What camcorder is one step up from the Canon HV20/30? at DVinfo.net

Jacques E. Bouchard · February 21st, 2009, 10:04 AM

I'd like to upgrade from the Canon HV20 as a "point and shoot" secondary camcorder. I found the HV20 perfect except for its lack of a fully manual mode.

What camera has similar size and specs (and price tag) but offers manual WB, aperture and shutter speed? Tape is preferred (I can use it as a cheap tape deck for my H-A1), memory card is good too. No HDD or DVD.

J.

Tripp Woelfel · February 21st, 2009, 07:24 PM

If you have an A1, you own the next step up in HDV cams. The HV40 has some nice feature improvements over the HV20, but it's not a very much different cam. There seems to be a large gulf between consumer and prosumer.

It's interesting that my first Hi8 cam had more manual adjustments, including proper focus and zoom rings. Even my Pany GS 400 (SD DV) only lets you use the ring for either zoom or focus. Only one at a time. It's also a PITA to make adjustments as they're strewn all around in the menus. My HV30, whilst not as flexible, is so much easier to modify settings.

Jacques E. Bouchard · February 21st, 2009, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tripp Woelfel

If you have an A1, you own the next step up in HDV cams. The HV40 has some nice feature improvements over the HV20, but it's not a very much different cam. There seems to be a large gulf between consumer and prosumer.

I need something light and inconspicuous that won't make me shed tears of pain if I drop it from a speeding car - like the HV20/30. But I need fully automatic aperture AND shutter speed, at the same time.

EDIT: I meant to write "fully manual", of course. I already know about the photo button trick to lock aperture, but it's time-consuming.

J.

Chris Barcellos · February 22nd, 2009, 12:46 AM

Am I missing something here? The HVs have fully automatic modes. Just slide the top slider button on the right side of camera to Auto. Are you saying you want to lock them in to a set shutter speed and aperature. That is also possible, using the tricks that are now so well known..

C.S. Michael · February 22nd, 2009, 11:05 AM

The HV20 also has manual white balance.

Chris Hurd · February 22nd, 2009, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacques E. Bouchard

What camera has similar size and specs... but offers manual WB, aperture and shutter speed?

You already have manual WB, and when shooting in Tv (shutter priority) mode, you have manual shutter. When in Tv mode, press Exp. Lock for manual aperture control as well.

There is no Canon HDV camcorder model between the HV series and XH series.

Tom Alexander · February 22nd, 2009, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacques E. Bouchard

I need fully automatic aperture AND shutter speed, at the same time.

I'm assuming that you meant full manual (you said automatic) control over aperature and shutter speed at the same time. Unfortunately, no such camera currently exists. The HV20/30/40 is as close as you can get at the moment without stepping up to a prosumer camera. So you are kind of bound to working within the tricks for locking exposure, etc that were mentioned. Fortunately, they are there and do work, although they don't supplant full manual controls.

Jacques E. Bouchard · February 22nd, 2009, 09:57 PM

Thanks Tom. Yes, I obviously meant "fully manual".

I already know about the trick to lock the aperture in shutter priority mode. But it's time-consuming because it uses trial-and-error, and every time the camera auto shuts off it has to be re-set.

I'm not married to the Canon brand, BTW.

J.

Tom Alexander · February 27th, 2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacques E. Bouchard

Thanks Tom. Yes, I obviously meant "fully manual".

I already know about the trick to lock the aperture in shutter priority mode. But it's time-consuming because it uses trial-and-error, and every time the camera auto shuts off it has to be re-set.

J.

Yup, I know and I share your frustration. Maybe someday we will have full manual control in the sub $1000 range, but not for the foreseeable future. I am not married to the Canon brand either, (although I prefer them). I have both Canon and Panasonic. I just haven't seen anything from any brand that meets that need just yet.

Graham Hickling · February 27th, 2009, 08:05 PM

New Sony HC1's occasionally show up on EBay for under $1000, and have full manual operation.

Paulo Teixeira · February 28th, 2009, 02:19 AM

If you want tape, Sony's FX7 or the V1u are good options.

For memory card based, the Panasonic T300 and the Canon HF S10 seams like good options.
If you can afford it, JVC’s HM100 is exactly what your looking for.

Graham Hickling · February 28th, 2009, 11:01 PM

Panasonic TM300

February 21st, 2009, 10:04 AM	#1
Jacques E. Bouchard Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 442	What camcorder is one step up from the Canon HV20/30? I'd like to upgrade from the Canon HV20 as a "point and shoot" secondary camcorder. I found the HV20 perfect except for its lack of a fully manual mode. What camera has similar size and specs (and price tag) but offers manual WB, aperture and shutter speed? Tape is preferred (I can use it as a cheap tape deck for my H-A1), memory card is good too. No HDD or DVD. J.

February 22nd, 2009, 12:46 AM	#4
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Am I missing something here? The HVs have fully automatic modes. Just slide the top slider button on the right side of camera to Auto. Are you saying you want to lock them in to a set shutter speed and aperature. That is also possible, using the tricks that are now so well known.. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos Last edited by Chris Barcellos; February 22nd, 2009 at 11:18 AM.

February 22nd, 2009, 11:05 AM	#5
C.S. Michael Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 197	The HV20 also has manual white balance. __________________ Bored? Check out my blog (shot with Sony EX1, Panasonic TM700, Nikon D7100, Sony NEX-5N, GoPro2): LongLongHoneymoon.com

February 28th, 2009, 02:19 AM	#11
Paulo Teixeira Trustee Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,773	If you want tape, Sony's FX7 or the V1u are good options. For memory card based, the Panasonic T300 and the Canon HF S10 seams like good options. If you can afford it, JVC’s HM100 is exactly what your looking for. __________________ https://www.youtube.com/user/PhotoVi...esEtc/featured https://www.pond5.com/artist/paulot

February 21st, 2009, 07:24 PM	#2
Tripp Woelfel Trustee Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Conway, NH Posts: 1,745	If you have an A1, you own the next step up in HDV cams. The HV40 has some nice feature improvements over the HV20, but it's not a very much different cam. There seems to be a large gulf between consumer and prosumer. It's interesting that my first Hi8 cam had more manual adjustments, including proper focus and zoom rings. Even my Pany GS 400 (SD DV) only lets you use the ring for either zoom or focus. Only one at a time. It's also a PITA to make adjustments as they're strewn all around in the menus. My HV30, whilst not as flexible, is so much easier to modify settings.

February 22nd, 2009, 09:57 PM	#8
Jacques E. Bouchard Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 442	Thanks Tom. Yes, I obviously meant "fully manual". I already know about the trick to lock the aperture in shutter priority mode. But it's time-consuming because it uses trial-and-error, and every time the camera auto shuts off it has to be re-set. I'm not married to the Canon brand, BTW. J.

February 27th, 2009, 08:05 PM	#10
Graham Hickling Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Posts: 1,669	New Sony HC1's occasionally show up on EBay for under $1000, and have full manual operation.

February 28th, 2009, 11:01 PM	#12
Graham Hickling Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Posts: 1,669	Panasonic TM300