Canon Vixia HF200 --> HV20 and HV30

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doofalot

Active member
Hi,

I have been considering getting an HV20 or HV30 but I am finding they aren't around regular stores as much, having been replaced by the Vixia HF200.

Is the HF200 the replacement and does it have the same capabilities for filmmaking?

Could anyone tell me if there are advantages or drawbacks between the HF200 vs the HV20/30 and if I should be keeping an eye out for the 20 and 30?

Thanks
 
doofalot said:
Hi,

I have been considering getting an HV20 or HV30 but I am finding they aren't around regular stores as much, having been replaced by the Vixia HF200.

Is the HF200 the replacement and does it have the same capabilities for filmmaking?

Could anyone tell me if there are advantages or drawbacks between the HF200 vs the HV20/30 and if I should be keeping an eye out for the 20 and 30?

Thanks
Click to expand...
You need a faster computer to deal with the AVCHD files that the HF200 creates. The HV20/30/40 has a larger video sensor (less noise), full hotshoe, and multiple prosumer features that the HF200 does not.
 
The HV20/30 are replaced with the HV40. The HF200 is bad in low light, if you want cheap AVCHD cam look for last year's HF10/100/11.
 
doofalot said:
Hi,

I have been considering getting an HV20 or HV30 but I am finding they aren't around regular stores as much, having been replaced by the Vixia HF200.

Is the HF200 the replacement and does it have the same capabilities for filmmaking?

Could anyone tell me if there are advantages or drawbacks between the HF200 vs the HV20/30 and if I should be keeping an eye out for the 20 and 30?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Well the HV20/30 are older models and tape based. The HF200 is AVCHD and yes, it has everything the HV series has, except the HV40 can shoot true 24p. You can get the HF200 for $549 thru the end of the month which is a steal. Dont bother with the HF100 or the 08 models, they have the older Digic II processor. The HF200 features the new Digic III and its superior in every way to the II. You wont find a better camera under $600 than the HF200, go buy it.
 
Wow, I'm getting confused to hell and a headache trying to make head or tail of the differences between the HV20/30 and the new HV40 and the comparative possible benefits of the HF series...

For making something like "White Red Panic" are there any drawbacks to the reworked HV40 as opposed to its predecessors?
 
The differences between the 20/30/40 are all pretty small.

The HV30 and 40 are black and the HV20 silver. The HV30 added 30p and has a slightly improved zoom rocker.

The HV40 changed the way it handles 24p footage and made it easier in the editing process.

Other than those thing, the cameras are all pretty much the same and with produce identical footage.
 
I'm thinking about getting an HF200. They are so lightweight! And although HDV has been good to me, I must admit that the appeal of tape is wearing thin. Once you go tapeless it's hard to go back.

It's worth noting that the HF200 shoots 1920x1080 while the HV20 shoots HDV (1440x1080).

Costco has the HF200 on sale right now for $549.

(I'd really like to get a nanoFLASH for my HV20s, but am still working to convince the wife on that one... ;))
 
Sean Michael said:
I'm thinking about getting an HF200. They are so lightweight! And although HDV has been good to me, I must admit that the appeal of tape is wearing thin. Once you go tapeless it's hard to go back.

It's worth noting that the HF200 shoots 1920x1080 while the HV20 shoots HDV (1440x1080).

Costco has the HF200 on sale right now for $549.

(I'd really like to get a nanoFLASH for my HV20s, but am still working to convince the wife on that one... ;))
Click to expand...

I had the HF200 and took it back for the HF S100. The 200 was only great quality in optimal light. Anything too bright and it was a bit blown out looking, too dark and the noise was awful. Plus, the S100 has even more control, the custom dial and the gain control are welcome additions. It also has a bigger sensor, bigger lens (from the GL2) and 3 times more MP in the sensor.

Here is a screen grab from a low light video I show tonight with the S100. Only light was from 4 small track lights in the ceiling. This was in 30p with the gain set to 6db. As you can see, hardly a hint of noise. The 1/2.6 sensor and 58mm lens are the biggest you will find in a prosumer camera. Cant beat it for $899.

