You guys are going to love this camera. I'm head over heels with my H1. And I have no doubt that picture quality will be near identical.

Is it for real?
 

Just received an email at 7:15pm local time from the merchant asking me to call and verify the order (XH A1). The merchant is a large national brick and mortar chain with stores in my town. The call center lines are said to be answered 24 hours a day, so I called the 1-800 number at 9:00pm local. It was answered by an agent, I gave my order number, bill and ship to address. I did not have to give out my credit card number again, so I know it is legitimate. When I placed the order with this merchant, they confirmed their policy as posted on the website that they do not charge the credit card until they are ready to ship. But the agent said they are ready to ship. They are contacting the credit card company for verification with which I made prearrangements. The agent said the merchandise will ship Monday, October 21st. The release date I thought is not until October 25, but...Monday is what I am told. I specified next day air on the order so if true, Tuesday will be the day. If I don't receive a tracking number by Monday, in fact I will call 1-800 number again to confirm or deny...fingers crossed.

The only thing I do not understand is that there still isn't much information from Canon's side. The webpages of the two camera's are not available yet, the brochures are not there yet... and still they launch in a week or so. I hope they will soon release the brochures... so I am sure what I will be buying. The same goes for reviews... I would really like to see some at this time.

Right. I'm also mindful that when I placed the order they told me November 6.

Bogus information I was given about the Monday shipping date, apparently. No surprise.

Well, Nov. 6 is a Monday....