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"A response to the previous opinion; a "true" look at the H1" on by AznBboy58
Pros: Many professional level features; unprecidented at this price point
Cons: Very specific abilities make it cost what it does; only purchase if you know what these abilities have to offer and you know you will use them, otherwise there are other more affordable options.
Summary: Saying that you don't understand why anyone would pay so much more money for this camera as opposed to buying the Sony HC1 is a clearly uneducated opinion and shows ingnorance in this field of products. I work professionally with these products, and would like to chime in on this posted opinion.
The Sony HDR-HC1 is an incredible camera, especially considering what it offers for its price point, but no way can you directly relate it to the Canon XL-H1. The XL-H1 is certainly more expensive, but this is not without reason. It has many, many features that set it at its price point, and definitely provides a superior image and audio when compared to the HC1. But the question is whether you need those abilities.
The Canon XL-H1 has distinct features that distinguish itself from the HC1, some which include:
3CCD capture system, interchangeable lens ability (with a beautiful HD lens that costs more than the HDR-HC1 itself), adjustable frame rates, better dyanmic range, better lux performance, better s/n ratio, xlr audio inputs, HD-SDI uncompressed output, etc ...
There are so many more, but I can't fathom listing them here. My point is that this camera was built for professional use and its feature set is a testament to that. The HC1 is a camera aimed more at the consumer market (which its features and price reflect). Its just silly to really compare these two cameras (in all regards, not just in price like the previous opinion did) ... it totally isn't a fair and equal assesment. Uninformed opinions like that only can confuse potential buyers who are looking for informed views on their possible purchases.
Yes, I believe it is rediculous for someone to spend this much on this camera if they plan to shoot Johnny's first birthday or something like that (which the HC1 is more suited for ... consumer applications). It is meant for professional level applications, and its features and final image quality more than reflect that. If you value, understand, and need abilities like the 24F framerate (which lays onto tape as true progressive scan images which can be edited in a 23.976 timeline for a true 1-to-1 film transfer output), Interchangeable lenses (allowing the ability to connect various lenses, from Canon EF lenses to 35mm CinePrimes for filmmaking), or the "Professional JackPack" (like HD-SDI which completely bypasses the compression in-camera to output the raw 8-bit 4:2:2 data, Genlock and Timecode in and out for syncing multiple cameras), then you'll understand why this camera is pried the way it is (which is still pretty amazing, giving what it offers for this price range).
All I have to say is please make informed comments that can only help those in their purchasing decisions and not troll around with brand loyalty. -
"Good camera but has flaws." on by Pinlight
Pros: Potential for very good images. Sharp outdoor footage rivals more expensive cameras. Actual audio controls rare for cameras in this range. Excellent microphone. Good ND built-in filters. Professional ins and outs.
Cons: Poor focus control, even in manual. Very poor manual iris control. Eyepiece okay, but a flat panel would have been appreciated. Confusing set of modes that can affect your results. Cueing tape tedious. Needs HDMI output. Fragile headphone jack.
Summary: This camera is great at times, and insanely frustrating at others. While it has the capability to create stunning images, it can also surprise you with lens issues, color timing surprises, and modes that so arcane they are not helpful in normal shooting. For example, there is a green box mode that is totally automatic, (good only outdoors or shooting news), modes that adjust exposure by altering the shutter, or altering the aperture, and a "manual" mode that still wants to take over the iris. (?) The lens, while it has good glass, is a servo-controlled system so that you totally lose the positive feel or confidence of a film lens. This is especially evident when trying to manually focus and the camera drifts into focus as you turn the lens. In that regard, the amount of turning of the focus ring is not always the same to achieve the results you expect. It's very imprecise in that regard. Auto focus is worthless and we keep it switched off all the time, since we've seen it have a mind of its own and start focusing for no reason -- even on a locked-down simple talking-head shot. Stability control is sometimes useful for hand-held shooting. Manual iris is a small thumbwheel with detents, (should be a lens ring like a "real" lens) so if you need to make a smooth manual adjustment the camera is incapable of doing that unless it is doing it under its own automatic control. The viewfinder is somewhat acceptable, but this camera sorely needs at minimum a 4" flat panel display as well to help check the critical focus on HD images. It would also benefit from an HDMI port. There is a memory chip that can be used for snapping still images, and that is a helpful feature.
