Moving from a DVX100AE to the HV-20

[Krummi]

Hey people...

I'm really thinking of upgrading/downgrading to a HV20 from my trusted DVX100AE (I'm in PAL land).

The reasons for the move are:

*HD(V)
*16:9
*I plan on a backpacking mission to Asia next year and I don't want a heavy brick like the DVX with me screaming "steal me, steal me now!"
*Weight
*price

But what is bothering me is:

*Lack of manual control
*Wobble
*Dropouts(?)
*looks "cheaper"

Has anyone migrated from the SD world of the DVX to the HV20? I know the sensor is amazing, but I'm a bit weary about the lack of manual controls..

I own a Brevis and plan on using the HV20 mostly with the adapter...

any opinions?

[24Peter]

Hey people...

I'm really thinking of upgrading/downgrading to a HV20 from my trusted DVX100AE (I'm in PAL land).

The reasons for the move are:

*HD(V)
*16:9
*I plan on a backpacking mission to Asia next year and I don't want a heavy brick like the DVX with me screaming "steal me, steal me now!"
*Weight
*price

But what is bothering me is:

*Lack of manual control
*Wobble
*Dropouts(?)
*looks "cheaper"

Has anyone migrated from the SD world of the DVX to the HV20? I know the sensor is amazing, but I'm a bit weary about the lack of manual controls..

I own a Brevis and plan on using the HV20 mostly with the adapter...

any opinions?

I sold my DVX100 within two weeks of getting an HV20. I miss some of the manual controls and some of the heft of my DVX100. But the image quality on the HV20 more than makes up for it. Dropouts are definitely more noticeable on the HV20 but it's because of the HDV format, not the camera itself. The "wobble" thing is so over-hyped IMO. If you are careful in how you handle the camera while shooting, it's a non-issue. Cheaper looking. Yes. Can that be an advantage at times? Yes. And I think with a Brevis you won't have to worry at all about how your rig looks.
For $900, just buy the HV20. IF you like it, sell the DVX. If not, sell the HV20.

[Dennis Wood]

I'd keep that DVX if you can. The HV20 is a great adapter cam, but if you need low light sensitivity, there's not much out there better than the DVX. If you could swing the XH-A1, better yet as you'd have your DVX controls and a stop or two better light sensitivity than the HV20.

[niklasw]

i think you can't compare those two cameras and i don't think that the hv20 is an alternative to a camera like the dvx. of course the resolution of the hv20 is great but you will definitely miss the image control possibilities the dvx gives you. i worked with both cameras and i must say that it's much harder to get a pleasing picture from the hvx than from the dvx. low light is a big issue especially if you are doing a documentary where you often can't control the lighting. even that i got used to the hv20's menu pretty quickly it takes much more time get the right aperture, focus, sound level etc..

don't get me wrong. the hv20 can produce astonishing pictures but i would rather use it in a controlled situation than on a documentary shoot.

[angryofmayfair]

If you can I would wait a while - there's far too big a gap between the HV20 and the XH-A1 - IMHO Canon will fill it with a HV30, something like a HDV DVX100 or GL2 - worth waiting for (pure speculation though...)

[SalaTar]

If you can I would wait a while - there's far too big a gap between the HV20 and the XH-A1 - IMHO Canon will fill it with a HV30, something like a HDV DVX100 or GL2 - worth waiting for (pure speculation though...)

hmm why the 900$ thowaway camera is worth it to me

[angelo913]

I don't have the DVX100 but I do have the DVC30 only because the DVC30 is the 1st 3xCCD cam that can record B&W in Zero LUX with Infrared LEDs and it has excellent low light performance too for a DV cam.

Now that I have the HV20, yes build quality is low and plastic but image quality is amazing for it's price. BUT not a total replacement of my DVC30 with excellent build quality.

...Angelo