Comments on: Canon VIXIA HV40 HD HDV Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom

By: P. Dankers

P. Dankers — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 18:36:12 +0000

I purchased this camera for HD semi pro video. Considering that it received the highest score from Consumer Reports among the HD camcorders, I was astonished to discover that it does NOT record 1920×1080. Its highest mode is 1440×1080 and the image quality is pretty average at that. The documentation that I found was misleading, because I saw numerous references to a 1920 x 1080 resolution and I never saw any warnings that would have led me to believe that the only thing on this camera that gets 1920 x 1080 resolution are still photos. I used it with a high quality Sony stereo microphone and the sound quality was atrocious. It’s a good microphone that I use a lot with other recorders. There are several recording modes, but they are not well explained in the manual, so good luck figuring out which recording mode you will want to use. There are quite a number of menu items that are cryptic at best. The straw that broke the camel’s back was when I discovered that it is not compatible with Adobe Premiere for live capture. Seriously, Consumer Reports? This camera gets your highest score? I wouldn’t recommend this camera to my worst enemy.

By: Kimbery E. Striebel

Kimbery E. Striebel — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 16:07:24 +0000

The hv40 is a wonderful camera. The ability to shoot in true 24p is what got my attention and since I never owned an hv20 or hv30 I knew it was a good choice. Also, the camera seems to offer a lot in manual control if you research the tricks to use. It would to helpful to research the cellphone and the exposure lock tricks. In the end this camera is a perfect partner for a 35mm adapter or someone looking for a high end prosumer camera.

By: vc

vc — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 14:12:24 +0000

Features:****

video quality:****

Manual: * (Very primitive, almost useless)

Price: ** ( a litle bit too expensive)

By: Byoba

Byoba — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 12:07:43 +0000

I was under the impression that this was a prosumer cam with the 24p features, but this is nothing more than a very small palm cam. Which there is no mention of it being a palm cam as far as I can see. This is one of the reasons why I do not deal with canon… Buyer beware do not be sucked in by the 24p HD ability. For one, canon’s lenses suck! and this camera is what it is for the consumer, not prosumer… If anyone is looking for a good prosumer cam with 24p features go check out the JVC prosumer cam’s, a better overall camcorder with a great lens and quality features…

By: Kali Justice

Kali Justice — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 11:41:56 +0000

I bought this camera less than a week ago guided by these reviews. The camera is OBSOLETE. The required “mini-SD” card required is NOT MANUFACTURED ANYMORE. You will not be able to find one in any story–not Best Buy, not Office Depot, not Walmart. I called the Canon technical support line and they were unable to find one. You can order one from Amazon through one of their “partners” but that does not take away the fact that should that one fail and you need another mini-SD card a few months from now chances are you will not be able to find one. The specialist at Best Buy told me noone makes these cards anymore, that they are obsolete, that nobody uses them. I asked why and he said it was because they were a piece of junk. I was told that Canon’s latest version of this camera uses a regular SD card. I am seriously thinking of sending this piece of crap back to Amazon. I will never buy another Canon product and I certainly will not buy anymore electronics from Amazon. If I wanted an out-of-date cheap outdated reject I would have gone somewhere like [...] where you can expect they will have this type of item. I thought I was getting a new camera. The only thing new about this camera is that it just came out of the box. But it is an outdated piece of crap. If Canon gave a damn about its customers (I have two Powershot Digital still cameras) they would recall these rejects and get them off the market. My call to their technical support accomplished nothing but make me even angrier. Even Canon does not carry mini-SD card. (Keep this in mind before you even think of buying anything else by Canon–they DON’T SUPPORT THEIR PRODUCTS.) They could have at least included a couple of mini-SD cards in the package. DO NOT BUY OBSOLETE!!!!! DO NOT BUY CANON!!!! DO NOT BUY ELECTRONICS FROM AMAZON!!!! My advice, go to Best Buy and look at what they have and then buy Sony or JVC or any other brand. At least you will know you are getting the latest products. I bought this camera because I have elderly parents who might not last much longer and I wanted to videotape the upcoming holidays. Now I’m going to be spending the time getting this crap ready to ship back to Amazon.