How did you decide between Sony HC7 and Canon HV20?

[nluchau]

Hello - I'm new to the site. By the way I am learning alot so far.

I have narrowed down my search between the Canon HV20 and Sony HC7 High Def Camcorders. I am wondering if anyone else was in my shoes and what made you decide to purchase the HV20 over the HC7?

I currently have a Sony Digital Camera so I am sorta leaning towards Sony in that aspect but I am reading ALOT of good things about the Canon.

I know this is an HV20 forum and that everyone reading this probably already has this camcorder since it would only make sense.

Thanks much,

Nick

[miglo]

It was pretty easy for me. I hate all things sony. Seriously.

Besides, pretty much all reviews out there comparing the two concludes the HV20 is a notch or two above the competition.

[Lunchbox]

This is the thread for comparing HC5 vs HV20.

http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=202

This is the page from camcorderinfo.com comparing 4 HD Camcoders including HC7 and HV20. HV20 is a clear winner.

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/The-Great-HD-Shoot-Out---Canon-HV20-Sony-HDR-HC7-Panasonic-HDC-SD1-JVC-GZ-HD7.htm

I went with HV20 because of the 24p mode and low light capability. I hate Sony's proprietary accessory shoe too.

[Worley]

Here's why I chose the HV20:

The colour rendition on the HV20 is subjectively better. Sony tends to lean towards the blues.

Sony uses greater noise-reduction in the video, which is noticeable.

Sony has that stupid touch screen.

Sony was more expensive.

Sony's batteries - I believe they have a technology that prevents you using generic ones.

Sony has a smaller sensor.

Sony uses interpolation to produces 6MP stills.

I already have a Canon camcorder that I trust to perform well.

It was tough, though. People complain that the Canon has no LANC and that the build quality is plasticy. But I've never used LANC and I don't think it feels plastic or cheap. it feels really nice to hold and it's just the right weight for me.

[Lunchbox]

LANC is important for me as I use the cam with tripod a lot. it's a lot easier to pan and zoom with a LANC controller. However, I replaced the same feature using the remote control and a TOS link.

http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=364

Another weird thing about Sony's cam is, the zoom controller, moving up/forward = zoom out (wide angle). moving down/backward = zoom in (telephone). it's completely opposite to all other camera zoom controls I have.

[Rocha]

I currently have a Sony Digital Camera so I am sorta leaning towards Sony in that aspect but I am reading ALOT of good things about the Canon.

I know this is an HV20 forum and that everyone reading this probably already has this camcorder since it would only make sense.

Thanks much,

Nick

I also have a Sony (DCR-HC85) and it has served me well over the years. And just like the current Sony HD models it fells solid and well balanced in your hand. So if you choose to go Canon, there will be a little "getting used to" on your part. But as I did, I think you will apreciate the Canon quality.

This forum was partly responsible, along with price and the several very good reviews this camera has been getting, for my decision to buy.

I'm on a budget so the appeal of competitively priced accessories (I can still fit my Raynox HD-5000 Wide Angle lens, I can use the same Sony tapes I have, batteries are cheap, etc...

Good luck with your decision.

[nluchau]

I appreciate the feedback regarding these 2 models. I did notice as well that the Sony fit better in my hand and felt well built. The Canon on the other hand didn't and felt like cheap plastic.

I have a bit of time before I make my purchase.

I will continue to check back to see if there are any more replies. Right now I'm leaning towards the Canon. :hv20-smilie03:

[indyscott]

I chose the Canon:
1. Have another Canon camcorder.
2. Have a Canon Digital Rebel. Bonus: battery charger is the same!
3. The video out of this camera is awesome.
4. The support here at hv20.com is awesome.
5. 24p mode. (Have not tried yet)

These are not in any order.

Scott

[mik]

hc5 can't be compared to hv20, it is a year older. hc7 is from the same year. i kinda liked the more manual controls on sony and the ois but in my area it's the price that sucks, around 300 euros more than canon. you can find a lot of stuff compared between them at camcorderinfo.com.

[ostoja]

Hi,
I am new to forum and new happy owner of HV20. I have read many comparisons, together with cited above. But most comprehensive and detailed one I've found on (unfortunately) Russian pages:

http://www.videozona.ru/video_tests/hc7-hv20/

Besides lot of text (I could read it because I have Russian fluent), there is lot of test pictures in various modes and conditions, together with academic-level image analysis using professional Imatest program from

http://www.imatest.com/

giving a lot of diagrams, graphs, and so on.

