Canon HV20 and Sony HDR-HC7

[reicherb]

I've got my camcorder quest narrowed down to either the Canon HV20 or the Sony HDR-HC7. I'd like the finally decision to be made by touching each of them buy can't find a B&M that carries either. So far I've been to BB and CC. As anyone fund either of them anywhere?

Thanks.

 

[GoingUp]

I've seen the HV20 in person at CC....

 

[reicherb]

hmm. They didn't have it in Flint, MI on Wednesday 1/23/08.

 

[GoingUp]

Originally posted by: reicherb
hmm. They didn't have it in Flint, MI on Wednesday 1/23/08.

I saw it in Shelby Township CC back right before Christmas.

 

[Kaido]

You don't need to compare. Just buy an HV20

I had the HC7 but the HV20 is just soooo much better. The HC7 has slo-mo and night-vision, but the HV20 has better low-light performance and the 24p mode is AMAZING. The PQ looks better overall imo. I'm writing a big post about it actually, I'll link it later.

Update: Here you go:

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2147163&enterthread=y

 

[reicherb]

Very nice post.

How does the HV20 compare to the HC7 in your hand? Everything I read seems to indicate the HC7 feels much nicer. That's my only concern.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: reicherb
Very nice post.

How does the HV20 compare to the HC7 in your hand? Everything I read seems to indicate the HC7 feels much nicer. That's my only concern.

They are about the same size, but the Sony HC7 feels like it has a stronger body. The HV20 feels like more or less your average plastic camcorder. Don't misinterpret that, though - the HV20 still has a solid body. You going skydiving or something, is that why that's of concern?

I like the ergonomics of the HV20 better because the right side where you put the tape in and wrap your hand around is about 1/4" larger and slightly rounded so it fits your hand nicer. It also has a very lightweight, which is suprising. You'll open the box and be like, this can shoot great HD?! It's really a very tiny camera. Also the strap is adjustable (velcro), which is really nice (a lot of cameras just have a strap with no way to adjust it to fit your hand). I shot my sister-in-law's wedding last month and it was nice being able to adjust it to fit my hand using a glove when we did outside shots.

To re-emphasize my post, be sure to get a Firewire cable, some MiniDV tapes and a cleaner tape, and absolutely, positively buy a 43mm UV lens. Those are pretty much your basic requirements. I would also suggest picking up a MiniSD card; I don't use mine that much but sometimes if you need to snap a pic with the built-in camera it's nice to have.

 

[gsellis]

Each have their own quirks. I have a HC-7, but for the price, the HV-20 kicks butt. The only time I would try to steer you differently is if you are doing extreme POV video. The HV-20 and HC-7 have an OIS that is less than suitable. In that case, use the HC-5 if you plan on doing helmet cam or roll-bar mounts.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: gsellis
Each have their own quirks. I have a HC-7, but for the price, the HV-20 kicks butt. The only time I would try to steer you differently is if you are doing extreme POV video. The HV-20 and HC-7 have an OIS that is less than suitable. In that case, use the HC-5 if you plan on doing helmet cam or roll-bar mounts.

1. Turn off OIS
2. Use SmoothCam filter in FCP
3. Problem solved

Sample 1
Sample 2
Sample 3
Sample 4
Sample 5

The only downside, aside from processing time, is that it cuts down your resolution because it analyzes the image for stability and chops off edges to compensate. But since the HV20 is a 1080 camera, you can chop it down to 720 and still get great resolution

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: gsellis
Each have their own quirks. I have a HC-7, but for the price, the HV-20 kicks butt. The only time I would try to steer you differently is if you are doing extreme POV video. The HV-20 and HC-7 have an OIS that is less than suitable. In that case, use the HC-5 if you plan on doing helmet cam or roll-bar mounts.

1. Turn off OIS
2. Use SmoothCam filter in FCP
3. Problem solved

Sample 1
Sample 2
Sample 3
Sample 4
Sample 5

The only downside, aside from processing time, is that it cuts down your resolution because it analyzes the image for stability and chops off edges to compensate. But since the HV20 is a 1080 camera, you can chop it down to 720 and still get great resolution

I use Mercalli when I need it. It absolutely rocks.

This is stock with no stablization in this thread
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=105224

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: gsellis
I use Mercalli when I need it. It absolutely rocks.

This is stock with no stablization in this thread
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=105224

It's so amazing what you can do at home nowadays...I've been studying digital music this past week (MIDI and whatnot) and found an interview with a couple of professional musicians/digital mixers...they were showing off a MacBook hooked up to a MIDI/USB keyboard with some mixing controls and were explaining how just a few years ago this setup would have literally cost $1 million, now available for just a few hundred dollars to any average joe on the street. Amazing!

 

[reicherb]

Thanks guys. Looks like we have a winner.