Canon HV20 HD Camcorder Preview

After quite a bit of speculation, Canon has announced their newest camcorder the HV20. Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager of the Consumer Imagine Group at Canon U.S.A, said "This HV20 HD Camcorder dramatically raises the bar for consumer camcorder capabilities, and will no doubt be the model of choice for discerning video enthusiasts who will accept nothing less than premium quality equipment to capture and preserve their memories."

Improvements in the HV20 include an Advanced Accessory Shoe, microphone and headphone inputs, HDMI terminal, and a 24p Cinema Mode.

Canon HV20 HD CMOS Image Sensor

The HV20 CMOS Sensor records video at 1920 x 1080 using a RGB Primary Color Filter with a Bayer placement. The CMOS sensor features on-chip noise reduction technology and promises to provide outstanding image capture in low-light conditions.

Canon HV20 Photo Features

The HV20 will have a nine-point autofocus and record 3.1 megapixel still photos to an SD memory card. The HV20 can also capture 2 megapixel still photos while simultaneously recording video. Pattered after Canon's line of digital still cameras the HV 20 has a built-in flash and 11 shooting modes. The camcorder also has a histogram function for advanced photographers who want to check their exposure levels while shooting.

Canon HV10 24p Cinema Mode

The 24p Cinema Mode allows users to create more of a "film look" with their video by shooting the video at films native frame rate (24p) and uses the camcorders CINE setting to change the color and tone of video to match that of movie film.