Okay, I know HV20 OIS in HDV is not that great. Best available, but still not that great. Now if I record in miniDV, will the OIS be better? Logically the answer is no. But you never know nowadays.

I don't have my HV20 with me right now so I can't test it myself. Anybody tested this before?

When you say HDV do you mean 24P?
Is there another way to record than in MiniDV (the SD flash memory mode is low res, isn't it?)?
Granted, I might not be understanding the question. :)

I am going to get an HD camcorder soon and I want to know all I can about the HV20.

BTW: OIS is VERY important to me. Is the HV20 the best OIS HD camcorder out right now?

when I mean miniDV I don't mean the storage media, but the recording mode ie SD as opposed to HD, and no, I don't record using 24p. Can't stand the dizzying effect.

PS: yes, HV20, AFAIK is the best HDV OIS at the time being. Every HD camcorder's OIS are relatively crappy compared to the SD equivalent.

PS: yes, HV20, AFAIK is the best HDV OIS at the time being. Every HD camcorder's OIS are relatively crappy compared to the SD equivalent.

I did not know there was a difference in the OIS implementation between HDV and SD. (!) Is the difference due to increased resolution or does HDV just not make as much use of OIS. (Again, I may not be understanding something here - :) )
I think there are two mechanisms used in OIS. Perhaps HDV doesn't make use of both of them.

I do lots of (careful) handheld work and I need the best OIS I can get.

I did not know there was a difference in the OIS implementation between HDV and SD. (!) Is the difference due to increased resolution or does HDV just not make as much use of OIS. (Again, I may not be understanding something here - :) )
I think there are two mechanisms used in OIS. Perhaps HDV doesn't make use of both of them.

I do lots of (careful) handheld work and I need the best OIS I can get.


I can't imagine that there is any difference in the OIS of HDV compared to SD. The increased resolution may make errors more visible in HD, but the actual OIS process is no different. I have several IS lenses for my DSLR's and each works well to a different degree. I see somewhat of a difference between my Canon SD camcorder and my HV20, but I think that I am more critical of the IQ with HD. I have had great success handholding the HV20, but when I am taking extended takes I use a mono pod to take the pressure off of my arms. I have not used more than a handful of HD camcorders, but from my experience, the HV20 is as good or better in OIS than any other brand available. The size and weight of the camera may have more to do with the quality of steady shooting than anything else.

If the Canon HV20 is considered to have a really good OIS then I'm not impressed with OIS at all. I took the following sample video holding the cam with two hands and elbows on the table. I still notice shake but maybe I'm expecting too much?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKHe7srg3jM

I think the OIS on the HV20 is great- I went hand-held at someone's retirement party during 30 minutes of shooting presentations by talking heads, and managed a respectably steady shot throughout.

Having said that, I remember my hands-on experience with the Panny SD1 also being outstanding with respect to OIS- maybe even better than the HV20.

from the sample you posted, that's how good any image stabilization can be. I have more shakes than that. If my shakes are like yours then I'll be deliriously happy. OIS/EIS will never be as good as Steadicam (or steadicam-like peripherals).

from the sample you posted, that's how good any image stabilization can be. I have more shakes than that. If my shakes are like yours then I'll be deliriously happy. OIS/EIS will never be as good as Steadicam (or steadicam-like peripherals).

I guess I am expecting too much. Another person told me to make it a practice to always bring a tripod no matter what the situation.

What a strange thread. The OIS of the HV20 is outstanding...as good as the OIS on my old SD Canon Ultura camcorder. Where in the world did anyone get the absurd notion that HD OIS is different from SD OIS??? The OIS in the HV20 is great.

I assume the OP and some others do not have extensive camcorder experience. The HV20 is small...and thus hard to hold steady. Use the zoom and the issue is increased by several factors. The OIS does its job in reducing jitters and hand vibrations. It will not stop you from shaking if your shooting technique is poor.

The clip that is posted is rock steady with hardly any movement. What in the world would you expect??

not saying that HV 20 uses different OIS for different resolution, but I'm asking about the possibility of the better appearance by using SD resolution. I'm asking that because shooting in SD using my EIS and OIS using various SD camcorders I can get better image stabilization.

PS: I've used numerous mini camcorders and pro cameras and never had this much problem with OIS. You are correct, however, that this camcorder has VERY different balance than any camcorders I've used. :)

from the sample you posted, that's how good any image stabilization can be. I have more shakes than that. If my shakes are like yours then I'll be deliriously happy. OIS/EIS will never be as good as Steadicam (or steadicam-like peripherals).
Okay, so I'm just being overly paranoid about my "shaky" footage--the amount of shakes in my "steady hand-held footage is somewhat just like that too...and of course--when played back on a 50" plasma, appears even more exaggerated.