Canon XH A1

This is a great Mini DV (HDV) camera. You will also have to invest in equipment for this camera, an extended battery like the BP-970, a stabilizer like a Steadicam Merlin or DVMultiRig Pro; if your are in a tight budget a SpiderBrace, an external mic, 72mm Lens filter to protect the glass, a Travel Backpack, a tripod like the Induro A114 with a head like the Manfrotto 501.

Pros:

1. Has three 1/3" CDD optical sensors
2. 20x optical zoom
3. Min Illumination 0.4 lux
4. Excellent video quality
5. Extremely customizable
6. Great lens and optical stabilizer
7. Fast and customizable focus
8. Simultaneous SD and HD output. 60i, 24F, and 30F modes
9. FireWire remote
10. XLR inputs

Cons
1. No S-Video I/O.
2. No SDI and timecode
3. 24F and 30F modes degrade vertical resolution
4. No 720p mode
5. LCD display is small
6. Pricey

Item was shipped fast and arrived on time. I would deal with these folks again! A battery ordered was not in stock but was sent as soon as it arrived.

Pros:

This camera is fairly compact for all of the features it has. These are what separate it from the rest of the field in its price class.

Crystal Clear Image.
XLR Audio Inputs.
External Video Hook-up.
Custom Presets.
SD Card Slot.
Built in Mic holder.
20x optical zoom.
Canon Support is next to none.

Cons:

Smaller LCD flip-out screen than the HDR-FX1

Some people complain about the performance out of the box. If you buy a camera this expensive though, you should research custom image settings before you do much shooting.

Conclusion:

Overall the value and build of this camera make it one of the top in its class. Compared to my HDR-FX1 this camera has almost every feature plus expanded Pro Audio Capabilities and easier to manage custom presets.

Pros:
Easy to use, features are pretty much self explained. Point and shoot!
Sound is good, picture is clear and crisp.
Having the three rings makes it easy to adjust the focus, zoom and iris.
Lots of manual adjusting and capabilities!

Cons:
The standby switch is easy to hit until you get use to it.
Gets a bit heavy for handheld work, I recommend using a monopod or tripod.