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Canon VIXIA HV30 MiniDV High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Editorial Review:
Even if you are the stalwart traditionalist, widescreen TV and the increased resolution capabilities are a reality. If you want to create videos that'll fill the new 16:9 widescreen, you need an HD camcorder. HDMI & Advanced Accessory Shoe Terminals Total Pixels - 2.96 Megapixel / Effective Pixels - HD/DV (16 - 9) mode - Approx 2.07 Megapixels 1920 x 1080 / DV (4 - 3) mode - Approx 2.76 Megapixels (1440 x 1080) Maximum Recording Time (with an 80-min. cassette) - SP - 80 minutes, HDV, DV / LP - 120 minutes DV Lens - Zoom Ratio - 10x Optical/200x Digital; Focal Length - f=6.1-61mm; Zoom Speed - Variable/3 Fixed Zoom Speeds with F/Stop - f/1.8-3.0mm (when tapes are used); Filter Size - 43mm Focusing System - Instant AF, TTL /Manual Focusing Possible Manual Exposure / Programmed AE - Auto, Program, Av, Tv, CINE, Portrait, Sports, Night, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Spotlight, Fireworks Supported Playback Modes - 1080/60i, 1080/24p, 1080/30F, 1080/24F, 1080/30p Max Shutter Speed - 1/2000 / 1/500 (if you use SD card media) Auto Date/Time White Balance modes SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization Widescreen 0.27 Color Viewfinder (Approx 123,000 pixels); 2.7 Widescreen LCD (Approx. 211,000 pixels) Recording Media - High Definition MiniDV (recommended) (63min.) or MiniDV cassette Audio - DV - 16 bit (2ch) 48 kHz; 12 bit (4ch) 32 kHz / 4channel synchronous recording not possible HDV - MPEG1 Audio Layer II (2 ch) - 4-channel playback of tapes containing 4-channel recordings possible HDMI Terminal - Type A (19 pins) 480i/480p/1080i Format Supported Microphone Terminal - 3.5 mm Stereo Mini-jack AV Mini Terminal/Headphone Terminal - 3.5 mm 4 pole Mini-jack Unit Dimensions - (WxHxD) 3.5 x 3.2 x 5.4 in/88 x 82 x 138mm; Weight (not including lens and battery pack) - 1.2 lbs. (535g)

Customer Reviews:
The best consumer camcorder
I think this is the best you can do without going into the prosumer +$2000 level. Here is what sets it apart from the average cheap camcorder:

1. The ability to shoot progressive frames. This is invaluable for those filming for the internet. Plus, progressive frames compress better; one of the reasons store bought movies look better than average joe's.
2. The ability to white balance. Especially with blue/green screening, this is very helpful. Good luck finding it on the average consumer camcorder.
3. Native 1920x1080 sensor times 3. This camera is not FakeD - it's real HD. When it scales, it scales DOWN, not up. It has three sensors for each primary color of light, and the sensors are larger than the Panasonic DVX100's (which is around $2,300). Granted the DVX100 is an SD camera, but it sure helps.
4. External mic jack. This feature is seldom found on consumer cameras.

Drawbacks: Viewfinder doesn't move and doesn't have impressive detail. Low light video with a CCD would probably come out better than with this camera's CMOS sensor, so keep in mind you'll want to light well for great video (as usual). The running of the tape mechanism will mess with your audio, so either use the external mic jack or record audio separately. The included battery isn't so hot. Order the better one when you buy this camera.

It does not have all the ease of control that a prosumer camera would, but notice I'm comparing it to cameras of that caliber to show its shortcomings. My five star rating is based on other cameras in the HV30's price range; and of them I think it is the best. Also keep in mind that with prosumer cameras, an accessory like a tripod is going to cost you a lot more than it will with this little camera. And with its current sale price, if you don't have the budget for a high end camera but want a picture that is just as good or better, this is the one for you! Seriously, even if I had one of those high-priced cameras, I'd still get an extra HV30 because this price is so good and it wouldn't be bad to have it around as a spare.

Hi Def Great, Controls need work
I used this camera for two weeks on vacation. The Hi Def Video is amazing. However, the controls on the rear of the camera are cramped and for me I would of preferred the start/stop to be switched from the Function/Menu control. Otherwise, if you like to have creative control and can live with the fact that DV tape is on it's last leg this camera is a great value for the money.

Good HD DV Camera
I bought this camera for filming my 1 year old boy. It is a great camera and it does a good job and is very easy to use. I don't like the amount of gain added to the video when shooting in low light. Although I love the 10x optical zoom (big fan of zoom) it causes a lot of problems when you need wide angle footage or you are in tight spaces. You need to be around 7-10' away to be able to get people standing on the film. A wide angle lens helps this a lot.

A few tips for people looking at this camera:

1) Buy larger spare battery
2) Do not switch tape brands, I use Sony but if you buy a brand of tapes, stick with them, or you can damage the camera
3) Buy the WD-H43 wide angle lens (expensive, but worth it!)
4) You do not need to use HD tape, standard DV tape works fine. Although quality differs greatly between tapes.

I know a lot of people do not like tape or want to get away from tape, when I originally looked for a camera, this was my goal but after reading a lot on HD camera, I found a lot of comments about the format used by many HD and DVD camera AVHD or something has a lot of compatibility problems and issues. I originally wanted a HD camera, but backing up 30G of data every shoot on at least 2 external sources is nearly impossible. Tapes work great as an easy archive.

This Guy needs to make up his mind....
Hey man, are you upset about the price match or the fact the camera isnt the best quality. Why would you want them to price match if you dont want the camera? Why dont you just return it? Or why dont you just stop whinning?

Don't buy from Amazon
I bought this item from Amazon for $686 on Oct. 30, It was delivered to me on Nov. 7th. After I rcvd the product, Amazon had already dropped the price. I was too buys to call and ask them about the price guaratntee. Apparantly there price guarantee is only for 7 days (the time it takes to receive the producct). I am very upset that the product has dropped in price by $90 in 24 days. I would not buy this product. At this rate, amazon will be giving these away for free pretty soon. It is a lousy camera. Very bad low light pictures, too noisy and the menu system on the camera requires a PHD in engineering.

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