As with all HDV cameras, white areas can go totally white and so Canon has provided three ND gels switchable on the lens which are very useful, and can also enhance its ability to alter depth of field. The good aspects of the camera are that it has three HD modes and two NTSC modes. It records on HD compatible miniDV tapes In HD or NTSC. There is 30 and 60 and also a "24f" mode that delivers a respectable film look. When using the camera with Final Cut Pro, Apple provides a special driver to accept the 24f mode and converts it on the fly to 24P. This is especially good later for converting your finished output, and we have even transferred to Super 35mm negative with this camera at EFILM in Hollywood and it looks respectable.
The camera is a true 1080i camera, as some other cameras in this price range are actually 720 and use pixel doubling. There are respectable audio controls. You have two professional XLR inputs on the rear as well as phantom power and auto level control which normally works very well. The built-in stereo/mono mic is exceptionally good. In this price range, the XL-H1's professional audio features are unmatched by any other camera. The one and only audio flaw with this camera is an unbelievably cheap plastic headphone jack located in the handle which broke the second week we owned the camera.
Editing with the camera can be accomplished via Final Cut Pro and Firewire or other editing systems. Cueing the tape remotely is very tedious and not always accurate. Recommend purchasing a compatible hard disk recorder, ie FireStore, but one that is fully compatible with Canon's proprietary recording modes. Finally, there is no tape deck available that will play this camera's format, (unless you're recording in 1080/60) so you'll need the camera around to ingest footage from it, unless you plan to use a portable hard drive with it. The size and weight of the camera are not prohibitive, but its shape is at times cumbersome, especially if you're holding it over your head, or trying to cradle the camera for lower angles. In that respect, the Panasonic HVX 200 is more ergonomically friendly but in our non-scientific comparisons, when the XL-H1 is set up and working properly, its pictures appear sharper to us -- that is, when it's in focus.
There. I normally get paid for writing a review this in-depth, but hopefully it will help you evaluate this camera more fully since the HDV field is confusing at best. -
"Totally awesome camcorder, never regret my purchase." on by RadnallK
Pros: I love the quality of video it takes, and I love that i spent a fraction of the price on it here: http://www.onequality.com/
Cons: It is a little bulky, but its worth every drip of sweat it takes to carry it around.
Summary: I love the custom presets option. It keeps all my fav's ready to go, so it does not take a lot of time to set everything depending on what I am shooting. The 20x zoom that it comes with is great as well, and the lens is superb. And its image stabilizer has helped me until I got the steady cam. Over all its great.
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"Decent Quality, but has major function flaws" on by Alex_nb185
Pros: Good picture, HDV, sturdy feel, good range of audio settings
Cons: No independent focus and zoom, limited color controls, iris settings
Summary: I use this camera for a lot of live broadcasting. My biggest gripe about the camera is that you cannot independently zoom and focus, so if you are zooming, you cannot focus, and can't zoom while focusing. You would have to get a separate lens to be able to do this... meaning you can add an extra $400 to the cost of this camera. the White balance settings are limited, they have basic presets, and beyond that it is not easy to get what you are looking for, especially on the fly. In low-light areas with bright stage lights (concerts, etc.) this camera is pretty decent, the colors show up well. However, in an average room, the lighting is hard to get a good balance of colors.
The iris settings are choppy, not like an independent wheel on the lens. The iris is a wheel that controls the iris digitally... in my opinion, a HUGE flaw. I used to work with panasonics from the 90's that had 100 times better control of zoom, focus, iris, and white balance/color.
overall it is a nice camera, esp for HDV. But if I were to go back, I would buy a panasonic or sony that has more functionality. Another man I work with has a panasonic (fairly recent model) and he has WAY more control over basic functions.
The frame is very sturdy, feels good on your shoulder or a tripod. The audio settings are vast, has two XLR inputs and a range of controls for those as well as a front mounted shotgun mic.
If you are looking for a camera that does all-around good stuff, I would NOT buy this. This is good for really only concert-like setting, or other low-light type events. -
"GREAT CAM for indie film makers" on by x l 2
Pros: ...step by step white balance adjusting
Cons: no true 24p mode
Summary: ..great cam, but test XH G1 and XH A1 first....
this footage is filmed with Canon XL2 (with 24p)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxw5LmAv6w4
http://girlsofthunder.com/got/
Canon XL H1 user reviews
Where to Buy
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