Canon HV20 / a personal review by Derek Yeo 13/3/07

 

 

The Canon HV20 which will be launched sometime in April this year will go side by side with the existing HV10. Featuring a 1 /2.7” CMOS sensor imager which is the same as the HV10 the HV20 will also shoot in true 1920X1080 HD video. As a matter of fact most of the features that are present on the HV10 would be carried over to the HV20 including the DIGIC DVII processor with a dedicated processor for stills images shot with the HV20.

 

The Instant Auto Focusing system found along with Canon’s range of prosumer versions is also an available feature on the HV20. This front mounted sensor will accelerate focusing speeds which is a welcome feature on these camcorders. This is also ultimately essential in the case of high def video recording where focusing is of number one critical importance. The instant focusing system also helps in the elimination of focus hunting problems and assists in the case when you are trying to focus on a moving subject which can pose as a big problem in HD shooting. As from a user point of view the importance of focusing in HD shooting is as important as sugar to your coffee.

 

The HV10 will employ the horizontal form factor rather than the vertical look of its predecessor and I must admit that I rather much prefer this form factor which is a much more natural in terms of handling. This form factor also provides more real estate for buttons to be better laid out and also better shooting stability. Thus, with the extra space, the HV20 will also have a HDMI output, a hot accessory shoe on top which is a great improvement over its predecessor. (High Definition Multimedia Interface) These are some of the significant additions over its predecessor.

 

Important Features

 

The HV120 also comes with a Super Range Optical Image Stabilizer and also a 10X optical zoom, this as we all know reigns superior over the digital options.

 

What is most important and the point of interest for me is that Canon has claimed that the low light performance on the HV20 has been significantly improved on the HV20.

This is something I cannot say much about at this point of time but hopefully soon when I get my hands on an actual unit.

 

The biggest set back of the HV10 was the exceptionally bad low light performance and Canon claims that this is now “solved” or significantly improved on the HV20. (5 lux to 3 lux )

 

However, I do pray they are not implying to the shutter speed being manipulated for better minimum illumination. One point to note is that the HV10 produces some very good video resolution along with very vivid natural true colors in proper lited situations

The HV20 also has a small built in Video LED light of which I feel may only be useful in a situation where you really have to shoot in total darkness and effective perhaps up too about two feet.

 

Another wonderful and sought after feature for most enthusiasts would be the introduction of 24P cinema mode. The ability to shoot in 24P frame rate instead of 24F as in the professional models is a terminology used in the case of the HV20 as the CMOS chip is progressive rather than interlaced in the case of the CCD models therefore Canon has change this to 24P in the HV20. A one touch button will also allow you to switch the camera into a more film like mode for recording in one push.

 

As for audio features found on the HV20, this is improved with the presence of a mini microphone jack and also a headphone jack. Audio levels are accessible via the menu and manually controllable however the channels are only adjustable combined channels and not individually separated.

 

The Electronic View Finder Design.

 

The HV20 does not have an extendable EVF which renders it pretty useless in this case is a unique problem shared with the SONY A1P. So, other than using the supplied lower capacity battery anything else you slap on that extends further would render the EVF useless and inaccessible. At least in the case of the SONY A1P the viewfinder can be pivoted which is at least some consolation in this area of problem.

 

Focusing on the HV20

 

The focusing control on the HV20 has improved over the HV10 with the inclusion of a focus scroll wheel found on the side of the lens barrel. This is more or less similar to the one found on the SONY HC3. The usual ZEBRA patterns, guide markers and also aperture and shutter priority are also found on the HV20 .A back light button is also found on the same side of the camera body including a one touch focus assist button or one touch focusing capability.

 

Conclusion

 

Looking at the specifications and knowledge of prior cameras, I would recommend the HV20 to those who have not already bought their first HDV camcorder. I fully and strongly recommend this anytime over any of the AVCHD models if you have the intention to edit your videos. The reason at the moment is the known fact that HDV camcorders are still far superior in video resolution compared to the AVCHD counterparts.

 

So, depending on the low light of which I can say very little of at the point of time and the price point, I guess it is perhaps a camcorder that you can say is worth considering of if you decide to have your first high definition acquisition.

 

 

The above review is strictly a personal one and not a paid advertisment by Canon.