Worth buying HV30?
 

I don't have a camera yet but my father is looking to replace an old sony handycam, I was suggesting he wait and purchase the hv30 once it came out.

I know its a small thing, but having used the Hv20 before I know he wouldn't like the zoom toggle, it's just far too small and he likes to use a camera on family trips.

Any insights?

The HV30 will probably be a good $300 more than what you can get the HV20 for right now, so it depends on how much you feel that he would like the new toggle and the 30p feature. I won't be trading my HV20 in for one, but if I didn't have a camera, I might be inclined to pay the extra and go for the HV30.

I think the HV20 supply will be drying up pretty soon anyway.

30 FPS progressive at 1080P is a pretty nifty feature, shouldn't be underestimated as it means the footage will be at higher res than 60i that's been deinterlaced. In my opinion, it also allows for a nifty 'pro' feel that sets it apart from 'regular' 60i footage.

In the past, using Panasonic 'frame-mode' DV cameras, it gave the footage a nice feel that viewers enjoyed - cinematic, without being a stuttery 24P.

The price difference between the HV20 and HV30 is almost enough for me, an HV20 owner, to justify selling mine as a used camera and upgrading. 30P won't need any post-processing to become get past 3:2 pulldown, which makes it ideal for many situations.

Also, the black camera will work better if you own other pro (black) gear and will look a tad less consumerish. For me, and for other owners of 35mm adapters, an HV30 will fit better as it'll be black like the rest of the gear (lens, adapter, carbon rails, matte box are all black).

HV20 is a steal.. either one is great, Abram.

Thank you for the responses guys, I think that due to the fact I/we don't have a camera at all right now, the HV30 might be worth it indeed. My father absolutely doesn't want to buy a prosumer/pro-grade camera purely because of the physical size and complexity. I however DO want something of that level, as I'm a professional Photographer who's wanting to get into video now.

I'm going to worry about getting a camera like that for myself later on, this first conquest is for my dad. So will the HV30 be a more beneficial unit overall?
I do agree about it being a black-body camera. Same reason I own a black macbook instead of a white one ;). It would go well with my Canon SLRs ;)

Yes, more options. I hear you about the black look!

Don't forget, too, that the HV30 will take the new high-capacity battery which is no small thing. One of my few gripes with the HV20 is the need to carry a pocketful of batteries and a couple of extra chargers when I travel.

I think the price of the HV30 will drop even before it gets into the shops.

I hadn't even heard of that. Hmm, that's good then. I own two batteries with my HV20 - the stock, and the higher-cap one, and they're still often not enough.

While the HV20's zoom toggle isn't great, it's usable. I have fat fingers and I've never really had a problem getting the zoom action I wanted. I would prefer to have the HV30's toggle if I had a choice.

The 30p on the HV30 is worth the slight premium. I actually prefer the silver colored body but the black is pretty sharp.

TRUE...they are not available for retailers except what is on the shelf. 3 more weeks and the HV30 will be released to retailers.

So the general consensus is to get the HV30 then since I don't currently own the HV20?

if that's so...
 

If it's the HV30...then the question becomes why not the HF-10

HF10 / HF100 doesn't have zebras, which can be a deal-killer for some folks.

Really? Interesting.
I must say - I have used the HV20 with the Gain/Aperture fix and I like it tremendously.
J