A compact and manoeuvrable camcorder that delivers professional-quality HDV1080i recording, the XH A1S provides total user control with a comprehensive array of custom settings and presets.
Features
* 1080i HDV recording (50i, 25F, optional 24F/30F/60i modes)
* 1/3” 1.67MP 3CCD
* 20x L-series HD Video Lens with simultaneous three-ring control
* Enhanced audio functions
* Full image control
* Improved ease of use
* Canon CPS Video Support
Demand the best: fast and flexible HDV shooting
Professional-quality HDV recording
The XH A1S delivers 1080i HD recording with selectable frame rates of 50i and 25F. Choose 50i and shoot with ultra-crisp realism, or adopt 25F for the traditional look of film. 24F/30F/60i shooting modes are available via an optional upgrade, for truly global recording capability.
The power of 3CCD and DIGIC
High-resolution shooting is enabled by a 1/3” 1.67 megapixel 3CCD sensor system that works in harmony with Canon’s DIGIC DV II – a processor built to handle the amount of data required for HD.
Canon L-series HD Video Lens
Canon has redesigned the 20x L-series HD Video Lens to make it more comfortable to use, and more efficient in operation. The lens now features a new control ring design, as well as simultaneous, independent control of Focus, Iris and Zoom. Lens ring operation can be modified to suit the individual user’s needs.
Fluorite lens elements and Ultra-Low Dispersion (UD) glass are used to combat chromatic aberrations, so users can expect exceptional clarity, while a shift-type Super Range Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) helps ensure footage remains steady.
Enhanced audio functionality
Canon has increased the audio options on the XH A1S to give cameramen greater flexibility and control. The camera incorporates twin XLR audio inputs but adds independent limiters in manual mode and simultaneous use of built-in and XLR microphones. Independent XLR sensitivity settings are also included.
Advanced image control
The range of image adjustment functions has been expanded and includes options such as wider white balance adjustment (from 2000k to 15000k), selective RGB noise reduction options and Auto Gain Control (AGC) limit – with increased fine-tuning options. Up to nine Custom Presets can be stored in-camera or to SD memory card for easy transfer to a compatible Canon camcorder.
More robust, easier to use
The XH A1S is easy to use, featuring improvements in the layout of exterior buttons to prevent accidental operation. Mechanical refinements include sturdier terminals such as a 6-pin Firewire connection.
Image sensing device
Image size : 1/3-inch CCD
System : 3-CCD horizontal pixel shift
Total pixels : 1.67 megapixels per CCD
Number of effective pixels (per CCD):
HD: Approx. 1.56 megapixels
SD/4:3: Approx. 1.17 megapixels
SD/16:9: Approx. 1.56 megapixels
Lens
Optical zoom magnification : 20x HD VIDEO Lens
Focal length : 4.5 - 90mm (35mm eqv: 32.5-650mm)
f-number : f/1.6 - 3.5
Aperture leaves (Number of leaves) : 6 leaves, iris diaphragm
Zoom speed :
Handle zoom: Fixed speed (16 speed level settings available)
Grip zoom: Variable speed/Fixed speed (16 speed level settings available)
Iris ring: Yes (electronic ring)
Filter diameter : 72mm
Minimum illumination :
Auto mode (when 50i is selected): Approx. 5 lux (shutter speed 1/50,Gain 18dB)
Manual mode Approx. 0.3 lux (shutter speed 1/3, Gain 18 dB, 50i)
Image stabilizer:
Image stabilisation system: Optical Image Stabilisation (Shift-type
Sensing method: Angle detection and movement vector detection
Shooting functions
AE mode :
7 modes: Auto, Tv, Av, Manual, Spotlight, Night, Full Auto
Metering System (TAPE):
Centre weighted average: Full Auto mode, Auto mode, Night mode, Tv mode, Av mode and Manual mode
Evaluative metering (128-segments): Spotlight mode
Metering System (CARD) :
Selectable from center-weighted average/evaluative/spot: Auto, Tv, Av, Manual
Evaluative metering (128-segments): Night, Spotlight, Full Auto mode
Exposure adjustment:
AE lock: Included. EXP. LOCK button operation (Auto mode, TV mode, Av mode only)
AE shift: Included. MENU operation (±2 levels) (Auto mode, TV mode, AV mode only)
Gain setting: Auto/Gain select (-3, ±0, +3, +6, +12, +18, +36dB) Set to Auto in Full Auto and Night mode, Spotlight mode is fixed at 0 dB.
