HD camcorders: Compare features & prices Canon HV40 review
The HD Canon HV40 is a compact and light camcorder aimed at the amateur videographer or occasional camcorder user. It boasts a 10x optical zoom lens and uses the Mini-DV or HDV format, so it should be of interest to anyone keen on exploiting the edit-friendly potential of the Mini-DV/HDV format. But does it offer great image and sound quality? We put it through our rigorous camcorder tests to find out.
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| Specification criteria | Specification |
|---|---|
| Launch date | |
| Launch date | 2009 Jan-Jun |
| Recording format | |
| Video resolution | High definition (HD) |
| Recording format | Mini-DV |
| Memory card | No |
| Built-in memory type | No |
| Built-in memory size (GB) | 0 |
| DVD | No |
| Mini DV / HDV | Yes |
| Hard disk memory size | n/a |
| Flash memory size | n/a |
Recording time internal memory (minutes)
|
n/a |
| Copy video onto memory card option
|
No |
| Lens | |
| Optical zoom
|
10.0 |
| Lens cover
|
Built-in slider |
| Lens converter possible
|
Yes |
| Image stabilisation system
|
Optical |
| Dimensions | |
| Size (wxhxd) (cm)
|
10x8.5x14 |
| Weight (g)
|
607 |
| LCD screen | |
| LCD screen size
|
2.6 |
| Touchscreen | No |
| Extra features | |
| Video lamp
|
Yes |
| Backlight comp
|
Yes |
| Gain up
|
No |
| External mic input
|
Yes |
| Headphone socket | No |
| Viewfinder
|
Yes |
| Widescreen Format
|
Yes |
| Still photo mode | |
| Still photos to memory card | No |
| Resolution (megapixels) | 3.1 |
| Battery life | |
| Battery life
|
121 |
Canon HV40
- Which? score:
| Office Online | GBP810.10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Play.com | GBP885.99 | |
| Just Canon | GBP899.95 | |
|
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Help
Recording time internal memory (minutes)
The amount of footage at the highest quality setting you can store on the built-in memory, in minutes.
Copy video onto memory card option
Some models allow you to copyvideo onto the memory card, from the main recording media, such as the hard disk or internal flash memory
Optical zoom
The higher the number, the more you can zoom in. 10 means 10 times magnification. Optical zoom usually ranges from 10 times to 40 times.
Lens cover
Tethered means it is attached with "string", built-in slider usually means you move a lever to cover/remove the lens cover, or it opens automatically.
Lens converter possible
A lens converter fitting allows you to attach a wide angle or telephoto converter lens
Image stabilisation system
Optical stabilisers use a small mechanical adjustment to compensate for trembling motions; electronic stabilisation uses a digital adjustment, which is not always as effective.
Size (wxhxd) (cm)
Dimensions as you look at the camcorder side on.
Weight (g)
Includes the device, the recording media, battery and hand strap.
LCD screen size
Size of the LCD screen, diagonally across in inches.
Video lamp
Provides additional light when the scene is dark
Backlight comp
If parts of the scene are too dark, this will help brighten them up
Gain up
This function brightens up the whole scene
External mic input
If the camcorder has an input (sometimes called a hot shoe) an external mic can be added for better sound quality
Viewfinder
The eyepiece viewfinder. Almost always colour, they are on the odd occasion black and white.
Widescreen Format
Whether the camcorder has an setting allowing recording in 16:9 mode
Battery life
How much recording time, in minutes, you should get with a fully-charged battery.
