I love Canon, but I also fail understand their logic sometimes...

My HV20's HDMI/HDV cover could have been designed
better... It doesn't move out of the way when you open
it... By comparison, the Sony HC7 that I returned had
a much better HDMI cover, which opens and then rotates
out of the way.

Same deal with the hotshoe cover. The HV20's cover is
just a piece of plastic. It can get lost quite easily... The
HC7's hotshoe cover is attached via a small piece of rubber.

Other than that, I love the HV20 very much.

Your comments seem inline with the criticisms from camcorderinfo's review of the unit as well. They were mostly positive about the camera, but knocked it on the basics like the covers, view finder etc...

I'm still waiting for mine to arrive, so I'll just have to be jealous of the rest of you.

--Steve

What you expect for $1099?

Does what it says it does

Yes it fits the bill, but it's not exactly like making them more "robust" or usable would add $100 to the price of the camera. Even if it did, it would certainly still be more than worth it. Like camcorderinfo said, the top piece could easily have been designed on a hinge to swing towards the tape without interferring with anything. Cost, a few bucks, if that..

like I said, I love my HV20. It's not as well made as the
Sony HC7. The material on the HV20 makes it feel cheap
and toy-like. The HC7 is very solid with a more metallic
body.

However, I decided on the HV20 because it produces a
much better video and still images, especially in low-light
situations.

I buy camcorders based on how much the video quality
impresses me... I don't buy it to impress the people
standing next to me while I'm shooting videos. Heck,
I have my XH A1 for that purpose.

Pretty much the same reason I'm chosing the HV20 over the HC7. Image quality over the camera's physical appearance any day.

..it isn't a pro cam and doesn't try to look like one. This is a great feature for shooting narrative in public spaces without permits and crossing borders. Wow, Canon must have read my mind. I'm glad they kept the price low as consumers will buy it and the more buyers, the more software support. I will also consider getting a higher end Canon if one comes out with the same PF24 mode, otherwise I'll rent on the mid to higher end as there are so many great choices like the HVX200 or the HD110, soon the Red etc.
Regards, Alan

I agree with Alan... I love the low profile form factor of the HV20. It attracts little attention in public, also a boon for documentary shooters. My ideal camera would provide maximum quality along with maximum portability -- the HV20 certainly appears to fit the bill.