Comments on: Canon XL-H1A 3CCD HDV High Definition Professional Camcorder with 20x HD Video Zoom Lens III

By: Erik R. Andersen

Erik R. Andersen — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:19:58 +0000

The XL H1 is a great camera, used with outstanding results by videographers around the world. If you have the budget and need the professional features not found on the XH A1, this camera is a great choice.

Just in response to the review below, this camcorder records conventional HDV 60i, the identical format to that found on any Sony, JVC, or Panasonic camcorder. This footage can be played on any camera or deck supporting HDV.

The reviewer refers to 24F and 30F, which are ADDITIONAL formats Canon has developed for their XL and XH series camcorders. 24F in particular is an amazing format, allowing Canon to provide a true 24p framerate at a fraction of the cost of other codecs.

If you wanted to use the 24F or 30F formats, and needed to shoot on more than one camera, the other camera could shoot on conventional 24p and be edited in the same timeline within Final Cut. But you may as well stick with Canon, as I do and as does Patrick Moreau of Still Motion. Highly recommended. Rating: 5 / 5

By: Rafael Chinchilla

Rafael Chinchilla — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:42:37 +0000

Good camera, no doubt about it. BUT you may consider that if you shoot in 24F or 30F mode, the tapes can only be played back in the camera itself. 24F and 30F modes record the signal in a Canon’s proprietary way, and cannot be red in ANY deck or camera available in the market today. You can not shoot and deliver the tapes to any editing facility.

I couldn’t believe this, until I called to Canon technical support center, and the technician confirmed that to me.
Rating: 2 / 5

By: Mark Mcdonald

Mark Mcdonald — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:58:42 +0000

Canon has done it again with another truly remarkable camera. The XLH1 and XLH1a are by far the best camera's in this price range.

Actually this camera is better than most that cost 3 or 4 times as much.

Great picture quality, very nicely laid out controls, fast auto focus, very clever image stabilizer and a enormous amount of flexibility.

I have been a Canon fan and user for 20 years and have never been disappointed. The Canon XLH1 is a work of art and a thing of beauty.

Sure this camera is not for the novice because it can be quite complex to get set up to perform the way you want it to but once you do go through the tedious tasks of adjusting it to your own tastes then you have the most wonderful video camera right at your finger tips to do what ever you want it to do.

You can set the camera to auto everything and get pretty good HD video but I suggest you learn how to adjust it to do more of what it was made to do and that is capture absolutely stunning video. Rating: 5 / 5