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Canon XH A1 HD Camcorder

Canon XH A1 1.67MP 3CCD High-Definition Camcorder with 20x Optical Zoom

Technical Details

• Captures true 1080 resolution, widescreen (16:9) HD video

• 2.8-inch widescreen LCD monitor; .57-inch viewfinder

• 20x HD zoom lens; Super-range optical image stabilization

• Three 1/3-inch 16:9 CCDs (1.67 megapixels)

• DIGIC DV II HD image processor

Canon XH-A1 HD Camcorder

Comparing the $4000 XH A1 to the $9000 XL H1 comes down to three major areas that distinguish the camcorders from one another: the lens, the Professional Jack Pack, and size. When it comes to video performance, the camcorders are virtually identical, thanks to the fact that they use the same 3-CCD imager and both sport an excellent Canon 20x optical zoom lens.

Canon XH G1

The difference between the XH A1 and the Canon XH G1 is simple. The XH G1 includes the Professional Jack Pack, which amounts to the $3000 price spread between these two Canons.

Sony HVR-V1U

The Sony HVR-V1U offers some competition for the XH A1, and it’s likely to appeal to a similar kind of user with an retail price of $4800, and without support for interchangeable lenses.

JVC GY-HD110U

In terms of size and lens interchangeability, the JVC GY-HD110U is closer to the Canon XL H1 as an overall package. The JVC GY-HD110U retails for about $6295.

Panasonic AG-HVX200

The Panasonic AG-HVX200 is a camcorder that is not easily compared to anything else on the prosumer market due to the fact that it uses the proprietary P2 tapeless recording system. The AG-HVX200 records DVCPRO video DV tapes, but HD video can only be recorded to Panasonic’s solid state P2 memory cards or an external DTE drive like the FireStore FS-100.