Canon HV20 HDV Camcorder Reviewby John NeelyPublished on Mar 26, 2007 5:00 PM 
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Comparison
Canon HV10 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $814)
The HV10 ($999 MSRP) is not just a pocket-sized HV20 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $903); it’s a missing some key features that put the HV20 in a separate class. For one, both camcorders have the same 1/27” CMOS sensor and Digic DVII processor, but the gain appears to have been boosted this year in low light, giving it an arguably better picture. The addition of the 24P mode gives the HV20 a huge advantage, more than doubling the sensitivity. That’s not the only major upgrade. The addition of a headphone jack and mic jack add another level of professionalism to the experience. And despite our complaints regarding the HV20’s slim zoom toggle, it’s still better than the HV10’s. For $100 more, you get a lot more with the HV20. It wouldn’t make sense to go for an HV10 unless you absolutely have to impress your friends by randomly pulling a camcorder out of your pocket and passing it around to gain points with everyone.
Sony HDR-HC7 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $1128.56)
This is the ultimate head-to-head challenge. The Sony HDR-HC7 ($1299 MSRP) had the makings of Camcorder of the Year: 1/2.9” CMOS sensor, microphone and headphone jacks, great handling, and a wealthy palette of manual controls, as well as a LANC jack for tripod or boom operation. But then along came the HV20: rear-mounted joystick, 1/2.7” CMOS sensor, and true 24P. What more could you ask for in a consumer camcorder? Yes, the HV20’s physical handling (that is, the hand held feel of the cam) is a bit on the lame side, and its construction feels cheaper than the HC7. The HC7 adds independent shutter speed and iris control, and a multi-function Cam Control dial. But the Cam Control dial is a mixed bag, and it’s easy to get lost in the jungles of the deep and wide touch screen menu. The HC7 features xvYCC color, but it is not yet supported and is another example of Sony tacking their name to an idea that will not help you on your next shoot.
Navigating the HV20’s menu via the rear-mounted joystick by contrast is as smooth as freshly churned butter. In addition, the HV20 has an accessory shoe that doesn’t require brand-specific compatibility – unless you want your accessories hot, that is – but we’ll take a Sanken CS-1 over Sony’s hot mic any day. You also get an onboard video light (but no commando-style NightShot) and MiniSD card slot as opposed to a Sony-proprietary Memory Stick Pro Duo. More to the point, the HV20 doesn’t offer up quite the level of control that Sony does, but it gives you what you need to get the shot, from Focus Assist to 3 lux low light performance in 24p. The choice should be clearer than a Windexed crystal. The HV20 may be stripped down, but it’s fast as hell, corners on a dime, and sets you back $200 less.
The big showdown, the Canon HV20 versus the Sony HDR-HC7
Panasonic HDC-SD1 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $1119.99)
We’re dealing with two different animals here. The Panasonic HDC-SD1 ($1299 MSRP) is a futuristic-looking AVCHD camcorder that prides itself on its minimalist design and state-of-the-art compression (that is so far impossible to edit). Of course, the SD1 certainly has some impressive features. It packs in 3 CCDs, a 12x optical zoom, and a 5.1 channel Dolby digital built-in microphone. The best part is that it records to SDHC cards. The HV20, although equipped with one large sensor, produces stunning video, has an accessory shoe, and gives you 24P. Since the HV20 is an HDV camcorder, it has a lower compression rate. What we’ve seen so far comparing HDV and AVCHD is noise: HDV is a much cleaner signal. This is a notable quality difference, and could also be what separates the point-and-shooters from the serious filmmakers. The SD1 compresses using the H.264 codec, which shows great potential, but it will take a while to boost its transfer rate. In the meantime, stick with a trusty HDV tape and save $200.
