Canon's new XL H1S and XL H1A prosumer HD camcorders

Canon's building on its well-received XL H1 prosumer, interchangeable-lens video camera with the new XL H1S and XL H1A. The primary addition shared by the new cameras is the updated 20x HD Video Lens III, but there are also improvements to the image and color settings, audio input capabilities and an external LCD monitor output plug. The XL H1S bests the H1A with uncompressed HD-SDI output, but will run you a full three grand more when it hits in June for $9,000, with the H1A landing mid-July for $6,000.

[周鹏 @ Apr 10th 2008 10:41AM]

Cool HD,and Pretty Video Camera,the button looks like the pilot's instrument panel.

[marc @ Apr 10th 2008 10:45AM]

Nice upgrades, but I still wouldn't bother with Canon when you can get true 24P/30P on other cameras in the same price range. I get GREAT footage from my XL2, but I'll probably migrate to HD with Panasonic.

[Buck @ Apr 10th 2008 10:50AM]

Ditto.
Looks like my JVC GY-HD110U that I've had for a year and a half now...
Granted, it's only 720p (not 1080) and gets grainy in low-light, but shooting at 24p, I've gotten only compliments on how not-like-like-a-camcorder the well-lit footage turns out. If 'new' $5000+ cameras are still using HDV tapes, I see no reason to change now.

[Esat Dedezade @ Apr 10th 2008 11:08AM]

I don't have that much knowledge about HD video cameras but all those buttons not to mention the size of that thing gives out the 'don't fuck with me' message to other video recorders.

[Rainier @ Apr 10th 2008 4:39PM]

^^ what he said! ^^

[couchpundit @ Apr 10th 2008 5:06PM]

If you mount it on a "real" video tripod, clip on a wireless mic system, and a DTE kit, you start to get real respect.

Who says money can't buy respect? :D

[Dustin @ Apr 10th 2008 11:44AM]

I still feel this series is halfway between a usable shoulder cam and a handicam-style machine. They don't fit comfortably on my shoulder, but it's still too awkward to hold out from your body by the handle and bottom or lens. The JVC's mentioned above seem much nicer for this task.

I wish Canon would make this less of a 'tweener - at least for my use it would be handy.

[dilla @ Apr 10th 2008 11:48AM]

uggh. now I have to find $9G's to replace my old HL H1???

[Cody @ Apr 10th 2008 11:49AM]

Sexy. Now I just need to scrounge up a few thousand dollars to upgrade from my XL2.

[prumm @ Apr 10th 2008 12:12PM]

Fu*k its still 1440x1080. throw it in the bin. pick u your act canon you are well behind the competition here. i want your precious lenses on a proper 16:9 1920x1080 ccd! Is that so hard to ask for!!!!!!!!

[Dustin @ Apr 10th 2008 12:29PM]

Good camera work, steady shots and proper lighting will usually make up for the HDV pixel set. The XL-H1 had great resolution shooting uncompressed video. It's usually easier to complain about specs than it is to go out and shoot good video with perfectly workable equipment. $.02

[Stan Winsome @ Apr 10th 2008 12:28PM]

Haw- way to innovate Canon! Look for new cameras from Sony and Panasonic(not to mention RED) to debut next week at NAB and further bury this dinosaur.

[geoff @ Apr 10th 2008 1:15PM]

"uncompressed HD-SD1 output"

you mean SDI?

[Cody Rapol @ Apr 10th 2008 2:04PM]

Looks amazing :)

[captainpease @ Apr 10th 2008 4:05PM]

So I just had this idea... Call me crazy but instead of loading camcorders with all those selection/menu/option buttons on the exterior, why not allow Final Cut Pro to directly interface with the camera settings? You could save a variety of presets to the onboard memory and make your selections on the fly. My guess is the price could then come down on the camcorder and with the savings, you could buy a MacBook Pro.

[David Hildreth @ Apr 10th 2008 4:18PM]

eh, I'll just stick with the HVX-200

[digital @ Apr 10th 2008 4:32PM]

That's one sexy beast!

[couchpundit @ Apr 10th 2008 5:00PM]

I have a Canon XH-A1. You can't beat the L-series lens that comes with these "pro-sumer" Canons--amazing clarity and great flexibility. The 24F (faux 24p) works pretty well for most applications. The MiniDV tape is great for having and instant tape backup of your footage when used with a DTE solution. The Panasonic and Sony cams in the same price/feature range are also pretty good.

My next camera will be one that shoots 1080p (or higher) at true 24F. Maybe Red will have a prosumer model that pwns the Canon, Sony, and Panasonics?

For all you haters who think it has too many buttons, there is a fully automatic mode just for you in case you can't figure out how to use the manual settings for adjusting shutter, aperture, gain, focus, custom presets, white balance, and all the other stuff a serious video photographer needs.

I tend to use the 24F frame rate setting for all of my productions that go to web--fewer frames to compress, no raster tearing when de-interlacing, and a smooth, natural motion blur. Good cameras for the money.

[malowz @ Apr 10th 2008 6:21PM]

i just hope they fix the lens chromatic aberration... was very ugly in the older model... :(

[tim @ Apr 10th 2008 6:48PM]

dammit and i just bought myself a XHA1! good thing its the same imaging system so its basically the same camera without the interchangeable lenses.. which would be a plus. So will this have the same look as the XLH1?

[aesthetical @ Apr 11th 2008 12:02PM]

you'd think that with all the comments and reviews since the xl1 they would have attempted to change the body style. but no

and canon glass still comes out too warm for my taste. ill stick with my sony

[Nit @ May 9th 2008 1:22PM]

Na...I'll stick with my H1. At the NAB last April 08, it didn't impressed me.
The Sony S270U is way lighter, Sharper, Clearer, SloMo, Full size DV/MiniDV plus SD card.

I shot the footage with H1S and the S270U. took the footage home.
The S2700U $7400. The S270U images Surpass the H1S.

The bells and wizzle on the H1S are useless. Everything are done in post anyway why waste the doe.

I'm selling my H1, any offer?