Which camera should I get, the XL2 or XH A1?

Terry VerHaar · February 27th, 2007, 12:26 PM

Hi Folks - I was hoping to get some guidance and outright outspoken opinions (!) here about whether to buy a Canon XL-2 or go for the XH A1. I wanted to upgrade from my old GL-1 (keeping it as a second camera) and was convinced an XL-2 was the ticket. My thinking was that it was a little too soon for HD and, just as important, I would save moneyon this "outgoing" camera. Imagine my surprise when it I shopped and found out the two aren't that far off in price. I am finding the XL-2 for around $2800-3300 and it would seem the XH A1 can be had for around 3200-3500 (?). First Q - do these prices seem realisitic? And, if they are in the ballpark, which one should I buy? (FYI - editing on a dual 2GHz PowerMac on FCP5.

Thanks for any input.

TVH

Chris Hurd · February 27th, 2007, 12:29 PM

Prices should be checked against our trusted site sponsors, several of whom are authorized Canon dealers. Their prices are "real world" prices.

Chris Hurd · February 27th, 2007, 12:33 PM

Since it seems to be a frequently asked question, I have merged several "X2 or XH A1" discussions into a single big one. This is now the official XL2 vs. XH A1 thread.

Bill Pryor · February 27th, 2007, 04:42 PM

I've been helping a friend out on a documentary, shooting with his XL2 for about a year. After I got my XH A1, I did one shoot for him with that, in SD, 24p, and he said it looked significantly better than the XL2. All the shoots I've done for him since then have been my camera, and he ordered his own XH A1 last week.

One big thing I don't think has been mentioned is the lens on the XH A1. It is wide enough so you really don't need a wide angle adapter except maybe in very rare situations. The XL2, on the other hand, really needs a few mm more on the wide end. I found it difficult to use in normal situations in offices and smaller rooms because of the lack of good wide angle. While the XL2 does give you 4 channel audio input capability, its XLRs only take mic level in, I think. The XH A1 will do mic or line in.

February 27th, 2007, 12:26 PM	#31
Terry VerHaar Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Menlo Park, CA Posts: 53	XH A1 vs. XL2? Hi Folks - I was hoping to get some guidance and outright outspoken opinions (!) here about whether to buy a Canon XL-2 or go for the XH A1. I wanted to upgrade from my old GL-1 (keeping it as a second camera) and was convinced an XL-2 was the ticket. My thinking was that it was a little too soon for HD and, just as important, I would save moneyon this "outgoing" camera. Imagine my surprise when it I shopped and found out the two aren't that far off in price. I am finding the XL-2 for around $2800-3300 and it would seem the XH A1 can be had for around 3200-3500 (?). First Q - do these prices seem realisitic? And, if they are in the ballpark, which one should I buy? (FYI - editing on a dual 2GHz PowerMac on FCP5. Thanks for any input. TVH

February 27th, 2007, 12:29 PM	#32
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Prices should be checked against our trusted site sponsors, several of whom are authorized Canon dealers. Their prices are "real world" prices. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

February 27th, 2007, 12:33 PM	#33
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Since it seems to be a frequently asked question, I have merged several "X2 or XH A1" discussions into a single big one. This is now the official XL2 vs. XH A1 thread. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

February 27th, 2007, 04:42 PM	#34
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	I've been helping a friend out on a documentary, shooting with his XL2 for about a year. After I got my XH A1, I did one shoot for him with that, in SD, 24p, and he said it looked significantly better than the XL2. All the shoots I've done for him since then have been my camera, and he ordered his own XH A1 last week. One big thing I don't think has been mentioned is the lens on the XH A1. It is wide enough so you really don't need a wide angle adapter except maybe in very rare situations. The XL2, on the other hand, really needs a few mm more on the wide end. I found it difficult to use in normal situations in offices and smaller rooms because of the lack of good wide angle. While the XL2 does give you 4 channel audio input capability, its XLRs only take mic level in, I think. The XH A1 will do mic or line in.