Buy it from one of these stores:

Canon Vixia HV20 High Definition MiniDV Camcorder

User Rating:

(5 reviews)

Price Range: $878 to $1,149

Bizrate User Review.

Once-in-a-while value!

by RSVProd , Oct. 5, 2008

Comments:
Great "B-roll" or back-up when used with my GL-2. The 10X zoom limits use for sports. In low lighting the picture becomes somewhat grainy, but color remains excellent. For most uses in good lighting it delivers a phenomenal picture. I can use the DV output to make a DVD with a stand-alone recorder while simultaneously recording to mini DV. I bought this as a Canon factory "refurb" at an excellent price, and added a two-year warranty. Outstanding deal.

QuickTake:

Pros: Great picture, good input-output options (mic, headphone, DV, HDTV); Hot shoe; good choice of manual options

Cons: Viewfinder does not extend, 10X optical zoom limits possibilities, Zoom control is too small. Poor microphone placement is not very directional and likely to pick up handling noise. Hot-shoe cover not attached to camera.

Recommended: No

Bizrate User Review.

Overall a good buy

by peterp285 , Aug. 5, 2008

Comments:
dc 330 is a fine choice because it comes with software that is needed for this type of media. That is, if your going to use a dvd, then software is a must...or skip this for another type of camera ie Hard drive. The dc30 is better for taking film in a lighted area.

QuickTake:

Pros: Easy to use.

Cons: I do not know when it is recording.

Recommended: No

Bizrate User Review.

Some issues, but can't beat the footage for the price

by no_face , Jun. 26, 2008

Comments:
Well, of course the hype would have you believe that this is the best camcorder on the market right now -- they are right! You can't beat the specifications -- native 24p being the hallmark. But the camera lacks controls necessary to be a great working camera i.e. in cinemode (the one everyone would be using) the camera cranks up gain all the way up 32, making the image grainy and pure ugly and you can't adjust or lock that. That's really my only issue with it so far. Get a wide angle lens and if you want to build yourself a 35mm adapter and you're set to go.