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| Brand: Canon
Category: Photography
List Price: $3,999.97
Buy New: $3,061.99
You Save: $937.98 (23%)
New (8) from $2,999.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  37 reviews
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Optical Zoom: 20
Display Size: 2.8
Maximum Focal Length: 90
Minimum Focal Length: 4.5
Shipping Weight (lbs): 12
Dimensions (in): 12 x 20 x 16
MPN: 1191B001
Model: XH A1
UPC: 013803063769
EAN: 0013803063769
Release Date: October 30, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews:
 Perfect companion for XL-H1 July 22, 2007
24 out of 24 found this review helpful
About 1 year ago I bought an XL-H1 and a Sony HVR-A1U to do work on a documentary. Though the Sony has proved to be a great camera in its own right, it doesn't cut well with the XL-H1, and the image quality in bright light was near as good, in darker settings, things just fell apart. So I bought this camera XH-A1. I thought when I bought the XL-H1 I would end up buying a second when I could afford it, but I found no compelling reason on a couple of counts. (1) Jack pack is wonderful if you are planning to haul around a RAID array and a generator. I'm sure this would be allot of fun for the run a gunner like myself ;-) (sarcasm). Even though I have heard people criticize the HDV format for compression and artifacts not seen as much with the uncompressed format you get from the HD/SDI output.. I personally think maybe its 1 person in a 1000 who could tell the difference in the end (and they might be faking, I can't). This pictures is NOTHING short of Stunning period. (2) I thought having two cameras that I could syncronize with the clocks would be really needed.. but its really not that difficult to do in an editor by just finding a synchronizing frame (like a handshake, etc) and going from there. (3) I wanted the TC output to drive an external 24 bit audio recorder (this camera doesn't have it the HL-H1 does). Well, after getting it to work, I never used it.. I did lots of 24 bit recording, but like the video, it was easy enough to synchronize externally in the editor later. The autofocus on this camera is hugely improved over the xl-h1. I NEVER run the XL-H1 in "auto" anything, this camera I do as it seems to have more smarts, though I STRONGLY suggest putting the gain into "LOW" not auto and setting it for -3 in the menu setups. Also, Always do manual white balance. I still favor running about everything in manual as its better control and fewer unexpected problems, but I would trust this camera far more than the XL-H1 in auto.
DOWNSIDES:
For me, there are only two downsides to this camera (1) Wide angle lens - I know there is a screw on available, I haven't tried it.. but the $3K canon wide angle lens (almost the same price as this camera!) is just amazing, I wonder how great this one is. (2) Power of the big camera.. as much of a joke as it may sound.. I have gotten several interviews and in several places because the XL-H1 is huge, expensive, and professional looking. I have walked though security at events because the guys "assume" I am with something official (just an independent doc), and have seen them stop guys with huge expensive still cameras, etc.. its actually very funny, but if you understand human nature.. it makes people take you seriously. The XH-A1 performs every bit as good, but lacks that effect to the same degree (though it still looks pretty "professional"). I hope that helps.
Last comment, unless you're going to film (I think 24F is pretty bogus) try 30F, looks much smoother and better. People fell in love with the distortion of vinal recordings, but it was still distortion. 24F (p) is the same thing.. looks jerky, maybe more like a movie, but if you have a better technology why on earth would you like something inferiour? My 2 Cents.
Fantastic! September 19, 2007
22 out of 22 found this review helpful
I just got this in May 2007. I was a still photographer all my life, but now deceided to incorporate videos into my work, so I went straight to the quality camera rather than trying out inexpensive versions, despite being quite a novice when it comes to complicated video camera operations (I'm used to just push/zoom/record when it comes to camcorders).
This camera takes great quality footages, and if you're like me (don't know how to operate it to it's full potential), it's still easy enough to use and get a great shot while you're still reading and learning from the manual. I ended up buying the DVD explaining this specific camera, after reading the manual 3 times and found it more complex than I had imagined. Might as well learn all the tricks after investing in this great equipment, right?
I tape professional concerts on stage, so 20x zoom is thankful, but sometimes even that's not enough for my work! Does anyone have a suggestion as to which teleconverter attachment I should /can use for this?
