GL2 vs XL1? at DVinfo.net

Aaron Koolen · June 27th, 2002, 04:20 PM

Hey all. As the self confessed "Man who researches cameras and never buys one" (yet) I have some questions. I had actually decided to get the old XL1 as it's bang for buck sat right with me and was currently looking around to find a good priced one (Can't get them new), but after perusing the specs on the GL2 it seems that it is pretty much an xl1 in all aspects apart from the interchangeable lenses and the actual shape of the cam. It has the presets like the XL1, all the manual setup stuff, 16:9 bars, 5 levels of IRE (Didn't the xl1 only have 3?) analog->dv, Adjustable audio levels, DV control (Did the xl1 have that at all??),

For those who know more about all these cameras that me, am I thinking right here? If someone didn't want the interchangeable lenses, and the "look" of the camera, is the Gl2 a better bet? After all the xl1 is about 4 years old now.

Cheers
Aaron

Chris Hurd · June 27th, 2002, 06:02 PM

Umm, be careful here Aaron, let's make sure what we're talking about... you're mentioning the XL1 and that's nowhere near the same thing... the XL1S is an entirely different camera on the inside than the XL1. The GL2 has more in common with the XL1S and hardly anything at all in comparison to the XL1. The older XL1 is nowhere near up to scratch to a GL2. The GL2 will be a much better, far superior camera than the XL1 in terms of image quality and feature sets, and at the same time the GL2 is nearly on par with the XL1S. Hope this helps,

Aaron Koolen · June 27th, 2002, 07:33 PM

Hey Chris. Yeah I was trying to compare the GL2 to the old XL1, not the XL1s. From what you said you really think that the GL2 is much better than the XL1 and nearly as good as the XL1s. Well that's put a whole new light on things for me. To be honest I don't like the form factor of the gl1 and 2, they seem "consumeresque". But calculating the costs of both the XL1s and the GL2 then, there is about a $2000 (US$1000) price difference (Although I have yet to confirm the price in New Zealand dollars for the GL2) So I might just have to bite the bullet on the form factor thing. Well, back to research for me then.

Thanks for your input - much appreciated.

Adrian Douglas · June 27th, 2002, 09:04 PM

Aaron,

The new GL2/XM2 appears to have many more feature the original XL1 doesn't and it looks like a fantastic camera but you have to remember that there's almost 5 years difference between the two. I myself am seriously concidering adding the XM2 to my kit as a second camera.

Ron Stoole · June 30th, 2002, 08:14 AM

Adrian,

What's your first camera?

Ron

Adrian Douglas · July 1st, 2002, 09:38 AM

I've got the original XL1, and love it. However, for snowboarding and surf water footage it's a bit large. The new GL or XM as I will get, is the perfect size to put in a waterproof housing, and easier to manage on a snowboard.

Barry Goyette · July 1st, 2002, 10:28 AM

I think you're spot-on in your thinking Adrian. I bought a glidecame v8 last year...and I find it's much easier to use with my gl1 than the xl1s...Less bulk, and no need for an external monitor...so I'll probably look at the gl2 as well. Although, I have to say the upcoming panasonic 24p is still hovering in my view as well.

Adrian Douglas · July 2nd, 2002, 09:33 AM

I'm totally over the Panasonic. From what I've heard here are from some others it sounds like it's just a gimmic. It would be nice to have 24p but without manual focus, a LANC terminal and one or two other necessary things it just won't cut the mustard. I've been shooting on Canon for the last 10 years, stills and video, and I think I'll be sticking with them.

June 27th, 2002, 04:20 PM	#1
Aaron Koolen Trustee Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,727	GL2 vs XL1? Hey all. As the self confessed "Man who researches cameras and never buys one" (yet) I have some questions. I had actually decided to get the old XL1 as it's bang for buck sat right with me and was currently looking around to find a good priced one (Can't get them new), but after perusing the specs on the GL2 it seems that it is pretty much an xl1 in all aspects apart from the interchangeable lenses and the actual shape of the cam. It has the presets like the XL1, all the manual setup stuff, 16:9 bars, 5 levels of IRE (Didn't the xl1 only have 3?) analog->dv, Adjustable audio levels, DV control (Did the xl1 have that at all??), For those who know more about all these cameras that me, am I thinking right here? If someone didn't want the interchangeable lenses, and the "look" of the camera, is the Gl2 a better bet? After all the xl1 is about 4 years old now. Cheers Aaron

June 27th, 2002, 06:02 PM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Umm, be careful here Aaron, let's make sure what we're talking about... you're mentioning the XL1 and that's nowhere near the same thing... the XL1S is an entirely different camera on the inside than the XL1. The GL2 has more in common with the XL1S and hardly anything at all in comparison to the XL1. The older XL1 is nowhere near up to scratch to a GL2. The GL2 will be a much better, far superior camera than the XL1 in terms of image quality and feature sets, and at the same time the GL2 is nearly on par with the XL1S. Hope this helps, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

June 27th, 2002, 09:04 PM	#4
Adrian Douglas Trustee Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Chigasaki, Japan. Posts: 1,660	Aaron, The new GL2/XM2 appears to have many more feature the original XL1 doesn't and it looks like a fantastic camera but you have to remember that there's almost 5 years difference between the two. I myself am seriously concidering adding the XM2 to my kit as a second camera. __________________ Adrian DVInfo.net Search for quick answers Where to buy? From the best in the business...DVInfo.net sponsors

July 1st, 2002, 09:38 AM	#6
Adrian Douglas Trustee Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Chigasaki, Japan. Posts: 1,660	I've got the original XL1, and love it. However, for snowboarding and surf water footage it's a bit large. The new GL or XM as I will get, is the perfect size to put in a waterproof housing, and easier to manage on a snowboard. __________________ Adrian DVInfo.net Search for quick answers Where to buy? From the best in the business...DVInfo.net sponsors

July 2nd, 2002, 09:33 AM	#8
Adrian Douglas Trustee Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Chigasaki, Japan. Posts: 1,660	I'm totally over the Panasonic. From what I've heard here are from some others it sounds like it's just a gimmic. It would be nice to have 24p but without manual focus, a LANC terminal and one or two other necessary things it just won't cut the mustard. I've been shooting on Canon for the last 10 years, stills and video, and I think I'll be sticking with them. __________________ Adrian DVInfo.net Search for quick answers Where to buy? From the best in the business...DVInfo.net sponsors

June 27th, 2002, 07:33 PM	#3
Aaron Koolen Trustee Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,727	Hey Chris. Yeah I was trying to compare the GL2 to the old XL1, not the XL1s. From what you said you really think that the GL2 is much better than the XL1 and nearly as good as the XL1s. Well that's put a whole new light on things for me. To be honest I don't like the form factor of the gl1 and 2, they seem "consumeresque". But calculating the costs of both the XL1s and the GL2 then, there is about a $2000 (US$1000) price difference (Although I have yet to confirm the price in New Zealand dollars for the GL2) So I might just have to bite the bullet on the form factor thing. Well, back to research for me then. Thanks for your input - much appreciated.

June 30th, 2002, 08:14 AM	#5
Ron Stoole Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 27	Adrian, What's your first camera? Ron

July 1st, 2002, 10:28 AM	#7
Barry Goyette Trustee Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: San Luis Obispo CA Posts: 1,195	I think you're spot-on in your thinking Adrian. I bought a glidecame v8 last year...and I find it's much easier to use with my gl1 than the xl1s...Less bulk, and no need for an external monitor...so I'll probably look at the gl2 as well. Although, I have to say the upcoming panasonic 24p is still hovering in my view as well.