HV20 vs...

[greenvette]

Okay, so as a follow-up to my earlier post "HV20 vs. XH-A1" I would like to ask one last question. Basically, my biggest concern is that I will buy the
HV20 and be disappointed with the "look" of the images that it produces. I don't want to have a camcorder that looks like it shoots "home video". I don't want anything super professional either though. But if spending a few extra thousand dollars make a quantum leap in video quality and having a "professional" appearance, then I will do it.

I am not afraid to spend money on a higher dollar camera, such as an XH-A1 or a Sony HVR-VIU. I am hesitant to purchase cameras at that level though for fear that I am shelling out thousands extras for a bunch of options I am not going to be using. My dilemma is that I can't figure out if the extra money is worth the price as it will, I'm thinking, produce more "professional" images.

I viewed a video here on the forum illustrating the difference in picture quality between the HV20 and XH-A1. I saw very little difference. This is further making me lean toward the HV20. I guess I just can't believe that the HV20 can produce images this good.

Any thoughts, should I spend the few extra thousands and get a more "professional" camera to obtain more "professional" video?

Thanks guys!

[iotatau]

Rent and then decide. Anyway your creativity will be more important than technical features of the devices you use. I have seen good material produced by the cell phone Nokia N93.

[SalaTar]

Myth one:
The hv20 has better resolution than the a1…people post about it

[Rikki]

Buy it, if you dont like it eBay it.

Video will look like video unless you dick around with it, eg: 24p, cine mode, post colour correction etc.

[24Peter]

Any thoughts, should I spend the few extra thousands and get a more "professional" camera to obtain more "professional" video?


The A1 is a great camera. It has many features the HV20 lacks. The HV20 is also a great camera. It has a couple of features the A1 lacks. Both are capable of creating stunning images. The A1's big advantages are in terms of manual controls - zoom ring, focus ring, iris, gain, & shutter speed are all fully control-able. Yes, you can manually control these items to some degree on the HV20 but not as much/easy.

Given you apparent experience/knolwedge, I'd say the HV20 would be a great camera for you. Then you can move up to an A1 if you feel the need after using the HV20 for a while. I personally I went from a $3500 semi-"professional" camera to an HV20 and couldn't be happier, though I may eventually opt for an A1 (or more likely, it's successor).

[kingrottenboy]

If your relatively new to hobby of video, like I am, you will be surprised at how many essential things you need along with your camera.

in my humble opinion, if you buy an expensive camera but don't have the money for the needed accesories than you are doing yourself a disservice. I was thinking of buying a more expensive camera myself, but realized after buying accesories like a tri-pod, a wideangle lens, filters, external mic, bag, tapes, well all that stuff cost a whole lot and were basically essential for me to get a semipro - prosumer look I am after. So I picked the HV20 because from what I heard with the right variables in place it can produce near professional quality. but of course that is all with great lighting, great sound, and great talent and expierence (which I am greatly lacking, but learning)

I am complete amateur so the HV20 gives me a lot of room to grow into, for me a professional camera would have overloaded me. not saying you are an amateur.

but just give an honest appraisal of your level and your budget for the camera and needed accesories. mine led me to the hv20.

-david

[Ian-T]

... I heard with the right variables in place it can produce near professional quality....Not to be a stickler David...I just wanted to make this correction...It will produce "professional" looking videos....when used properly*.

Being a musician...I've had friends and associates make millions of dollars with sub-standard equipment...better compositions than some of those who had multi-million dollar equipment. I've seen it done with video also...The A1, HVX, ARRI etc. are nice...and might make some of your tasks easier to do when shooting...but...put an HV20 in Peter Jackson's or Steven Speilberg's hands.........

Sorry for throwing in this rant...it had nothing to do with you...just wanted to make this point...:hv20-smilie77:

[funlvr1965]

If your relatively new to hobby of video, like I am, you will be surprised at how many essential things you need along with your camera.

in my humble opinion, if you buy an expensive camera but don't have the money for the needed accesories than you are doing yourself a disservice. I was thinking of buying a more expensive camera myself, but realized after buying accesories like a tri-pod, a wideangle lens, filters, external mic, bag, tapes, well all that stuff cost a whole lot and were basically essential for me to get a semipro - prosumer look I am after.
-david


David you are entirely correct about this, when my wife and I purchased the HV20 I told her now the spending begins, we werent even out of bestbuy yet when we spent $169.00 for a 4 year no questions asked warranty, fortunately we were able to get the camera for $900.00.
The list of things that ensued after that reads like this
2 high capacity original canon batteries
Lenmar radpid charger
tapes
lenpro 160 bag- really like this bag
Canon dm-50 mic
Canon WD-H43 wide angle lens
audio technica ATH-M3X not too crazy about these headphones
Sony 7506 professional headphones- now these are GREAT headphones
Deadcat for DM-50 mic
ulead videostudio 11- cant keep video on tapes forever right?
adaptec firewire/usb duo card for pc to connect to camera and use software
2 audio technica lavalier mics
appropriate y spllitter for mics
Hoodman H300 w/2x magnifier
Matteblox DV
2 mb ram to upgrade my wifes pc to 3gb so I can edit and burn footage

I think the only thing I dont have that I want is a video light and filter for my wide angle lens, I will take suggestions especially on the filters. So you see getting the camera was the easiest thing after spending $900.00 on the camera we spent about another $1300.00 or so on accessories so if you want to help bring out the best in your abilities and the camera be prepared to spend...spend ...spend ,scary thing is im a complete novice so imagine how much someone who really knew what they were doing could spend, I havent even gone into the mega tripods or stabilizers or 35mm stuff in a way I think I got off cheap lot of stuff I bought off ebay.

