OK, I just got an HV-20 and did a simple super fast comparison with my Sony HC-1. Here are a bunch of fast observations.

1. Cheaper feel but I think it will be fine. Sony has superior build and ergonomic design.

2. No live histogram. I would really like that.

3. Focus wheel isn't so bad (it isn't great) but WHY didn't they put exposure comp on it as well!

4. Smaller size is great!

5. Viewfinder is near worthless.

6. No Lanc.

7. Easily selectable Ap and Tv is great, but you have to use the same joystic to adjust those as you adjust exposure so sometimes you have to do extra thumbpresses to move back and forth. If they only separated the exposure comp like on the HC-1!.

8. Pretty nicely laid out and easy to use overall.

I shot a quick vid with first the Canon then the Sony. This is super quick and dirty, OK , so let me slide. ;) It is done with Nero Digital, 1920x1080 mpg4. To my eye, they are very similar. I would upgrade alone for form factor. So far, quite happy.

http://www.divshare.com/download/382855-e56

HV-20 for sure had clearer and more vibrant colors... Sony wasnt bad but noticable when I looked at the ending of the HV-20 where it shows the WD40 can (LOL) looked at the blue and then looking at that same blue on the can in the beginning of the Sony.

I got a green screen when playing it and using another player it reported a file missing. Not sure what's up.

Same here. I wasn't able to play the file.

I played it with VLC.

Sorry guys, I played it right through windows media player and Nero's showtime.

No question the first part of the video with the HV20 is much nicer IMO, thanks for posting.

I would have to agree, the first part looked better... not by leaps and bounds mind you. It did not appear to me that the HV20 was a whole lot sharper, but it did adjust better with the changing light, and the white balance seemed to be dead on during the complete pan. You could see the sony however attempt to make some wild changes with the changing light and white balance. The white balance seemed to be a bit out of whack as well, making the colors slightly skewed.

I must say that white balance DOES seem to be a bit of a problem with the Sony cams. I am forever having to adjust the WB on the HC3 both during shooting and sometimes on the editor when I forget to adjust during the shoot.

I am currently having a WB issue with my new Sony VX2100 that I picked up yesterday. My old VX2000 had better WB with more accurate colors. I posted this on another site and was told this is normal for the newer VX2100. Even though the 2100 came out several years ago, it's still a current production model and Sony could have tinkered with the WB if they saw fit.

I just don't know what's up with Sony these days. :confused:

Yes... I will agree that the WB is a pain in the butt with Sony. The WB is out sometimes to the point where it almost looks like I used the Sepia filter!!

Wouldn't you think, with all their technology, something as simple as this would be easy? I just did an A/B/C test with my VX2000/VX2100/HV20 (I'm really getting neurotic about this). The $1,000 Canon HV10 had more accurate color than either the VX2000 or VX2100. The newer VX2100 was in 3rd place.

This is not to say that either Sony was so off, but it just wasn't quite up to the Canon in WB.

Well, what's for sure is that I DO NOT have this WB problem with the Canon. I am really truly pissed at canon for the build quality of this cam! It would have been a perfect cam had they paid a bit more attention to this and I would not be stuck in between these cams (canon and sony) as I am now.

Wouldn't you think, with all their technology, something as simple as this would be easy?

I used to own a Sony Cybershot digital camera and I found the same thing going on there, too. I really think that this is the "look" they strive for. Maybe their Japanese customers like that WB scheme better. Who knows...

I don't know if HD cam users here have noticed these small HD cams can run pretty hot after 15min. As heat being the biggest cause for failures in electronics I have to speculate there is some tradeoff between having a sturdy, thick and big exterior and good heat dispersion. So for me I'd rather have a cheap flimsy look but long lasting than the other way around.

I don't know if HD cam users here have noticed these small HD cams can run pretty hot after 15min. As heat being the biggest cause for failures in electronics I have to speculate there is some tradeoff between having a sturdy, thick and big exterior and good heat dispersion. So for me I'd rather have a cheap flimsy look but long lasting than the other way around.

Heat? I would never have thought to ask that question but now I will. Does the HV20 after say 30 minutes of filming get hot? I live where the summer temperatures can get to 125 degrees.
Thanks
Jake

I know my HV10 gets very warm (or hot) at the top after 20min of recording and playing. I didn't notice that when I had Sony HC3.

It definetly gets warm. Not hot to the touch, but warm on the outside of the case and that means the indside will be pretty warm. I'm not overly concerned but if really hot outside, I might be.

Would you guys like me to do a low light comparison?