Is this camera good Canon HV20?

Is it a good time to buy a Canon XH A1 ?

• Hello, Do you think it is a good time to buy a Canon XH A1 or should I wait for a larger sensor camcorder offering - Better low light peformance - Shallower depth of field --------------------------------------… I'm a professional photographer in search of a practical video system to achieve a photographic look as much as I can. These come to mind: - shallow depth of field - low light performance - practicality I currently own a Canon HV20 and a redrock micro 35mm adapter with follow focus. I'm using my Nikon lenses with it. However the rig is way too bulky to be practical and low light performance is poor. Also manual focus is a pain when you or your subject is moving. --------------------------------------… Currently the market offers the Red system, which is aimed mainly at filmmakers, the Canon 5d MKII, giving a good low light performance, a large selection of lenses, nice shallow depth of field in a quite portable package. The reviews I read mentioned that the autofocus is almost useless in video. And I'm also not sure this is the product to go for with video not being the main function. i.e will require a decent mic added, limited to 30p etc. Like this person here, I wonder why they do not come up with a larger sensor camcorder: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=661527 Now, about the Canon XH A1. Pros: - It looks like a great video camera with decent low light performance (not as good as a higher end dslr) - Good lens with autofocus - Expandable with accessories - Decent built-in mic and other sound recording options with added ports - No need to invest in lenses Cons: - Only 1/3" sensor - No shallow depth of field - Questionable low light performance when compared to 5dMKII --------------------------------------… I'm wondering whether they will come up with a larger sensor video camera soon (next 2 years) or Should I just go with Canon XH A1 and forget about the shallow depth of field ? Thanks

• Answer:

  There are bigger sensor camcorders, the Sony DSR series, XDCAMs DigiBetas, Panasonic AJ DVC PROs etc. They are all 3ccd, so you have triple the cost of the bigger sensor, they also require bigger more expensive lenses. In the same way that you can buy a canon powershot for £100 you can also buy a EOS 1Ds Mk3 for £4k. The redrock system will work on the XHA1 with the right adaptor, to my mind it is a terrible cumbersome system, requiring mirrors taped to LCD, post prod flipping, no zooming etc. I hate to pour scorn on your idea but if you haven't money for a professional camera then it isn't likely that you will have money for professional sound recording gear, a sound recordist, a professional lighting rig or gaffer etc. The XHA1 is a decent camera for the money, and used within its limitations will give very good results: it has an ND filter do you can shoot with wide aperture without over-exposure to aid shallow depth of field, also if you move the camera back and zoom in you will accentuate perception of shallow depth of field. Video and photography need light. The XHa1 has a gain adjustment (similar to ISO control on DSLR) to boost the picture in lo light, but it is noisier. If you want decent looking video then you need to take control of the light rather than hoping for good ambient light. If you really must have cinematic depth of field then the 5Dmk2 is the only option below 10s of thousands of pounds. It is compromised in that: No live expsoure control Only manual lens movements MPEG4 based codec (not great with pans and tilts or subject motion) Rudimentary audio recording with no audio monitoring If you can't afford a 1/2 inch or 2/3rd inch camcorder then the XHA1 is as close as you are going to get.