Most interetsing I've found comparison of coding quality using candle flame as a test bed (even more demanding than waterfall):

http://www.videozona.ru/video_tests/hc7-hv20/hires/hc7-candle-2.jpg from HC7,

versus

http://www.videozona.ru/video_tests/hc7-hv20/hires/hv20-candle-1.jpg from HV20

(found as the only one with "potential problems").

I do not know, if some automatic translation program could manage with this text.

[ÇelikAt]

Here's why I chose the HV20:

The colour rendition on the HV20 is subjectively better. Sony tends to lean towards the blues.

Sony uses greater noise-reduction in the video, which is noticeable.

Sony has that stupid touch screen.

Sony was more expensive.

Sony's batteries - I believe they have a technology that prevents you using generic ones.

Sony has a smaller sensor.

Sony uses interpolation to produces 6MP stills.

I already have a Canon camcorder that I trust to perform well.

It was tough, though. People complain that the Canon has no LANC and that the build quality is plasticy. But I've never used LANC and I don't think it feels plastic or cheap. it feels really nice to hold and it's just the right weight for me.

About sums it up for me also.

Hello folks, new member here :hv20-smilie24: Got my HV20 2 days ago. I was able to shoot a 5 minute movie and transferred and edited on my Mac using iMovie HD. Very happy so far with my HV20 :hv20-smilie77:

[mik]

"Sony's batteries - I believe they have a technology that prevents you using generic ones." - true but no other manufacturer has a remaining time indication for the battery. it's their feature.

and just what i've said before, no rolling shutter comparison. no appreciation on my side for the tests.

[angryofmayfair]

"Sony's batteries - I believe they have a technology that prevents you using generic ones." - true but no other manufacturer has a remaining time indication for the battery. it's their feature.



It's a useless feature - very misleading as the time in minutes decreases far faster than real time.
Personally I would rather have a normal battery gauge than one that tells me I have 120 mins left that is in reality 80mins....

[angryofmayfair]

Here's why I chose the HV20:

The colour rendition on the HV20 is subjectively better. Sony tends to lean towards the blues.

Sony uses greater noise-reduction in the video, which is noticeable.

Sony has that stupid touch screen.

Sony was more expensive.

Sony's batteries - I believe they have a technology that prevents you using generic ones.

Sony has a smaller sensor.

Sony uses interpolation to produces 6MP stills.

I already have a Canon camcorder that I trust to perform well.

It was tough, though. People complain that the Canon has no LANC and that the build quality is plasticy. But I've never used LANC and I don't think it feels plastic or cheap. it feels really nice to hold and it's just the right weight for me.

I couldn't agree more!
I have had a Sony HC3 for 12mths and a HV20 for 2 days and so far I am very happy with the 'upgrade' (although I have to admit that the Sony looks and feels much nicer :( )
The PQ of the HV20 is superb - no more of that nasty edge enhancment that the HC3 has - so sick of seeing black lines around objects on the HC3 output...

No more proprietory memory sticks & batteries, no more guesswork audio (BTW the HV20's inbuilt mic is so crystal clear it makes the HC3 sound very muffled in comparison), no more silly touch screen menues - now I can change the settings whilst using the viewfinder!
The HV20 is everything that the HC3 could have been but Sony were too scared they would take sales away from their pro-series cams.

Well done Canon! :)

[Ten Ounce]

It's kind of funny that I went through this same dilema when I was looking to purchase the HV20. I checked out both the HC5 and HC7. I may be in the minority that don't see the HV20 as looking or feeling cheap. Maybe compared to prosumer cameras that may be the case, but in general I think it's about as well built as any other digital camcorder. Beyond that, I didn't like the touch screen on the Sony. From what I could find online, I saw alot better clips online of the HV20 than of either the HC5 or HC7, and in the end that was my deciding factor. I still say that in the end, the camcorder is just once piece of the puzzle. You've gotta have the right accessories and an eye for video and storytelling. With that in hand you can make a quality production with any of these cameras.

