Canon XH A1s in 2010?

R

rdouglasfilms

New member
Hi, I was just wondering what anyone thought about buying a Canon XHA1s. I need a new camera as soon as possible, but I'm also aware that Canon may be releasing a solid state camera soon. Is it worth me purchasing an XH A1s for £2.700 now or waiting? Also, i wouldn't be able to spend any more money, i'm guessing the new Canon will be on the more expensive side.

Thanks for any thoughts.
 
I'd wait, and if you absolutely need a camera now I wouldn't go with a tape based workflow like the Canon cams, even though they're great cams. Have you considered Panasonic's HPX-170?
 
Thanks, I did a bit of research and discovered that the NAB show is next month and Canon may release a camera at that. I'm probably going to wait and see, although if they do it will probably be out of my price range. I dont really have a problem with tapes, it was more to see if there were any improvements in image etc with a newer camera.
 
Canon doesn't typically announce any new products at NAB; it's not their show. They show broadcast lenses there, but they don't do announcements there, they typically announce new camcorders independent of any show.

However, we do know that they are developing a "new" XHA1-type camera that uses solid-state memory recording, so it's possible that we will indeed hear more about it at the NAB show.
 
Ok thanks, i think i'll wait until they release something (assuming it will be quite soon). If i'm spending that amount of money i'd rather get something a bit more up-to-date than the XH A1s. Just hope i'm not waiting too long!
 
I have seen the specs on their new camera - due out in June I think. Based around the A1/G1 - but new body shape and all importantly records onto memory cards - at 50mbps. It looks lovely and the specs sound great too... At the time of me seeing this internal document there was no mention of whether the camera is progressive (if its not Canon will have made a major error!!!) Its also still 1/3 inch CCDs... but I have always been impressed with the H1 and G1, so am really looking forward to what this new camera will have for offer. They will be launching a new H1 style memory card camera some time after launching this one...
 
ChrisDTV said:
I have seen the specs on their new camera - due out in June I think. Based around the A1/G1 - but new body shape and all importantly records onto memory cards - at 50mbps. It looks lovely and the specs sound great too... At the time of me seeing this internal document there was no mention of whether the camera is progressive (if its not Canon will have made a major error!!!) Its also still 1/3 inch CCDs... but I have always been impressed with the H1 and G1.
Click to expand...

I can't imagine that it wouldn't have some sort of progressive modes at 24/30/60p. They would be shooting themselves in the foot with a bazooka if they only had 60i. Now the question is whether it will be native progressive CCD's or interlaced CCD's with progressive capabilities like the H1/A1/G1 HDV cameras. As long as it looks good and the 24p or 24F or whatever they call it looks right then I'll be a happy camper.

As for the 1/3 CCD's, I guess its a toss up between this and the EX1 and whether you value 1/2 over 1/3, CCD over CMOS, or whether the upcoming Canon's 4:2:2 at 50mbps codec vs. the EX1's 4:2:0 at 35mbps codec is more important.

I'm leaning towards the Canon, and hoping that the price is lower than the EX1's. Unless Canon comes out with a lite version of this new camera that only does AVC-HD or something, I can't imagine them pricing this recently announced one much beyond the cost of the XH-A1 ($4,000 MSRP I'm guessing).

rdouglas: have you considered a Canon Digital Rebel T2i DSLR in the meantime? It's video capabilities are nearly on par with the Canon 7D, and for about half the price ($800). This way you wouldn't need to spend as much on older tech (I love the A1, but with the new one around the corner, why spend so much now on an A1?).
 
It's a difficult time to be buying a camera! At the moment i'm using a Canon XM2 (GL2), I think i'll stick with that for a while, although there is a great demand for HD these days. I had considered buying a DSLR but I'd only have to end up selling it on (and losing money that I cant afford to lose!). At the moment tape-based workflow doesn't bother me, but then again i dont know what i'll be doing in a couple of years time, maybe it's better than im as up-to-date as possible!
 
ChrisDTV said:
I have seen the specs on their new camera - due out in June I think. Based around the A1/G1 - but new body shape and all importantly records onto memory cards - at 50mbps. It looks lovely and the specs sound great too... At the time of me seeing this internal document there was no mention of whether the camera is progressive (if its not Canon will have made a major error!!!) Its also still 1/3 inch CCDs... but I have always been impressed with the H1 and G1, so am really looking forward to what this new camera will have for offer. They will be launching a new H1 style memory card camera some time after launching this one...
Click to expand...


This is SOME statement - I really doubt you have the insider info you claim - No major camcorder manufacturer would not include progressive modes for a HD cam these days, thus if you had this so called insider info you would know this too.

I think we can all ignore the above post or treat it with a huge amount of sceptisism.

For some up to date FACTS see this latest post

http://www.dvinfo.net/features/canons-next-cam-photos-from-sfo-supermeet-pt-1.html
 
Chris Hurd of DVINFO said

Canon USA has confirmed that the chip size is indeed 1/3rd-inch.

They haven't said whether it's CCD or CMOS. I had originally speculated CCD, but now I have my doubts... it may very well be CMOS after all, based on a statement made during the presentation at the February SuperMeet: the camcorder was referred to as an "all-Canon solution," meaning that the codec, which was the focus of the presentation, was entirely Canon's own, as is the camera (emphasis mine). The last time Canon referred to an "all-Canon" camcorder was with the introduction of their HV10, which used a Canon CMOS sensor. Their marketing strategy made a big point about that. Since Canon doesn't make CCDs, they wouldn't refer to a CCD camcorder as using "all Canon technology." That's why I'm beginning to think that this new camera has three new CMOS chips instead of CCDs.

So my suspicions on CMOS are backed up too

time will tell..
 
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