10 out of 10

Canon VIXIA HV30

Information found in: from 103 sources in 21 countries.

Best Price: $589

  • User Score (80)
    8.7 8.7 from 80 reviewers
  • Expert Score (14)
    8.5 8.5 from 14 reviewers
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Pros & Cons

  • great picture quality, comfortable to operate, great sound, well designed, generally excellent video quality
  • tape housing feels flimsy, manual focus dial loose, no significant software bundle, awkward to hold, unfriendly menus

Lowest Prices

US1 Camera In stock (PS) $589 GO
Amazon In stock (S) $592 GO
Abe's Of Maine In stock (PS) $598 GO

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Canon VIXIA HV30

Canon VIXIA HV30 weighs 1.2 lbs and measures (W x H x D) 3.5 x 3.2 x 5.4 in/88 x 82 x 138mm. The Canon VIXIA HV30 features a Full HD CMOS sensor and advanced DIGIC DV II image processor. Canon VIXIA HV30 captures true 1080 High Definition resolution video in 16:9 format, using MiniDV cassette tapes. The Canon VIXIA HV30’s true 16:9 wide screen HD image is made for new HD wide screen TVs. The VIXIA HV30 comes with High Definition video lens - a 10x HD Canon Optical zoom. This lens all…

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Canon VIXIA HV30

Canon VIXIA HV30 weighs 1.2 lbs and measures (W x H x D) 3.5 x 3.2 x 5.4 in/88 x 82 x 138mm. The Canon VIXIA HV30 features a Full HD CMOS sensor and advanced DIGIC DV II image processor. Canon VIXIA HV30 captures true 1080 High Definition resolution video in 16:9 format, using MiniDV cassette tapes. The Canon VIXIA HV30’s true 16:9 wide screen HD image is made for new HD wide screen TVs. The VIXIA HV30 comes with High Definition video lens - a 10x HD Canon Optical zoom. This lens allows users to record long shots, wide shots of beautiful landscapes and it comes with three pre-set zoom speeds. The Super spectra coating technology results in images with minimal flare and ghosting. And this lens aspheric design reduces aberration and increases resolution, ensuring crisp, sharp video and enhancing the HD image quality.

Canon VIXIA HV30 is also equipped with CMOS sensor which reproduces high-resolution images at 1920 x 1080 resolution with full HD information in video images. Canon’s DIGIC DV II image processor enables improved continuous shooting of digital photographs with the VIXIA HV30. Users can shoot five (3.1 Megapixel) still images per second, and enjoy faster processing of images to memory card (1.4x normal card; 2.5x Hi Speed card). It also helps lower power consumption for longer battery life. Canon VIXIA HV30 provides users with SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization technology. SuperRange OIS combines gyro- and image-sensors to give image stabilization through a wider range of camera motions. This camcorder also allows users to choose various types of modes such as 24p Cinema Mode and 30p Progressive Mode.

This camcorder ships with a BP-2L13 Battery Pack (with Terminal Cover), CA-570 Compact Power Adapter,STV-250N Stereo Video Cable,WL-D87 Wireless Controller, IFC-300PCU USB Cable, CTC-100/S Component Cable and a Digital Video Solution Disc for Windows and Macintosh.

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Manufacturer's Specs

Digital Video

  • Power Consumption
    TBA
  • Image Sensor
    1/2.7" CMOS Sensor, RGB Primary Color Filter
  • Total Pixels
    Approx. 2.96 Megapixels
  • Effective Pixels
    HD/DV (16:9) mode: Approx 2.07 Megapixels (1920 x 1080) DV (4:3) mode: Approx 2.76 Megapixels (1440 x 1080)
  • Maximum Recording Time (with an 80-min. cassette)
    SP: 80 minutes, HDV, DV. LP: 120 minutes DV
  • Lens
    Zoom Ratio: 10x Optical/200x Digital Focal Length: f=6.1-61mm Zoom Speed: Variable/3 Fixed Zoom Speeds Max. F/Stop: f/1.8-3.0mm (when tapes are used) Filter Size: 43mm
  • Focusing System
    Instant AF, Through the Lens/Manual Focusing Possible
  • Manual Exposure
    Yes
  • Programmed AE
    Auto, Program, Av, Tv, CINE, Portrait, Sports, Night, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Spotlight, Fireworks
  • Supported Playback Modes
    1080/60i, 1080/24p, 1080/30F, 1080/24F, 1080/30p