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/9816/camlowlight.jpg
 
mbell75 said:
I had the HF200 and took it back for the HF S100. The 200 was only great quality in optimal light. Anything too bright and it was a bit blown out looking, too dark and the noise was awful. Plus, the S100 has even more control, the custom dial and the gain control are welcome additions. It also has a bigger sensor, bigger lens (from the GL2) and 3 times more MP in the sensor.

Here is a screen grab from a low light video I show tonight with the S100. Only light was from 4 small track lights in the ceiling. This was in 30p with the gain set to 6db. As you can see, hardly a hint of noise. The 1/2.6 sensor and 58mm lens are the biggest you will find in a prosumer camera. Cant beat it for $899.

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/9816/camlowlight.jpg
Click to expand...

Yeah, I have the HF200 and you really do have to work around its noise issue (much moreso I think than any sort of blow outs). I picked the HF200 because I got it for 350 bucks off of a particularly shady character on Craigslist who would only agree to meet me at a mall.

But if you can qualify purchasing the HFS series you absolutely must do it. The HF200 is a great 24p (60i) full HD cam and beats just about every consumer cam out there for narrative work, but the HFS is a better cam (and priced accordingly), especially if you are doing anything where you aren't in complete control of the lighting.
 
I agree that the HFS100 is a superior cam (and you can get one now at B&H for $899 WITH extra battery & 16GB card, sweet deal). With that said, the HF200 may better suit my needs. Why? It's smaller, lighter, and I already have a 37mm Century Optics wide-angle adapter.

I have a Sony EX1 that I use for "primary" shooting, but there's nothing lightweight or discrete about the EX1. Basically I'm looking for a discrete lightweight tapeless camera that records quality 1080p 30p. I think the HF200 will be a very tidy package.

How wide is the HFS100 lens? Do you feel you need to add a wide-angle adapter?
 
well, sounds like the 200 will fit your needs then. Yes, the S100 needs a wide angle. I think just about every camcorder does, not nearly wide enough.
 
Yeah, I suspect that adding a wide angle (and a big battery) to the HFS100 will make it a little larger than what I was seeking. HF200 with wide-angle will be 18 ounces and very compact. I figure I'll give it a try (and return it if I'm not happy).

One factor to consider with these cameras is that the next crop of Canon camcorders is likely a few weeks away. Canon usually announces their new lineup in January. This year's announcement came on January 5.
 
Well, I bought an HF200 tonight and have spent an hour or two playing around with it.

A few first impressions:

I don't like:
-the off-center tripod mount
-the proprietary mini advanced shoe
-the vignetting with my Century wide-angle
-the AVCHD codec (I knew I wouldn't like it, but had to say it anyway)
-a few of the menu navigation quirks (probably b/c I'm so familiar with HV20 menus, but it seems easier to adjust audio levels & shutter speed on HV20)
-lack of viewfinder
-low light image is noisier than Time Square at noon ;)

I like:
-build quality (sturdier than HV20)
-weight (lighter than HV20)
-size (smaller than HV20)
-zoom rocker (better design than HV20)
-tapeless in camera review of shots
-15x optical zoom

I really wish they made these cameras with wider focal point lenses, because they require a wide-angle adapter -- and that greatly affects the camera ergonomics & function (blocking on camera light, IAF sensor, etc.). Believe it or not I have a little Panny Lumix point-and-shoot still camera that shoots surprisingly good 720P video in good light, and its lens is decently wide (28mm equivalent) from the factory.

I'd love to see Canon just make an HV40 without the tape mechanism. Call it the HV50, record to SDHC, and keep everything else the same. Who knows, maybe they will surprise us in 2010. ;)

I'm sorry to report that the dislikes outnumber the likes and the camera will probably be going back to the store. I'll give it another day, though. Maybe I am judging it too quickly.
 
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My local store didn't have the HF S100, but maybe I will give it a try. They say the HF200 is 98% of an HF S100, but that extra 2% goes a long way. ;) I think the larger sensor and lens of the HF S100 must help quite a lot.
 
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