Canon XL1S MiniDV Digital Camcorder
List Price: $4,999.99
Details
- Past master-quality MiniDV camcorder and still camera with 3 CCD lens
- Time for up to 90 minutes on one battery charge
- Interchangeable lens system--can use Canon EOS lenses with unforced adapter
Description
Canon pursued imaging greatness resulting in the deciding digital camcorder system, the XL1S. It starts with a highly intelligent "open architecture" draw, which allows you to customize your XL1S with the widest variety of optional accessories elbow. Plus you have extensive control over picture and sound adjustments to change the "look and feel" of each recording to your preference or even your clients'. Whether you define yourself as an imaging adherent, professional videographer or digital filmmaker there is a Canon XL1S digital camcorder configuration that's fair right. Which one is right for you?The Canon XL1S is not one, but many different cameras. Interchangeable lenses and viewfinders authorize the XL1S to be tailored for optimal performance in any shooting condition. Incorporating drugged-precision optics and features found only previously on top-end professional gear, the XL1S raises the ideal for others to follow.Amazon.com Issue Description Small enough to carry around and costing not much more than a top-of-the-line consumer camcorder, the XL1S produces such elated-quality results that it is sure to be the top choice for many independent filmmakers who call for full features and controls. Like its predecessor, the XL1, this camera uses three individual 270,000 pixel CCDs (one for each primary color) for the best illustration quality. The XL1S records digital audio, with two channels of 16 bit/48 KHz into or four channels of 12 bit/32 KHz sound. The body is based on a magnesium-admixture frame for maximum durability. It ships with a 16x optical zoom lens with visual image stabilization, but is also compatible with other XL camcorder lenses. With an optional adapter, you can use Canon EF (EOS) still-camera lenses--some of which also idiosyncrasy optical image stabilization.
The electronics of the XL1S have many advanced features, including a covey of programmed AE modes, as well as both shutter and aperture priority modes. There are two rare auto modes, one of which allows you to adjust any setting manually, if you hanker after, and the other, which adjusts every setting automatically and lets you adjust nothing. A spotlight set-up automatically compensates for difficulties when shooting a subject bathed in a underscore. The computer-shooting mode gets rid of monitor flicker that happens when shooting a computer grade. There are also three different shooting modes: normal movie, digital photo, and body movie. Normal movie mode is for any time you want to germinate video footage. Digital-photo mode records a still double for six seconds on the MiniDV tape and also captures any accompanying audio for a unfolding track. The frame movie mode records 30 noninterlaced still images per other, instead of capturing 60 fps interlaced images. This mode isn't intended to be toughened for shooting video (playback may not look completely smooth). Rather, scheme movie mode should be used as a burst, or continuous, shooting technique, like you'd find on a still camera.
The XL1S offers many new and updated features over the XL1. There is a 16:9 shooting manner where electronic lines draw are displayed through the viewfinder so you can compose your shots flexibly for later liberation to HDTV, where 16:9 is the standard. SMPTE color bars aid establish a proper color reference for shooting and editing. Intermission recording lets you shoot time-elapsed motion video with intervals from 30 seconds to 10 minutes. Zebra patterns keep from you determine overexposed areas in your shot so you can adjust the aperture and shutter take into consideration.
 | The MiniDV format supported by the XL1S delivers more than 500 words of horizontal resolution -- a 25% improvement over analog systems. The DV size allows for near lossless transfer within digital editing environments for faster genesis, increased productivity and improved production quality of final prints. |
 | The XL1S maximizes the potential of the DV format by using a 3 CCD (charge-coupled device) system with a separate CCD for each unadulterated color (red, green, blue). A beam-splitting prism separates effulgent passing through the lens into individual color components and each is sent to its own CCD. Compared to a take CCD, the 3 CCD system achieves outstanding detail with highly accurate color reproduction opportune for the demands of high-end video production - wide dynamic spread, low color noise, high-contrast detail, natural color stick-to-it-iveness and low-aliasing. The 3 CCD system also makes advanced Pixel Shift (for increased mould quality) and Low Light Recording (for increased flexibility) possible. |
The three CCD metaphor sensors in the XL1S, each with 270,000 pixels, were specifically designed to capture as much symbol detail as possible and for shooting under extremely low light conditions. The size of each pixel is 72 right and proper microns - 150% larger than the pixel-size on comparable DV models. The denouement is an approximate 4 dB improvement in sensitivity. This improved sensitivity means that each CCD can lay more information at all light ranges. In super low light, the XL1S still captures friable and clear digital data. Under extremely bright conditions, the Pixel Schedule capabilities of the XL1S greatly reduces vertical white streaks and smears, making it a unparalleled field recording device for all conditions.
