The cons of the Canon XH A1s: Advice please!!!! at DVinfo.net

Ayesha Khan · March 25th, 2009, 04:03 AM

Hi there,

After MUCH research and absolutely no hands on experience with it (eep!), I've almost decided that I am going to buy the A1s, BUT before I do I wanted to know a list of the pet peeves and cons that this camera has to offer.

I also wanted to clarify that it is actually a side load camera. (one of those things I'd kick myself for if I didn't check).

Lastly, what is the warranty that comes with the Camera, is there an extension you can get with Canon and would you recommend extending the warranty.

CHEERS!

Bill Pryor · March 25th, 2009, 02:27 PM

I have an original XH A1, and the only little things I don't like they have fixed with the new S model. They were very minor issues and never caused me any problems. The XH A1, now the XH A1s, is the best thing you can get for the money. To get a better quality camera you would have to go to the 1/2" chip Sony EX1 (and the tapeless workflow) for double the money.

Yes, it loads from the side. And there are extended warranties available. I know B&H sells one and I'd assume other dealers do too.

I've had my camera since late 2006 and use it for professional commercial production as well as for shooting independent documentaries that have been shown on theatre screens.

Jack Walker · March 25th, 2009, 02:42 PM

Best of class!

Artur Smiech · March 25th, 2009, 03:10 PM

XH A1s has extra one engine for independent focusing while zooming.

Lou Bruno · March 25th, 2009, 03:12 PM

I just got my new "S" model......audio is now excellent and I can really fine-tune the gain in increments, something not available in the prior model.

Tripp Woelfel · March 25th, 2009, 06:35 PM

Your question is not unlike asking a man to tell you all the ugly and unpleasant things about his wife. Most times he won't. The same thing applies to anyone's major purchase of anything.

I've had the A1 for 18 months and there are a couple of things that were not, to my knowledge, fixed with the A1s.
- Placement of the review button-I routinely hit it when the cam's in the rain cover
- OIS cannot be assigned to the programmable button
- LCD is way too small for my old eyes, even wearing glasses
- Audio auto leveling ties the two channels together somewhat-loud sounds on 1 channel will effect the other

Pretty minor overall, but the first two really annoy the umguallagualla out of me.

Luke Tingle · March 25th, 2009, 11:07 PM

I have the original XH-A1.
Complaints...... well the shotgun mic bracket is attached with really tiny screws that can easily break...other than that I don't have any regrets.

I've gotten many compliments on the quality of my footage. The camera is capable of producing really great broadcast worthy images. Definitely, best in class as the previous poster said.

The only camera I can think of with better image quality near its price range would be the Sony EX1 (way higher price tag).

Luke Tingle · March 25th, 2009, 11:13 PM

Doh!, forgot to mention its ergonomics, which is very important, to me at least.
Everything is laid out perfectly, in my opinion, when changing settings I rarely have to look up from the viewfinder.

It really is a great camera.

Bill Busby · March 25th, 2009, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tripp Woelfel

OIS cannot be assigned to the programmable button. Audio auto leveling ties the two channels together somewhat-loud sounds on 1 channel will effect the other

I believe you're mistaken, Tripp. OIS CAN be assigned to a button. Also the audio issue you mention is what it should be now,

Brian David Melnyk · March 26th, 2009, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Busby

I believe you're mistaken, Tripp. OIS CAN be assigned to a button.

WHAAAAATTTT?????????? in the XH-A1s? is it true????
that would be ideal, but i heard it is not so... i have been so frustrated lately i've been googling 'XH-A1 OIS button firmware hack', to no avail...

Michael Wisniewski · March 26th, 2009, 03:37 AM

Yup. It's true, OIS can be assigned to a custom button ... check page 73 of the XH-A1s user manual.

Tom Hardwick · March 26th, 2009, 03:58 AM

So there you are Ayesha - you ask for the cons and get only pros. That must tell you something.

You can easily extend the warrenty (for amateur and domestic usage) with someone like domgen.co.uk, but if the camera works well for a year it should then work well for another 5 or 7.

tom.

Petri Kaipiainen · March 26th, 2009, 04:44 AM

really, the cam should be smaller with larger dials and switches, lighter and cheaper with with bigger, wider and faster zoom, and finally designed small and unnoticable while projecting professional serousness.

:-)

Brian David Melnyk · March 26th, 2009, 04:44 AM

holy! then, i guess the question is, and forgive my technical ignorance, if you can do that on the XH-A1s, is it then a firmware fix? and if so, could one use this firmware with the XH-A1?
this would be a huge boon! anybody (Chris Hurd!) know about this?

