Is the XL-H1 worth all that money??

Danny Salazar

Danny Salazar

Active member
I mean doesnt the A1 provide the same results as the H1? I mean i know that the H1 has the TC output, Gen-lock Output, the uncompressed outputs, and the bigger lens but can u save some money by just getting the G1? I have handled the H1 myself and i think its the most awkward camera ive handled. What do you guys think?
 
i recently purchased my a1, and not to sound bias, but compared to my friends hv20, the color detail and overall control over your picture is unbeatable. if you dont care about manual functions, the hv20 is prob the cam for you, but i would say that buying the a1 was a very good decision :)

it is a LITTLE bit front heavy, but if your throwing it on a nice set of sticks your not gonna be noticing it anyways ;)
 
hey fiver, this is the cam im talking about Canon XL-H1 not the Canon hv20. Its retailed at about $8,000 compared to the Canon XH-G1
*The XH-G1 is retailed at about $6,000.

I'm just trying to see if their is any difference between the two (quality & color detail)
 
As I have shot with both cameras, I much prefer the XL-H1 and I can see why the price difference. Although they share similar specs, there are things you can do with the XL-H1 that you just can't do with the XH-A1.

I have done shoots from just the stock camera to a fully outfitted rig with the P+S technik mini35 using CinePrimes (the image is a world of difference when using high-end glass), HD LCD monitor, uncompressed live capture ... all of which brings a level of footage quality that the A1 just can't offer.

My website has some various clips of the footage ... you can check it out for yourself if you'd like.

www.mikegalvan.com
 
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Yea there is definitely a difference, the interchangeable lenses for one. The CCD block is identical though, but your footage between the G1/H1/A1 will only be the same if your shooting in HDV. G1/H1 with the uncompressed output would lick the A1 any day, if you have the equipment of course. For most people though, the A1 does just fine. How many "professionals" even have the equipment to record uncompressed HD anyways lol.
 
danny ,unless yous shooting uncompressed tethered to some type of recording device,the a1 and h1 image is virtualy the same.case and point,disjesta had the h1 bit sold it in favor of the better egornomics of the a1.like i said for a person on the run with no inticpation of doing uncompressed the a1 with a letus extreme and some zeiss leses will be all good.for me the h1 is way overpriced and over rated thats why canon are sailing way more a1s.
 
The only way you can answer this question is to rephrase the question: is the XLH1 worth all that money TO YOU?

Because to some people it will be. And to others it won't be.

If you need interchangeable lenses, it doesn't matter than an XHA1 is $5,000 less -- it doesn't do what you need, so it wouldn't be considered.

If you need HD-SDI, it doesn't matter that the A1 is $5,000 less -- it doesn't do what you need. etc., etc.

The XLH1 is a very slow seller because it's priced very high for an HDV camera, it's even priced higher than the 1/2" XDCAM EX1. So obviously many people have answered the question for themselves as "no." But y'know what? The EX1 doesn't have interchangeable lenses, so again -- what do you need?

If you need what the XLH1 does, then perhaps it's worth the price to you. If you don't need its particular capabilities, the XHA1 offers most of the performance at 1/3 the price.
 
I don't think everyone in this thread has realized he's asking about the G1 vs the H1, not the A1. Clearly he knows about the uncompressed, etc.

So Danny to answer you no, the H1 is obviously not worth it for your needs. With the G1 all you'd be sacrificing is the interchangable lens. Sure the lens on both are 20x lenses but the G1 is slighty wider so there is a slight difference. There are wide and teles available and of course 35mm adapters, but it's not the same as the true interchangable lens, it is a nice lens though. But other than that, same camera different ergonomics.
 
haha wow sorry i totally read that wrong... i thought you said hv20 vs a1... it was late and i was reading way too fast ;)
 
Exhaustive studies have shown that chicks dig the XLH1 more than the XHA1.

Lets face it, the chick-magnet factor is worth the extra money.
 
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