Review: Canon HV20 digital camcorder

You’d think that the tape format might be relegated to "old hat" by now. Camcorders can record video directly to DVDs, hard disks and memory cards these days, so why are manufacturers like Canon still bothering with cassette-based models?

Well the truth is that, where camcorders are concerned, tape still provides the best quality recordings. This can be said of both standard DV tape camcorders and high-definition camcorders like the HV20, which records an HD image to regular DV tape.

The HV20 is a strange shape and looks a little bulky compared to some of the sleeker models we’ve seen recently, though the rather ungainly appearance and eyebrow-raising price tag are really its only bad points.

In terms of features, the HV20 has almost everything you could possibly look for in a camcorder. As well as recording video in HD (1080i) format, it has an SD memory card slot for storing the still snaps it can take, and even has a built-in flash for low-light photography. It can’t match a dedicated digital still camera for detail, but a 3-megapixel resolution is still more than most other camcorders can muster. A 10x zoom lens and optical image stabiliser are also present, while Instant Auto Focus helps prevent blurriness.

The HV20 also covers virtually all the bases where connectivity is concerned. If you have an HD-ready TV, it can be plugged straight in using the HDMI or component inputs, to enjoy your HD recordings in all their glory. Firewire output allows you to transfer video to a computer for editing and an AV input allows for analogue to digital conversion (for example, plug in an old video recorder and copy old tapes straight to DV tape).

On top of that, the HV20 is without doubt the best performer in its price range. Picture quality is jaw-droppingly good, particularly when switched to its cinema-like progressive shooting mode. We tested the HV20 alongside an equivalent memory-card-based HD camcorder, and the HV20, with its realistic colours and smooth motion, won hands down.

Basic operation is pretty straightforward, too. But if you’re an enthusiast, the HV20 could just be the camcorder you’ve been waiting for. Manual controls, microphone input, histogram and an accessory adapter simply sweeten the deal even further.

Vista compatibility: Yes