[Goose74]

Hey chaps

I was all set to get the HC3 but made the mistake of checking out some raw m2t samples from the canon HV10! The footage to my eyes is much sharper with better colour than the HC3 and despite what camcorderinfo says the low light samples looked much better too. I realise that the ergonomics are not as good and its a shame about no HDMI (why oh why!) but to me PQ is most important and now I feel I might have to fork out the extra £150

just wondered if anyone has any thoughts?

Cheers

[phil5743]

I've had an HV10 for a month now - can't comment on the HC3 but the HV10 is fantastic. IQ aside the optical image stabilisation and advanced autofocus make filming much easier - this really makes up for the small size/form. I know this as I used to have an MVX4i which is the same body - it was much harder to get stable/sharp footage with this camcorder - this only had electronic image stabilisation and AF was noticably inferior. The HV10 is really enjoyable to use (from an amateur perspective) and the results I have got so far (including a very cloudy day in London) are superb.

[Goose74]

thanks for the input phil - I can only go from the m2t samples i have downloaded but my feeling at the moment is that the canon gives a much more film like balanced picture and I am willing to spend a bit extra for that. The only thing I really will miss is the HDMI output.

[redsox_mark]

Unless you can use both in the same conditions it is hard to compare. Have you found clips to download which are done by the same person in the same conditions? I've used a HC3 and own a HC1, and it is an outstanding camcorder. I haven't used the HV10..from what I've read it is equally excellent.

[phil5743]

I dont miss HDMI as my TV only has component. All I can say is that in good light the footage easily compares with Sky HD. It does get noisier in low light but nowhere near as bad as the Camcorder Info review would have you believe - the increased definition compensates for this. My priority was small size as I also carry a DSLR so this is why I went for the Canon. The HC3 has another advantage however in that you can use an external mic - not something i am likely to need but something to consider as the HV10 has no external mic socket.
Cheers Phil

[redsox_mark]

The HC3 doesn't have an external mic socket either... it does have the Sony proprietary "AIS" shoe which can take a Sony AIS mic... so that is somewhat of an advantage, but mics which fit that shoe are very limited.

[Goose74]

Originally Posted by redsox_mark

Unless you can use both in the same conditions it is hard to compare. Have you found clips to download which are done by the same person in the same conditions? I've used a HC3 and own a HC1, and it is an outstanding camcorder. I haven't used the HV10..from what I've read it is equally excellent.

I agree but every single clip from the HC3 does not compare to the HV10 clips I have seen - in fact in many cases the HV10 seems better to my eyes than the FX1!!

good point about the mic though although I cannot see it being an issue for me

[chrishull3]

Originally Posted by Goose74

I agree but every single clip from the HC3 does not compare to the HV10 clips I have seen - in fact in many cases the HV10 seems better to my eyes than the FX1!!

good point about the mic though although I cannot see it being an issue for me

were both cameras on auto white balance,auto is poor on my hc1e compared to a good manual setting,but i must say if i were buying now i would well consider the canon over the hc3e.chris

[Goose74]

Originally Posted by chrishull3

were both cameras on auto white balance,auto is poor on my hc1e compared to a good manual setting,but i must say if i were buying now i would well consider the canon over the hc3e.chris

I was just considering the pure resolution and definition of the picture - for want of a better phrase the hv10 seemed more film like despite the interlacing.