Canon XH A1 1.67MP 3CCD High-Definition Camcorder with 20x Optical Zoom

HDV is only a way to get near-HD recording for cheap. If cost is more important than image quality, then HDV is the way to go. This camera claims "True 1080" resolution. Unfortunately, that's a marketing term that is meaningless. No HDV camera can capture true HD 1080 resolution on tape which is defined as 1920x1080 pixels. The HDV format is limited to 1440x1080 and ultra-crummy 4:2:0 color sampling. Plus HDV's MPEG-2 codec is notoriously funky to edit with. You are missing about 25% of horizontal pixels with HDV compared to real HD.

I would not recommend HDV if you plan to do any chroma keying, visual effects (compositing) or extensive post effects (like Magic Bullet). If you need to do these things, I would only recommend an HDV camcorder that has uncompressed HDMI output paired with an Intensity Pro card for capture.

The canon is not your average point and shoot video camera. Although your results will likely be great if you're outside shooting your child's sports event, the camera requires patience and frequent use to get a feel for it's abilities.

The best recommendation I can make to folks looking to purchase this camera is to shoot often, shoot in low light, bright light, get a feel for what the built-in Neutral Density filter does for you, and how to use the audio controls.

It's taken me about 6-8 hours of filming in 15 minute intervals to get my comfort level up to a point where I'm happy and excited to shoot important events. This is a fantastic professional camera and while the average user won't need to worry about customizing all the color settings (although there programs to help you), the professional will love the control settings, the user defined program buttons, and the timecoding found in the sister camera, the XH-G1.

Have fun, this is a great camera.

--------

Why I chose this camera over it's rivals:

1. 3CCD means (at the time I purchased) a better low light film quality.
2. External XLR audio. I tend to prefer the audio from a shotgun mic, or the wind filtering fuzzies on a shure mic.
3. Flip out LCD. This is a must for comfortable shooting / tripod shooting.
4. Handle controls. Shoot those low shots aiming up with comfort without getting off the stage.
5. Tapes. SD cards are great, but I tend to shoot once and keep the tapes forever, so SD cards were an expensive option for shoot once storage (they're cheaper now, but i still feel kinda silly not re-using memory cards).

Importing onto my mac is a piece of cake. PC users may need some special software.

Have fun and happy shooting!

The Canon XH-A1 is a great entry level professional HD camera. It has amazing clarity and is very good in low light. The customization alone makes the camera worth its price.
The quality of the HD footage is extremely nice. Be aware that the SD quality is not as good as a real SD camera, and SD 4:3 has blurring issues. But then this is an HD camera so it is refined for HD. Recommend taping and editing in HD and output SD if that is what is needed.
Also, this camera needs a lot of light, even though it is 3-CCD it requires a bit more light than a 3CCD SD camera. Get a good light if shooting indoors.
And since this camera has so many features it requires the user to sit down and learn it before venturing out to do real work.
All in all it was a great investment and has increased the quality of my work.

I have nothing but good things to say about this camera; every good thing in the other reviews is true. I literally have no complaints, except when it comes to the company Canon outsourced to facilitate the rebates. I was denied my rebate twice, having been lied to by the company, saying I missed the postmark deadline. I did certified mail, baby. They got their date wrong and denied me, but with persistence, and overwhelming evidence, they sent me a check, but would not provide info on where they got their (fake) date wrong.
So, beware, and send certified for rebates. And Canon, shame on you for having a crap company like Rebates HQ do your rebates!
This camera, by the way, is a dream. It's lens makes me tingle. It's the best camcorder I've ever used, and as a filmmaker, I've used quite a few.
Oh, and as with ALL camcorders, don't use the camera mic if you care about sound. Seriously now.

THis is the best camcorder available. Easy enough for semi-pro but all the features the pros look for. Must have for the prosumer!