Canon XH A1 (and XH G1) Review
Canon XH A1 (and XH G1)
With camcorders A1 and XH G1, Canon offers two top models intended primarily to professional users and independent videographers. They employ technology HDV and offer a high definition image of very high quality.
Verdict
The Canon XH A1 and XH G1 are undoubtedly a great success from the Japanese manufacturer. They can generate one of the best HDV images that we have been able to observe.
Canon now offers two versions more compact and interchangeable objective of his professional HDV camcorder, the XL H1. The XH A1 and XH G1 can also be seen as versions dedicated to high-definition camcorder XM2 who had known at the time, seducing many independent video. Canon offers two versions of this camcorder. The first, the XH A1, should suit most needs. With the most advanced model, the XH G1, it is primarily intended for professional users wishing to use the camera in a studio environment or shooting with multiple cameras synchronized. The XH G1 stands out in effect by the presence of an exit HD-SDI and a connector for syncing timecode.
Canon XH A1 Review
Design and Ergonomics
The design and ergonomics Canon XH A1 and XH G1 is unquestionably one of the strengths of these camcorders. Their black dress mat gives them a professional look and a feeling of strength emerges from the chassis of the aircraft. It is also reinforced by the relatively Therefore weight of about 2 kg. The battery has a lodge in internal compartment so that you are in the presence of a box very pleasant to use for followers of the frame with the camera wedged against his chest and using the LCD screen. Unlike their big brother, the Canon XL H1, it is camcorders not intended to be used in the shoulder. This range XH is directed primarily at professional users or very demanding fans. Its ergonomics was thinking accordingly. Concretely, this means that all essential settings of the image and audio are available directly through switches and buttons on the chassis. The number of buttons on the front will undoubtedly divert the first time and require adaptation based on past habits of the user. But once this grip it should be carried out more than a few seconds to intervene on exposure of the image, white balance, audio levels, the gain or developed. The most pleasant is undoubtedly the presence of three rings settings on the lens. The first is the development, the second to vary the focal length zoom and the third to set the opening of the iris. These rings are kind of floating, which means they operate without stop and without markings. This last point is probably a bit unfortunate but hardly surprising in this type of camcorder. But the possibility of regulating development, focus and exposure without having to change the placement of the hand is very valuable. The LCD is placed on an articulated arm and unfolds from the top of the chassis. It can thus be oriented around 270 degrees and allows all kinds of angles shots. Its size, 2.8 "(7.1 cm) is very small. This is fairly standard on Canon camcorders but here we seem to be one of the weaknesses of the models A1 and XH G1, especially as its resolution 207 000 pixels is not exceptional. The viewfinder is much better, and although color, should allow better control of the development. Aids manual focus, however, are present in the form a magnifying glass and a clipping function (peaking) outlining the contours. Recognizing the critical importance of developing a clear high definition, Canon XH models with a new system which Instant AutoFocus uses a sensor placed on the independent side of the goal.
Specifications
The XH A1 and XH G1 are HDV camcorders, operating with cassettes type mini-DV, where you can choose to save the DV format is a standard resolution 4 / 3 or 16/9e, either high definition format 1080i. They are equipped with the same sensor that the model XL H1, spearhead of the range at Canon HDV. It is a tri-CCD sensor measuring 1 / 3 "and offering a resolution total of 1.67 million pixels. The sensor is the format 4 / 3 and 1.56 million photosites are used to form the image HDV or DV format 16/9e. This is exactly the format HDV 1080i with whom, remember, each image is stored on 1440×1080 pixels which are then interpolated horizontally to get a display type Full HD 1920×1080. beyond figures, it is clear that the definition of images obtained is among the best that we have been given out with this type of sensor. The sensor is not everything and we must therefore also welcome the CPU Digic DV II, optimized for HD and benefiting from a system noise reduction. The quality of optics is obviously just as crucial and the XH A1 and XH G1 us semblée very good bill. The goal is a 20x zoom Series L, whose focal length ranges from 4.5 to 90 mm, which corresponds to a 32.5 – 650 mm equivalence 24×36. These camcorders can thus benefit from an angle particularly expanded without require additional optics.
Quality and settings of the image
The image quality offered by these two camcorders is simply exceptional and very close to that achieved with the XL H1. In terms of defining the image, there is nothing to say. The compression artifacts are hardly visible including in shooting conditions difficult, as the water moving. The colors are well made, with a very natural default. If you are accustomed to images of entry-level camcorders, the colors may seem somewhat dull, but they actually much more nuanced. Through personalization settings of the image, you can choose among several gamma curves and directly affect many other aspects such as saturation, detail, levels of black, the colors die, and so on. These settings can be stored in the form of personalized profiles and recorded on an SD card. Another strong point of these two models is their capacity in low light without excessive noise generated video. They are undoubtedly the very best present from this point of view HDV video and noise generated by the gain is quite acceptable to 9dB. In return, latitude contrast leaves something to be desired and we should not expect miracles from this point of view if you shoot scenes with shadows and very bright. The dynamics may be slightly improved by adjusting the knee (depending on compression in the high lights), may have more contours settled with the parties really cramées of the image. This requires special care for exposure to avoid overexposure. Finally, note the excellent performance of optical stabilizer of the image. A 25F mode can generate an image of the type progressive price of a slight loss of definition but which should appeal to lovers rendering image type cinema.
Ports and autonomy
Connection varies depending on models, but is in both cases rather complete. The only real false note is without doubt the lack of HDMI socket. In addition to the necessary ports DV / HDV, AV and headphone jack, the XH A1 also has a component video output, an outlet NACA and more rare but very useful in a professional environment, a composite video output with a BNC. On the XH G1 added ports HD-SDI, Timecode, and Genlock. Audio side, two XLR plugs can connect microphones professionals. A removable suspension is also offered with the device, which can accommodate a microphone from supplant or complement the microphone. An intelligent accessory shoe complements everything. An internal compartment can accommodate several models of battery capacity variables. The battery comes standard provides a range of approximately 5 hours.
The results of these two models are very similar to what you can achieve with their big brother, the Canon XL H1. Their compact compared to the latter fact does not lose much in terms of ergonomics and one can even say that Canon has been able to improve some aspects as the development, or adjustment of exposure. For the rest, the possibilities of setting the image are identical. If you lose the opportunity to change your goal, you win against a compactor, handling and discretion. Both models are successful when there is ultimately little to say.
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One Response to “Canon XH A1 (and XH G1) Review”
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Mycamreview.net : XH A1 HDV1080i Says:
July 7th, 2008 at 9:06 pm[...] The Canon XH A1 and XH G1 are undoubtedly a great success from the Japanese manufacturer. They can generate one of the best HDV images that we have been able to observe. The design and ergonomics Canon XH A1 and XH G1 is unquestionably one of the strengths of these camcorders. The image quality offered by these two camcorders is simply exceptional and very close to that achieved with the XL H1. In terms of defining the image, there is nothing to say. The compression artifacts are hardly visible including in shooting conditions difficult, as the water moving. The colors are well made, with a very natural default. If you are accustomed to images of entry-level camcorders, the colors may seem somewhat dull, but they actually much more nuanced (hier). [...]