Canon XH A1 Mini DV Camcorder

The Canon XH-A1 is an extension of the XL-H1 HDV camcorder This model is geared towards the videographer on a budget, without compromising any of the professional attributes of its big brother. With the same high quality 1/3 " CCDs, the camera yields an image both crisp and noise-free. The solid feeling is instantly apparent when operating the XH-A1; despite its modest frame, the camera performs like a pro! Utilizing the highly efficient HDV compression technique allows over an hour of high definition run time on a single miniDV tape! Featuring a 20x fixed lens, superior Canon optics provides professional level shooters with a 1080i resolution option that truly lives up to the format. Also included is the Instant AF auto-focus system, incorporating technology that helps reduce auto focus reaction time while increasing accuracy.

Great video camera

This camera is great. Its low light performance and high definition is really a great combination. In side by side tests I have done with the Sony FX1 and V1U it beats both on the low light performance and has lower noise. It has many manual controls which are key for me and the picture manipulation settings cannot be beat by comparable cameras.

Excellent

saved by rachel | soundandvisionmag.com

The Canon XH A1 HDV camcorder sells for more than twice the price of high-end consumer HD camcorders, and its comparatively big body and 4.5-pound weight make it a hassle to whip out for birthday parties or backyard vignettes. But its wide array of sophisticated manual features and pro-level inputs make it an incredible value for anyone looking to move beyond basic shooting. The cam's exceptional Auto modes also enable you to quickly and easily grab great-looking high-def video without fiddling with menus, buttons, and dials. If you've ever pondered a transition from the consumer to the prosumer camcorder world, Canon's affordable, feature-packed HX A1 is an excellent platform for making that leap.

After a long search I bought this one..

saved by rachel | amazon.com

This is a really substantial camera. Especially with the opt wide angle from Canon and the matte box provided, this does not look like your mama's camcorder. I really like the manual controls, so that you don't have to go thru menus to change parameters. The layout of everything is great. I really like the dual on/off and zoom controls- top of handle plus rear right side. Holding the handle for low or medium height shots is very, very comfortable and the controls are perfectly positioned. If you are looking for point and shoot, this is not your baby, but if you want a pro quality camera for a really great price- this is it!

Extremely powerful camcorder

saved by rachel | videomaker.com

The XH-A1 is an extremely powerful camcorder wrapped around a very approachable HDV tape format that is bound to please prosumer and professional shooters.

Very flexible camera

saved by rachel | microfilmmaker.com

The XH-A1 is a very flexible camera and is used in many applications including event and wedding videography, interviews, training videos, online video, and documentaries. My interest in the camera is limited to low-budget independent film production. So rather than trying to describe how the camera might be used in all applications or attempting to describe it in abstract technical terms, my perspective is very pragmatic.

Awesome camera

saved by rachel | digitaljournalist.org

The camera records still photos in the 16:9 aspect ratio at approximately 1.56 mega pixels on a SD memory card. However, as many newspaper photographers are discovering, there are now solutions that allow these files to be enhanced by a factor of 8 for publication.

Excellent camcorder for entry level professionals

saved by rachel | reviews.cnet.com

Canon's XH A1 and XH G1 are excellent camcorders for entry-level professionals and independent filmmakers, with hard-to-beat prices for what they offer.

Dynamite camcorder

saved by rachel | camcorderinfo.com

The Canon XH A1 is a dynamite camcorder – that’s the bottom line conclusion. You want more? Ok, perhaps we should recap. The video performance is pretty much identical to the XL H1, Canon’s top-of-the-line camcorder. It loses the lens interchangeability, which may be too much to swallow for some users. But ENGs, budget documentarians, and student filmmakers will likely be satisfied with the fixed 20x Canon HD lens system. The manual control set is simply fantastic, and even improved upon since the XL H1 (read the Other Manual Control section above for more details). In short, you can control dozens of color performance metrics.