Anyone here use a Sony HC3-9?

I've been shooting with a Sony HC90 miniDV for a few years. Its a great camera for SD. Now I'm looking to upgrade to a HDV -- either the Canon HV30 or Sony HC9. All the reviews (especially the one here) seem to like the Canon's image quality much better, but I tried one out in the store and really like the feel of the Sony better. The HC9 has a smoother zoom, seems like the OIS worked better and felt more natural in my hand. Even though some people think NightShot is gimmicky, I use it at once on every vacation (hunting for crabs at night, camp fires, etc). Does the HV30 offer anything similar?

So the big question -- is the Canon really that much better in terms of image quality and auto white balance on skin tones?

Secondly, I've read that videos with panning and active kids might look better in 60i rather than 30p. True? If so, the Canon's 30p isn't of great interest.

Thanks

I've been shooting with a Sony HC90 miniDV for a few years. Its a great camera for SD. Now I'm looking to upgrade to a HDV -- either the Canon HV30 or Sony HC9. All the reviews (especially the one here) seem to like the Canon's image quality much better, but I tried one out in the store and really like the feel of the Sony better. The HC9 has a smoother zoom, seems like the OIS worked better and felt more natural in my hand. Even though some people think NightShot is gimmicky, I use it at once on every vacation (hunting for crabs at night, camp fires, etc). Does the HV30 offer anything similar?

So the big question -- is the Canon really that much better in terms of image quality and auto white balance on skin tones?

Secondly, I've read that videos with panning and active kids might look better in 60i rather than 30p. True? If so, the Canon's 30p isn't of great interest.

Thanks

IMO Canon HV30/20 is currently the best consumer HD camcorder in the market. It has better image quality and offers different shooting modes (24p, 30p, 60i).

For your second question, it is not between 60i and 30p but 24p and others. Since 24p mode offers less frames per second fast panning is not so much suitable for this mode.

Canon doesn't offer a night mode like Sony but in regular low light shooting it is much better than sony.

...it is not between 60i and 30p but 24p and others. Since 24p mode offers less frames per second fast panning is not so much suitable for this mode.
Thanks for the reply. I have another post about the whole 30p vs 60i thing -- I'm learning (and need a camera next week in time to test it before a trip).

Canon doesn't offer a night mode like Sony but in regular low light shooting it is much better than sony.
And NightShot only accounts for <1% of my shooting, but a cool feature. Have you personally used a Sony and if so, which one? The review here much preferred the HV20/30 over the HC7/9, but that's only 1 opinion. Its not like I can test them out first hand with paying a hefty restocking fee for one!

One more thing, is Canon's OIS as good as Sony's?

Thanks for the reply. I have another post about the whole 30p vs 60i thing -- I'm learning (and need a camera next week in time to test it before a trip).


And NightShot only accounts for <1% of my shooting, but a cool feature. Have you personally used a Sony and if so, which one? The review here much preferred the HV20/30 over the HC7/9, but that's only 1 opinion. Its not like I can test them out first hand with paying a hefty restocking fee for one!

One more thing, is Canon's OIS as good as Sony's?

I can not compare them since I've never owned a Sony camcorder but I can tell you this much Canon's OIS is very good. It still does the job even if you zoom in all the way.