Canon XL2 - Camcorder MiniDV

Comments about Canon XL2 MiniDV Camcorder:

I have been using this camera for about a year and a half I love almost everything about it. great zoom and it is so easy to show my fellow students how to use. the only thing i dont like about it is the stabilization isn't the greatest when i full zoom. i dont know how many times i have ever so slightly nudged the tripod and the image shakes. so be sure it invest in a very stable tripod. the only other thing dont like is when where the shutter speed buttons are. while i like to use the "nub" where they are located to do pan when i am shooting from the ground but when i am doing other things i always seem the hit the shutter speed

Comments about Canon XL2 MiniDV Camcorder:

This is just a wonderful camera! I highly recommend this peace of equipment for anybody looking for a good professional rig.

Comments about Canon XL2 MiniDV Camcorder:

Have not had time to shoot much with our new XL2 since we had to (after speaking with B%H) send the view finder to Canon. We too had never heard of such a thing but a T shaped metal piece diagonally inside the magnifying ocular was obscuring the view of the LCD and we are still waiting for Canon to service it. Otherwise the XL2 seem ok. It's not a beginners camcorder, still our choice since we need to update our PC systems before purchasing a (Pro) HD CAM. We are worried as to why B&H have discontinued both the XLh1a and s, we can only hope that new hardware is on the horizon in regards to HD camcorders. We are certainly hoping that Canon will continue with the truly marvelous XL series Camcorders and that they're intending to release new XL HD models.

Comments about Canon XL2 MiniDV Camcorder:

This cam is great and good, i was very happy when i had it, it has vibrant pictures, that i love so much,got this cam fairly 7 months now, i will only recommend this to a friend only of the good features the xl2 got, i mostly use it for shooting music videos, until recently wasn't using it for some weeks, i took it 2 days ago to test locations, oops the cam is dead, the power will never on, tried everything still, there is no power,heard something with a sensitive main fuse on the xl2 can break easily and not user serviceable,in ma case i did nothing with the cam to get this problem, now i live in Ghana where there is no canon service center,i will soon send it back to the states to be checked, this is the most things that aren't so great about this cam, if really it's the fuse then it really not the best, with this kind of expensive cam, fuse shouldn't break easily that way. although i like this cam a lot but it broke my heart recently....

Comments about Canon XL2 MiniDV Camcorder:

I use the product as a primary shooting camera using different cameras from a sony to a panasonic and this camera blows them out of the water. It has great optics it performs really well in low light and its interchangeable lens system is really helpful.

Comments about Canon XL2 MiniDV Camcorder:

I love this camera! It's the first pro level video camera I've owned and I couldn't be more happy with it.

Comments about Canon XL2 MiniDV Camcorder:

I use the XL2 for ENG, documentary, and narrative projects, and this camera performs excellently in all three areas. I have used the XL series of camcorders since film school, and have used it along-side various models from the DVX line of camcorders during the same shoots. The XL2 usually produces my 'key shots' while the DVXs serve as fail-safe wide shots or another ancillary use.

I have read many reviews about the XL2's low light performance compared to a DVX. My experience is that while a DVX performs adequately in low light right out of the box, the XL2 captures a more professional looking picture due mostly to its superior control over the depth of field. The Mechanical image stabilization (non digital) built into the 20x lens makes all the difference in the world for a hand-held shots with zoom. Since zooming is a very easy way of lowering the depth of field, and since documentary and ENG projects often don't allow time to set up a tripod, I find that the XL2 out performs other SD camcorders in professional-looking picture quality.

To get the best pictures, the Xl2 does require a working knowledge of video capture theory (shutter speed, aperture, progressive vs. interlaced, depth of field, etc.). If I have a project where I need to bring an intern to operate a second camera, I will likely put him/her on the DVX since I can trust that camera as fool proof. At the same time, I do not expect to get the most 'key' pictures from the DVX anyway.

The XL2 is definitely my star.

Comments about Canon XL2 MiniDV Camcorder:

I manage the video at my church, and we purchased the XL-2 Camcorder about a month ago. I am very impressed with the ease of use,the quality of the picture, and with the Canon lens. The set-up was a breeze! Over all we are very pleased with this camera.

