Customer Reviews
Having a blast learning 
2008-06-01
I was a bit nervous buying a camera at this level. But I have learned so much from it. I'm still learning. It's an impressive piece of equipment. Very versatile. You have to take it out and experiment, but that's the fun of it. I would recommend that you read, read, read all the reviews. Boy, it gets attention when you are out in public (what fun!)
People ask for my business card often because they assume I'm a pro just by using it. Or they ask, what TV station I work for. There are lots of add-ons to consider owning. Its not High Definition but who needs it? I take it everywhere. Just remember you will eventually need a good travel case,a wind screen, extra batteries, a heavy-duty professional tripod and additional lenses to complete your experience. The camera is a bit heavy(as I expected) and takes some getting used to.......but wow, its worth it ! The sound you get is great. I just bought some wireless microphones for my XL2. I'm glad I own it.
I really like this camera 2007-07-21
I have used this for a year at my college. I do not know why some people dislike it. I love it! and on my opinion, It is the closest to HD your gonna get while not getting HD. You guys gotta realize that this camera has shot some big movies like Cold Mountian. I must say though the panasonic dvx100b is quite comparable, because I have used that too. But I like this camera I do not care what people say about it. It is so customizable that you will be surprised when you mess around with it's advance functions. nice camera, a little pricey, but all in all it's more professional than some other people say.
Best Purchase 2007-02-04
Now, some individuals will try to convince you the XL2 is a poor Prosumer camcorder and will give seemingly good arguments. Don't buy into it.
For instance, a reviewer lower down this page complains the camera arrived broken and thus reviews it as a horrible machine. Unfortunately, this said reviewer doesn't talk about the actual functionality of an actual undamaged product, rather his own broken camera. Needless to say, his opinion is vastly slanted.
Another compares the XL2 to the DVX100 series from Panasonic and prefers the latter. He states the XL2 is too heavy and doesn't achieve the same calibre results as the cheaper Panasonic camcorder.
First of all, Canon has continued to revolutionize the photography industry for decades. They have proven themselves in both film and digital formats, for both still camera and camcorder. True, the XL2 lacks some features other more expensive cameras have (compare the JVC GU1000) but that's okay. And, yes, the camera has a very large body and is definately heavier than the Panasonic DVX100, but this is for specific reasons.
You have to first consider why you want a prosumer camcorder. If you just want to shoot hobby short films and want a professional look, I suggest you stick with either the higher-end Canon or JVC or Panasonic or even Sony (god forbid) consumer camcorders which run around $900. On the other hand, if you're considering becoming a serious hobbyist and don't intend to turn it into some sort of profession then Panasonic's DVX series is a good buy. The DVX 100's are cheaper, smaller, and somewhat easier to use. They are far more "point-and-shoot" than the other prosumer camcorders on the market. And they do a fairly good job.
Yet, the XL2 manages to not only hold its own, but also triumph over all other camcorders in the industry. First and foremost, the XL2 has the option to change lenses. This is a great boon for any serious shooter because attaching an actual lens to a camera gives far better results than slapping on some sort of adapter, which distort the image. Canon offers two lens types for the XL2: the included 20X zoom lens and a 3X wide angle lens; both are very expensive by themselves. But, with an optional Canon ring adapter running for $300, you could take your normal Canon SLR still camera lenses and attach them to the body and have them function perfectly. This allows the user a plethora of imaging options when shooting. Now, the normal user won't ever use anything other than the 20X zoom lens (a remarkable piece of machinery in itself), but that's just fine. You're buying the camera for its options and potentials as well as the physical benefits. Think of it like buying a BMW: you buy the car for its physical features you're likely to use (the radio, heated seats, leather, sunroof, etc.) but you also buy it for its safety and cumstomer service, things you'll hardly ever need. It just makes you feel good you have those options available.
Furthermore, the XL2 is a wonderful camera. It shoots beautifully without problems of any sort. Yes, it takes some getting used to, but that's because it has a lot of fuctions and options. The physical body design is simple enough that all the necessary shooting options (i.e., 24P, 30i, 60i, mic adjustments, white balance controls, presents, etc.) are easily accessible. The end product of a regular shoot is stunning. The Canon lens captures colors almost perfectly and the image stabilization built into the camera is a great help. The large body design (though awkward for some) is actually a benefit. The camera can be placed on the shoulder, giving greater stability to the shoot. You can't do that with a Panasonic or Sony.
