HV10 and HV20: Different Batteries?
 

Do the HV10 and HV20 use interchangeable batteries?

My research into the subject indicates "no" but I'd like to get that firmed up before I take the plunge.

the batteries are different
 

The HV10 takes the BP-310 or BP-315. The BP-310 comes with it and the 315 lasts about twice as long. Search the Canon site and you can download the manual for both camcorders.

There are charts predicting how long the battery may last for several chores, but they also suggest you expect only 1/3 or 1/2 the time. Their values are when you just turn-it-on-and-see-how-long-it-runs. Expect that you will start/zoom/pause/stop/review, etc.

The HV20 comes with the BP-2L13. You can also use the NB-2LH (which powers several of the Canon digital camers, too) or the BP-2L14. The charts show that the 2LH runs about 60% as long as the stock battery and the 2L14 last 20% longer than the stock battery.

I have a Canon PowerShot S80 which uses the NB-2LH. It's charger also charges the BP-2L13 "off camera".

Thanks Neil. I just bought an HV20 from a big box store for *very cheap* and I'm excited to get working. Too bad they didn't make the accessories compatible. Either that's good business for Canon (i.e. making your customers buy more high profit accesories) or bad business (upsetting regular customers like me who know that Sony would used the same battery format for similarly sized cams).

I plan on getting an HV10 as a more pocket sized second cam. If all goes well, the HV20 will live attached to the Letus and the HV10 will operate as a run and gun for a doc I'm working on.

Neil:

Just wanting to confirm that your charger will work with the batteries for the HV20--is it this charger?

Thanks, been looking for a solution for a while as I'm not happy having to use the camera to charge the batteries!

Yes -- and the CB-2LT will work as well.