HDR-SR11 vs. canon hv20/30?

Question

I really need help deciding. This will be my first camcorder purchase and I don't want to make a $800-$1,000 mistake and get the wrong one. I want the best as far as overall quality is concerned. I'm buying a camcorder now for the first time so I can make movies this summer. A lot of people tell me about the 24 frames per seconds features that's including with both cameras or something like that. Please! Someone help me decide, I would prefer the experts on camcorders to answer this question for me seeing as how they would have more experience and knowledge on camcorders. Thanks.

Answer 1

Excellent choice! Both cameras are two of the most popular HD camcorders on the market, and I will attempt to explain the pros and cons. The first, and most noticeable difference is that they are two different formats: the SR11 is an HDD Hard Drive memory camera while the HV20 is an HDV miniDV cassette camera. Personally, I prefer HDV camcorders over the tapeless AVCHD camcorders which include the SD memory card ones as well as the hard drive ones such as the SR11. AVCHD cameras DO save memory space, but it comes with a catch; AVCHD cameras must compress the footage in order to save space, which comprises the picture quality from true HD. This compression is obvious in any flip HD camera, or any other cheaper cameras, but not so much on the SR11, which still has great quality. The uncompressed HDV footage, like from an HV20 would have greater color and detail, but would also be a greater strain on your computer...it would take up a lot more memory. Another advantage of HDV camcorders is that they use tape-based miniDV cassettes, which are compatible with pretty much any program, even the professional program such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Apple Final Cut Pro, and Avid Media Composer. AVCHD editors may feel limited, especially in professional applications, as the only AVCHD-compatible program I know of is Sony Vegas Pro.

     The Sony HDR-SR11 is probably better at still pictures, but that does not merit much consideration. The HV20 also has a greater image sensor, a 1/2.7" CMOS as opposed to the 1/3" CMOS in the SR11. A larger CMOS sensor only offers a marginal advantage in certain depth of field situations, and is not that big of a factor in the consumer range. I do NOT like the sound quality on the HV20, but that is not a problem as it offers a mini-stereo microphone input for external mics, a huge plus. The SR11 also offers a mini-stereo mic input for external mics.

Other than that, the two cameras are pretty much neck and neck, and it is a hard decision to make. My only complaint with the two cameras is there manual controls. Both offer some manual controls such as focus, exposure, etc. but they are not convenient whatsoever. The focus on the HV20 is not a convenient focus ring around the lens, but instead a small k**b on the side that is hard to use. This lack of good manual controls is a pain for professional users, but not much of a concern for consumers, as none of the new camcorders have decent manual controls. I do not see this as much of a problem in these cameras, unless you really want to take artistic liberties. You will do fine on auto; the autofocus on the HV20 is the fastest, and one of the most accurate I have ever seen. I do not know too much of the SR11's autofocus, however.

   In conclusion, I am slighltly leaning towards the Canon HV20. I am very familiar with this camera, but I have honestly never used the upgraded HV30. As far as I'm concerned, I see no significant reasons to upgrade, but that's up to you to decide. Comparing the HV20 and the SR11, the HV20 also has the advantage of its price; the HV20 is $750 while the SR11 is $1,100.

Regarding the 24p format, I would strongly suggest against using it. I agree that it is an excellent function offered on both cameras, great for the ideal look of celluloid film, but it is complicated and hard to use. In changing the native 30 frames per second to 24 frames per second, that of fillm cameras, the camera must compensate for this in various ways (I have used a 2:3 pulldown in the past), which can create problems in editing, especially if you are using consumer programs. Its always nice to have the 24p capability though, and it is a nice feature once you are familiar with it.

Hope that helps. I am sure that you will be extremely happy, regardless of the camera you choose; I love them both. Whatever you decide, Good Luck!

Answer 2

check out the reviews from experts:

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Son...

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Can...

Review on SR-11 is similar to SR-12, diff is just on hdd capacity (30 vs. 60gb)