No, the camera doesn't have a LCD screen on the side, but do you really need one? An LCD screen is not only distracting but also a battery hog, and takes precious room for control options or accessories that could other wise be placed where the LCD is built in. An LCD is great for consumer cameras because they're small and nobody wants to look through those one-inch viewfinders. But the XL2 has a very nice, large color viewfinder, and can be comfortably used with the camera on your shoulder. For those running hand-held shots you can flip part of the viewfinder open and can see a 1.5" LCD display. It's not dazzling or great, but it gets the job done. You're out in the field to get footage, not admire the LCD screen.
Finally, the XL2 offers XLR microphone inputs, a big bonus for people who want good sound in their video. You won't find this feature in either Panasonic or Sony prosumer camcorders.
In the end, Canon's XL2 is a beautiful camcorder. It offers you a lot more than you know at first glance, and delivers near-perfect results. The closest competitor would be the far more expensive (by at least $1000) Panasonic GU1000, which is very similar to the XL2. If you're still not sure about the camera, I suggest you take a ride down over to your nearest Fry's to experiment. Or, you can visit the local TV station and ask them to tell you a little bit about why they're all using XL2's over the other camcorders on the market. No...seriously...they are.
Go figure.
Standard Definition doesn't get much better 2006-08-07
The Canon XL2 is as good as the Panasonic equivalent. Both of these cameras are better than eachother depending on who you ask. If you ask me, the Canon's picture is more pleasing, less noisy, and more capable in difficult shooting situations. I love Canon's controls, everything you need is available without searching through menus. The Panasonic is lighter, less awkward to use, and more compact; but Canon's lens and features more than make up for it in my opinion. Best camera you can get for the money.
Okay for the 60i 
2005-09-11
I'm a non-byist consumer; and ex-owner of the XL1 and XL1S.
We recently "upgraded" to the XL2 for an upcoming film shoot.
BAD NEWS. The camera's we ordered both came "defective", according to Canon tech support (they were drop shipped from their facility brand new - and NOT black market). Now, I find this hard to believe, and I think the issues are with the computer which controls output for the camera.
In 30P mode, any vertical lines flicker/pixelate, and images blur as they move past the camera - It's much choppier than the old "frame mode" on the XL1 and XL1s.
In 24P mode, the entire image flickers, vertical lines go insane, and using the standard 1/24 shutter speed, the images are CHOPPY as they walk by the camera. Any vertical lines jump about. There is not image clarity the minute anything moves.
In 60i - the camera looks fine, but that defeats the purpose of owning the camera entirely!!!! Unless you want to drop frames/filmlook upon completion, this is not an option.
In previous XL models, the frame mode had it's issues...soft focus, lowered resolution, choppy images if moving right in front of the camera...However, the 24P is a joke. No person in their right mind could use this, unless to produce nausea! And, believe me, the resolution output on this camera, if anything, is lower - and I'm using the optional 20X super-wide XL2 lens ($1500).
I've shot with the XL1, XL1s, DVX1000 - they ALL blow this thing away.
Now, I'm stuck with a Canon, as I purchased unreturnable accessories for this thing. So, as I read user comments, I'm praying that just certain cameras have these issues. It seems others on message boards have this issue, but folks tell them they're crazy (they're not - believe me). I'm forced to drive 100 miles to the closest store with the XL2 in stock, hoping that the 24P or 30P or their floor model is somewhat clear. If not, I'll have to buy back my old XL1!!!!!
BE VERY CAREFUL IF YOU DECIDE TO BUY THIS CAMERA. It's not PRO at all!!!!!!!!!!
Heavy and image quality not as good as i thought 2005-04-08
Includes: XL2 Camcorder Body / Zoom Lens 20x zoom XL 5.4-108mm L IS / Color Viewfinder / Lithium Battery (for Auto-Date) / WL-D4000 Wireless Controller with 2 AAA Batteries (for Wireless Controller) / Lens Cap / Lens Dust Cap / Lens Hood / Lens Soft Case / Camcorder Dust Cap / CA-920 Compact Power Adapter and Adapter Holder / AC Cable / DC-920 DC Coupler / BP-930 Battery Pack (with Terminal Cover) / SS-1000 Shoulder Strap / STV-150 Stereo Video Cable / S-150 S-Video Cable / Microphone / XL2 and Lens Instruction manuals. Canon XL2 allows you to capture images closer to the finished product than ever before. Work that previously was limited to post-production can be simply and effectively accomplished in the field, in the camcorder. An Open Architecture philosophy, performance found only in much more expensive video cameras, Total Image Control and the solid foundation of Genuine Canon Optics, interchangeable lens capability and superb Canon image processing quality are united in the XL2. The XL2 brings a host of performance and convenience features to this class of video camcorder- benefits that can't be found in this combination on other high-end video cameras. They include: Canon Super Range Optical Image Stabilization in the standard lens; dual aspect ratios; various frame rate capabilities; image gamma and detail controls; skin detail control and convertible LCD display among others. Flourite Zoom Lens with Optical Image Stabilization SMPTE time code Custom Presets EIA standard (525 lines, 60 fields) NTSC color signal Dimensions - 8.9 x 8.7 x 19.5 in. / Weight (not including lens and battery pack) 5.3 lbs.
