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7.9 out of 10

Canon VIXIA HV30

Information found in: from 149 sources in 27 countries.

Great Deal: $499.00

  • User Score (325)
    8.6 8.6 from 325 reviewers
  • Expert Score (15)
    8.4 8.4 from 15 reviewers
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The dramatic Canon VIXIA HV30 is the latest in our offering of HD camcorders, incorporating advanced features to bring knowledgeable and demanding videographers the ultimate in HD video and digital photo quality. The VIXIA HV30 is packed with features you won’t find anywhere else. Our own Full HD CMOS sensor and advanced DIGIC DV II image processor deliver breathtaking detail and the best in color reproduction. SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization and Instant Auto …

Specifications

Digital Video

  • Power Consumption
    TBA
  • Image Sensor
    1/2.7" CMOS Sensor, RGB Primary Color Filter
  • Total Pixels
    Approx. 2.96 Megapixels
  • 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 Max. F/Stop: f/1.8-3.0mm (when tapes are used) Filter Size: 43mm
  • Focusing System
    Instant AF, Through the Lens/Manual Focusing Possible
  • Manual Exposure
    Yes
  • 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

Canon VIXIA HV30

Canon VIXIA HV30 is a High Definition camcorder with built-in 2.7” multi-angle vivid widescreen LCD. Among of its main features include High Definition video lens, CMOS Sensor, DIGIC DVII, Super Range Optical Image Stabilization, Instant AF, Brilliant Video, 24p Cinema mode, 30p progressive Mode, and HDMI connectivity.

Features

The Canon VIXIA HV30 captures true 1080 High Definition resolution video in 16:9 format, using MiniDV cassette tapes. It lets user to choose either to …

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Canon VIXIA HV30

Canon VIXIA HV30 is a High Definition camcorder with built-in 2.7” multi-angle vivid widescreen LCD. Among of its main features include High Definition video lens, CMOS Sensor, DIGIC DVII, Super Range Optical Image Stabilization, Instant AF, Brilliant Video, 24p Cinema mode, 30p progressive Mode, and HDMI connectivity.

Features

The Canon VIXIA HV30 captures true 1080 High Definition resolution video in 16:9 format, using MiniDV cassette tapes. It lets user to choose either to record in High Definition or Standard Definition as well. Besides that, is built with a 10x HD Genuine Canon Optical zoom which built with high precision aspheric lens. It also features super spectra coating technology that results images with minimal flare and ghosting. the lens’ aspheric design reduces aberration and increases resolution, ensuring crisp, sharp video and enhancing the HD image quality. In addition, it is built with CMOS image sensor that delivers high quality image. The CMOS sensor is capable to produce high-resolution images at 1920 x 1080 resolution with full HD information in video images. Moreover, it comes with low noise technology that minimizes noise and other aberrations. It utilizes an RGB Primary Color Filter with Bayer Pattern that separates light into red, green and blue color components. It also delivers outstanding image in low light conditions. Additionally, it features DIGIC DVII with ensures optimal image quality for video and still images, as well as improved color reproduction. It allows continuous shooting of digital photographs and lets user to shoot five 3.1 megapixel still images per second and offers faster image processing. It features SuperRange OIS that is a combination of gyro- and image-sensors, which altogether correct r a wide range of camcorder motion. It comes with Instant AF (Auto Focus) that supports a dramatic improvement in auto focus speed and accuracy. It is built with a 2.7" Multi-Angle Vivid Widescreen LCD that features a hard coat AR surface and improved color reproduction. It offers variable zoom speed control that makes the camcorder suitable for amateur use. It features level and grid markers which let user to line up any horizontal lines, and lets user to compose shot accurately. Furthermore, it captures quality images even in low light. It features 24p Cinema Mode letting user to capture the same frame rate as movie film. With 30p progressive mode, it is useful for internet use footage. It also features Program AE mode.

