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Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
from New Yawk on 4/9/2010
Comments about Canon XH A1S 3CCD HDV Professional Camcorder:
I am an event videographer/indy film maker/and general video enthusiast. What draws me to this camera is the amount of features with a reasonable price. You can tweak every little detail of the picture, in camera, saving you hours in post.
A word of caution, the factory gain settings are too high, even when set to low.
Easy fix though. Click the AGC off and set the low to -3. Tada! No more grain.
Very well made, and professional. I could go on forever, but I will simply say the reviews speak for themselves. This is a great camera.
[1 of 2 customers found this review helpful]
from New York, NY on 2/15/2010
Comments about Canon XH A1S 3CCD HDV Professional Camcorder:
if it could directly record HD video to SD card that would be great, like 5D mark II does.
[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]
from Buena Vista, Colorado on 12/1/2009
Comments about Canon XH A1S 3CCD HDV Professional Camcorder:
I researched this camera and its predecessor for about two years, carefully comparing its features with other devices. I am not a professional videographer, but wanted to present our information in a format that expresses the high quality of the artistic work we do.
The Xh A1s has provided us with just what we expected: a very fine high definition image using 4:2:2 color, clear audio via the wireless Audio-Technica Pro 88W, and the potential to expand the quality of our presentations as our knowledge of the camera grows.
One of my primary concerns was the compatibility of this camera with the Mac Book Pro, running Final Cut Studio (Final Cut Pro 7). I have read extensive reports from Mac users who experienced endless difficulties importing video and outputting with the Xh A1. I am quite pleased that I have not had any problems, even though I am capturing our footage to an external Lacie Rugged drive.
A secondary concern was presented by an online comparison of Xh A1 footage to the Panasonic's HVX200, in which the Xh A1 color seemed washed out. I have not experienced this phenomenon. The colors are natural looking even from the camera itself; I do not see the need to employ extensive color correction within FCP.
Most of my footage has been shot inside a relatively muted environment, with only natural lighting from outside. I have tried to avoid using any gain controls by opening the aperture fully or decreasing the frame rate to 24 fps (I am recording in 24 frame mode), since the gain does reduce the pristine quality of the unaltered image noticeably to the eye of a fine artist. Reducing the frame rate below 24 will bring the exposure up to the optimum, but you will notice a marked decrease in the smoothness of the motion.
My best wishes to all who choose this camera!
from Adrian, Michigan on 10/15/2009
Comments about Canon XH A1S 3CCD HDV Professional Camcorder:
Easy to transport to events with lighter weight. Nice picture.
[2 of 3 customers found this review helpful]
from Queens, NY on 7/25/2009
Comments about Canon XH A1S 3CCD HDV Professional Camcorder:
a very inexpensive in the pro-camcorder world with simple but complex features to keep you going for a long time without having to buy another camcorder.
not for the everyday person looking for a auto everything camcorder.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Richfield, Utah on 6/29/2009
Comments about Canon XH A1S 3CCD HDV Professional Camcorder:
Diversity of shooting modes allowed me to begin shooting outstanding video the day i received the camera yet allows for professional settings as i become more aquainted with the camera.
[3 of 3 customers found this review helpful]
from Creede, Colorado on 6/16/2009
Comments about Canon XH A1S 3CCD HDV Professional Camcorder:
This is a really solid sturdy feeling camera. It is a wonderful product. But I have one complaint, in a camera of this quality Canon decided to not include the most simple of scene transitions, not even a fade feature. I am sure that they felt that all that can be added in post, and normally that is correct but I sometimes use fades to assist in post editing. For most, this may not be a problem, but be for warned about this lack of a feature. The reviews tell everything the camera has but they never say, "Oh by the way, Canon decided to delete any scene transitions on this camera." Now you know. I would certainly recommend this camera to a friend as long as he was completely aware of my minor complaint.
My dealings with Abes of Maine were, simply put, wonderful. I dealt with three of their employees, John, Kyle, and Jason, they all exceeded all expectations.