Good thing I read the reviews. 2005-03-16
Had I not read all your reviews, I would have been the unhappy victim of fraud. Everything was going great until I was asked to Western Union the $700 to Rome, Italy. Even though the product supposedly ships from New York. Thanks to all of you who posted your warnings. Another type of scam I encountered was the guy who listed a used one for $200. Then when I because interested, the price was $2,000 because he "listed it wrong." Watch out!
The real story from someone who uses the camera 
2005-03-08
O.K. I have been taking a beating from camera rental houses this past year, so when I needed to finish a project that was dragging on and forcing me too shoot on many different days, I said "what the heck", and put down the money for the XL2. I was a reluctant buyer not excited at all about buying a DV camera. I was ready to be disappointed by another crappy and expensive DV camera.
Two months later, I'm glad I bought it, and I'd say that it is the best prosumer DV camera out there, period.
Here are some of the positives and negatives about the camera based on experience.
Positives:
1) Clean signal: While not as good as something like the Sony DSR 500 its a cleaner signal than the VX2000, PD150, and the Panasonic DVX100a. Of all the DV cameras I've shot on I like the XL2's signal the best.
2) Interlacing: I've shot a great deal on Sony cameras. Especially the DSR 500, and The Sony image is always funky, the interlacing is always visible specifically in details like hair and what not. Even with all the menus set properly by a great DP the Sony cameras always have a very hard and interlaced look. Even When shooting in 60i mode The XL2 does not have this and it handles fine details better than the Sony cameras I am used to.
3) Buttons and menus: The design of the button lay out and menus is very good. If you have shot on the Panasonic DVX100a you will really enjoy how the canon is laid out, you don't have to go deep into the menus for every shot on the XL2. The one really bad decision was putting the film grain and color bars on the same button. THAT was a mistake. Why they hell does this camera have a film grain button anyway?
4) BNC output: A small but really helpful addition to the XL2 is that it has a BNC out. For anyone who knows how those BNC to RCA adopters tend to fall off or get lost its about time that a pro-sumer camera included this simple thing for people who use an external monitor.
5) The custom menus:
For professionals: If you have shot on pro cameras you will naturally look at the custom menus as a joke, a pro-sumer "toy". I won't try to tell you that they aren't a "toy" But they do actually work! Which is a great surprise. I have used the camera on sets and on outdoor documentary sports shoots. I find than things like the black stretch and the knee work and are helpful, they are not like what you find on a Beta camera for example but they are a lot better than what else you can find for the money.
For Consumers: This camera comes with a lot of features that you won't use if you are a point and shoot, "Let the camera do it for me" kind of person. However, if you are willing to learn or interested in videography, you will find these features interesting and with a little practice down right useful.
6) Color features:
To the professionals: These work too, you don't get very deep control of the color gain and the RGB settings but you get some and they work pretty well, which is saying a lot for a camera under $5,000! I am developing a preference for shooting with the color gain and RGB settings set pretty high and then pulling them down in color correction, if necessary. Desaturating in post using after effects gives great results, but it has not been necessary all that often, and I'd rather take the color out rather than trying to put it back in.
For the consumers: The color controls are better than on any other camera you are thinking about, most of which will have none. The XL2 gives you noticable control over the saturation of the colors as well as how much red, green and blue you see in the image.
7) Sound: I don't know what it is, if its the mic or the signal processing but the XL2 has better quality sound than you would expect from a DV camera out of the box. Use a real mic and the results are great.
Negatives:
too many rip off artists trying to sell this camera. Purchase the camera only from a trusted and well known retailer, no exceptions, you will get ripped off.
1) The lens:
For Pros: You don't want this lens since it has no witness marks etc. Buy the body without the lens and put on the 16X manual servo zoom. It will cost a bit more but it will be worth it if you need any percision in your shooting.
For consumers: The standard lens is better than any other lens out there, I think you'll find shooting with it a good experience .
