Between consumer and professional devices, there’s the prosumer to bridge the gap. Canon’s HV20 is a prosumer camcorder that captures images in HD quality at a very low price. Without the battery, it weighs a little over a pound. Even with its small frame, it includes a color viewfinder and a 2.7" widescreen flip-out LCD monitor. This CCD camera can shoot up to 1920x1080 for 1080i/60 HDV. The reviewer tested the unit outdoors and found the images excellent, though still not in the league of true professional cameras like Sony's XDCAM HD. Also, its not the ideal gear for shooting in low light situations.

There are a considerable number of Hi-Def camcorders coming into the market these days, and it can be a difficult undertaking deciding which one to buy. Thankfully, Canon came out with the HV20 HDV camcorder, and made that decision substantially easier. With remarkable picture quality and 24P capability, it really is a tempting pick for everyday consumers. The neatly organized menus and submenus are easy to use. Mode changes are handily navigated, with no noticeable hassle. The HV20 is well suited for the needs of consumer shooters. What puts this camera ahead of the competition though is the 24P HDV mode, making it worth a look even for more advanced consumers. Low-light quality is good, with clear and crisp images. It looks simply fantastic. Priced at about $1,100, it is one of the better purchases available.