Canon HV10 Camcorder Review

Scan Rates/24p (0.0)
The Canon HV10 has no scan rates other than its 1080/60i.

Other Features (7.5)
Image Effects - Image Effects are presets that allow you to apply a look to video or still images, and mirror those available on the Optura 600. On the HV10, they include Vivid, Neutral, Low-Sharpening, Soft Skin, and Custom. The Custom setting allows you limited control over brightness, contrast, sharpness, and color depth with three options available for each criteria: –, 0, and +.

Digital Effect - The Canon HV10 includes a thankfully limited number of digital effects.  There are two faders – fade to/from black and center wipe, and three effects:  black and white, sepia and art.  The art effect applies a look to the image reminiscent of paint effects in Photoshop.  We find it gimmicky, but your 12-year-old may find it a fun way to amuse her friends.

Video Light - The HV10 includes a small front-mounted LED video light.  With a small light like this one you won’t be able to record anything more than a few feet from the lens, but it’s a nice addition that not all camcorders have.  It’s also arguably more useful than other night modes like Sony’s infrared NightShot feature, since a simple video light maintains some color in the recorded image.

Optical Image Stabilization - The OIS (optical image stabilization) system on this camcorder is impressive – in fact it may be the best we’ve seen on a camcorder this compact.  In full telephoto mode with OIS engaged, its possible to hold a shot quite steady.  OIS systems are superior to the EIS (electronic image stabilization) systems found on most consumer camcorders because EIS systems sacrifice some image quality while OIS systems do not.