Home > Consumer Reviews > Canon HV30 High Definition Camcorder (10 x Optical Zoom With 2.7 inch Widescreen Multi-Angle Vivid LCD)

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!

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.

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.

Bought this camera after reading several reviews and have not been disappointed. The video is absolutely first class with excellent colour and sharpness.

The manual is well structured and fairly straightforward to follow and the camera features and functions are more than adequate for amateur videographers. Was initially slightly disappointed with audio until I realized camera was set to 12 bit audio by default (easy to change to 16 bit).

Only minor niggle is quite pronounced tape noise from camera but only really noticeable in very quiet scenes. Even then you could always buy an external mic.

Excellent camera, the quality of the footage is really good!
I filmed a wedding a few weeks ago in Standard Definition and the quality is outstanding - considerably better than my 18 month old hard drive JVC camcorder and doesn't have the sound and picture sync problem!
I have filmed a few things in HD and have outputted the footage to my Mac in iMovie 6/iMovie HD. The picture quality is excellent in both Standard Definition and High Definition, especially HD, it's like real life!
3 minutes of HD footage was about 3GB in hard drive space so it does suck up space so don't upload too much too quick unless you have a sizeable hard drive.
As for the camera, it's really good but there is some noticeable tape noise. If you're at the bowling alley or a party or evening reception at a wedding you will not notice it but anywhere quiet like the wedding ceremony itself you will hear it. I purchased the Rode Video mic at the same time as buying this camcorder and it's amazing what a difference it has made. I have a previous Canon camcorder MV6iMC I think they call it (it has since broken), which I bought in 2004 and it had tape noise, maybe it's a Canon DV problem but the quality of the footage is amazing on this camcorder, definately worth the money.
My sister is right and I hate it when she is but she always tells me you get what you pay for!