I also attend red carpet events and interview people at publicized functions. Being a girl, it's bad enough to fight the big boys from the prominent press to grab the celebrity's attention. However, this camera commands attention, and people actually make way for me when I walk around with this professional looking machine. I even succeeded in grabbing Michael Moore and Joan Rivers to talk to my camera for a very brief interview before they had to walk away to the next bigger camera (CNN - had I not been next to their HUGE intimidating camera, perhaps I would have had more time with those celebs? ).
The spotlight mode on this camera has been helpful in filming stage performances where my second camera (Sony) I roll simultaneously from another angle can't seem to handle the crazy changes in the stage lighting as well.
There's much more upsides, but I think people already know that.
The fact that you can adjust just about anything manually makes this camera the bar-none winner!
One of the few non-professional camcorder that comes with microphone jack input as well as headphone jack! Both very much appreciated.
So, the DOWNSIDE:
The still photo capability is nice, but the images come out grainy in higher resolution, but okay in the lower res setting. Outdoor photos faired better. For photography art, stick to your real camera.
The manual that comes with the camera is NOT easily deciphered by a novice like myself, when it gets into the deep and technical aspects of customizing the setting (what, why, and how). A novice would probably end up shooting in auto mode (such a pity) due to it's complex programming involved for custom setting.
Weight: for a girl (115 lbs), I always need a tripod because it's quite heavy after holding it for 10 min and by the end of the event, my arm/shoulder is aching. However, the image stablizer works fantastically when hand-held.
Microphone - invest in external microphone if you're doing serious work. I bought wireless lavs and mics, and I finally get the sounds I'm aiming for. Otherwise, it's great for home video kind of audio (good enough for many cases), with couple of tweekers to enhance it a bit.
A fantastic camcorder March 8, 2007
18 out of 18 found this review helpful
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3TJA00PRTLXJL I use this camcorder now for all my filming (capturing with Final Cut Pro) and I highly recommend it.
 Awesome 5 star camera, but beware the rebate co.'s scam November 19, 2007
12 out of 12 found this review helpful
I have nothing but good things to say about this camera; every good thing in the other reviews is true. I literally have no complaints, except when it comes to the company Canon outsourced to facilitate the rebates. I was denied my rebate twice, having been lied to by the company, saying I missed the postmark deadline. I did certified mail, baby. They got their date wrong and denied me, but with persistence, and overwhelming evidence, they sent me a check, but would not provide info on where they got their (fake) date wrong.
So, beware, and send certified for rebates. And Canon, shame on you for having a crap company like Rebates HQ do your rebates!
This camera, by the way, is a dream. It's lens makes me tingle. It's the best camcorder I've ever used, and as a filmmaker, I've used quite a few.
Oh, and as with ALL camcorders, don't use the camera mic if you care about sound. Seriously now.
Worth the time to learn November 23, 2007
12 out of 12 found this review helpful
The canon is not your average point and shoot video camera. Although your results will likely be great if you're outside shooting your child's sports event, the camera requires patience and frequent use to get a feel for it's abilities.
The best recommendation I can make to folks looking to purchase this camera is to shoot often, shoot in low light, bright light, get a feel for what the built-in Neutral Density filter does for you, and how to use the audio controls.
It's taken me about 6-8 hours of filming in 15 minute intervals to get my comfort level up to a point where I'm happy and excited to shoot important events. This is a fantastic professional camera and while the average user won't need to worry about customizing all the color settings (although there programs to help you), the professional will love the control settings, the user defined program buttons, and the timecoding found in the sister camera, the XH-G1.
Have fun, this is a great camera.
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Why I chose this camera over it's rivals:
1. 3CCD means (at the time I purchased) a better low light film quality.
2. External XLR audio. I tend to prefer the audio from a shotgun mic, or the wind filtering fuzzies on a shure mic.
3. Flip out LCD. This is a must for comfortable shooting / tripod shooting.
4. Handle controls. Shoot those low shots aiming up with comfort without getting off the stage.
5. Tapes. SD cards are great, but I tend to shoot once and keep the tapes forever, so SD cards were an expensive option for shoot once storage (they're cheaper now, but i still feel kinda silly not re-using memory cards).
Importing onto my mac is a piece of cake. PC users may need some special software.
Have fun and happy shooting!
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