Testseek.com have collected 34 expert reviews of the Canon Vixia / Legria HV30 and the average rating is 85%. Scroll down and see all reviews for Canon Vixia / Legria HV30.
April 2008
(85%)
34 Reviews
Average score from experts who have reviewed this product.
Users
(84%)
15 Reviews
Average score from owners of the product.
85010034
The editors liked
Excellent image quality
Lots of manual controls
Good price for the feature set
Amazing color and sharp detail
Great focus especially with Focus Assist button
Cinema mode for a more movie feel
Ease of use
Great price for HDV camcorder
Sub $1000 range.
Compact
Attractive price-to-performance ratio
Universal digital editing format.
Excellent video quality. Good sound quality. Option to record in 24 progressive frames per second to create a film-like effect.
High-quality video in most light
Intuitive and sturdy design
Brilliant LCD
MiniDV format means compatibility with lots of editing solutions
Full-size HDMI port
24p and new 30p modes
Sleek design
Good video quality
Above-average low-light performance
Uses inexpensive miniDV tapes
Plays DV camcorder recordings
Generally excellent video quality
Solid feature set for its class
Well designed
Shoots stellar high-definition video with vividly accurate colors
Smooth motion
Includes microphone jack and accessory shoe
User friendly.
Easy to archive and edit HDV footage
Bright
Colorful video quality
The editors didn't like
Not very ergonomic
Mic picks up vibration
No dedicated headphone jack. The A/V plug is also the headphone jack so you can only use one at a time
Not true 24P but 60i with 3
2 pulldown
Small view finder.
Lower sensitivity
Built-in microphone placement
Autofocus can be fooled at times.
Menus and backup can be a drag. Video-editing software is not included.
Noise and focus difficulty in low light
No significant software bundle
Eyepiece not moveable
Larger than solid-state camcorders
HDV has lower horizontal resolution than true 1080p units
Canon has clearly heeded the cliché ‘if it ain't broke, don't fix it' with the HV30. Its predecessor was a great camcorder for serious video makers with less than £1,000 to spend. Now the HV30 can proudly take over its place. This could be the last great ...
Abstract: A little over a year ago, Canon introduced the HV20 HDV camcorder, and it was a huge success. Just around 4 months ago Canon introduced the VIXIA HV30, a small step-up from the HV20 with only a couple of new additions. Is it worth upgrading from the HV...
High-quality video in most light, Intuitive and sturdy design, Brilliant LCD, MiniDV format means compatibility with lots of editing solutions, Full-size HDMI port
Noise and focus difficulty in low light, No significant software bundle
Canon’s new MiniDV-based Vixia HV30 is a slight upgrade from the HV20, adding a 30p progressive shooting mode and compatibility for the company’s new high-capacity batteries. At 1.2 pounds, the camera build is rugged and easy to use, but its a...
Abstract: Video Review: Are you a friend to the Earth? Then check out GCycle... its G4s new initiative to try and get you to be a better person and recycle tech stuff!Canon HV30You dont realize how much easier it is to use until you use a lot of other camcor...
Was this review helpful?
-
Published: 2008-02-25, Author: Lori , review by: cnet.com
Generally excellent video quality; solid feature set for its class; well designed
Tape housing feels a bit flimsy; fixed eye-level viewfinder needs a better eye cup; manual focus dial a bit loose
An extremely minor upgrade from the HV20, the Canon Vixia HV30 remains a quality HDV camcorder with a couple of performance issues.
Abstract: The Canon HV30, like its predecessor, the HV20, is a very strong camcorder. The HV20 was praised, above all, for its video performance in both bright and low light. That much has remained true. The imaging system is identical. Unless the competition ha...
Performed excellently in low light, 25p Cine mode, unique and arresting design, extensive audio options
MiniDV is a dying format, may prove a bit bulky for some The Final Word Despite its reliance on an outdated format, the Canon HV30 is a superior high-def camcorder that offers exceptional value for money. If you can get over your anti-tape prejudice an...
Despite its reliance on an outdated format, the Canon HV30 is a superior high-def camcorder that offers exceptional value for money. If you can get over your anti-tape prejudice and embrace MiniDV, this model will deliver on every level.
Like the warm sound of a vinyl LP, HDV videotape still sets the gold standard for High Def shooting. There isn’t a trace of jerkiness or digital artefact in the HV30’s rich, natural video, and detail is particularly precise through the gleamin...
The HV30 looks like a wallowing whale compared to today’s porpoise-thin digital rivals, and tape will always be slower to start and stop than Flash technology. It’s louder, too: a fair bit of running noise intrudes on quieter recordings. You&r...
With one foot in the past, one in the future and one in the grave, the HV30 has at least 50 percent more feet than most people will need. But if you want an impressive High Def camera that can also handle yesterday’s movies, it’s a safe, heavy...
