Canon XL2 review

What you need to know

Reviewed by: Ben Wolf

Reviewed on: 18 April 2005

Tags: Canon, Canon XL2, Canon XL2, battery life, sports

We like:

State-of-the-art DV imagery and controls; 24P mode; interchangeable lenses; native 16:9 capture; compatible with most XL1 lenses and accessories

We don't like:

Strange ergonomics; stock lens is hard to focus manually and stock viewfinder doesn't help; no flip-out LCD monitor; more expensive than the competition

You might also need:

MiniDV cassettes; FireWire cable

CNET UK judgement:

Canon returns to the state of the art in DV but doesn't set a new standard

Full review:

The Canon XL series is the Porsche 911 of DV camcorders. Through continual technological upgrading the Porsche 911 has remained a state-of-the-art sports car for more than 40 years. And love it or hate it, no other car looks or drives like the 911.Canon first introduced the XL series in 1997 with the groundbreaking XL1, the first prosumer DV camcorder created as a modular system, with interchangeable lenses, viewfinders, and other accessories, and a unique shoulder-mounted design. Arguably the most significant tool of the nascent DV revolution, it was one of the first cameras to put professional video capabilities into the hands of everyone.In 2001, a few modest technical improvements were added, and the camera was rereleased as the XL1s. By late 2004, with Panasonic's AG-DVX100A stealing most of the technological thunder from the XL1s, Canon again responded, this time with a major upgrade known as the XL2. Continue Reading...