Reading the various professional reviews on several websites, the Canon HDV models, the HV20 & HV30, get great ratings on image quality and are said to be equal in low-light to the Sony HDV minicams, the HDR-HC7 and HDR-HC9. However, when I read the many users reviews posted on these same websites, there is a lot of disagreement with this. Most users say that the image quality is about equal between the Canons and Sonys and that the Sonys have much better low-light performance (not counting when the Canons are set in 24p mode). What has been the experience of people on this forum regarding this issue?

I've found the low light of the Canons, when set to 24p, to be superior to the current crop of Sonys. I also find the overall picture quality in good light to be better than the Sonys.

The new crop of Sonys may be a big improvement over the current ones, so we'll see if Canon maintains its lead.

I've found the low light of the Canons, when set to 24p, to be superior to the current crop of Sonys. I also find the overall picture quality in good light to be better than the Sonys.

The new crop of Sonys may be a big improvement over the current ones, so we'll see if Canon maintains its lead.

I have a question about the Canon HV20 in 24p mode. My kids are in a program, on a stage, with overhead lighting (maybe a little yellowish). I taped it tonight just in auto and it seemed allright. I plan to try 24p for tomorrows show. Should I also try it in cinema-mode?

It looked much better than our old DV camcorder, but I'd like to get the best PQ.