Canon HV30 Camcorder Improves on a Winning Formula, But Not By Much [Camcorders]

Canon HV30 Camcorder Improves on a Winning Formula, But Not By Much [Camcorders]

Canon has just updated last year's prizewinning HV20 camcorder and named it the HV30. Capable of shooting down to a low light level of 3 lux, the HV30 has improved noise suppression over the earlier model. With a 10x optical zoom, 2.7 inch viewfinder and a battery that can give 2 hours of shooting, it's no slouch, even if it has increasingly old-fashioned tape rolling away inside. So, what else is new?

Whereas the HV20 shot in 60i and 24p modes, the HV30 adds in a 30p mode which reduces motion blur. It also outputs video in HDV format to miniDV tape and 3 megapixel still images to miniSD card. Outputting type A HDMI component video, the HV30 has a USB connection, and its 3.4 x 5.4 x 3.2 inch body weighs 1.35 pounds when shooting. An optional battery pack extends the battery life to 4 hours.

Clearly Canon decided not to overly mess with the winning formula, so it may disappoint some that the upgrade doesn't seem to have much in the way of improvements. Apart from cosmetic adjustments like better-positioned controls and a different case profile, the only real change is the 30p mode. The HV30 will be available in Japan in early March for �110,000 ($1030).

(Via Gizmodo.)