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Canon Vixia HV40 HD Camcorder

 
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 5.0 User rating
 
 3.5 (2)
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Shoot. Capture. See. Be HD.

The Canon VIXIA HV40 is one of the latest additions to our large family of HD camcorders. For those seeking the ultimate in HD video quality, we bring a host of Canon Exclusive features you won’t find anywhere else - from our own 2.96 Full HD CMOS image sensor and advanced DIGIC DV II image processor, delivering breathtaking detail and the best in color reproduction, to SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization and Instant Auto Focus to give you the ultimate control demanded by High Definition. With the Genuine Canon 10x HD video zoom lens and a host of other advanced features the VIXIA HV40 is sure to be your choice in High Definition camcorders. If you wish to continue to use your existing Standard Definition equipment, the VIXIA HV40 has both SD and HD recording modes.

The VIXIA HV40 is easy to use and delivers the high level of performance you’ve come to expect from Canon. Our vast experience with photographic and broadcast television cameras brings you the optical excellence, advanced image processing, superb performance, and the latest in technological advancements you expect. The VIXIA HV40 is the premium quality High Definition video tape camcorder for sophisticated and discerning videographers.

Product Features

  • Canon Exclusive: Genuine Canon 41x Advanced Zoom
  • Canon Exclusive: DIGIC DV Image Processor
  • Quick Start
  • Widescreen HR Recording
  • Image Stabilizer
  • 2.7” Widescreen LCD
  • Compatible with Canon Lens Converters and Filters
  • Brilliant Video, Easy Operation
  • Perfect Exposures
  • Microphone Terminal
  • Share Your Videos
  • Additional Features

Product Specs

Image Sensor 1/2.7-inch CMOS, RGB Primary Color Filter
Image Stabilizer SuperRange Optical (lens shift)
Lens Zoom Ratio 10x Optical / 200x Digital Focal Length f=6.1-61mm (35mm equivalent: 43.6 - 436mm) Zoom Speed Variable / 3 Fixed Zoom Speeds Max. F/Stop f/1.8-3.0mm (when tapes are used)
Optical Zoom 10x
Dimensions 3.5” (W) x 3.2” (H) x 5.4” (D) (88 x 82 x 138mm)
Weight 1.4 lbs. (615g)

Warranty Terms - Parts

1 year

Warranty Terms - Labor

1 year limited

Product Height

3.2”

Product Width

3.5”

Product Weight

1.2 lbs.

Product Depth

5.4”

Format

MiniDV

Vista Compatible

Yes

LCD Screen Size

2.7”

Image Stabilization

Yes, optical

Digital Zoom

200x

Night Recording

Yes

Special Effects

Black-and-white, sepia

Editing Features

Yes

Motion Sensor

Yes

Audio Sensor

Yes

Video Light

Light and Flash

Lines of Resolution

1080

Manual Focus

Yes

Video Resolution

1/2.7” CMOS image sensor; 2.96 megapixels

Digital Still Resolution

1/4” CMOS image sensor; 2.99MP effective resolution

Digital Still Resolution

Up to 2.76MP (in 4:3 mode)

Auto Date/Time Stamp

Yes

Audio Recording

Yes

Recording Speeds

SP, LP

Speaker

Yes

Color Viewfinder

Yes

Line Input Recording

Yes

Remote Control

Yes

Aspect Ratio

4:3 and 16:9

Compatible Memory Formats

miniSD

Exposure Control

Auto/manual

PC Software

Digital Video Solution

Connectivity

IEEE 1394/ i.LINK|USB 2.0

PC Cable

Yes

Rechargeable Battery

Yes

AC Adapter

Yes

Canon HV’s Review

www.pcworld.com

01/06/09

Canon announces a new addition to its HDV camcorder range: the Legria HV40. Recording HDV1080i images to tape, the Legria HV40 is the successor to the HV30.

The latest evolution of Canon's popular HV-series, the Legria HV40 offers users greater creative control over their movies. A new Custom Key allows a range of different functions to be assigned to the manual Control Dial, located at the front of the camcorder, including focus, exposure and audio level.

Among a range of image customization options, there's a 25p Cinema Mode that's designed to replicate the looks and feel of traditional film, capturing footage at the equivalent of 25 frames per second. In the US version, the Vixia HV40, this is replaced by a 24p mode.