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Review Summary

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Pros & Cons

  • great picture quality, great sound, comfortable to operate, great features, well designed
  • no ssd, manual focus dial loose, tape housing feels flimsy, a little bulky, tape based
  1. Canon VIXIA HV30

    Reviewer: PC Magazine
    02 February 2009
    Overall 8
    8.0
     

    Of the camcorders we've recently reviewed, there is only one whose image quality can rival our Editors' Choice Sony HDR-SR11 Handycam , and it's the Canon Vixia HV30 ($899 direct). So why doesn't Canon merit our coveted award? Operating a tape-based camcorder like the HV30 is a bit of a drag—it's sort of like using a VCR instead of a DVD player. You lose the ease of chapter menus for navigating through footage, and making backups to your hard drive occurs in real... Read more

  2. The HV30 records high-quality HD video to old-fashioned tape.

    Reviewer: PC World
    27 October 2008
    Overall 8
    8.0
     

    The mix of image quality, controls, frame-rate flexibility, and format compatibility makes the Canon HV30 camcorder a top choice--capturing first place on our comparison chart --for home movies and indie filmmaking. The HV30 may be one of the last tape-based consumer HD camcorders, but it's also one of the best HD camcorders, period. Read more

  3. First Look: Canon VIXIA HV30 HDV Camcorder

    Reviewer: ConnectReviews
    27 August 2008

    Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic. Or, if you don't have an RSS reader, subscribe to our email newsletter . Look what Mr. FedEx decided to deliver today: the brand new Canon VIXIA HV30 HDV camcorder. It has nearly the same internals as the HV20 we reviewed in February, but also has a few new things added to it. We’re a big fan of the new black design, we think it makes the camera look even more... Read more

  4. Canon HV30 Camcorder Review

    Reviewer: About.com
    27 July 2008

    Tape With MiniDV camcorders your video recording time is limited to the length or your tape. If you want to record an event longer than an hour you're going to have to carry along additional tapes, and switch them out mid-event which can make you miss important moments. Tapes are also more prone to malfunctions than hard disk or flash, and can easily be lost if you're recording an event on a few different tapes. Read more

  5. Canon VIXIA HV30 - HDV MiniDV HD Camcorder

    Reviewer: previewgadgets.com
    22 June 2008

    p Canon s VIXIA HV is the latest HD video camcorder offered by Canon corp While the Sony s new a title Permanent Link to Travel light with Sony world s smalles HD camcorder Sony HDR-TG rel bookmark href http www previewgadgets com gadget travel-light-with-sony-worlds-smalles-hd-camcorder-sony-hdr-tg Sony HDR-TG a is expensive luxury amateur camcorder HV is [...] Read more

  1. Mac users MUST use Firewire to connect camcorder to computer

    Reviewer: Amazon
    3 weeks ago
    Overall 4
    4.0
     

    Canon should be more clear about the compatibility of this camcorder with Mac computers. The video on the camcorder is quite clear and it seems to be a good enough camcorder, but the hassle of trying to figure out how to get it to work with my Mac computer has made it completely un-worth it. I wish I would have bought a cheaper, but easier to use camera. MAC USERS PAY ATTENTION HERE - I will say what Canon should clearly say but doesn't. Your Mac computer will not... Read more

  2. Very disappointed

    Reviewer: Buyzillion.com
    03 May 2009
    Overall 2
    2.0
     

    I purchased this HV 30 camcorder back in November and have been extremely disappointed with it for several reasons. Even though there is a jack for an external microphone, the camera doesn't recognize or record from it. I tried three different mics from different manufacturers and none worked. I finally had to buy the shotgun mic to get any decent sound from it. Next, the camcorder will not connect and transfer video footage to a PC; I have tried five different PC's ( 2... Read more

  3. VIXIA HV30 Camcorder

    Reviewer: Ritz Camera
    07 January 2009
    Overall 4
    4.0
     

    No, I would not recommend this to a friend Read more

  4. VIXIA HV30 Camcorder

    Reviewer: Chuck, CameraWorld.com
    07 January 2009
    Overall 4
    4.0
     

    No, I would not recommend this to a friend Read more

  5. Reviewer: Epinions
    27 December 2008
    Overall 4
    4.0
     

    I had many camcorders. For this price I expected alot more. After reading reviews I sold my JVC HD HDD camcorder because the HDD HD folks don't have their act together yet. However, the color of the 3 CCD is much better than this. I have had 3 3ccd ... Read more

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  3. Sony HDR-CX12
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  4. Canon VIXIA HG21 / iVIS HG21
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