2) The eyepiece:
For consumers: If you are a consumer don't worry about it, its fine. Its only an issue in specific cases that pros encounter because of they way they shoot.
For pros: Its REALLY hard to make focusing decisions with the eyepiece that comes in the box. Its not so bad for run and gun doc work but if you are doing dramatic work or pulling focus you'll want to Upgrade or always use a monitor.
3) Its still DV: This is a really great camera for what it is, but you are still shooting DV, and you can run but you can't hide from all the inherent problems of the format.
4) Using the FIRE WIRE: WARNING!!!!! if you use Lacie external firewire drives, among others, the XL2 does not place nice with other devices in the fire wire chain. To log footage from the camera onto your computer you may have to turn off your external drives to do it. This is a for sure with Lacie drives. For many users this will mean either buying larger internal drives or capturing footage to an internal drive with the externals turned off and then transferring the footage later.
The professional should keep in mind:
1) The 24 and 30p frame rates: Naturally the XL2 does not output a true 24 or 30 frame rate. The camera gives you the choice of pull-down you want and then you can remove it in post. If you are going to true 24p output you have the option of 2:3:3:2 pull down, which seems to work without problems with Cinema Tools.
2) All the weight of the camera is at the front so its having a shoulder pad is not that helpful, since most of the weight is on your hand anyway.
3) It may be user error but on the last shoot I directed that used the XL2 there were some strange time code things happening. The DP (who I trust completely) was pre-setting the TC as is usually done but on some tapes the TC changed from the pre-set hour back to hour 0 at some point in the tape. Was this due to battery changes or something else? Who knows? The TC should never do this so I have no Idea why it happened but it obviously effects postproduction and makes generating an EDL impossible.
4) Assuming that you don't have the cash for an Anton Bauer upgrade, The BP-945 batteries are good, they last a long time. So with two of them, the battery that comes with the camera, and the 910 charge you are in great shape and will be able to shoot continuously no problem. If you are shooting in the field you will get 10+ hours of camera time out of these three batteries before you need to recharge.
5) The Pelican 1600 case is a little small if you want to break the camera down all the way. A bigger case is not a bad idea.
Please Read This: 2005-03-03
Please Please Please read this: Don't believe the lowest Price on Amazon.com. And never/ever doesn't send money directly to the seller or doesn't contact seller directly for any kind of correspondence because: (This is biggest SCAM going in & around Amazon.com) and Amazon.com may known that particular seller doesn't have anything to sell that price.
(For Example:
Sony HDRFX1 HDV High Definition Camcorder w/12x Optical Zoom - List Price: $3,999.99 - 12 used & new from $999.00.
Canon XL2 3CCD MiniDV Digital Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom - List Price: $6,499.99- Buy new: Click for price - Used & new from $500.00)
(Because I tried so many items for Lowest price but never received any item)
Top-shelf Camera, Top Scam Artist Target (mjbstucki) 2005-02-09
The XL2 is truly a beautiful and desirable piece of machinery. It won't turn any aspiring filmmaker into a new Scorsese, and some of its onboard editing features seem superfluous in the age of advanced desktop editing, but for any filmmaker with a fair budget this should be a target.
Unfortunately, as many other reviewers have pointed out, there are many scam artists and scoundrels populating the Marketplace section of Amazon.com. Some match the exact profile mentioned by honest reviewers here on Amazon.com, like cumatru_urs (props to past reviewers for the heads-up). Most deals truly are too good to be true, especially the ridiculous ones, like those priced under $400. Some sellers use Amazon.com Marketplace to lure buyers, then hitting them with an email later saying they will have to pay a much higher sum and outside of the Amazon guidelines if they want to get their product.
Mbjstucki is one seller who uses this practice, and extremely rudely.
Basicallly, buying these cheap items is just an expression of interest to these sellers, not a real purchase as intended on Amazon.
BUYER BEWARE! Amazon will cover a substantial amount of your purchase, more than you'd ever buy, if you go through the official channels of Amazon. But if you conclude your purchase anywhere else, Amazon will only cover $250 of your purchase, which is understandable.
Don't be fooled by some sellers who have high feedback ratings. They can just as easily be fraudulent. Since you can only leave feedback to sellers once they've shipped your item, you have no recourse against these frauds except this review service. Your purchase will remain in limbo and these sellers will not receive negative feedback, an unfortunate flaw in the Amazon system. So ask a lot of questions, and don't allow a hint of doubt into your final purchase, as your own gut is the best radar for detecting frauds. BE AWARE
