Canon HV30 / HV30E

524 reviews

Jun, 2025

Positive
usability (242)
image quality (198)
portability (160)
price (150)
design (82)

Negative
durability (47)
battery (17)
viewfinder (12)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 524 reviews of Canon HV30 / HV30E. The average rating for this product is 4.3/5, compared to an average rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders for all reviews. People are impressed by the design and portability. The price and image quality also get good views. There are some less positive comments about the viewfinder and battery. Views about the durability and size are mixed.

usability, image quality, price, portability, design

battery, viewfinder

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Camcorders the Canon HV30 / HV30E is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 90/100 = Excellent quality.

See all Canon Camcorders

Review analysis

(Based on 524 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(56% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (28% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews (7% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews (4% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews (5% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

usability
Show positive (70%)Show negative (30%)(Show all)

image quality
Show positive (83%)Show negative (17%)(Show all)

price
Show positive (66%)Show negative (34%)(Show all)

portability
Show positive (82%)Show negative (18%)(Show all)

size
Show positive (54%)Show negative (46%)(Show all)

Show more features

Showing 463 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

Disclaimer:

Below is a list of reviews for this or similar products. If you think this grouping is wrong please click here to flag.
Read more on our FAQ’s page.

Showing 1 - 379 of 463 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (59)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Canon HV30 / HV30E

alaTest has collected and analyzed 36 user reviews of Canon HV30 / HV30E from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.5/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.co.uk. Comments about the connectivity and design are generally positive. The portability and image quality are also mentioned favorably. There are some critical reviews about the size and durability.

usability, image quality, portability, design, connectivity

price, durability, size

94% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Jun, 2025

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Canon HV30 / HV30E

alaTest has collected and analyzed 333 user reviews of Canon HV30 / HV30E from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.2/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.9/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.com. Comments about the design and portability are on the whole positive. The image quality and price are also mentioned favorably. The battery and durability get mixed views. Many are critical about the viewfinder.

usability, price, image quality, portability, design

viewfinder

89% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Jun, 2025

Expert review by : James Morris (trustedreviews.com)

Canon HV30

Canon's tape-based HV20 was one of the best HDV camcorders around, so does its successor, the HV30, take things further?

Canon has clearly heeded the cliché ‘if it ain't broke, don't fix it' with the HV30. Its predecessor was a great camcorder for serious video makers with less than £1,000 to spend. Now the HV30 can proudly take over its place. This could be the last...

Jun, 2008

Read the full review

Expert review by : Brian Chen, Macworld.com (techadvisor.co.uk)

Canon Vixia HV30 review

In the same way that VHS technology withered when the DVD became popular, MiniDV tapes are gradually becoming a technology of the past. Most camcorder manufacturers are turning to tapeless storage media, such as a hard drive, memory card or DVD storage.

If MiniDV is important to your choice of camcorder, the Canon Vixia HV30 is an excellent choice. It shoots stellar high-definition video with vividly accurate colours, smooth motion; includes a microphone jack and accessory shoe; and is very user...

Jun, 2008

Read the full review

Expert review by (gadgetheaven.co.uk)

Canon HV30 Camcorder Review

The Canon HV30 utilises the pioneering Canon HD Camera System to deliver breathtaking HDV1080i performance into the palm of your hand.

Attach the Canon HV30 to a PictBridge compatible printer and high-quality photographic prints are yours at the touch of a button.

May, 2012

Read the full review

Expert review by : Brian Chen, (techworld.com)

Canon Vixia HV30 review

The Canon Vixia HV30 is a fine choice for die-hard MiniDV users, offering superb video quality and a bunch of nifty features.

Jun, 2008

Read the full review

Expert review by : CB (simplydv.co.uk)

SimplyDV Review: Canon HV30 HDV Camcorder

So, it has a 2.96MP CMOS sensor, 1080i/25p shooting, choice of HDV and DV recording/playback, AV-input conversion, superb functionality, great handling and more..... Hang on, haven't we been here before?

All in all, the HV30 is a very good camcorder indeed and every bit as good as the model it replaces. It is, of course, very odd that a company like Canon should seek to replace one year's model with another whose specification and even form-factor is...

Mar, 2008

Read the full review

Expert review by : Chris Jager (goodgearguide.com.au)

Canon HV30

An old dog learns some new tricks

Performed excellently in low light, 25p Cine mode, unique and arresting design, extensive audio options

MiniDV is a dying format, may prove a bit bulky for some

Despite its reliance on an outdated format, the Canon HV30 is a superior high-def camcorder that offers exceptional value for money. If you can get over your anti-tape prejudice and embrace MiniDV, this model will deliver on every level.

May, 2008

Partner Source

Read the full review

Expert review by : PJ Jacobowitz (pcmag.com)

Canon VIXIA HV30

Of the camcorders we've recently reviewed, there is only one whose image quality can rival our Editors' Choice Sony HDR-SR11 Handycam, and it's the Canon Vixia HV30 ($899 direct). So why doesn't Canon merit our coveted award? Operating a tape-based...

Excellent video quality. Good sound quality. Option to record in 24 progressive frames per second to create a film-like effect

Menus and backup can be a drag. Video-editing software is not included

The Canon Vixia HV30 delivers excellent video quality, though recording video to miniDV tape feels low-tech and slows down your operation.

Feb, 2009

Partner Source

Read the full review

Expert review by : PJ Jacobowitz (pcmag.com)

Canon Vixia HV30

The Canon Vixia HV30 shoots Editors' Choice–quality video, but it loses points for operating and software downfalls.

Excellent video quality. Good sound quality. Option to record in 24 progressive frames per second to create a film-like effect.

Menus and backup can be a drag. Video-editing software is not included.

More Camcorder Reviews: Ricoh Theta SC Vuze VR Camera Samsung Gear 360 (2017) Giroptic iO YI 4K+ more

Feb, 2009

Partner Source

Read the full review

Expert review by : Jim Feeley (pcworld.com)

Canon Vixia HV30

Canon's tape-based Vixia HV30 camcorder ($1000 as of September 28, 2008) combines the aging medium with modern image processing to lay good-looking HDV video onto inexpensive MiniDV tapes.

Easy to archive and edit HDV footage ; Bright, colorful video quality

Bulky compared to tapeless camcorders ; Nonstandard accessory shoe

The HV30 records high-quality HD video to old-fashioned tape.

Oct, 2008

Read the full review

Expert review by : Lori Grunin (cnet.com)