Disappointing Upgrade to HV20 This new model appears very similar to the existing Canon HV20. From the spec sheet, the only difference appears to be:1) A "VIVID" LCD screen.2) A longer life battery3) Black Case Color instead of Silver.4) A Version "28" connection kit instead of Version "24" (?)5) 30p mode instead of 60i (? Unsure if this is correct as specs differ on various sites)6) ~$400 higher pricetagThe HV20 is a terrific HDV camera, but I think most people were expecting the upgrade to be even more terrific. Personally I don't think these upgrades warrant a new model number - Canon doesn't appear to have raised the bar with the HV30. Disappointing Upgrade to HV20 This new model appears very similar to the existing Canon HV20. From the spec sheet, the only difference appears to be:1) A "VIVID" LCD... » Read More Disappointing Upgrade to HV20 This new model appears very similar to the existing Canon HV20. From the spec sheet, the only difference appears to be:1) A "VIVID" LCD screen.2) A longer life battery3) Black Case Color instead of Silver.4) A Version "28" connection kit instead of Version "24" (?)5) 30p mode instead of 60i (? Unsure if this is correct as specs differ on various sites)6) ~$400 higher pricetagThe HV20 is a terrific HDV camera, but I think most people were expecting the upgrade to be even more terrific. Personally I don't think these upgrades warrant a new model number - Canon doesn't appear to have raised the bar with the HV30. « Show Less
1537829
Useful info for somebody (like me) who is searching for new HD camcorder.Thanks.
1537830
After 2 1/2 months the HV20 / HV30 difference is now only about $75 on Amazon.CNET has a very good review, written and video, they put on their site a couple weeks ago. They note that yes, this is a fairly minor upgrade to the HV20. But they felt Canon was smart to stay with the quality features of the HV20 while providing some minor enhancements. As a result they seem to have swapped out the HV20 for the HV30 as one of their editors' choices.
758150
I noticed the same thing with the Canon S3 vs the S5. $688 for the S3 when the S5 is going for $319-349 from most vendors?? Does NOT make sense. They must be trying to reel in some sucker who thinks the older model is "better" and "rare." Just not true with cameras these days.I have also noticed that the "Buy New" crossed-out prices on many cameras are just flat wrong. They are listed as selling for several hundred dollars more than the MSRP. Then the amazon price is a "save this much" price, when actually it is the SAME price as all of the other vendors charge. Almost seems like false advertising. I noticed the same thing with the Canon S3 vs the S5. $688 for the S3 when the S5 is going for $319-349 from most vendors?? Does NOT make sense. They must be trying to reel in some sucker who thinks the older model is "better" and "rare." Just not true with cameras these days.I have also noticed that the "Buy New" crossed-out prices on many cameras are just flat wrong. They are listed as selling for several hundred dollars more than the MSRP. Then the amazon price is a "save this much" price, when actually it is the SAME price as all of... » Read More I noticed the same thing with the Canon S3 vs the S5. $688 for the S3 when the S5 is going for $319-349 from most vendors?? Does NOT make sense. They must be trying to reel in some sucker who thinks the older model is "better" and "rare." Just not true with cameras these days.I have also noticed that the "Buy New" crossed-out prices on many cameras are just flat wrong. They are listed as selling for several hundred dollars more than the MSRP. Then the amazon price is a "save this much" price, when actually it is the SAME price as all of the other vendors charge. Almost seems like false advertising. « Show Less
1229970
I was wondering the exact same thing! I can't even confirm a purchase because of the color, I think they used to be blue and the new versions are black and grey on the site. But is Beach Camera (which is says they're shipping from) carrying an older model or this new color? :/
2087728
Have you received and tested out the M400? I'm also in the same boat--weighing the manual features of the S200 vs. the (possibly better?) video quality of the M400. I've scoured the net for initial reactions to the video performance of the HF M4 series and haven't found any as of yet. So, when you do test it out, please let us know your thoughts. Thanks!
