Customer Reviews

Canon XL1S MiniDV Digital Camcorder

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The picture quality of the XL1s is outstanding and it is known to be the industry's leading pro-sumer camcorder. It is also an extremely versatile camera, allowing you to change lenses, vary your audio options (such as connecting to professional audio sound systems), and film in both frame and wide-screen formats. The only drawbacks are that it is quite a leap in complexity and it doesn't have a pop-out viewfinder, which means you're stuck looking throught the eye-piece or have to buy an attachable view-finder.

It isn't for your average videographer who wants to just take video of family and vacations. It is actually being used to film documentaries and for professional services such as filming events such as weddings (which is what I use it for).

Due to its size, weight, complexity, and cost (especially when you add the optional accessories such as filters, additional lenses and microphones, etc.), you had better be very serious about videography before you invest in the XL1s. If you are, you will be thrilled with this camera.

Just short of a top-of-the-line broadcast DV camera, the XL1S is an extremely high quality DV camcorder. It's affordable and relatively easy to operate. Granted, my parents wouldn't have the slightest clue on where to start, and for most people this is WAY too much camera for general applications. But for semi-pros and amateurs alike you cannot go wrong with this piece of equipment. All the features you could want or expect are included, and transferrance to analog or to a DV editor isn't more than a button push away. I'm a freelance videographer, and I'm starting a production house and this is the base piece of equipment I use. Too much camera for weddings and picnics, but for any type of video project this is all you need.

My camera has been down to Key West for a short film shoot.
Not a problem it produced the most vivid clearity one could imagine.Also shot footage for The Discovery channel with this camera last month with pro-qaulity.

DVD burns complement this camera this camera looses not one bit of qaulity when editing.
Esspecially if you have a good enhancement program youll love the results the Xl1s produces bump up the saturation and the colors jump out....

I have shot with about every camera out there and the Xl1s beat em all hands down on weight and ease of use.Picture qaulity is by far the best .500+ hours on my Xl1s and it works better than new.
You know, you have to read the manual to adjust for lighting conditions other than that I can produce a great film feel to my work with this DV camera.
A must for the person looking to make his mark in the business.
Dont settle for a gl2 or a panasonic, you'll know what Im talking about once you shoot with this unbelieveable camera.

One thing this camera is very stable,and with practice youll throw away your tripod.....
You,Gotta practice camera technique people....
If you have the cash this is your camera..

As of now, the XL1S is a little outdated by some other cameras that are on the market, but the end product has very desirable results. I have used cameras like the Panasonic DVX-100, and the XL1 will suit your needs at least 90% of the time that the DVX will. There is no LCD screen, but the viewfinder does sort of double as one and the overall shape of the XL1 makes it unwieldy at times, and more convenient at other times.

Overall, if you have the chance to get this camera, then go for it if something like the DVX is out of reach. The XL2 is coming out soon apparently, which will probably drop the price of this camera and it would be a great opportunity for people on a smaller budget to pick up a camera that is capable of cinema quality pictures.

i am currently in high school, in the media tech department. we do the school news, and produce some films. we currently have 3 kinds of camcorders, the sony dsr200, sony dsr300, and the canon xl1. most of the class perfers the xl1 for many reasons.
it is definately the easiest to use, it is very light weight, and has many options that other cameras just dont have. it has a firewire port directly on it to help get onto computers, though there are other ways.

i have personally used this camcorder, and i must agree, it is a wonderful piece of technology. a few months ago i had bought one of the new Sony handycams that burns to miniDVD, and i had nothing but disappointment, now i am looking into an XL1 of my own, because i know how to use it, it is easy to learn how to use, and there is so much more that you can do with it then most camcorders. if you are looking for something professional, and yet decent in price, you might want to consider the canon xl1

Unfortunatly when shopping for a prosumer camera in this price range weighing the pros and cons is definitatly tough. The canon XL1s is and Excellent camera that captures the ENG style most pro cameras at this range misses. However before getting all hot and bothered over that the camera has trouble focusing in low light and a very pixilated picture when it does. The Mic on some of the the XL1s's <not all of them> pick up body noise which is extremely distracting since zooming is a loud function. They sell an adaptor for about $$$ but I have no idea how good it is. To boot there are no XLR plugs on the camera. So guess what. You got it another adaptor.
Ok its not all bad In fact there is some good. The 16:9 crop bars are excellent for professional shooting. The ENG camera build is of the professional style so you look like the real deal. For the Director in us all the focus ring allows for a makeshift short depth of field... excellent for a film look. At this price you have to bite the bullet and weigh the pros and cons and hope when your return peroid ends you made the right decision.

This is the most popular DV camcorder with indie filmmakers and aspiring film school students from rich families. Excellent, broadcast-quality image captured by the 3-CCD system. I don't use zoom or pan or special effects much, so I wish I didn't have to pay for these features, but this is still a GREAT price for such a high-quality video camera. This is absolutely the one to get for professional-level videos. Of course, if you want more resolution for sharper images, try the new affordable JVC HDTV camcorder for about the same price, I think.

This is the camera that they used to make the film 28 Days Later. It is a top of the line domestic semi-pro camcorder. The best camcorder however is now the PANASONIC AG-DVX100a which has moved up on this one because of its better quality and Cinema look, however this Canon has better lens options, but the DVX has lens options too.

The Canon XL1S MiniDV Digital Camcorder is the best camera you can buy, but WARNING! This is for professionals only. If you make independent ilms and such, than you might want to invest in this product, but if you're just gonna make a video of the amily trip or a birthday party, then I strongly suggest getting a less expensive camera. This is the same camera used by newspeople and even in Hollywood. Like past reviewers have said, only get this if you're a serious film maker, not if you're just gonna make home movies.

Canon still seems to have problems with it's lenses and how they interface with its electronic components, which means a blurry picture. For Canadians, there is only 1 service department in Calgary, while customer service is in Ontario. Imagine the bills trying to track down your camera over 2 provinces. Canon has somehow managed to keep this issue under wraps but it is a good idea to investigate where your nearest service department is and what kind of return time you can expect on repairs. The XL delivers great shots and definately looks the part, which can be important, but if it's not in your hands then it won't do much good.