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8.1 out of 10

Canon HV40

 

Information found in: from 102 sources in 19 countries

Great Deal: $649.00

  • User Score (266)
    8.6 8.6 from 266 reviewers
  • Expert Score (7)
    8.3 8.3 from 7 reviewers
  • Design (3)
    8.4 8.4 from 3 reviewers
  • Value for money (6)
    7.4 7.4 from 6 reviewers
  • Video quality (3)
    9.7 9.7 from 3 reviewers
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  • Score Distribution

Experts:
9-10
(3)
7-8
(3)
5-6
(1)
3-4
(0)
1-2
(0)
Users:
9-10
(140)
7-8
(84)
5-6
(24)
3-4
(6)
1-2
(8)

  • Expert Reviews

  1. Camcorder Info

    Camcorder Info
    3 November 2009

    The tape-based HV40 ($999 MSRP ) isn’t exactly a flashy, cutting-edge camcorder from Canon. It is one of only a few HDV models—from any manufacturer—that’s new for 2009, but it represents only a minor upgrade over last year’s HV30. These improvements include a native-progressive 24p mode as well as some slight design alterations. This review is organized into 12 pages Page 1 Product Tour Read More... Page 2 Design Read More... Page 3 Performance Read More... Read more

  2. REVIEW STREAM

    REVIEW STREAM
    8.0/10
    2 November 2009

    The camcorder’s jaw dropping color sensitivity will make your movies more vivid. The 1080i up-scaling makes it not likely to go obsolete till next five years (never heard of something beyond 1080 either). I will recommend using a camera-stand if you want to make serious videos. The camera has numerous picture modes each as signature of canon ’s technology. Read more

  3. PC Advisor

    PC Advisor
    9.0/10
    10 January 2009

    In essence the Canon Legria HV40 is a tweaked version of last year's Canon HV30 with some minor extras thrown in, including native 24p recording and a multipurpose Custom Key on the side of the lens barrel. As product refreshes go, it's pretty nominal stuff - which makes the price markup more than a bit cheeky. Nevertheless, if you require a tape-based camcorder for serious videography, the Canon Legria HV40 is unquestionably the best performer on the market. Read more

  • User Reviews

  1. canon hv40

    Amazon
    10/10
    Reviewer: matt, Amazon
    6 January 2012

    This is the best camera i have owned and lets you use prosumer features when it is a consumer camera. If you have a small budget I would definitely recommend this camcorder. Read more

  2. "Good quality video, nice stills, Good for the price."

    CNET
    8.0/10
    Reviewer: mefilm, CNET
    1 September 2011

    If you don't need the speed of flash memory when transferring your footage to a PC and can put up with the slightly shoddy build quality, but still want a cheap camcorder that records quality HD video, then just go out and buy this camcorder. I own this camcorder and think it is very good for the price, it records very good quality High Definition footage and is cheap for the quality pictures it can produce. Read more

    • Mini DV tapes are cheap and reliable, produces good quality HD recordings, on board mic is not bad, menu setting are ok and work well, Good still pictures, small and e...
    • Mini DV tape takes as long to put onto a computer before editing as it does to record (flash memory like SD cards import to a PC much more quickly). Build quality is n...

  3. Great Value and Quality

    ABT Electronics
    10/10
    Reviewer: Creelster, ABT Electronics
    18 December 2009

    This is the best high defenition consumer grade comcorder on the market. If you have HDTV equipment this is the camera for you. In addition, it is compatible with imovie, which is the movie editor that comes free with all mac computers. Tape storage is better than the hard disk or solid state storage used on many other models. Read more

    • Compatability, Easy To Use, Good Interface With Camcorder, Improves Performance, Lightweight, Quality Construction, Unlimited tape storage

  4. Don't know why they discontinued this line up. It's an amazing HD Camcorder

    Ebay
    10/10
    Reviewer: fashionista12705, Ebay
    24 December 2011 See Product at eBay ($799.00)

