HV20 or HV30 which is best value?

[John Lewis]

Sorry if this has already been covered in another thread, I searched but didn't see any similar questions.

Anybody know what the full differences are between the HV20 and HV30?

The HV30 is the latest model, but is it a significant improvement over the HV20? There is not a great deal of price difference between them, but I do recall there were issues when Sony released an update of the FX1 that I believe was actually lower spec than the original, or at the very least missing some useful features? Is the HV30 the same spec as the HV20 but with added features, or has anything been lost in the new model?

I need the camera as additional shooting cmaera to compliment my A1 and as a capture deck for HD footage shot on the A1.

[Philip Williams]

If the $200 price difference I'm seeing is about average, then the HV20 is most definitely the best value in my opinion. And I mean that in general, not just compared to the HV30.

Now if you *must* have 30P, well your choices narrow :)

[David Ruhland]

Hey John,

I looked for an HV20 and couldnt find one so i settled for the HV30. I dont know much about it yet, but it was only 100.00 more then the HV20. Ill keep you posted as I laearn more about the camera. I currently use a CAnon GL2 and love the quality i get from that. I am shooting only in Standard Def right now as all my training footage is viewed on a computer.

I do like the fact that i can shoot a DV on my Canon GL2 and play it in my HV 30.

I DO NOT like the fact that the HV 30 nor the HV20 have a complete manual control. I like to control both the Aperture and the Shutter speed.

Good luck..let us know what you come up with...

[Jon French]

Circuit city has the HV30 for 849 on their web site, that gets the prices pretty close

[Sean James]

I also thought the HV20 would be a good deal.

When the hv30 came out, I saw it shortly for 650$ (at a real dealer, not at a bait-and-switch crook).

But many people saw that, and the prices have risen, and there is almost no difference between hv20 and hv30.

The only shop where you can find this difference is B&H, and I'm sorry for that, as I usually buy there.

Meanwhile I found out about the beauty of 30p and will settle for a hv30.

And it's much prettier too, wearing all black...

[Mike Thomann]

It's never enough to remind everyone how terrible the bait-and-switch outfits have gotten. Missing components, no factory warranties, no returns or exchanges, no contact, hateful and abusive temperments, and frequent pizza charges on your credit card. Always google for feedback on any online company you're dealing with.

[Taky Cheung]

For NTSC mode, 30p is a huge plus. That alonne is already worth the upgrade. Then the LCD screen also improve alot over HV20 with wider viewing angle. Last will be the sexy black body.

[Tom Alexander]

I recently sold my HV20 and bought the HV30. It wasn't that I needed anything on the HV30 per say, but I had a close friend with a $500 budget that wanted to get into video, and it was worth it to me to help him. So I ponied up another $300 for the HV30.

Honestly, had this situation not come up, I would have been perfectly happy keeping the HV20, best camcorder I have ever owned. But if starting out from scratch right now I would probably choose the HV30, simply because it can be found new at legit dealers for right around $800, barely $100 - $150 more than the HV20 in most cases. 30p is a nice tool to have, and together with the improved LCD screen make it worth the extra in my opinion.

[Chris Hurd]

Originally Posted by John Lewis

Anybody know what the full differences are between the HV20 and HV30?

There are only six differences:

1. The HV30 adds 30p to the list of available frame rates (24p and 60i).

2. The zoom rocker toggle is larger than the one on the HV20.

3. The LCD screen is brighter with a better viewing angle than the HV20.

4. The HV30 will fully charge the high-capacity battery in one cycle.

5. The Advanced Accessory Shoe cover is tethered to the camera.

6. The body color is black; the HV20 was silver.

That's it. Hope this helps,

[Sean James]

Originally Posted by Tom Alexander

I recently sold my HV20 and bought the HV30. It wasn't that I needed anything on the HV30 per say, but I had a close friend with a $500 budget that wanted to get into video, and it was worth it to me to help him. So I ponied up another $300 for the HV30.

Honestly, had this situation not come up, I would have been perfectly happy keeping the HV20, best camcorder I have ever owned. But if starting out from scratch right now I would probably choose the HV30, simply because it can be found new at legit dealers for right around $800, barely $100 - $150 more than the HV20 in most cases. 30p is a nice tool to have, and together with the improved LCD screen make it worth the extra in my opinion.

Actually, the price went up. B&H is about 1000, and amazon 860$. Haven't seen it for 800 yet.

[Taky Cheung]

B&H is running the NAB special selling HV30 at $649. It's out of stock now.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...arch&Q=*&bhs=t

[Tom Alexander]

Originally Posted by Sean James

Actually, the price went up. B&H is about 1000, and amazon 860$. Haven't seen it for 800 yet.

I bought mine at Butterfly photo a week ago for $814 including shipping. If you check pricegrabber, there's usually a few dealers right around $800. Butterfly was not the cheapest listed at the time, but they were close and the one that I felt most comfortable with going through. Right now Butterfly is listed there as the lowest price, but it went up to $836 shipped. Be patient and you'll find it for $800 or less at a reputable dealer.