[wolferic]

Okay, so as a follow-up to my earlier post "HV20 vs. XH-A1" I would like to ask one last question. Basically, my biggest concern is that I will buy the HV20 and be disappointed with the "look" of the images that it produces. I don't want to have a camcorder that looks like it shoots "home video". I don't want anything super professional either though. But if spending a few extra thousand dollars make a quantum leap in video quality and having a "professional" appearance, then I will do it.


First, I think I can say that despite the number of posts people have about issues with this camera, image quality is rarely one of them. It is the single most impressive thing about this camera and in itself is probably why most people choose it over similar cameras.

Second, As I'm always trying to stress to my photography students, buy a camera you are comfortable with so that you will actually USE it. I have access to a half-dozen pro-sumer and better cameras at the university I work at but I bought the HV20 because I wanted a camera I could have anywhere with me, use at a moments notice and was not (overly) worried about dropping/scratching/sitting on etc.

The XH-A1 is a tremendous camera. It is well very well designed, has logical and intuitive controls and has excellent optics. As a camera you can manually control, the HV20 cannot even begin to compare. But the image quality, as you have seen yourself, is exceptional (especially at less than $1000).


So, I would ask myself: what will I be using this camera for? If you want to make independent films or 'professional' documentaries and don't mind lugging around lots of heavy and expensive gear, have lots of time to learn how to manually set camera controls, take light meter and color temperature readings, light and block your scenes, etc., then there is no question: buy the XH-A1.

If, like many of the rest of us, your primary concern is having a camera that delivers excellent images in most situations, is easy to use right out of the box or camera bag, at a price that you don't have to think twice about, then buy the HV20 and keep reading this forum!:hv20-smilie77:

[DaveReporter]

So, I would ask myself: what will I be using this camera for? If you want to make independent films or 'professional' documentaries and don't mind lugging around lots of heavy and expensive gear, have lots of time to learn how to manually set camera controls, take light meter and color temperature readings, light and block your scenes, etc., then there is no question: buy the XH-A1.

Another thing which I have mentioned in other posts. A prosumer camera such as the XH-A1 is big, bulky and attracts attention. If you are trying to go through the airport with one of those things you will get attention. If you are going to the US you may get questioned as to whether you are a journalist (they don't seem to like them over there and require you to submit a different application - when I went over I purposely left my union card at home). If you are shooting video around the street you may get the odd angry person who thinks you are from a current affairs show - it is much harder to run with an XH-A1 or broadcast Sony camera than an HV-20.

If you want to shoot inside shopping centres or supermarkets you can pop an HV-20 in a bag and you probably won't be asked too many questions (or at worse politely asked to leave), take in an XH-A1 and you will probably be answering questions from security.

Big cameras = big problems. That's why I chose the HV-20 over an FX-1 and don't regret it for an instant.

Dave

[Lunchbox]

On the other hand, if you got a paid job, you don't want to shoot with a consumer camcorder. Especially at a paid wedding job, many of the guests and relatives will be shooting videos too. It makes you look bad if they are using some camcorders look more "pro" than yours.

I do agree it's a lot less obtrusive to use HV20 for personal use. So it all depends on how you gonna use your camcorder for.

[VideJo]

Another thing which I have mentioned in other posts. A prosumer camera such as the XH-A1 is big, bulky and attracts attention. If you are trying to go through the airport with one of those things you will get attention. If you are going to the US you may get questioned as to whether you are a journalist (they don't seem to like them over there and require you to submit a different application - when I went over I purposely left my union card at home). If you are shooting video around the street you may get the odd angry person who thinks you are from a current affairs show - it is much harder to run with an XH-A1 or broadcast Sony camera than an HV-20.

If you want to shoot inside shopping centres or supermarkets you can pop an HV-20 in a bag and you probably won't be asked too many questions (or at worse politely asked to leave), take in an XH-A1 and you will probably be answering questions from security.

Big cameras = big problems. That's why I chose the HV-20 over an FX-1 and don't regret it for an instant.

Dave
I disagree.
I used to travel around the world for over 10 years with a XH-A! size of a camera and I was never, never halted anywhere.
I only was not able to sneek passed the guards at the Taj Mahal with it, as John Doe with his mobile phone with cam function went by unnoticed.
On the other hand I am looking forward to my next journey with a lot less to carry around this time.