Frame rate setting: 50i, 25F recording
Shutter speed (Tape recording) Shutter speed setting (at TV priority) :
13 levels (1/3, 1/6, 1/12, 1/25, 1/50, 1/120, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000, 1/4000, 1/8000, 1/16000 sec)
Shutter speed (Tape recording):
In Auto mode: 50i - 1/50 to 1/500 sec
In Auto mode: 25F - 1/25 to 1/500 sec
Night mode: 50i - 1/3 to 1/500 sec
Night mode: 25F - 1/3 to 1/500 sec
Aperture value (HD 20x zoom ): AV priority
f/1.6, 1.8, 2.0, 2.2, 2.4, 2.6, 2.8, 3.2, 3.4, 3.7, 4.0, 4.4, 4.8, 5.2, 5.6, 6.2, 6.7, 7.3, 8.0, 8.7, 9.5, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, CLOSE
Auxiliary light source:
External flash support: EOS flash unit supported
External video light: Battery Video Light VL-10Li/L-10Li II
Image quality adjustment:
Skin setting: The skin detail setting can be made after making the hue adjustment, chroma adjustment, area adjustment, and Y level adjustment.
Sky detail setting: (ON/OFF)
Image quality adjustment:
Custom preset: Gamma adjustment, knee adjustment, black adjustment, master pedestal adjustment, setup level adjustment, sharpness adjustment, H detail adjustment, H/V balance adjustment, coring adjustment, NR (1/2) adjustment, colour matrix adjustment, colour gain adjustment, hue adjustment, RGB gain independent adjustment, matrix adjustment (6-axis adjustment)
White balance :
Auto: Yes
Preset/Set: Outdoor (5600 K), Indoor (3200 K), Set (2 available), Colour temperature setting
System: TTL, 128 segments
Focus :
Mode: AF/ MF/ One-push AF
Super Quick AF( Instant AF)
Normal AF
MF operation: Focus ring operation (with distance display function)
Time code :
Countup system: Rec Run, Free Run, Rec Run Preset, Hold
Start value setting: "00:00:00:00", Set, Reset selectable
Still image recording : Yes
Zebra pattern : Yes (Level adjustment: selectable from 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, and 100%)
Colour bar : Yes (2 types built-in)
Clear scan : Yes
Memory card : Yes
REC review : Yes
Standby switch : Yes
Power save : Yes (after recording is paused for 5 minutes)
Audio:
DV recording: 16-bit 2ch (48 kHz), 12-bit 4ch (32 kHz). 4 channel synchronous recording is not possible
HDV recording: 2ch recording/MPEG1 Audio layer II
Wind screen : Yes (ON/OFF)
LCD monitor :
Size: 2.8-inch (Wide type)
Pixels: 207,000 pixels
Image quality adjustment: Yes (Brightness, Contrast, Colour, Sharpness, Backlight adjustment, Black and White supported)
Movable: Yes. Front and back, and side to side adjustment
VCR
Playback system :
Frame playback: DV recording: Forward/Reverse, HDV recording: Forward only
Slow playback (±1/3, ±1/10x speed): DV recording: Forward/Reverse, HDV recording: Forward only
2x speed playback: DV recording: Forward/Reverse, HDV recording: Forward/Reverse (Speed: 1x)
1x speed playback: DV/HDV recording: Forward/Reverse
Cue/Review: DV recording: 11.5x speed, HDV recording: 8x speed
Search:
Date search: Yes
Index search: Yes
End search: Yes
Data code display : Date and time display, Shooting data
Zero set memory : Yes
System
Microphone input jack : Microphone jack (with 5 V DC jack), XLR microphone jack (phantom power supply supported: 2 systems)
Headphone output : 3.5 mm mini jack
HDV/DV terminal : Input/Output
Video jacks : BNC jack (input/output), Component jack (output only)
AV terminal : AV mini-terminal (input/output)
Editing jack : Yes (LANC)
Memory card terminal : Yes
Analogue signal to DV signal conversion : Yes
EVF jack : N/A
Analogue signal > DV signal conversion : Yes
Microphone attenuation : Yes (Built-in/microphones connected to the front microphone or rear XLR jacks)
Camera
Microphone level meter : Yes
World clock : Yes
Tally lamp : Yes
Remote control sensor : Yes
Accessory shoe : Supporting EOS flash/Battery video light
Custom key : Yes (2 available)
DV control : Yes
Backup power supply : Lithium coin battery (built-in)
Battery pack power : BP-930, BP-945, BP-950G, BP-970G lithium-ion battery
Dimensions
W x H x D Approx 163 x 192 x 394 mm
Weight (camera only) Approx 2135g
Weight (fully equipped) Approx 2400g
Huge range of standard accessories
