Canon XL1

I own more than two dozen (24) Canon camcorders! As a professional I have the choice of which camcorder to use, yet I only own Canon. The interchangeable lenses are perfect for swapping out for different filming conditions. The footage is absolutely stunning. I use mostly XL2 and XL1s.

If you want to know more about the Canon XL2, XL1s and XL1 series camcorders, visit this eBay PowerSeller: http://stores.ebay.com/CANON-XL. They sell a lot of Canon items in their eBay store and many replacement parts and accessories for Canon XL series camcorders I have not been able to find anywhere online. Check them out. They also have a very cool and informative web site.

This is a superior cam that takes a beating and just keeps on working.
Canon has made this camera for years and is the professionals favorite.
The biggest flaw is that there is no flip out screen to view or shoot and so a secondary monitor becomes a required piece of extra gear... the XL1 and XL1s are essentially the same cam except the XL1s is newer and has better audio. Does not shoot well indoors or low light conditions but outdoors the colors and clarity are excellent.

Bottom Line: This is a popular cam because its a great cam

I first bought the Xl1 but found that it didn't like low light situations ie... spoken word / wedding reception dances after most of the lights were turned off. If you have decent to good even light, it will be hard to beat this camera. I loved this camera so much that I bought two more XL1s camcorders. With the ability to gain up 30db ( I only go to 18db. 30db is to grainy ) , the ability to adjust the shutter speed and the to us the 1.6 standard zoom lens, I'm ready to tackle the world. I didn't choose the XL2 because my style of video shooting is mostly hand held and the XL2 ( although the best of the three ) was even heavier then the XL1 & the XL1s.

What attracted me to the XL1 over all of the other competitors ( and I did rent them before I decided to buy this one ) is the ability to adjusts " on the fly ". You can adjust your white balance while still recording. The Xl1 has one manual white balance setting / Xl1s has three seperate manual settings that can be preset before your shoot. You can connect XLR mic inputs into this camera ( using the MA100 or Ma200 ) which means you can plug into most mixer boards at conncerts and weddings. This is BIGGGG. Let the sound people do all of the mics and sound checks and all you have to do is plug into their board and WALLAA, instant CD quaility Proffessional sound all with jsut the cost of one XLR cable. You can adjust the sound manually or let the camera do it automatically. Did you know that the XL1s and the XL2 ( not 100% about the XL1) has the ability to switch the audio from line to mic inputs. How cool is that. If you don't know what I just said do a little research and you will find that Most Full Size & Mini DV camcorders can not switch audio inputs without spending 2-3 times as much money as you would on a XL series camcorder. PEOPLE THIS IS HUGE.

I cann't say enough good things about the XL camcorder line. If you are able to controll your lighting situation, I challange ANYBODY.... ANYBODY to get a better video AND better sound then the XL canon mini dv camorder series ( apples to apples / pound for pound ).

Still reading.... that means you want more info. The 3X lens is an available option and is very impotant if you plan on using this camera " in the feild ". If you are at a small church and there is a large choir or if you are on the dance floor next to the Bride & Groom how do you plan on getting a wide angle without a wide angle lens. Please don't say a screw on attachment. Did you know that most of the screw on attachments interfer with the auto focus system and MOST IF NOT ALL attachments give you a distorted fish eye view. Did you know that if you had two or more XL1s or XL2 systems ( not 100% sure about the XL1) that you can set your white balance, gain, apperature, sharpness etc ... on one and with the use of a fire wire set the second , third etc... camera to have the exact same settings as the first camera. If you EVER used more then one camera on a shoot you know how hard it is to make all of your cameras show the same color.

Want more info.... Most of the thngs I am telling you can only be done with the Canon XL Camcorder line. I sound like I work for Canon don't I. Well I don't. I own a Bay Area Based Photo & Video Co. and I can buy what ever I want and I am telling you that this camera system has NEVER NEVER NEVER let me down. One of the other reviewers said it already. I walk into a video shoot, literally next to the big TV channels, and they give me my props!

I by life`s love am a photographer . I was really impressed with this camcorder because it offered so much in the way of change and opportunity. I like to change my lens whenever I can with any camera and the Canon offered that option. I also
wanted something up to date The 3CCD OFFERED that. I know how to use light and how
to present my subject matter so it will be pleasing to the on looker. This camera
works with my desire for great imagines. You by a detachable 7" CCD for it as well on ebay, this way you are not stuck to the viewfinder. And buy that you may not need a view finder. Works and delivers GREAT LIKE EXLAX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This camera just has the clearest picture.
If they never came out with another camera they did it just right with this one!!!!

I dislike about this product the fact that it was in pretty bad conditions... Mechanical i had to repair it and i spent another 800 usd. It has broken parts on the inside. Well, it wasn't a good purchase. Sadly I bought garbage. Sorry... but this is the risk about buying over the internet.

I have 3 XL1s, and 1 GL1. If I had to do it all over again I would have bought 4 XL1s. What can I say.... I shoot weddings and events, the camera is excellent in low light settings and the picture quality is out of this world. I used to wonder why spend this kind of money for a camcorder but one shoot with it and review of the footage... there is no comparison. You can set this thing on automatic if you dont know a lot and walk in and cammand the respect of a pro just by carring your self right. The camera does all the work. Dont get me wrong... nothing is absolutely correct but tell you what... I got 3 used camcorders.... the only problem I had was one of the headphones jacks need serviced but I have still used it with just the indicator, no sound to judge... and it came out great. Light, sharp and ready to go just about anywhere.

This is THE most versatile miniDV pro-sumer camera on the market to date. I used one of these cameras to shoot a concert series in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico one week, a feature film the next and a documentary the next. If you have any concept of photography, you can figure this camera out. Everything is pretty cut and dry. The lens is top quality and controls are cake. I recommend this to everyone.

This camera is excellent for the seasoned veteran but if your new in the business then stick to something smaller. Knowledge about equipment is worth more than a pocket full of money!