Canon LEGRIA HV40

It seems the days of HDV camcorders are practically over. Looking at all the new tape-based models for 2009, you're bound to notice that the Canon HV40 doesn't have much competition. Even so, it looks like Canon didn't try too hard to improve the HV40 over last year's HV30. The camcorder has only a few upgrades, including a native 25p mode and some minor design alterations.

Compared to Canon's flash memory camcorders, however, the HV40 looks and feels a little old-fashioned. The HF S series, especially, is sleeker and has more convenient controls and features, better operability, and—most importantly—far better performance. However, there are still many people that prefer recording with a tape-based camcorder. Avoiding the complex and difficult AVCHD footage surely is one of the main reasons. Canon could have put more work into updating the menus, the user interace, and the handling, though, just as it did with all its flash-memory models.

Most manufacturers didn't release a tape-based camcorder in 2009, and there are even fewer HDV models. So, if you really require a tape-based camcorder, the Canon LEGRIA HV40 is probably the best choice. The camcorder is less expensive than other high-end flash and HDD models. Then again, if you really want to save some money, you should look for a (much cheaper) HV30, especially as there are no big differences between it and the HV40. Still, most non-linear camorders are more sophisticated, better performers, and easier to operate than the HV40—that is, if you don't mind dealing with AVCHD.