Wireless Controller WL-D5000/(AA size batteries), Battery Pack (BP-950G), Compact Power Adapter (CA-920), Power Supply Coupler (DC-920), AC Cable, Stereo Video Cable, Shoulder Strap (SS-1100), Digital Video Cassette (HDVM-E63PR), SD Memory Card SD-16M, D Terminal Component Cable (DTC-1000)
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Customer Product Rating : 
Number of reviews : 4
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only thing that could improve it would be removable lens
curt adalbert - Amsterdam, NL (Sunday, April 11, 2010)
but then at this price that would be asking too much. I suppose some might say the viewing screen is a bit small (maybe) but when you consider you get 'pro' features and quality at this low price with a x20 zoom, it's great low light performance, complete control-ability (and if you add a good D.O.F. adapter to it) you can achieve results that you can sell and be proud of. All that for an (almost) entry level price this is a real Sony beater.
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XH A1s
Martin - Perth WA (Saturday, May 23, 2009)
After researching for 6 months what camera to replace my GS400 with, I settled on the Canon XH A1s.
The AH A1s performs exactly as I hoped it would perform, and the video is much better than the GS400, especially when there is less ambient light available.
When I started my research in mid 2008 the XH A1 was between %5990.00 and $6200.00 in Perth, at the same time the VideoGuys were nearly $1000.00 cheaper. Needless to say that when I came to purchase the by now upgraded to a XH A1s model camera I did not even consider purchasing it in Perth (they don't even keep it in stock, but offer to get it in if you pay a good deposit up front) and placed an order with the VideoGuys on a Monday afternoon, the camera arrived 3 days later in perfect condition. The camera is quite heavy and big and you have to be quite dedicated to lug it around, but the quality of the video is well worth the extra effort. I especially like the manual modes as they are quite easy to use with good feedback as to what settings are used.
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XH A1 review
Adrian Alback - Sydney (Friday, March 16, 2007)
having been a professional shooter for 10 years, using the whole range of miniDV and Pro Digibeta/DVCPro range of cameras, I can finally say I have found one that does everything I need, and I mean everything. I considered all the other mini HDV brands for some time with a degree of scepticism about real HD production. Now with the XHA1 component signal option, I am completely happy. The sales team at videoguys were professional and prompt in providing me with an additional extended mic and radio package, connectors and windsocks. I chose the A1 for its superior optics and independant zoom focus and iris rings, something the others cant do so well. I have used the GLl, Xl1, XL2 and can say the A1 is even better again.
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Superior image quality & timely delivery
Kevin Wong - Melbourne (Saturday, February 24, 2007)
After careful review and hands-on comparisons of Canons XHA1, the Sony V1P, Panasonics vastly overrated HVX202, and JVCs HD111, I opted for Canons XHA1. Surprisingly, the V1P was quite noisy in all settings, appearing no better in quality than my obsolete TRV900. Apparently, 25P on the V1 is at this moment un-editable in most NLEs except Sonys mediocre Vegas software. And until a 16GB or 32GB P2 card is introduced at a drastically reduced price (unlikely) the HVX vs film camera comparisons seem justified only in that the cost of each precious minute is as astronomical as the cost of celluloid. JVC lacks an auto focus feature, which is fine as long as youve got a camera crew in tow complete with a professional focus puller. Bottom line, Canons optics are second to none. The XHA1 is the low price answer to Canons flagship XLH1, and from the same camp, the far superior camera in this bunch. A standing ovation to Videoguys for overnight delivery of the XHA1, which arrived in pristine condition on time as promised.
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