    I bought this product to use for an independent movie I wanted to make. I did a lot of research and found that the HV40 was going to fit best within my budget and needs. It came through for me. Still using this but so far, everything I wanted was within this camera, and more importantly (for an amateur such as myself) what needed to be achieved was done so with ease. I don't know why they discontinued this series of camcorders because it was a great camcorder. Read more or see product

  5. The Quality of HDV

    OneCall
    8.0/10
    Reviewer: Mike, OneCall
    19 October 2009

    Over all good Camcorder, No Real performance improvement over the HV30 or even the HV20, manual focus ring would be great, placement of mic generate wind noise, poor quality in low light situations, great picture out door. Read more

    • Easy To Use, Good Interface With Camcorder
    • No Performance Improvement

  • WikiFreak Description

Canon VIXIA HV40

The Vixia HV40 was launched by Canon in March 2009. It is the successor to the models, HV20 and HV30. It retains Canon’s core imaging technologies and at the same time, adds a new selection of features for image quality purposes. This camcorder utilizes HDV tapes. It features a 2.96 megapixel HD CMOS Image Sensor and a Canon 10x HD Video Lens. For recording purposes, it can capture in 24p Mode that captures 24 progressive frames per second. Additional features include Instant AutoFoc…

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Canon VIXIA HV40

The Vixia HV40 was launched by Canon in March 2009. It is the successor to the models, HV20 and HV30. It retains Canon’s core imaging technologies and at the same time, adds a new selection of features for image quality purposes. This camcorder utilizes HDV tapes. It features a 2.96 megapixel HD CMOS Image Sensor and a Canon 10x HD Video Lens. For recording purposes, it can capture in 24p Mode that captures 24 progressive frames per second. Additional features include Instant AutoFocus, SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization and 24Mbps Recording, which is known to be the highest bit rate in AVCHD. "Canon’s latest camcorder lineup features an exciting new array of advanced technologies that deliver superb image quality and easy operation," said Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. "These new camcorders are available in a variety of recording formats, providing consumers a camcorder choice that complements any lifestyle or situation."

Features

Features included are a 200x digital zoom, Instant AutoFocus, SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization, a 2.7-inch display and HDMI terminal. The Canon Face Detection Technology that can detect up to 35 faces is featured. With that feature, nine detection frames can be displayed at one time. There’s the add-on feature, Custom Key Mode that will enable consumers to assign commonly used functions to a single button on the camcorder for easy access. This camcorder employs Canon’s proprietary DIGIC image processor. Also onboard are the 2.96 Full HD CMOS image sensor and a 10x zoom lens. This camcorder has been noted to increase flexibility by offering you support for both HD and SD storage mediums. Other notable features are 24p/30p modes for video recording, built-in 3.1MP camera, 2.7-inch Multi-Angle Vivid Widescreen LCD, HDMI terminal, easier photo management and sharing.

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  • Manufacturer's Description

The Canon VIXIA HV40 is one of the latest additions to our large family of HD camcorders. For those seeking the ultimate in HD video quality, we bring a host of Canon Exclusive features you won’t find anywhere else - from our own 2.96 Full HD CMOS image sensor and advanced DIGIC DV II image processor, delivering breathtaking detail and the best in color reproduction, to SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization and Instant Auto Focus to give you the ultimate control dema…

Specifications

  • Standard Definition or High Definition
    High Definition
  • Power Consumption
    4.3 W
  • Television System
    NTSC
  • Video Recording system
    MPEG2
  • Image Sensor
    1/2.7-inch CMOS, RGB Primary Color Filter
  • Total Pixels
    Approx. 2.96 Megapixels
  • Effective Pixels
    Tape: HD/DV (16:9) mode: Approx 2.07 Megapixels (1920x1080) DV (4:3) mode: Approx 1.55 Megapixels (1440 x 1080) Card: (16:9) mode: Approx. 2.07 Megapixels (1920 x 1080), (4:3) mode: Approx. 2.76 Megapixels (1440 x 1080)

Release Date

  • First seen
    12 May 2008

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