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Canon XL-2 Priced around $3,000 this is probably the most affordable semi-professional standard definitions (SD) camera in the marketplace with many ultra-professional features. Sporting 1/3” three CCD sensors that deliver over 900 pixel width images for true wide screen or the standard 720 pixel width for standard picture images. Add to this the ability to use the Canon XL interchangeable lenses, this unit comes with a 20x Canon Fluorite zoom lens and that is what separates this from camcorders in the $300 to $2,000 range. This is a high quality, professional lens capable of delivering high acutance. You can also buy a separate adapter to use Canon 35mm EF lenses, which include a wide variety of 3rd party lenses such as those from Sigma. This is especially important if you have a Canon G or K2 35mm SLR or the Digital Rebel. You have the option to shoot in 24 FPS film mode (which can automatically be returned to 30 FPS video mode if you so desire), 30 progressive and 60 interlaced. The 24 FPS mode has a fixed shutter speed of 1/48th, the same as used by 35mm movie cameras. You have two modes to use in 24 FPS, including one that will upload properly to most computer editing systems and one that will upload properly to professional drop frame editing systems. You have total control over the iris from f/1.6 to f/16. Total control over the shutter speed from 1/10th of a second to 1/1,500. You can pre-set up to three mixed video options with the push of a button. You have control over the gain from -3 to +18. The zoom speed can also be controlled or set to a fixed rate. There is a pre-set focus pull, that allows you to start at one focus point and then pull that over to a pre-set without the need for a person to pull the focus. You can eliminated black bars and rolls on computer screens with a built in scan matching feature. This is good if you are shooting shots with computers. Audio can be done through either the top mounted microphone which uses a mini-plug input or via two balanced XLR 3 pin mic/line inputs that feature 48 volt phantom power. Audio metering shows you the levels. You can use the auto gain control or set volumes manually for left and right using two audio sub-systems. You can even mix up to 4 tracks of separate audio in the 12 bit mode (although understand some editing systems have problems with the 12 bit mode). SMPTE time code, gen-lock to another XL-2 for precise A and B camera work. Outputs include FireWire, S-Video, RCA and BNC, plus a tap to record to a second VTR or computer Tape is standard Mini DV-C at standard consumer recording speeds, as such you are limited to 530+ line of horizontal resolution, which is usually more than enough for DTV and SD TV situations found in educational, corporate and cable access television. Weighing in at nearly 8 pounds this is not your typical camcorder.
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