Now that Canon XL H1 is finally out (it’s been out in Japan for a month), we’re able to see some test footage.
Canon’s flagship HDV camera offers a variety of features - the most important of which is the XL mount which supports interchangeable lenses. Right now, there are only 2 lenses specifically designed for the Canon XL H1 but filmmakers can use Canon’s impressive line of EF lenses (right).
The most important question for the H1 though was about its 24 frame mode, called 24F. Some has gone so far to call it 24 “Fake” because the video doesn’t look filmlike at all. Most experts have agreed that Canon’s 24F is not that much different from Sony’s CineFrame which produces equally poor results.
Based on a review of Panasonic HVX200 footage, it would seem that none of the HDV cameras offer an acceptable 24P mode. HVX200 utilizes a different standard (DVCPRO HD) with rates of up to 100Mbps. It’s doubtful that any of the HDV-based cameras will offer something remarkably different.
It’s not cheap either - Canon XL H1 price has been pegged at $8,999. All of the other HDV cams are lower - some like the Sony FX1 cost 3 times (!) less.
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