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Product Information

Canon's XL1S makes it possible to truly customize your shooting experience. Its unique open architecture design, full manual control, and extensive list of dedicated accessories allow the camera to become an extension of your creative spirit. Superior image quality and pro-oriented features make the XL1S ideal for those with discriminating taste.

The Canon XL1S is not one, but many different cameras. Interchangeable lenses and viewfinders allow the XL1S to be tailored for optimal performance in any shooting condition. Incorporating high precision optics, full manual control, and features found only previously on top-end professional gear, the XL1S raises the standard for others to follow.

Digital Video Format and IEEE 1394

The XL1S is a consummate professional creation tool that supports the established industry standards, MiniDV and IEEE 1394. Support of these standards make the XL1S a flexible video creation tool that interoperates with standard DV equipment and computer editing systems as accorded by engineering, scientific and broadcast communities.

Interchangeable Lens System

Unlike other DV systems available, the XL1S supports interchangeable lenses, both for video and still imaging, as well as extender zooms. With the XL mounting system, the XL1S offers maximum flexibility and an unbeatable range with potential focal ranges between 24 and 17,280 mm (35 mm photography equivalent).

Canon supported lensing options include standard XL lenses and extenders. In addition, via an EF adapter, EOS EF (camera) lenses are also compatible.

3CCD

The XL1S maximizes the capability of the DV format by using a 3CCD (charge-coupled device) system with a separate CCD for each primary color (red, green, blue). A beam-splitting prism separates light passing through the lens into individual color components and each is sent to its own CCD. Compared to a single CCD, the 3CCD system achieves outstanding detail with highly accurate color reproduction suitable for the demands of high-end video production - wide dynamic range, low color noise, high-contrast detail, natural color resolution and low-aliasing. The 3CCD system also makes advanced Pixel Shift (for increased image quality) and Low Light Recording (for increased flexibility) possible.

Shooting Modes and Aspect Ratios

The XL1S has three shooting modes: Normal Movie, Digital Photo Mode, and the cinema-like Frame Movie Mode that is very popular among filmmakers. The XL1S offers both the standard 4:3 aspect ratio and the 16:9 wide screen TV aspect ratio.

16:9 is the recently set world standard aspect ratio for HDTV. Currently in use with PAL+ in Europe, and used in nearly 200 DTV broadcasting stations in the US, this aspect ratio more accurately conforms to human peripheral vision and visual perception.

Programmed Auto Exposure

Programmed Auto Exposure Modes provide automated advanced recording techniques ensuring professional results in various shooting conditions. There are six AE programs available including Shutter-Priority, Aperture-Priority, Spotlight, Manual, Full Auto, and Auto Mode. These applications are designed to give you creative freedom while allowing the recording control desired.

Shooting Enhancements

The Canon XL1S offers many on-camera enhancements that help avoid common shooting errors and make capturing high-quality footage trouble-free. The shooting enhancements also include basic conventional features that are commonly found on broadcast camcorders.

SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization

Until now, optical image stabilizers have used solely a gyro sensor to detect camcorder vibration. The data collected by the sensor controls a vari-angle prism that continuously corrects the path of the incoming light. SuperRange goes one step further by examining the image after it is received by the CCD, and detecting any low-frequency vibrations missed by the gyro. This data is fed back to accelerate and refine the movement of the vari-angle prism. This greatly improves performance for low-frequency vibration, resulting in the most advanced optical image stabilization available today. This feature is found only on Canon's optical Image Stabilized 16x zoom lens.

Picture Adjustments

Attaining the best picture possible is the essence of filmmaking, photography, videography - and Canon. The XL1S automates and also allows manual control of the essential ingredients that go into capturing great images.

Audio Adjustments

Canon knows that audio is crucial to professional productions, and the XL1S provides the highest standards in audio capture available on a digital video system with a 16-bit, 2-channel recording option. The XL1S also has two additional 12-bit recording channels allowing simultaneous recording on four channels. Audio levels can be controlled manually to further extend sound quality as it is recorded.

Video and Audio Inputs and Outputs

The XL1S offers a plethora of means by which to get audio and video in and out of the camcorder.

The XL1S is designed to handle two types of analog video input and output: using audio/video cables (composite) or S-video. There are four audio inputs and outputs. All connections are on the camera body.

Custom Keys and Presets

Two Custom Keys (two settings for camera mode and two for VCR mode) The XL1S allows you to create and save your own custom settings so your common shooting modes can be readily duplicated. Select options from either the Camera Menu or the VCR Menu and create up to two customized settings for each.

Specifications

Power supply (rated):

7.2 V DC

Power consumption (While recording, AF=ON):

Television system:

EIA standard (525 lines, 60 flieds) NTSC color signal

2 rotary heads, helical scanning system DV system (Consumer digital VCR SD system) Digital component recording

Audio recording system:

PCM digital sound: 16 bit (48kHz/2ch), 12 bit (32kHz/2 from 4 ch), 12 bit (32kHz/4ch simultaneous)

Image sensor:

Tape format:

Videocassettes bearing the Mini DV mark.

Tape speed:

SP: 3/4 ips (18.81 mm/s); LP: 1/2 ips (12.56 mm/s)

Maximum recording time:

SP:80 minutes (with a 80min. cassette); LP: 120 minutes (with a 80min. cassette)

Fast forward/rewind time:

Lens mount:

XL Interchangeable lens system

Focusing system:

TTL autofocus, manual focusing possible.

Maximum shutter speed:

1/15,000 sec

Minimum illumination:

2 lx (using XL 5.5-88mm lens and slow shutter at 1/8 of a second)

Recommended illumination:

Filter diameter:

72mm (XL lens)

Viewfinder:

Microphone:

Stereo electret condenser microphone

DV terminal:

Video terminal:

RCA jack, 1 Vp-p/75 unbalanced, synchronized load

S-video terminal:

4-pin mini DIN, 1 Vp-p (Y signal), 0.286 Vp-p (C signal)

Audio terminal:

RCA jack (L, R), 2 setrs 4dBm (47k load)/3K or less, unbalanced

INPUT LEVEL

Audio terminal:

Microphone terminal:

3.5mm stero mini-jack, -59dBV (with 600 mic)/600

Operating temperature range:

32degree - 104degree F(0degree - 40degree C)

Dimensions:

8 3/4 x 8 7/16 x 16 5/16 in (223 x 214 x 415 mm)

Weight (not including lens and battery pack):

3 lbs 11 15/16 oz approx. (1.7kg)

Weight (fully loaded):

6 lbs 4 7/8 oz approx. (2.86kg)