| Canon XH A1 1.67MP 3CCD High-Definition Camcorder with 20x Optical Zoom | 
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| Brand: Canon
Category: Photography
List Price: $3,999.98
Buy New: $3,299.88
You Save: $700.10 (18%)
Buy New from $3,299.88
Avg. Customer Rating:   (28 reviews)
Sales Rank: 3427
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): 16 x 20 x 12
MPN: 1191B001
Model: XH A1
UPC: 013803063769
EAN: 0013803063769
ASIN: B000H7GSG6
Release Date: October 30, 2006
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Features:
| • | Captures true 1080 resolution, widescreen (16:9) HD video | | • | 2.8-inch widescreen LCD monitor; .57-inch viewfinder | | • | 20x HD zoom lens; Super-range optical image stabilization | | • | Three 1/3-inch 16:9 CCDs (1.67 megapixels) | | • | DIGIC DV II HD image processor |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Canon XH-A1 captures true 1080 High Definition resolution video at 60i, 30F or 24F frame rates (or, 50i/60i with optional upgrade). It captures a true 16:9 widescreen HD image that is made for your HD broadcast and theatrical projects. It comes with a Genuine Canon 20x HD Professional L Series Fluorite lens delivering outstanding resolution, contrast and color reproduction; delivers clarity and image quality you won't see with conventional optical glass lenses. Designed specifically for HD, Canon's DIGIC DV II ensures optimal image quality for HD video, with improved color reproduction - especially in skin tones, and dark and light scenes. It also employs a hybrid noise reduction system that integrates two types of noise reduction, for high definition images that are crystal clear. Designed for professional use, the Canon XH-A1 comes with a 2.8" Widescreen LCD and .57" Widescreen EVF for bright, high-resolution views. The LCD and EVF can be used at the simultaneously, giving both cameraperson and director or producer a view of the action. It records on HDV digital tape cassettes. There's also a slot for SD memory cards.
Canon's innovative Super-Range Optical Image Stabilizer combines gyro- and image-sensors to correct camcorder shake instantly - whether it's the fast vibration you'd experience while recording from a moving car; the medium-speed motion of hand-held recording; or the slower motion of body sway. With HD, focus is more critical than ever. Instant AF is the next generation of auto focus, designed with HD resolution in mind. It combines an external AF sensor with Canon's legendary auto focus system for fast and accurate focus. Together, the two sensors reduce focusing time - even in low-light situations - and improve focusing performance on difficult subjects. There are 9 Custom Presets, 2 Custom Keys, and 7 Programmable AE Modes.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 23 more reviews...
 One of the best Prosumer cams July 7, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I own it. I use it a lot. 9 months now and it's still working fine. No drop outs on the tapes and I've put it through some challenging climates as well as racking up significant hours shooting and digitizing.
I like that it shoots tape, as that's what my clients demand from me (it's the reason I had to buy this particular HDV cam in the first place) and I can buy stock anywhere in the world (and have). However, with the cost of digital storage these days, the cams that offer recording field footage on advanced flash cards start looking like a really nice option as it bypasses the issue of tape mechanism breakdown as the hours usage starts to add up.
My first week of shooting with this cam in Beijing I suffered through a chinese dude stumbling into my gear and basically sitting on my XH. The mic broke right off. It's not attached with a sturdy mount, just internal plastic with a lot of play, so if you're doing extensive run and gun you might want to consider that. It sticks out there and is vulnerable. I use an external shotgun anyway, so while I was sad to see the mic break off, it doesn't affect my work.
I don't really like the image chip presets/defaults on the camera, very bland, but they're easily changed and one can do endless tweaks for the settings that work best for you and your style. I do a fair amount of work for live music acts, and the ability of this camera to counter-balance the heavy red light typical of live venues has been a blessing. Also, there are plenty of users out there that share their chip settings and downloading them from the net and putting them on your own XH A1 is pretty easy. Many many things are user programmable on this camera. Color settings, gain settings, focal ring sensitivity, zoom speed, etc. I use the camera exclusively in manual mode, so these controls are ideal.
I find that editing HDV on my FCP system has been almost as fluid as my DV projects. It's ever so slightly bogged down by the necessity to do on-the-fly time-code calculations due to the nature of the codec, but it's very negligible. In fact, because of HDV, FCP defaults to a nice real-time capture process that I like --where it grabs clips individually rather than consolidated (as on DV). So that's a nice bonus!