The camcorder has a 2.96-megapixel CMOS sensor, a Canon HD video lens with 10x optical zoom and Super Range Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS), and a DIGIC DV II processor that has been optimized for HD. Canon says that Instant AF provides incredibly fast and accurate auto focus, while Focus Assist aids manual focusing. The Legria HV40 also has a 2.7-inch LCD screen.

The Advanced Accessory Shoe allows a range of dedicated accessories to be attached. There are also manual audio controls, a microphone input and headphone jack to allow high quality audio to be captured, and HDMI and component outputs.

Editor review

Canon VIXIA HV40

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

Summary

In terms of sheer creative options, the Canon Vixia HV40 is a powerhouse of a camcorder, with features that make it especially appealing to those looking to emulate the look of film – it’s no surprise, coming from a company that built it’s reputation in the high-end photography industry. It’s also one of the few cameras that still uses tape technology, in addition to it’s SD card slot, so it speaks to both the past and future of storage formats.

One of the main attractions of this camcorder is the ability to switch on 24p recording mode – delivering a classic (and desirable) film look to shot footage, which in conjunction with the Cinema mode, really makes it shine for indy filmmakers and anyone looking to add an extra sheen to their work. Then there’s a full 30p mode, great for generating the cleanest video possible in situations with a lot of motion and activity and perfect for the best quality once it comes to digital post editing. Canon’s excellent motion stabilization makes this a strong performer in handheld shooting situations, and perfect for field work of all kinds.

The fact that the HV40 can stream video out of it’s Firewire port makes this camera invaluable for studio work, especially in conjunction with software like DVGarage’s amazing Conduit nodal effects package (http://www.dvgarage.com/prod/prod.php?prod=conduit2).

Lots of little touches make this camera a standout contender: from the built-in lens cover, a really nice alternative to snap-on covers that invariably get lost – to the built-in flash or taking still photos, there are lots of subtle features that all add up to a strong overall package.

The HV40 is a very solid value, an excellent camcorder with a lot of detail and attention paid to it’s design.

Quick Take -- Suitable for neophyte to advanced shooters -- 24p mode is excellent for filmmakers – strong motion stabilization – realtime video output via Firewire
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Reviewed by admin
June 29, 2009
#1 Reviewer
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User reviews

Average user rating from: 2 user(s)

 
Rate this product:
 
 3.5
 
 

Excellence improved by inexpensive additions.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

Pros

Almost fully featured. Definitely delivers a quality image and recording to tape as hdv means better compatibility with non linear editing systems such as Final cut Pro via firewire and a relatively editing friendly codec (HDV). Can deliver uncompressed video via HDMI at full 1920 x 1080 resolution (if you have a HDMI capture card).
Easy to learn menus -mostly.

Cons

Almost too compact. Absence of manual focus ring problematic until you invest in an IrvDesign.com "Manual focus ring (US $59). which then makes this a fully featured camera.
Initial comunication from camera to computer can be a challenge to set up as camera needs to be in correct "camera i.e., recording mode" and also correct "VCR mode" to establish first contact - Strangely once contact is achieved is easy.
Doesn't do HDV - HDMI passthrough (monitoring while editing) when attached to an NLE (although cheaper Canon camera achieve this). Also sometimes timecode is "confused" requiring non timecode accurate capture. So not so useful as an low end editing deck.
Canon HD lenses expensive but can be worked arround by use of a step up adapter ring (47 -58mm) whereby second hand prosumer SD lenses (XM, XA cameras) can be used without compromising image quality due to the larger sweet spot these bigger lenses have -also give the camera much needed weight, however larger format lenses do require manual focus as large lens obscures Instant focus sensor (and flash)-though the lens focus still works but is much slower.
Some broadcasters will not accept HDV content but HDMI capture on location would be acceptable.

Summary

I'd buy another in this series, or step up to the prosumer series of Canon, and use my HV40 for B-roll. Actually I've read that some folks prefer the image quality of the HV40 over the "Pro" big brothers which can be accused of being harsh. So HV40 is could be better for studio/ interview where a flattering image and multi camera setups are expected. 24P (PAL countries) /30P (NTSC land) is a bit of a marketing gimic, but cinema mode which is related gives a very attractive image in the right contexts.
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 4.0
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Reviewed by Johnno
August 04, 2009
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Canon Vixia HV40

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
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 3.0
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Reviewed by freelance
June 24, 2009
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