781062
I don't think there is any difference. the "B" at the end usually refers to the color black Not sure what the "V" indicates. Could be just a difference in model # in different world markets. The REAL thing you need to keep in mind is the "X" in the model #. The H400 is different from the HX400. See Sony's website for the differences.
2087729
I actually tried the HF S200 and was disappointed with its low light performance, so I returned it and placed an order for the HF M400. I don't need all of the bells and whistles, and still photos are not a requirement for me for a video camera. I think their logic in using the pro sensor makes sense. I got the same response when I asked Canon. If you compare them side by side though, the only thing the HF M400 is missing is some of the manual controls, the ability to take high-quality still photos, and a larger display. Other than that, for pure video quality and low light performance, the HF M400 should come out on top (I hope). I actually tried the HF S200 and was disappointed with its low light performance, so I returned it and placed an order for the HF M400. I don't need all of the bells and whistles, and still photos are not a requirement for me for a video camera. I think their logic in using the pro sensor makes sense. I got the same response when I asked Canon. If you compare them side by side though, the only thing the HF M400 is missing is some of the manual controls, the ability to take high-quality still photos, and a larger display. Other than that, for pure video quality and low light... » Read More I actually tried the HF S200 and was disappointed with its low light performance, so I returned it and placed an order for the HF M400. I don't need all of the bells and whistles, and still photos are not a requirement for me for a video camera. I think their logic in using the pro sensor makes sense. I got the same response when I asked Canon. If you compare them side by side though, the only thing the HF M400 is missing is some of the manual controls, the ability to take high-quality still photos, and a larger display. Other than that, for pure video quality and low light performance, the HF M400 should come out on top (I hope). « Show Less
1891715
Gregory, I don't know if you are purchasing the Canon 20D camera body from the same person that I did. If so then this is what I think. After much research on the camera, I found it was the top of the line, of all cameras, when it first came out. The original price was up around $1800 and had more "bells and Whistles" on it than you could imagine. It was stated that it was in very good condition. When I got it in the mail, I found everything was sealed in its original wrappings and the manual's pages were not even bent. I really believe that it had never been out of the original box. It was in mint condition. I am using it strictly for astrophotography on my 3 large telescopes. It is performing flawlessly. I still had a couple of lenses from my old 35mm film camera, so I bought an adapter for the 20D so I could use the lenses. The photos are great. The 20D was made back in 2004, I believe, but it is far from being obsolete. It has a great range of speed and apertures and the ISO is very good. It even has an electronic noise reducer that gets rid of graininess when you go above 800 ISO. That works very well. Go for it. Ron
1105688
- Bigger lens and bigger sensor: 58mm instead of 37mm - New image sensor: 1/2.6", 8.5 million pixels (compares to 1/3.2" 3.3 million pixels). Brighter but potentially noisier given smaller pixel pitch - New DIGIC DV III image processor - 10x optical zoom (instead of 12x). However digital zoom 1.7x supposedly has no quality loss (due to high pixel count) - Pre-recording of 3 seconds (requires camcorder to be in standby mode) - Manual max gain controls: auto, 0,6,12,18dB - SMPTE color bars and test tone for calibration - Red, green or yellow peaking: highlight areas of the image that are in focus (also B/W option) - Zebra patterns 70 / 100 IRE (to indicate areas of overexposure) - Face detection technology - Video snapshot (shot recording intended for uploading to computer) - Custom dial. Assignable: exposure, focus (easier to control this way), assist functions, mic level, gain level - Left/right Mics on the sides of the camcorder. Pro: potentially better stereo seperation; cons: potentially you pick up more handling noises (slashcam.de measured slightly higher noise levels, no test on channel seperation) - Higher price: $1300 and $1100 (+$300). Prices go down normally after couple of months NOTE: copied from this thread: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1146246
832912
1. Although I haven't experienced it, the "excessively red" phenomena has been discussed a lot in "Sony Talk" forum at DPREVIEW website: Search for the term "oversaturation," at either dpreview or Google it (both lead to the same discussion thread: currently 50 entries). 2. The "Manual" that you referenced is merely a starter version, with little useful info (only 20 pages in English); instead, the "User Guide" is really extensive, and comes on CD with all HX100's inside the BOX. You can also access the online version of the CD (and save it to your computer), via Google search: "Sony HX100v user guide" (select the .pdf version, as most easily readable). It's 274 pages, but convenient to save to desktop and access as you need it: Read it in small chunks, practicing with the camera, and reading some more...I've read the .pdf version twice, and still refer to it. My best advice is to read the vast number of discussions at dpreview, in the "Sony Talk" forum, to LEARN from the largest collection of online owners of the HX100v: I read it daily for info on use of features, and to see photo examples of what others can do with this camera. The really avid new owner will go to the trouble of searching waaay back in Sony Talk, to discussion pages in June or early July, when the camera was still new...and vast numbers of discussions focussed on specific camera features. Think of it this way: Most everything that an HX100v newby faces has already been discussed at length at dpreview!