As far as the limitations of HDV, Yes, they exist. Big deal. I don't understand the logic of folks that bash the codec/format. If you don't know what the HDV format is all about, then chances are you're not shooting as a true pro, and you're working the middle ground in some way (and there's lots of work in that part of the market) so what's the worry? The color sampling is highly compressed. Yeah? And if you were doing a real shoot that required serious green-screen or some such, something tells me you'd have the budget for gear north of 3k. Sheesh. Otherwise, your gonna get a cam that has the capability of creating really nice motion picture images that's ridiculously affordable. And, if you're an aspiring pro or a motivated enthusiast, you're going to find that your skills and ambitions will allow you to push this camera to really high levels of image quality.
Basically if you know what you're doing the camera will deliver. Keep in mind that ANY camera in the same budget can and will accomplish the same.
Happy Man July 3, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I love this Camera, as soon as I can afford it I will get another one.
XH A1 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! April 23, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Since the purchase of this excellent camera We have been able to capture some of the greatest hunting footage my team has ever experienced. Camera has performed flawlessly in 30 degree weather and up. Beginners can pick this camera and be filming in no time at all! Some of the highly detailed settings are complicated but the auto mode eliminates the guess work on them. Fitting it in my budget to purchase TWO more of these by september. Will never use anything but a canon. Got an eight year old XL1 that performs just like a new one! What are you waiting for? ORDER ONE NOW!!!!!
The Camera is Perfect for an Independent Student Filmmaker (like me!) February 22, 2008
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
Basically this camera is everything its cracked up to be and more. I bought it purely for the image quality (1.67 Million pixels per CCD, compared to Panasonic's 554k per CCD for the HVX) and the 24f/p "film look." I have not been disappointed.
Firstly, the resolution is a huge improvement compared to regular DV. It gives you instant credibility and professionalism over other films shot on regular DV. You're also operating at 18.5 mbps during playback, which is far greater than DV. You've got a lot more to tweak, color correct, and work with. The lens on this camera is also a amazing, go out and take some night shots with it, you'll be amazed.
Basically, film people like to talk a lot about the limitations of HDV and the compression etc. And rightfully so, it's a pain to realize that you're not getting exactly what you're shooting but compressed GOPs. But honestly, if you watch a short film on DVD that's been shot on the uncompressed Panasonic HVX and then watch one that's been shot on the Canon HX A1- they're going to look very similar if not indecipherable. (if the DP knows what they're doing).
Ultimately this camera provides 95% of the look of what a professional camera, or in my case the HVX, does. I'm really not willing to shell out the extra 2 to 4 thousand to increase a few percentage points. Also, I think people, filmmakers in particular, tend to forget that audiences don't watch films for the amazing uncompressed footage but for the strong characters and compelling narrative.
So far with the XH A1 I've shot two HD films that have gone on to screen at festivals. When the image is on the big screen, it looks great. I am very proud of my work and that I own such a nice piece of equipment to shoot my films with. It is also loaded with an incredible amount of options and features- which is a bonus.
On a side note, the idea of P2 workflow is amazing to me, but I simply can't afford it. I've also heard the HX A1 works with a drag and drop Firestore hard drive that's only $400. This offers the same simple workflow at a fraction of the cost. : ) I'll put it on my list.
so far so good. February 15, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I chose this camera for the HD function and the manual rings around the lens, not to mention it seems to be the best deal for the money. For the record this is my first serious camcorder, and I am currently in film school so I already have a good understanding of how a camera (film or digital) works.
For the HD remember that it's not "true" HD it's Canon's answer to it. I haven't finished a project in the HD function so I can't rate how close it comes to true HD, although I bet I won't find a difference with my naked eyes.
The manual focus/iris/and zoom rings are great for small and precise control, but lag quite a bit when you really want a fast and smooth transition. You just loose that feeling of complete control when you really want to crank it for a quick zoom or focus change.
Still the great amount of control built into the camera is great and fairly intuitive to use, and being able to save multiple presets with almost every option is great.
Also for those looking for a camera that works with multiple lenses(like a fisheye maybe???), keep looking.
End of the day, I'm very happy with my purchase.
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