Customer Reviews
The truth is... 
2004-07-19
What's reviewer: "a customer" & "Tyrone Brumwell"...thinking! There is a Canon XL2 comming out next month in August. I contacted Canon USA and verified it. You can do the same at 1-800-OkCanon. SAVE your money for this new beauty ($4,000) it will be worth it! Read the specs at canon's website. The Xl1 and XL1s, don't come close!!!
No Xl2 yet, maybe never... 
2004-06-06
What's with bonehead "and now, only as Canon can do it better they are coming out with Canon XL2 in Feb 2004"...? people are just making stuff up about the fictional XL2. The XL1 and XL1s are both competent cameras, and will serve the purposes of most videographers wanting to shoot using the Mini DV format. One thing I do appreciate with the XL1 is that features like iris adjustment and white balance are utilized with dedicated buttons on the camera body. Some of the newer, supposedly "superior" Mini DV cameras are now putting these adjustments in the menu section, making it a pain to adjust quickly when shooting.
As for the XL2, everyone thought that Canon would announce it at the NAB show in April 2004, but nothing was forthcoming. Meanwhile cameras that came out in response to the XL1s from companies like Sony and Panasonic have already been updated and released in their second version.
Bottom line, there just may not be a XL2 in the works. It certainly seems that Canon is content to continue to sell the XL1s as its top of the line camcorder. Rather than an "upgrade" to the XL1s, Canon may be working on a completely different camera, and who knows when it may be released for sale to the public. I am sure if there was a really cool "XL2" within 6 months of release, someone would have heard something about it by now. Interesting is that the "XL" designation comes from the old Super 8mm cameras, with Canon 1014 "XLs" being the last Super 8mm they made before abandoning the format.
Cannon needs a more informative XL1s Web Page 2004-02-08
Cannon (in their web page) demonstrates a commercial video shot with the XL1S about some guy (consumer) editing on his laptop and then going into a dream where he appears in his family video's in his pajama's. Cute! But, if you look at the XL1S rig being used for this video, you see it with elaborate lenses and additional equiptment, filter etc., giving the camera a Monster look. I bought the Camera, thinking that I would gain access to information about these elaborate lenses and perhaps some direction as to how to aquire them...where to get them... their availability...well, nothing yet. So far...three or four standard lenses are offered and an adapter allowing you to use Cannon 35 mill lenses. Where are the lenses used for the Video? Can anybody identify the equiptment used in this video and is this equiptment within the "consumer friendly" range as the XL1S is? Also, with all of this massive show of production...the actual video show's with pixel problems...making it blurry. I love the camera...but did Cannon scare us all by demostrating equiptment that might not be available at...let's say...Samy's Camera.
28 Days Later 2004-01-30
This is the camera that they used to make the film 28 Days Later. It is a top of the line domestic semi-pro camcorder. The best camcorder however is now the PANASONIC AG-DVX100a which has moved up on this one because of its better quality and Cinema look, however this Canon has better lens options, but the DVX has lens options too.
CANON XL2 
2003-12-13
Canon XL1s has been on the top for amature video makers for a long time. Now as only Canon can do it better they are coming out with Canon XL2 in Feb 2004. Save your money for that it will cost around 3 grand.
Veratile, Rugged, Beautiful 2007-12-20
7 years later, the XL1-S still stands as one of the best Prosumer minDV cameras money can buy.
Very comparable to the Sony PD-150. Both great cameras, but I prefer the Canon.
The only drawbacks are the abscence of XLR inputs and the tiny LCD screen.
However, for a camera that is probably 5-7 years old, anything above $2,000 is way overpriced in my opinion. You can always go for the cheaper GL-2, but it does not have all the features of the XL.
great camcorder 2004-12-16
i am currently in high school, in the media tech department. we do the school news, and produce some films. we currently have 3 kinds of camcorders, the sony dsr200, sony dsr300, and the canon xl1. most of the class perfers the xl1 for many reasons.
it is definately the easiest to use, it is very light weight, and has many options that other cameras just dont have. it has a firewire port directly on it to help get onto computers, though there are other ways.
i have personally used this camcorder, and i must agree, it is a wonderful piece of technology. a few months ago i had bought one of the new Sony handycams that burns to miniDVD, and i had nothing but disappointment, now i am looking into an XL1 of my own, because i know how to use it, it is easy to learn how to use, and there is so much more that you can do with it then most camcorders. if you are looking for something professional, and yet decent in price, you might want to consider the canon xl1
Canon XL1s - Be Wary of Service & Waranty 2004-11-02
Canon still seems to have problems with it's lenses and how they interface with its electronic components, which means a blurry picture. For Canadians, there is only 1 service department in Calgary, while customer service is in Ontario. Imagine the bills trying to track down your camera over 2 provinces. Canon has somehow managed to keep this issue under wraps but it is a good idea to investigate where your nearest service department is and what kind of return time you can expect on repairs. The XL delivers great shots and definately looks the part, which can be important, but if it's not in your hands then it won't do much good.
Good Enough 2004-08-10
As of now, the XL1S is a little outdated by some other cameras that are on the market, but the end product has very desirable results. I have used cameras like the Panasonic DVX-100, and the XL1 will suit your needs at least 90% of the time that the DVX will. There is no LCD screen, but the viewfinder does sort of double as one and the overall shape of the XL1 makes it unwieldy at times, and more convenient at other times.
Overall, if you have the chance to get this camera, then go for it if something like the DVX is out of reach. The XL2 is coming out soon apparently, which will probably drop the price of this camera and it would be a great opportunity for people on a smaller budget to pick up a camera that is capable of cinema quality pictures.
XL2 blows this one away... 5+++++ 2004-07-25
Most of you need to recheck your information, the XL2 is currently available and it is featured on the Canon.USA website and it is far beyond any panasonic or previously produced XL's. I think Canon waited a little longer to produce this gem so it would be the only one out there like it (especally for the price). I had the ability to see the quality first hand prior to the release, because I was involved in making the commercial for it (you'll see snapshots of us making the commercial in flash when you click on XL2 under camcorders). Believe me the XL2 is the one you really want...
