Canon XH A1 review

Canon XH A1 Review

Reviewed by: Lori Grunin

Reviewed on: 7 June 2007

Giving independent videographers something to choose from besides its popular but long-in-the-tooth GL2, Canon offers up two HDV models designed to appeal to the prosumer and entry-level pro markets.

Derived from the same technology that the professional-level XL H1 uses, the XH A1 and the XH G1 HDV models trade the XL H1's interchangeable lens system to lower the cost by one-half to two-thirds the price of the higher-end model.

The two XH models share a single body, but the G1 includes the equivalent of the XL H1's JackPack -- HD-SDI output with embedded audio and time code, Genlock synchronisation and Timecode In/Out -- a group of connectors critical for anyone trying to mix multiple video input sources. In addition, the SDI output is the only way to get 4:2:2 output. We tested the lower-end XH A1.

Design
All things considered, it feels comfortable shooting with the XH A1 -- though it weighs over 2kg, it's still considerably lighter than most. All the buttons and controls sit in logical locations, grouped roughly by function and generally in the same locations as they appear on competing models. They're good sizes, and various bumps and divots in the buttons provide enough tactile feedback to operate without looking.

A large chunk of the camcorder's architecture lets you determine the speed and subtlety with which shifts occur during shooting, including focus, zoom and exposure changes, and white-balance adjustments.

On the lens barrel, rings of different sizes and textures operate focus, zoom and iris. In response to complaints about the mushiness of servo-controlled focus, Canon offers a Slow speed option. That option, plus a distance readout, help to maintain a finer control over focus response, but you'll probably still want to try it and compare to others if you're picky about the feel. We think it feels about the same as the Panasonic AG-HVX200's.

Features
The same three 1/3-inch CCDs with 1080i (1,440x1,080 pixel) native resolution that drive the XL H1 sit at the centre of the XH series' imaging system, and like the H1, both models can record in 1080i at 30F or 24F frame rates. The latter comes in two versions, one which records to tape at 24 frames per second, and one which downconverts from 24fps to 30fps/60i using 2:3:3:2 pull-down before recording for greater editing compatibility.

Their feature sets share many of the H1's technologies, including a Digic DV II processor, Super-Range Optical Image Stabilization and the H1's customisation architecture. The XH cameras have fixed 20x zoom lenses rather than the interchangeable lenses on the XL, but they offer a wider-angle view: 32.5mm-to-650mm equivalent.