Canon HV30 camera shake while filming trains

A graphic example of how the HV30 handles, or rather, doesn't handle vibration. A selection of videos that have been ruined by my HV30, some like the snow shot I will be lucky to ever have another chance at capturing.

When I bought this camera there was no hint in any of the online reviews that it suffered from this problem, indeed all the reviews raved about it and said it was one of the best cameras available. Indeed some of the video I get from it is very nice and crisp with great colours, but is all unusable with terrible shaking right at the critical moment.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• canon
• hv30
• wobble
• rolling
• shutter
• trains
• nz
• rail
• diesel
• loco
• tranzalpine

[TsvetanKaludov]

Hello. As have the same camera and I am facing a problem with the picture shake. I want to ask - Were you able to find any solution for this model HV30? Thanks in advance.

[madleech]

@TsvetanKaludov Unfortunately no, I returned it in the end and have since purchased a Panasonic HDC-SD700, a fantastic little camera that has great OIS and shoots in full 1080p50.

[AnimatoFinland]

The reason for this "jell-o" effect is in the CMOS sensor, which has a "rolling shutter". This is not a problem specific to the Canon HV30 - almost all modern consumer CMOS camcorders have this problem. Only professional CMOS cameras costing 10K$ or more have "global shutters", which avoids it...

Older consumer cameras, with CCD sensors, do have a "global shutter", which does not cause the effect during vibration - all you see is a uniform shake, not the "jell-o"...

[madleech]

I agree, and yes you do see this effect on most cheaper CMOS cameras, but the OIS/EIS system in most new CMOS cameras is far better at filtering out vibration; in the HV30, it almost seemed to amplify the vibration! It's a shame cos otherwise it was a good camera.

[cuzinitr]

Hey, Thank's for this video! The narration

really helped me see what you ment. I'll remember this when I upgrade cam's! 5* Rich

[madleech]

Yes the HV30 seems much worst than any other HD camera I've tried. If you want to simulate these conditions, tie the camera on something with no suspension (e.g. shopping cart, skateboard, etc) and wheel it around outside. The small, sudden vibrations of the concrete/asphalt/etc are great at simulating what happens when filming trackside.

[sohcsarewicked]

Hi there I understand your thoughts about only having one chance to capture footage. If you would like to see a more extreme version of how poorly HV30 handles any vibration please see my video "HV30" vs any of my other videos with a ccd panasonic gs65. It's just pretty disappointing camera unless it's sitting on a tripod lol.

[andyg3]

such a pity the hv30 has the problem, as it has such great quality!

[Tekedon]

Who would want to film trains all the time anyway.

[madleech]

Hi there, just done some side-by-side tests with and without OIS and it makes no difference at all in this case. The vibration is just too severe or at the wrong frequency for the OIS to compensate for. Interestingly, did some similar tests with my Canon HV30, a Sony HC3 (also HDV), and late model AVCHD Panasonic and Sony cameras and the HV30 is by FAR the worst. The Panasonic was the best, very closely followed by the two Sonys.