What is difference between HV20 and HV30 camcorder

[Leoniee]

From last couple of days, i am looking for the camcorder. And what i got an options is HV20 and HV30. i found the rates for the both,HV20 is for £530 and HV30 for £650. So i need to decide which one is better in case of audio, storage limitations,etc.. Could any one of you can make me know the major differences in both the models ? I need to buy any one of this in nest 2 days. Please help...

[Pugsly]

You can rarely find difference between these two models of camcorder.Both are much similar to each other but with a slightly higher price HV30 comes with manual exposure, and a black case..I am 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. The HV30 sound a little less bright, but I'm not sure if that's because the highs are attenuated or the low/mids are boosted and mask them. But the spectra are very close. In any event, note the crappy high frequency response of the internal mics. If compared using the Audio Technica AT-822 and the Sony ECM-908 did not display the high frequency dropoff.

On the contrary, the HV30 audio sounded brighter, and the spectra appear to show better high frequency response in the HV30.Here are some difference which i can notice:-

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.

[Simond]

If we go by logic the HV30 is slightly better because when newer models are released the older versions price starts to drop, but this has yet to happen with the HV20.Here, i am mentioning some of the specification differences of both the models:-

Vixia HV30

• • Effective Pixels:
• HD/DV (16:9) mode:
• Approx 2.07 Megapixels
  
• (1920 x 1080)DV (4:3) mode:
• Approx 2.76 Megapixels
• (1440 x 1080)
  
  
  • Supported Playback Modes:
• 1080/60i,
• 1080/24p,
• 1080/30F,
• 1080/24F,
• 1080/30p

Vixia HV20

• • Effective Pixels:
• HDV/DV (WIDE):
• approx. 2,070,000
  
• DV (NORMAL):
• approx. 1,550,000
  
  
  • Supported Playback Modes:
• 1080/60i,
• 1080/24P,
• 1080/30F,
• 1080/24F

Thats what the specfication difference i can find in this both models.For more on HV30, see this Canon VIXIA HV30 Camcorder

[Gonzo]

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. HV30 remotely administering camera features is still a job for the infrared remote, which simply pales in comparison to using a nice, variable speed Varizoom when the camera is on a tripod, Steadicam, crane, or whatever.Yes the HV30 is better built, comes in black, has a nicer LCD and Zoom toggle is more tactile.

I think you should go for the HV30