Canon XH A1 (Specs, Recent News, $3279.99)
You may be asking yourself why we even wasted the space. Well, the Canon XH A1 ($3999 MSRP) is the step-up model to the HV20. Look beyond the fact that the XH A1 is a ridiculously amazing prosumer HDV camcorder with three 1/3” CCDs, XLR terminals, killer low light performance, and more dials, buttons, and sliders than you could ever imagine. So, let’s talk about the video quality. The HV20 performed extremely well in bright light, rivaling the XH A1 with crisp lines and rich, balanced color. The ship sunk when it came to low light performance, but the HV20 displayed the best image a single 1/2.7” CMOS chip could offer against three menacing CCDs. The bottom line is this: if you have the cash, you’re going to pick up an XH A1. If you are on a strict budget, you will find solace in the fact that your independent film will still look great shot with an HV20 in 24P mode. Deployed judiciously, you might even find you can intercut B-roll shot on the HV20 with XH A1 A-roll.
Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters
Point-and-shooters will dig the HV20, but will most likely be drawn to the Panasonic HDC-SD1’s sleek design or the HC7’s brand name.
Budget Consumers
Budget consumers will wince at the $1099 price tag, but will soon be comforted by the fact that they are getting a big bang for their buck. One glance at the HC7’s price tag should rebound their eyes back to the HV20 and then over to the register.
Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid
When it comes to stills, the HC7 has the HV20 beat with a maximum resolution of 2848 x 1602. However, the HV20 has a MiniSD card slot instead of MemoryStick PRO Duo, which runs more expensive for the same capacity cards. The Canon HV20 also had more still features.
Gadget Freaks
The HV20 will intrigue gadget freaks with its HDV format and 24P mode. Other than that, it will take a lot more to impress the geek digging for technological gold.
Manual Control Freaks
Manual controls are right at your thumb on the HV20, and Canon provides enough to get the job done. However, the HC7 has a broader shutter speed range and a few more manual controls than the HV20. In that case, the average manual control freak will most likely seek out an HC7 or a manual control-rich Panasonic HDC-SD1.
Pros / Serious Hobbyists
The video quality and 24P mode is what sets the HV20 apart from all of the other camcorders in its price range. Budget pros might actually consider using the HV20 as a backup camcorder for recording B-roll or stunt cam shots. This is more than can be said for most camcorders in this price range.
Conclusion
The Canon HV20 is that rare camcorder that bursts onto the scene, and sets a new standard in its niche. This is not a perfect camcorder by any means, but it has an intelligently assembled set of features that make it a viable tool for professionals, as well as a stellar point-and-shooter for enthusiasts stepping up to HDV. The camcorder’s physical handling is just mediocre, and most people will find the top-end cams from Sony, Panasonic, and JVC rest more comfortably in their hand. Some basic controls are awkwardly placed, and the zoom rocker feels like a first draft that somehow made it into production. The HV20’s manual control suite is also far from the most robust, or independently adjustable on the market. Unlike Canon, the aforementioned manufacturers offer independent iris and shutter speed control on their HD cams, and Panasonic adds gain control to the mix.
What the Canon has that these other contenders do not is a manual control suite and interface that was designed from the ground up with the shooter in mind. A handful of key image controls are always quickly accessible in any Recording Program mode, including: focus via the dial; exposure, audio levels, End Search, iris (Av mode) and shutter speed (Tv mode) via the joystick; and white balance, Recording Program settings, and Image Effects at the top level of the menu. The HV20 adds Focus Assist at the touch of a button, which combines peaking and magnification, and makes manually focusing an HD image (on a 2.7” screen!) feasible. Once you’ve learned your way around the control interface, you’ll find controlling your image is nearly as fast as on a full-bore prosumer cam. You’re operating in a confined space on the HV20, and options are more limited, but the important features are eminently usable. Sony seems to have missed the forest for the trees by equipping the HC7 with great handling - and a terrific feature set that’s a pain in the neck to actually use.
There is room for improvement here, especially in the physical handling department, and if Sony’s next HDV effort takes the needs of the shooter into account, the HV20 may meet its match. JVC’s more expensive - but very intriguing - Everio HD7 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $1529) is another camcorder to watch closely, and it should make a splash when it hits the US market. But the HV20 is the camcorder of the moment. It works the way a DP thinks more than any other consumer today, and delivers video performance that belies it’s diminutive $1099 MSRP.