Comments about Canon XL2 MiniDV Camcorder:

I am a senior in high school pursuing a career in cinematography. This camera was a great starting point. Easy to use and not bulky. Lens detach and attach with no problem and picture quality is excellent.

Comments about Canon XL2 MiniDV Camcorder:

All I need to say about this camera, It is Awesome! I have had it almost a year now and so far it does everything Canon says it will do, but it is not for a beginner.

Comments about Canon XL2 MiniDV Camcorder:

The canon Xl-2 is a camera with the ability to produce professional images. The 3-CCD's combined with Canons "L" series lenses gives you true color and stunning images. The price on this camera is worth every penny! Very affordable and BH has the best deals along side the best service!

Comments about Canon XL2 MiniDV Camcorder:

I agree with everything good previous reviewers stated below and I will say it again that this camera is the BEST and prettiest DV camera out there. It gives you that "organic" look versus the DVX100 that to me is too "electronic".

The only thing that this camera does not deserve a 5 star is because of the SERIOUS auto focus problem, especially with the 3X lens, which is horrible, slow and since I had problems regarding focus before with this camera, I can't trust taking this camera to shoot any live productions. Only what I can stop and re-take the shot such as corporate video. I have owned this camera since 2006 and because of the focus problem, I have used it very little. The reason I need a good auto focus camera is because I use it on a Steadicam Ultra. Don't get me wrong. it is a beautiful camera and I'm keeping it.

Comments about Canon XL2 MiniDV Camcorder:

This is an excellent camera. Color reproduction is very good, not over saturated like consumer camcorders which do this to 'enhance' the image. Advanced settings allow for many different situations, even a 'film like' look. A little front heavy because the advanced stabilization is built directly into the lens. Great stabilization though. I love using this cam. I recommend the Davis & Sanford ProVista tripod with FM18 head. Very stable and works well with this cam.

Comments about Canon XL2 MiniDV Camcorder:

Just started shooting wildlife/documentaries, and think this is the best camera for the purpose. It comes with a combo of goodies such as:

(1) Progressive shooting (24p, 30p)
(2) True widescreen (16:9)
(3) Time-lapse recording
(4) Detachable lens (add EOS lenses w/ adaptor)
(5) Professional audio
(6) Multi-camera timecode sync
(7) Tons of menu settings to tweak image

You could also look up presets (specific menu settings) on various XL2 forums for almost any shooting situation.

Comments about Canon XL2 MiniDV Camcorder:

The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because the viewfinder/mic comes loose once in a while and you cannot output BNC and composite video at the same time. Other wise this is a great camera, definitely a durable camera. This is the second one we have gotten for our productions.

Comments about Canon XL2 MiniDV Camcorder:

I almost bought a used XL-1s thinking the XL-2 was simply an XL-1s with some superficial changes. I couldn't have been more wrong. Bottom line is this is an excellent buy for the price if you don't think you'll need an HD camera real soon. The bigger viewfinder is a great help, especially when shooting 16:9. And I love the fact it provides higher resolution in 16:9 compared to 4:3. Most of my shooting in the future will be in widescreen format.

The camera does get heavy when used hand-held for a period of time and is not particularly well-balanced but its not that big of a deal for the type of shooting I do.

Comments about Canon XL2 MiniDV Camcorder:

I shoot weddings, honor bands and depositions. Just easy for me to use does a good job. Only thing would be a little wider angle lens....the 20x doesn't go as wide as the lens on my gl3.

Comments about Canon XL2 MiniDV Camcorder:

The easy ans layout of the functions and te options available. Best product for the price!

Comments about Canon XL2 MiniDV Camcorder:

This camera has given me even more love for video production. As a student at the Art Institute of Colorado, I have been given many assignments, with unusual specifications. This camera can handle them with ease. Very easy to change shutter speed, frame rate, and aperture.

Comments about Canon XL2 MiniDV Camcorder:

I purchased this camcorder as a second unit camera for the small film company I am part of. So far this camcorder has lived up to the reviews I have read of it. It has done everything and done everything well. If you are looking for one great camcorder that is not HD then this is the camcorder for you.