Review Summary

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The dramatic Canon VIXIA HV30 is the latest in our offering of HD camcorders, incorporating advanced features to bring knowledgeable and demanding videographers the ultimate in HD video and digital…

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  1. Canon VIXIA HV30 Review

    Reviewer: ConnectReviews
    27 August 2008
    Overall 9
    9.0
     

    Overall, the Canon VIXIA HV30 is a somewhat lacking upgrade over the HV20 but those who are looking for a great HDV camcorder should take a look at the HV30. Find it today at Amazon.com for just under $880 bucks. Read more

  2. Reviewer: Macworld
    17 June 2008
    Overall 8
    8.0
     

    by Brian Chen , Macworld.com Like what we saw happen to VHS technology when the DVD became popular, MiniDV tapes are gradually becoming a technology of the past. Most camcorder manufacturers are turning to tapeless storage media, such as a hard drive, memory card or DVD storage. Despite this trend, Mac users still encounter compatibility issues with tapeless camcorders, which is why we feel it’s important to continue reviewing MiniDV camcorders, like Canon’s new... Read more

  3. Reviewer: ComputerShopper
    16 June 2008
    Overall 8
    8.0
     

    Though not as cutting-edge as memory-card-based HD camcorders, the HV30 is particularly attractive if you're upgrading from a DV camcorder. Read more

  4. Reviewer: LAPTOP Magazine
    28 March 2008
    Overall 8
    8.0
     

    Rugged and easy to use, the Canon Vixia HV30 is a great choice for anyone looking for a high-quality camcorder. Read more

  5. Reviewer: Reviewed.com
    15 February 2008

    In the meantime, the HV30 is a worthy investment. If you can endure under the minor frustrations that come with tape recording, you’ll be rewarded with outstanding video quality. Read more

  1. Reviewer: BobCozzi, PCNation
    3 days ago
    Overall 10
    10
     

    The camera good looking in both appearance and picture quality. I also own the Prosumer Canon XH A1 with 3CCDs and the picture here is nearly as good. You can''t beat the input and output ports on this things, from HDMI, to COMPONENT, external Mic, and headphones adapters. This thing isn''t cheaped-out like a Sony when it comes to adapters. The record/pause button seems to be offset/in the wrong location, and instead they put the so called Joystick where the record/play... Read more

  2. Reviewer: Tiger Direct
    4 weeks ago

    After purchasing this camera, my wife, who holds a very respectable position at a university, and I, an engineer, had real difficulties understanding the vague manual. Then we tried to get a cable not supplied with camera, in order to download the video to the computer. Beware that you have to have a ''special'' connection, which is not on most computers. You may have to buy another video card to make the connection. The software that comes with the camcorder, appears to... Read more

  3. Professional HD quality without the professional price tag

    Reviewer: Buyzillion.com
    20 October 2008
    Overall 10
    10
     

    This year's version of last year's camcorder of the year ([...]) with a black paint job and the addition of 30p mode. Great camera. Pros: -Amazing quality HD video -Uses more common video format than the AVCHD of it's hard drive and flash memory siblings with less compression artifacting and more compatibility with current video editing software (AVCHD editing is very CPU intensive and resource hungry. IMPORTANT: Premiere Pro CS3 and earlier DO NOT support this format... Read more

  4. Exelent Vid Camera

    Reviewer: cookie puss, CameraWorld.com
    14 August 2008
    Overall 8
    8.0
     

    Great High Def consumer camera, only flaw is that the field of view is very tight indoors. An aftermarket lens solved that though. Read more

  5. Reviewer: peetyweety, CompUSA.com
    03 August 2008
    Overall 7
    7.0
     

    This camera is top notch in what it has to offer. The quality of the HDV, way surpasses the harddrive and sd card cameras. It goes to tape and that gives me peace of mind, in knowing I have my footage... and it not getting corrupted or lost because of drive failure. The issue is the actual construction of this thing. The door for the tape cartridge is loose. This is a flaw in the design of the camera. The CNET review shows it, and you'd think Canon would've done... Read more

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