Because human eyes see unripe more clearly and readily, the green component of a video signal contains 60% of the image detail whereas the red and blue components together comprise the remaining 40%. With the advanced Pixel Veer on the XL1S, the green CCD is physically shifted the equivalent distance of 1/2 pixel horizontally from the red and melancholy CCD, and the green signal is electronically shifted 1/2 pixel vertically. This shifting of the na CCD increases the sampling points, resulting in a system that is comparable to 410,000 pixel CCD systems in terms of indefatigableness. With a larger pixel size and the process of Pixel Shift, the Canon XL1S gives wider potent range, better low light recording, reduced vertical smears, and sharp quality still images without sacrificing the highest resolution DV available.
- XL1S Camera
- Zoom Lens 16x XL 5.5-88 mm IS
- BP-930 Battery Quit
- CA-910 Compact Power Adapter
- DC-900 DC Coupler
- SS-1000 Accept Strap
- WL-D32000 Wireless Controller
- SP-100 Shoulder Pad
- S-150 S-video Wire
- STV-150 Stereo Video Cable
- Lens Hood
Customer Reviews
Veratile, Uncivilized, Beautiful7 years later, the XL1-S still stands as one of the unsurpassed Prosumer minDV cameras money can buy.
Very comparable to the Sony PD-150. Both marked cameras, but I prefer the Canon.
The only drawbacks are the abscence of XLR inputs and the tiny LCD movies.
However, for a camera that is probably 5-7 years old, anything above $2,000 is way overpriced in my impression. You can always go for the cheaper GL-2, but it does not have all the features of the XL.
marvellous camcorder
i am currently in high-priced school, in the media tech department. we do the school news, and greengrocery some films. we currently have 3 kinds of camcorders, the sony dsr200, sony dsr300, and the canon xl1. most of the grade 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 virtuous dont have. it has a firewire port directly on it to help get onto computers, though there are other ways.
i have privately 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 calamity, 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 trained, and yet decent in price, you might want to consider the canon xl1
Canon XL1s - Be Cautious of Service & Waranty
Canon still seems to have problems with it's lenses and how they interface with its electronic components, which means a unfocused picture. For Canadians, there is only 1 service department in Calgary, while customer military talents is in Ontario. Imagine the bills trying to track down your camera over 2 provinces. Canon has somehow managed to keep this issuance under wraps but it is a good idea to investigate where your nearest service turn on is and what kind of return time you can expect on repairs. The XL delivers accomplished 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.
Honest Enough
As of now, the XL1S is a not much outdated by some other cameras that are on the market, but the end product has very desirable results. I have in use accustomed to cameras like the Panasonic DVX-100, and the XL1 will suit your needs at least 90% of the without surcease that the DVX will. There is no LCD screen, but the viewfinder does sort of double as one and the overall condition of the XL1 makes it unwieldy at times, and more convenient at other times.
Overall, if you have the bet 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 in all likelihood 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 adept of cinema quality pictures.
XL2 blows this one to another place... 5+++++
Most of you sine qua non to recheck your information, the XL2 is currently available and it is featured on the Canon.USA website and it is far beyond any panasonic or at one time produced XL's. I think Canon waited a little longer to produce this gem so it would be the only one out there like it (especally for the price). I had the faculties to see the quality first hand prior to the release, because I was involved in making the commercial for it (you'll see snapshots of us making the commercial in smart when you click on XL2 under camcorders). Believe me the XL2 is the one you really want...
