Canon XL-1

[DAD]

The DVX100 is actually consider a pro camera for ENG (electronic news gathering) but it is very nice for low budget production work. It is the first 'affordable' 24p camera but at $2500 to $3000 for a base unit it is debatable how affordable that is. LOL Since it is a progressive scan camera it does have more of a 'cine' look since it captures true frames and interleved fields to make up a frame. But the XL1 has a cine setting for frame capture versus field too.

I've never worked with this camera but it is a miniDV and not a HiDef. Part of the problem a lot of people will run into with this camera is when you go to edit. Unless you have pretty high end software, ie: adobe, avid, or finalcut, you won't be able to take advantage of the 24p feature as low end software doesn't capture or wouldn't even know what 24p is or what to do with it. I have a feeling that if you tried to capture it into a standard system with basic edit software through a firewire it would get scrambled trying to format it to 720x480 30fps. I can't find any info on it's 16x9 capabilites but I have a feeling if it does have 16x9 it is a software and not hardware 16x9.

I'd like to work with this camera, it looks like a very nice ssytem.

[detourec]

Any one interest in the Canon XL1 should hold off on buying it. The Canon XL2 should be out sometime this year and the rumor is, its going to be the best for Indi Filmmaking.

[AJ]

Or alternatively, use this as the time to buy a used XL1 cheap when everyone rushes to dump them and 'upgrade'

XL1 is a perfectly serviceable camera, although personally I would prefer the PD170 / VX2100.

[SlowLearner]

I used to own an XL-1 and I still love that camera. Now I have a dvx100 and I may love it a bit more. That it shoots 24p makes it clearly more desirable.

But, I cannot complain about the XL-1's output. It was good to me. xxooxx.

[xander171]

i used an XL-2 the other day it was pretty kool.. we are gunna shoot Run Bastard Run 2 with one, so i'll keep ya posted

[geeveslazlo]

The only problem I had with the XL 1 is that the sound isn't that great but if your using an external mic like a boom then it should be fine

[evildave]

the canon xl1s does not do true 16x9, it is a 4x3 image forced into 16x9. U dont get a wider picture and u loose qaulity straight away.