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8.3 out of 10

Canon VIXIA HV30

First seen: 19 january 2008

Information found in: from 79 sources in 25 countries.
  • User Score (278)
    9.1 9.1 from 278 reviewers
  • Expert Score (8)
    8.5 8.5 from 8 reviewers
  • Design (5)
    7.9 7.9 from 5 reviewers
  • Value for money (5)
    9.1 9.1 from 5 reviewers
  • Features (2)
    8.1 8.1 from 2 reviewers
  • Ease of use (2)
    9.0 9.0 from 2 reviewers
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Pros & Cons

  • small size, 2 auto focus speeds, nice lens, stylish design, nice black finish
  • mediocre sound quality, no significant software bundle, no manual shutter, poor battery life, limited gain control

Successor to the award-winning HV20, the HV30 derives all the benefits of the Canon HD Camera System – Canon HD Lens, Full HD CMOS sensor and DIGIC DV II processor – for outstanding HDV1080i images.

  • Canon HD Camera System
  • Instant AF
  • 10x optical zoom lens with Super Range OIS
  • Versatile range of connections and inputs
  • Multiangle Vivid LCD
  • True 25p shooting
  • Extended shooting times
  • Advanced photo features
  • Analogue-to-digital conversion

Manufacturer's Specs

Release Date

  • First seen
    19 January 2008

Canon VIXIA HV30

The Canon VIXIA HV30 incorporates Full HD CMOS Sensor, DIGIC DV II , Image stabilization, Instant Auto Focus, SuperRange Optical Image Stablization and uses a 10 x HD video zoom lens.

Features

The Canon VIXIA HV30 captures true 1080 High Definition resolution in 16:9 format, using MiniDV cassette tapes. The High Definition video lens is a 10x HD Genuine Canon Optical Zoom, which also uses Super Spectra coating technology and the aspheric design of the lens. The camcorder al…

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Canon VIXIA HV30

The Canon VIXIA HV30 incorporates Full HD CMOS Sensor, DIGIC DV II , Image stabilization, Instant Auto Focus, SuperRange Optical Image Stablization and uses a 10 x HD video zoom lens.

Features

The Canon VIXIA HV30 captures true 1080 High Definition resolution in 16:9 format, using MiniDV cassette tapes. The High Definition video lens is a 10x HD Genuine Canon Optical Zoom, which also uses Super Spectra coating technology and the aspheric design of the lens. The camcorder also is designed with CMOS Image sensor which reproduces images at 1920 x 1080 resolutions with full HD in images. It also uses the RGB Primary Colour Filter with Bayer Pattern. In addition to this it includes the DIGIC DV II , SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization, Instant Auto Focus and a 2.7” Multi-Angle Vivid Widescreen LCD. It also features 24p cinema mode and 30p progressive mode. The Canon VIXIA HV30 can be connected to Canon printers or PictBridge compatible printer with the supplied USB cable. The videos and still images can be transferred, if connected to a computer; the Print/Share button can be used.

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Review Summary

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  1. Reviewer: SimplyDV
    18 April 2008

    All in all, the HV30 is a very good camcorder indeed and every bit as good as the model it replaces. It is, of course, very odd that a company like Canon should seek to replace one year's model with another whose specification and even form-factor is apparently identical to that it replaces, especially since the only change seems to be its body colour, but that doesn't really matter. The fact is that as a new product coming to market, buyers can be assured of benefiting... Read more

  2. Canon HV30 Camcorder Review

    Reviewer: Gadget Heaven
    20 May 2008

    Attach the Canon HV30 to a PictBridge compatible printer and high-quality photographic prints are yours at the touch of a button. Read more

  3. Canon HV30

    Reviewer: TrustedReviews
    14 June 2008
    Overall 9
    9.0
    Value for money 10
    10
    Features 9
    9.0
     

    Now that most manufacturers are turning their attention away from tape Canon's HV20 has managed to remain uncontested for some time as the best HDV camcorder around. Until now. But fortunately for Canon the latest contender to the HV20's crown is its successor. So if the HV20 offered nearly the pinnacle of high-end consumer HDV, is there any room for the HV30 to show improvement? Read more

  4. HV30

    Reviewer: Stuff.tv
    17 June 2008
    Overall 10
    10
     

    Not much to tempt you over last year's HV20 but Canon still rules the roost when it comes to raw picture quality Read more

  5. Reviewer: PC Advisor
    19 June 2008

    If MiniDV is important to your choice of camcorder, the Canon Vixia HV30 is an excellent choice. It shoots stellar high-definition video with vividly accurate colours, smooth motion; includes a microphone jack and accessory shoe; and is very user friendly. Unfortunately the Canon Vixia HV30's awkward design makes for clumsy handling; and still images are slightly noisy. Read more

  1. Compact camcorder; Superb video quality

    Reviewer: ABT Electronics
    23 March 2009
    Overall 8
    8.0
     

    I bought this camcorder because I want to record HD movies on miniDV. It is no better time to purchase one because the price has reduced in anticipation of the new Canon HV40 and other ADVHC camcorders in April. The new ones are [$] versus [$] for the current models. This camcorder is more than enough for capturing HD videos. The ability to record to miniDV tape is a plus because it usually takes a while before I have time to edit my movies. Comparing with solid state... Read more

  2. great camera

    Reviewer: Epinions
    21 July 2009
    Overall 10
    10
     

    this is a great camera. the hd it shoots looks stunning and the cinema mode makes it look like a real movie. i would really suggest this camera. Read more

  3. "Terrific Camera"

    Reviewer: CNET
    29 July 2009
    Overall 9
    9.0
     

    I bought this last year, but really didn't get a lot of use with it until I went to class reunion. The HD pictures are really incredible. I taped the reunion under florescent lighting after sunset, without any optional lighting and the results were fantastic. My only problem is that to get the best results at a gather of this sort, you really need a directional microphone, otherwise you get a lot of ambient noise. Read more

  4. The Canon HV30 is a great camcorder!

    Reviewer: DealTime UK
    25 October 2008

    I've had the HV30 since April 1, 2008, and so far I think it's great. I previously used the Sony TRV38, another very capable camcorder. The HV30 comes in a slick, black color and is slightly smaller than my Sony TRV38. This camera uses miniDV tapes instead of the newer technologies of direct to DVD, hard drive, or flash memory. However, the advantage of miniDV is that it records “pure video” with no compression, so you get the highest quality image for editing. The... Read more

  5. HV30

    Reviewer: casper69, Stuff.tv
    25 February 2009

    i love this camcorder i have the HV20 which is all the same as the HV30 and its perfect....great filming which hooked up to a TV looks damn good, uploading on to a video editing software and editing keeps its image quality. The main say about this is if your going to do video editing tapes are still the best as you can do soooo much with editing. if your looking just to film and show people without editing this is still the camcorder to get..hard drive is good but not... Read more

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