Tom Hardwick · March 26th, 2009, 05:02 AM

I'm interested in this obsession with turning off the Canon's OIS - are its visible artifacts so disturbing (only on a tripod presumably) that this needs to be done often? And does the camera offer four different OIS 'power settings' as the Z1 does, for instance?

March 25th, 2009, 04:03 AM	#1
Ayesha Khan Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: london, england Posts: 50	The cons of the Canon XH A1s: Advice please!!!! Hi there, After MUCH research and absolutely no hands on experience with it (eep!), I've almost decided that I am going to buy the A1s, BUT before I do I wanted to know a list of the pet peeves and cons that this camera has to offer. I also wanted to clarify that it is actually a side load camera. (one of those things I'd kick myself for if I didn't check). Lastly, what is the warranty that comes with the Camera, is there an extension you can get with Canon and would you recommend extending the warranty. CHEERS!

March 25th, 2009, 03:12 PM	#5
Lou Bruno Go Cycle Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntington, NY Posts: 815	I just got my new "S" model......audio is now excellent and I can really fine-tune the gain in increments, something not available in the prior model. __________________ Lou Bruno

March 26th, 2009, 03:37 AM	#11
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	Yup. It's true, OIS can be assigned to a custom button ... check page 73 of the XH-A1s user manual. __________________ "Ultimately, the most extraordinary thing, in a frame, is a human being." - Martin Scorsese

March 25th, 2009, 02:27 PM	#2
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	I have an original XH A1, and the only little things I don't like they have fixed with the new S model. They were very minor issues and never caused me any problems. The XH A1, now the XH A1s, is the best thing you can get for the money. To get a better quality camera you would have to go to the 1/2" chip Sony EX1 (and the tapeless workflow) for double the money. Yes, it loads from the side. And there are extended warranties available. I know B&H sells one and I'd assume other dealers do too. I've had my camera since late 2006 and use it for professional commercial production as well as for shooting independent documentaries that have been shown on theatre screens.

March 25th, 2009, 02:42 PM	#3
Jack Walker Trustee Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burbank Posts: 1,811	Best of class!

March 25th, 2009, 03:10 PM	#4
Artur Smiech New Boot Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Poland Posts: 24	XH A1s has extra one engine for independent focusing while zooming.

March 25th, 2009, 06:35 PM	#6
Tripp Woelfel Trustee Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Conway, NH Posts: 1,745	Your question is not unlike asking a man to tell you all the ugly and unpleasant things about his wife. Most times he won't. The same thing applies to anyone's major purchase of anything. I've had the A1 for 18 months and there are a couple of things that were not, to my knowledge, fixed with the A1s. - Placement of the review button-I routinely hit it when the cam's in the rain cover - OIS cannot be assigned to the programmable button - LCD is way too small for my old eyes, even wearing glasses - Audio auto leveling ties the two channels together somewhat-loud sounds on 1 channel will effect the other Pretty minor overall, but the first two really annoy the umguallagualla out of me.

March 25th, 2009, 11:07 PM	#7
Luke Tingle Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 88	I have the original XH-A1. Complaints...... well the shotgun mic bracket is attached with really tiny screws that can easily break...other than that I don't have any regrets. I've gotten many compliments on the quality of my footage. The camera is capable of producing really great broadcast worthy images. Definitely, best in class as the previous poster said. The only camera I can think of with better image quality near its price range would be the Sony EX1 (way higher price tag).

March 25th, 2009, 11:13 PM	#8
Luke Tingle Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 88	Doh!, forgot to mention its ergonomics, which is very important, to me at least. Everything is laid out perfectly, in my opinion, when changing settings I rarely have to look up from the viewfinder. It really is a great camera.

March 26th, 2009, 03:58 AM	#12
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	So there you are Ayesha - you ask for the cons and get only pros. That must tell you something. You can easily extend the warrenty (for amateur and domestic usage) with someone like domgen.co.uk, but if the camera works well for a year it should then work well for another 5 or 7. tom.

March 26th, 2009, 04:44 AM	#13
Petri Kaipiainen Major Player Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Espoo Finland Posts: 380	really, the cam should be smaller with larger dials and switches, lighter and cheaper with with bigger, wider and faster zoom, and finally designed small and unnoticable while projecting professional serousness. :-)

March 26th, 2009, 04:44 AM	#14
Brian David Melnyk Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Winnipeg Canada Posts: 532	holy! then, i guess the question is, and forgive my technical ignorance, if you can do that on the XH-A1s, is it then a firmware fix? and if so, could one use this firmware with the XH-A1? this would be a huge boon! anybody (Chris Hurd!) know about this?

March 26th, 2009, 05:02 AM	#15
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	I'm interested in this obsession with turning off the Canon's OIS - are its visible artifacts so disturbing (only on a tripod presumably) that this needs to be done often? And does the camera offer four different OIS 'power settings' as the Z1 does, for instance?