1564446
If you are anxious to get the HV20, check out B&H; Photo (bhphoto.com). I was surprised to see it, but they claim to have them in stock NOW.
1564445
Beware the Sony "cineframe" options -- they look terrible. I have a Sony HC3 and while it's a fine little camera in 1080i 60i mode, the pseudo-24p stuff looks awful.The HV20 promises TRUE 24fps recording, plus a cinematic gamma curve, plus OIS, plus manual audio level controls, plus better lowlight performance. I wasn't even planning on buying a new camera, but I'm buying an HV20. At $1099, it's a great deal!
903011
As of today, it actually costs a dollar less than $600 ;-) The bad reviews should maybe be reviewed too: Choppy videos are a consequence of HD shooting, not of the HF200, the software is poor but maybe that's because there is no need for any of it, hard disk or tape-based camcorders are totally obsolete nowadays, and too noisy anyway. The smaller sensor size compared to the much more expensive HF100 may or may not impact low light shooting (an objective comparison would be welcome), but there are also negative reviews about the HF100 low light quality. It might be a trade-off for the better optical and digital zoom. As for the review about non true progressive format, unless I misunderstand (I am no expert), this 60i format is just the internal format of the recording, and does not affect the capture or playback, which is 30p or 24p, depending on your set up. AVCHD seems to be supported throughout the whole editing/playback channel now, so the support issues encountered by the early AVCHD adopters are hopefully obsolete. We should look at the good points too, such as the movie mode (24p fps and movie color tone) which is rarely seen on consumer products at that price.
1375921
In fact, they are not recording the same quality, HG20 is a set ahead than HF100, 24Mbps against 17Mbps, resulting better quality. Can we see the difference? Who knows? But it's there...I aggre with you, HF100 feels cheap(in fact it's cheaper) but does not give the quality feel of HG20, it's not as ergonomic as HG20...HD part of HG20 lets you to handle it better, HF100 feels too small..But, are these enough to pay about 65-70$ more?
373211
I think the new model is the HTS-S360, which appears as "coming soon" on sonystyle.com. This new one looks cooler, in my opinion, and there are also a couple of improvements, obviously. I've been dying to get a component HT system to complement my PS3 & Bravia set up, and I was almost ready to purchase the 2300 when I decided (luckily) to check Sony's website. Since the new model is advertised to be only $350, I guess I'd recommend to wait for it, I know I will.
755914
One reviewer says Vixia HF G10 owners won't find much reason to upgrade to the G20. The biggest differences are price (the G20 lists for $1099, while the G10 was about $1500), and much-improved low-light capability. Otherwise they're reportedly almost identical. I can't compare based on my own experience, but I *love* my G20!
1604382
Hey guys, I am joining this conversation late, but I am looking for a VAD-HA for my H20 but the only one I found is one listed here on Amazon for $239. That seems steep, I've looked on ebay and other camera websites and no luck. If you know where I can find one let me know, thanks!
2079455
It's definitely a great camera and I too would replace it with the same. (I'm actually on my 3rd one - the last two purchased very used)Does anyone have a suggestions for the natural progression to the line?