Electronics Reviewed

Today we will take a look at the notably superb stats of the Canon XL H1. We trust you'll like it. Seriously you might adore it. Like I always do, I try to locate as well as display the coolest deals available anywhere on the web just at the bottom of the statistics.

The Following Review By: Terry Timberlake


Many were disappointed when Canon released its flagship XL2 DV camcorder without any high-definition (HD) capabilities. About a year later, Canon at last entered the HD fray with its XL H1 HDV camcorder. This 16:9-native camera incorporates the 1080i HDV specification, using MPEG-2 compression to fit an hour's worth of HD video onto a DV tape. The Canon XL H1 can trace its lineage back nearly a decade to the groundbreaking XL1, retaining that camera's unique love-it-or-hate-it design. However, while the XL1 was a breakthrough camera, the Canon XL H1 is playing catch-up, matching the state of the art already established by Sony, JVC, and Panasonic.

And at nearly $9,000, the XL H1 is by far the most expensive HD option in its class. To those familiar with or invested in Canon's XL system, the XL H1 may prove the obvious choice. To others, its quirky design, lack of progressive-video capabilities, and high price may be the three strikes that knock it out of competition. The XL H1 is very obviously the most recent iteration of Canon's XL-series camera. In fact, if it weren't for its stealthy black color and a prominent HDV logo, the Canon XL H1 could easily be mistaken for the earlier XL2, retaining almost exactly its odd hybrid shape--something between that of a typical Handycam and a shoulder-mounted pro camera.

Many people have found this to be an ergonomically awkward design: too large to comfortably support in the hands and, thanks to its enormous zoom, too front-heavy to easily balance on the shoulder. However, others have found the XL easier to keep steady than its Handycam-style competition. At 8.3 pounds, the Canon XL H1 is about half a pound heavier than the XL2--hardly discreet but an asset for those needing that "pro" look. Most likely, Canon is sticking with this tried-and-true form in order to retain compatibility with the XL-mount lenses, viewfinders, and accessories originally designed for the XL1, the XL1S, and the XL2.

This is a real boon for those who already have a significant investment in the XL system and for those with special needs that only those optional components can serve. The stock XL H1 comes with a new HD-optimized version of Canon's 20X, servo-controlled, optically stabilized 72mm-diameter zoom. This is a beast of a lens--nearly as large as the camera body itself--and provides the 35mm-camera equivalent of a 39mm-to-780mm focal-length range. As 39mm isn't very wide, you might want to use Canon's excellent 3X wide-angle zoom for shooting in cramped interior spaces.

In addition to the usual assortment of audio and video connections offered by the XL2 (ports for composite and S-Video, balanced and unbalanced audio, headphones, LANC remote, and FireWire), the XL H1 offers component video via a proprietary multipin connector, an SD-card slot for storing stills and Custom Presets, and on the right side of the shoulder pad, four BNC jacks collectively known as the Professional Jack Pack. The Professional Jack Pack consists of Timecode In, Timecode Out, Gen-lock In, and HD/SD SDI out. Previously unavailable at this price point, these connections enable the Canon XL H1 to interface with high-end pro gear and will be particularly useful for multicamera studio work.

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