[nluchau]

Thanks a lot for the information you all provided me. So far I'm going to plan on purchasing the HV20. I still have a month before getting it so I will keep coming back here to check up on more info.

Again, Thanks! It's much appreciated

[joseph soriano]

2 main reasons for me for the hv20 over the hc7 was 1080i24p(at least it's an option for about the same price) and lowlight.

[Dr. Benway]

Hi, having, while 'researching' cameras on the Internet - purchasing being a big gamble/taking a punt - I almost drowned in a sea of information, so I can hardly remember why I dismissed Sony.

I have a ghost of a memory; something to do with Sony fascism regarding proprietary software and not being able to use Premiere???

I think that was it, or something VERY similar, whether it applies to all Sony models who knows?

But I for one get sick of manufacturers dictating the terms so severely.

[2Bdecided]

For a fair comparison, you should also visit a Sony owner's forum...

http://www.sonyhdvinfo.com/


I would also point out (as an HV20 owner) that a lot of the love this machine has is from wannabe film makers and semi-pros. The deficiencies of the HV20 (and in some cases the niceties of the HC7) that they are so happy to overlook or work around are very real and annoying for a normal user. Meanwhile the features they've really fallen in love with (24p, a good sensor, and the ability to get raw 1920x1080p24 when tethered to a PC via an expensive capture card) are nearly irrelevant for a normal user.


I chose the HV20 because I valued the better picture quality, that was all. I have to live with the rolling shutter, poor microphone, poor LCD, poor image stabiliser, poor still pictures, so-so user interface, and hope that it lasts longer than it feels like it might!

(I am not saying the HC7 is definitely better in any of these respects - just that the HV20 could be, so it's worth comparing what else is available).

Cheers,
David.

[Ian-T]

One area of weakness in the HC7 and in most Sony cams is the "over-sharpening" of their videos. Just plain ugly to me. Canon and Panasonic tend to look a little warmer in their images.

[Michael Davis]

I'm with you 2Bd, I chose the HV20, despite it's shortcomings, because it frankly had (has) the best possible image for the cost.

[tao]

Please tell me if i'm wrong...
Recording on a tape (hv20) : 25Mb/s
Recording on a HD (sony's camcorder) : 15Mb/s

so i guess if there's a compression on Hd camcorders before recording...

no compression... no quality loss ?



but after every thing i have read and seen... i choose HV20.
and i'm verrry happy with it :D

[2Bdecided]

Please tell me if i'm wrong...
Recording on a tape (hv20) : 25Mb/s
Recording on a HD (sony's camcorder) : 15Mb/sThe Sony HC7 records to tape using the same HDV format as the HV20. You must be looking at a different model.

Cheers,
David.

[Lunchbox]

Please tell me if i'm wrong...
Recording on a tape (hv20) : 25Mb/s
Recording on a HD (sony's camcorder) : 15Mb/s

so i guess if there's a compression on Hd camcorders before recording...

no compression... no quality loss ?



but after every thing i have read and seen... i choose HV20.
and i'm verrry happy with it :D

Try to refer harddrive as HDD. In here, HD will be interpreted as High Definition.

You are correct with the data rate. There're more difference to it.

HDV - record to tape. 25mbps. 1440x1080, MPEG-2
AVCHD - record to hdd/dvd/sd card. 15mbps, 1920x1080, MPEG-4

[Chodite]

The fact I was able to get a new HV20 for under $700 (US) definitely helped make up my mind.

LOVING it so far.

[CBarce]

Bought mine to learn about 24p. Much cheaper entry than any other 24p camera.

[007hamster]

Same choice made here, love the sony brand, but... Chose the Canon because:

1) Touch Screens are stupid! (finger prints on your screen)
2) Superior Low Light

[DaFireMedic]

While Sony makes some good products, I avoid all things Sony after 2 incidents in which I was very dissatisfied with their customer service. I have been nothing but pleased with Canon customer service so far.

In addition, Sony tends to make their camcorder products (and everything else) proprietary, so the customer is pidgeonholed into buying only Sony accessories such as external mics, etc.

But the final factor was seeing the video quality of the HV10, which was fantastic. Knowing that the HV20 would have the same optics and sensors as the HV10, along with features such as an external mic and headphone jacks, 24p, and would be less expensive than the HC7, it was really no contest.