online to see if the camcorder works with these programs. There is a learning curve with some of the higher level editing programs but it's worth it. In the end it's all about what your intentions are: If you want to have a camcorder for anythime any place shooting, getting videos on youtube, or for family movies with no desire to edit then you should be looking for an HDD camcorder or even a camcorder made for youtube like Flip Video Ultra Series Camcorder If however you wish to make nice videos with some editing to massive editing or high quality without moving into the realm of prosumer (professional consumer), then HV30 is for you. Enjoy!