14 DAY TRIAL // Besides being one of the world's best-known manufacturers of DSLRs, Canon also has quite a comprehensive line-up of video cameras (or camcorders), ranging from consumer-grade products to professional models. And that's pretty much where the latest two products announced by the company fit, since the XH A1S and XH G1S HD camcorders have been designed to fit the needs and requirements of filmmakers and enthusiast amateurs alike.
The Genuine Canon 20x HD Video Lens of the XH A1S and XH G1S HD camcorders offers manual zoom and focus, which can operate simultaneously in either manual or Autofocus mode, the adjustment options being provided by the three independent manual adjustment rings, (focus, zoom and iris). Furthermore, the lens features Canon's SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) system, which corrects camera shake instantly on hand-held shots at full telephoto.
Another very interesting thing worth mentioning about Canon's latest camcorders is the fact that they offer users a very wide range of customization options, whether we're talking about recording (adjustable frame rates and aspect ratios, color options, etc.) or simply using the camera. Hence, filmmakers can adjust no less than 21 items and 33 sub-items, including here "shockless" white balance, the ability to increase gain in 0.5dB increments from 0dB up to +18dB, and 3dB and +36dB settings, as well as a selective noise-reduction function, available for reducing the noise in targeted color areas, which is important for blue/green chroma-key applications in special effects work.
Moreover, both models provide Total Image Control for customizing image and color settings, with a total of 23 custom presets available for image quality adjustment. Additionally, the custom image preset files can be stored to an onboard SD/SDHC Memory Card and shared with other Canon professional models. All of the functions and features mentioned above can be very easily controlled via the 2.8-inch widescreen LCD or color EVF.
The audio recording capabilities of the two cameras from Canon have also been improved, the devices now providing two-channel audio performance, two built-in XLR terminals with separate audio-input sensitivity settings, the ability to simultaneously record sound from the supplied internal microphone and an external microphone, line output level switching, an audio (manual) limiter and a new metal headphone jack for reliable connectivity.
Similar to their predecessors, these two cameras use HDV tapes as a recording medium, but Canon also offers users the option of recording directly to an external Hard Disk Drive by using the FS-CV DTE Recorder.
Despite the fact that the two new models share most of their advanced features, there are also a couple of differences. Thus, the XH G1S HD offers a series of outputs most professionals will find to be very useful, as for example HD-SDI/SD-SDI Output, SMPTE Timecode Input/Output, and Genlock Input. The HD-SDI connection outputs an uncompressed 1.485 Gbps digital signal with embedded audio and LTC Timecode (SMPTE 299M), while the Genlock synchronization input permits trouble-free switching of the camcorders in a multi-camera situation.
Both the XH A1S and XH G1S HD camcorders will arrive in stores in December and will sell for around $3,999 and $6,999, respectively.
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