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Canon HV30 / HV30E

Canon HV30 / HV30E
Canon HV30 / HV30ECanon HV30 / HV30ECanon HV30 / HV30ECanon HV30 / HV30ECanon HV30 / HV30ECanon HV30 / HV30ECanon HV30 / HV30ECanon HV30 / HV30ECanon HV30 / HV30ECanon HV30 / HV30E
alaScore 90

524 reviews

Apr, 2024

alaTest has collected and analyzed 524 reviews of Canon HV30 / HV30E. The average rating for this product is 4.3/5, compared to an average rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders for all reviews. Reviewers really like the design and portability. The price and image quality also get good opinions, whereas there are some critical comments about the viewfinder and battery. Views about the durability and size are mixed.

usability, image quality, price, portability, design

battery, viewfinder

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Camcorders the Canon HV30 / HV30E is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 90/100 = Excellent quality.

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Review analysis

(Based on 524 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (56% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (28% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (7% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (4% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (5% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

usability
  Show positive (70%)Show negative (30%)(Show all)
image quality
  Show positive (83%)Show negative (17%)(Show all)
price
  Show positive (66%)Show negative (34%)(Show all)
portability
  Show positive (82%)Show negative (18%)(Show all)
size
  Show positive (54%)Show negative (46%)(Show all)
durability
  Show positive (48%)Show negative (52%)(Show all)
design
  Show positive (90%)Show negative (10%)(Show all)
reliability
  Show positive (70%)Show negative (30%)(Show all)
color
  Show positive (96%)Show negative (4%)(Show all)
zoom
  Show positive (67%)Show negative (33%)(Show all)
battery
  Show positive (23%)Show negative (77%)(Show all)
viewfinder
  Show positive (20%)Show negative (80%)(Show all)
connectivity
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
memory
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
More features

Showing 464 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

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Showing 1 - 379 of 464 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (59)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Canon HV30 / HV30E

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 36 user reviews of Canon HV30 / HV30E from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.5/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.co.uk. Views about the connectivity and design are on the whole positive. The portability and image quality also get good comments, but the size and durability get negative views.

usability, image quality, portability, design, connectivity

price, durability, size

94% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Canon HV30 / HV30E

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 333 user reviews of Canon HV30 / HV30E from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.2/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.9/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.com. People really like the design and portability. The image quality and price also get good views. The battery and durability get mixed comments, and many are critical about the viewfinder.

usability, price, image quality, portability, design

viewfinder

89% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : PJ Jacobowitz (pcmag.com)

Canon Vixia HV30

 

The Canon Vixia HV30 shoots Editors' Choice–quality video, but it loses points for operating and software downfalls.

Excellent video quality. Good sound quality. Option to record in 24 progressive frames per second to create a film-like effect.

Menus and backup can be a drag. Video-editing software is not included.

More Camcorder Reviews: • Ricoh Theta SC• Vuze VR Camera• Samsung Gear 360 (2017)• Giroptic iO• YI 4K+• more

Feb, 2009
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Expert review by : PJ Jacobowitz (pcmag.com)

Canon VIXIA HV30

 

Of the camcorders we've recently reviewed, there is only one whose image quality can rival our Editors' Choice Sony HDR-SR11 Handycam, and it's the Canon Vixia HV30 ($899 direct). So why doesn't Canon merit our coveted award? Operating a tape-based...

Excellent video quality. Good sound quality. Option to record in 24 progressive frames per second to create a film-like effect

Menus and backup can be a drag. Video-editing software is not included

The Canon Vixia HV30 delivers excellent video quality, though recording video to miniDV tape feels low-tech and slows down your operation.

Feb, 2009
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Expert review by : Jim Feeley (pcworld.com)

Canon Vixia HV30

 

Canon's tape-based Vixia HV30 camcorder ($1000 as of September 28, 2008) combines the aging medium with modern image processing to lay good-looking HDV video onto inexpensive MiniDV tapes.

Easy to archive and edit HDV footage ; Bright, colorful video quality

Bulky compared to tapeless camcorders ; Nonstandard accessory shoe

The HV30 records high-quality HD video to old-fashioned tape.

Oct, 2008
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Expert review by : Lori Grunin (cnet.com)

Canon Vixia HV30 review: Canon Vixia HV30

 

Canon Vixia HV30

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.

Feb, 2008
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Expert review by : David Kender (camcorderinfo.com)

Canon HV30 Camcorder Review

 

The Canon HV30 ($999 MSRP) is the replacement model for the much celebrated HV20, winner of our 2007 Camcorder of the Year award, along with three other awards. Canon has decided not to mess with a winning formula too much. The small list of upgrades...

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...

Jan, 2008
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Expert review by : Darren R Wiczek (microfilmmaker.com)

Canon HV30

 

Let's face it. If money was of no concern you would simply go out and buy the best camera on the market. But if you're like me and auctioning off things you hope you no longer need to get enough money together to buy one then this article is for you....

To sum up the Canon HV30 it scores at the top of my list for included features, quality of picture, ease of use getting through menus. On the negative side would be the size of the display. Another nice upgrade in the future would be the option to flip...

Feb, 2011
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Expert review by : Greg Robinson (videomaker.com)

Camcorder Review Canon Vixia HV30 HDV Camcorder

 

The HV30 is a good camera. It captures really good images for its category. And, even though it isn't tiny, it will fit nicely in a small bag or even an oversized coat pocket

Excellent image quality Lots of manual controls Good price for the feature set

Not very ergonomic Mic picks up vibration

Pretty pictures and good flexibility. Great consumer camera.

Oct, 2008
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Expert review by : Brian Chen (macworld.com)

Review: Canon Vixia HV30 high-definition camcorder

 

In a world where consumer Mini DV camcorders are being phased out, the HV30 is easily a top choice. The camcorder's impressive feature set and superb video quality should cater to both advanced and amateur video makers.

The camcorder is well designed, for the most part. The HV30’s four-directional joystick is sturdy and sensitive, making it easy to navigate through the settings menu with your thumb. A convenient plastic cover protects the HV30’s Firewire and HDMI...

Jun, 2008
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Expert review by : John Pastor (connectreviews.com)

Canon VIXIA HV30 Review

 

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...

Exceptional video quality ; New non-solarizing LCD screen ; 30P progressive mode for internet video

Not a big improvement over the HV20

The VIXIA HV30 is nearly identical to the HV20, so instead of focusing on what's the same we'll be focusing on what's new.

Apr, 2008
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Expert review by : John Pastor (connectreviews.com)

First Look: Canon VIXIA HV30 HDV Camcorder

 

Look what Mr. FedEx decided to deliver today: the brand new Canon VIXIA HV30 HDV camcorder. It has nearly the same internals as the HV20 we reviewed in February, but also has a few new things added to it. We're a big fan of the new black design, we...

The older HV20 is still available for lower prices, which makes the HV30 a so-so upgrade. We expect the same excellent video quality that the HV20 delivered or even better, but we haven't had the chance to test it out just yet. Keep an eye out for our...

Mar, 2008
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Price comparison for Canon HV30 / HV30E

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