Convergence

Canon is targeting video shooters who own High Definition TV sets with its new HV20 camcorder, which will also appeal to many digital photographers. This compact camcorder shares many of the features of the DC51 model we reviewed in Issue 32 and even has the same sized sensor. However, on the HV20, CMOS technology is used for HD recording at 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution and still images are captured at 3.1-megapixel resolution.

Four video recording modes are provided: normal high-definition video (HDV) and a special Cine Mode that records with a progressive-scan frame rate of 25 frames per second and also replicates the colour and tonal ranges of traditional cine film. Standard definition recording is also supported in both 16:9 ('wide') and 4:5 ('normal') aspect ratios. HVD recordings will be downsampled automatically when played back on standard definition TV sets and footage recorded in the wide modes will be letterboxed when played back on TV sets with 4:3 aspect ratios.

Lens specifications for the HV20 are identical to the DC51, with both camcorders providing 10x optical zoom and 40-200x digital zoom, the latter only for video recordings. Both cameras also have built-in LED video lights and slim flash tubes. Five flash modes are provided: auto, on, off, slow-synchro and red-eye reduction. Neither light will illuminate an average-sized room but both are powerful enough for subjects within a couple of metres of the camera.

The HV20's body is slimmer and somewhat 'sportier' looking than the DC51 and its LCD monitor is slightly wider and has much higher resolution. The lithium-ion battery pack clips in below the viewfinder, while the MiniSD card slot lies behind a pull-down flap, next to the USB mini-B terminal. Buttons for adjusting the Display and the Light sit above the monitor bay, the latter doubling as a print/share button. An accessory shoe for external microphones lies above the viewfinder on the top panel, covered by a removable plastic lid.

Most camera controls are located on the tape compartment, which is loaded in the normal MiniDV way. A rotating switch at the top of the rear panel switches from camera to off to playback. In front of it on the top panel lie the photo button and zoom rocker. The latter is rather small, making it quite difficult to adjust the lens focal length precisely. Function and start/stop buttons lie below the power switch, the former being controlled by a joystick that is almost identical to the one on the DC51.

Between the LCD's hinge and the front of the camera are a manual focus button and rolling focus adjustment. Above them is a backlight control button. Terminals for microphone, AV, headphones and component out are located behind a flap just rear of the flash and video light. Towards the rear of the same panel lie the tape/card selector switch and a mode switch that lets users choose between auto and flexible (Tv, Av and Special Scene) recording programs. The latter include Portrait, Sports, Night, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Spotlight and Fireworks.

Light metering modes (evaluative, centre-weighted average and spot) and drive modes (single, continuous, high-speed continuous and AE bracketing) are only adjustable for still shots. Sensitivity is not adjustable but up to 11 steps of exposure compensation is provided. It's accessible by pressing and toggling the joystick, as are the flash controls. White balance adjustments are the same as the DC51, with Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten and two Fluorescent settings plus a Set mode for manual measurement.

Focusing options include auto, manual and forced infinity for both video and stills plus a Focus Priority setting for stills that lets users switch between AiAF and centre focus modes. The images stabiliser works with both video and stills and can be switched on and off.  A useful Wind Screen setting is provided with the Auto setting in tape mode and optional with other shooting modes.

Users can select from four image effects (video, neutral, low sharpening and soft skin detail) or create Custom adjustments. Four video effects are provided: B&W, sepia, 'Art' and mosaic, the first two being also available for still shots. However the only transition effects are auto fade and wipe. The built-in microphone records audio in stereo and the HV20 provides manual audio control and supports four-channel stereo playback.

The HV20 is supplied with a rechargeable BP-2L13 lithium-ion battery and AC adaptor/charger, wireless remote control and battery, component and stereo video cables, a USB cable and a Digital Video Solution software CD-ROM. Despite the disk's name, the software, which consists of CameraWindow, Image Viewer and ZoomBrowser EX is only for still images. Third party software is required if you want to edit your video clips and you must buy your own MiniSD card  if you wish to record still pictures on a memory card.

Canon does not provide the HDMI cable you need for sending the HDV signal to a HDTV set, a necessary accessory if you are to access the full benefits of this camcorder. Other optional accessories include tele and wide converter lenses, video and flash lights, filters, shoulder and wrist straps, cables and carrying cases. 

Performance
We were very impressed with the test camera's video performance, particularly in the HDV mode, which produced colourful footage with little evidence of glitches or compression artefacts. Colour reproduction was natural looking and the camera was even able to produce acceptable results with colours like purple and aqua, which are traditionally difficult to reproduce. 

As a still camera, the HV20 produced excellent snapshots, although contrast was elevated and the exposure system had difficulties with subjects with a wide brightness range. Colour saturation was rather high in bright lighting but fell sharply in low-light conditions to become relatively subdued.

Imatest showed resolution to be well above average for the sensor's resolution and lateral chromatic aberration was low. However, overall colour accuracy in Imatest test shots was poor when compared with a typical digicam. Significant shifts were seen in blues, pinkish reds, orange and green, although more than half of the hues on the test card were close to spot-on.

The auto white balance produced almost neutral colours with fluorescent lighting but failed to counteract the orange cast of incandescent lights. We were able to obtain neutral white with the first fluorescent setting and the manual mode but only the manual (measurement) mode produced neutral whites under incandescent lighting.

We measured an average capture lag of 1.1 seconds, which reduced to 0.35 seconds with pre-focusing. The standard continuous shooting mode recorded still shots at 1.4 second intervals, while the high-speed mode captured five shots at intervals of 0.2 seconds.

IMATEST GRAPHS

SAMPLE STILL IMAGES

Close-up.

Difficult colours.

Auto white balance with fluorescent light.

Auto white balance with incandescent light.

Image sensor: 5.27 x 3.96 mm Progressive HD CMOS sensor with 2.96 million photosites (1994 H x 1484 V)
Sensor Resolution: 2.07MP for HD/DV 16:9 video; 2.76MP for 4:3 stills

Lens: 6.1-61mm f/1.8-3.0 Canon High Definition Video lens
Zoom ratio: 10x optical (40x/200x digital on tape)
Video System: HDV 1080i/DV

Recording Modes: SP/LP (DVB only)
Sound recording: HDV – MPEG1 Audio Layer II (16-bit); DV – PCM 16-bit 2 channels (48 kHz) or 12-bit 4 channels (32 kHz)
Still Image Sizes/ file format: 2048 x 1536 or 1920 x 1080 JPEG
Shutter speed range: Tape – 1/6 – 1/2000 sec.; Card – ½ - 1/500 sec
Image Stabilisation: Super Range Optical Image Stabilisation
Focus system/range: Hi-Speed Instant AF/Normal AF; range
Exposure Compensation: +/- 11 levels
Exposure controls: Auto, P, Av, Tv, 8x Scene modes, Cine (progressive HDV 25 PF)
Minimum illumination: 0.2 lux (Night Mode)
White balance: Auto, TTL, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent (x2)
Flash: Built-in (Auto, On, Off, Slow-synchro, red-eye reduction)

Video Light: Built-in low luminance AF auxiliary video LED with manual switch
Storage Media: HDVM/DVM digital video tape; Mini SD card for photo recording only
Viewfinder: 0.27-inch Real Widescreen Colour EVF (123,000 pixels)

LCD monitor:  2.7-inch Real Widescreen LCD with 211,000 pixels and AR coating
Power supply: BP-2L13  7.4V DC lithium-ion battery pack; 8.4V DC-in
Dimensions (wxhxd): 88 x 80 x 138 mm
Weight: 535 grams (body only)