Your Vision...in High Definition
For the professional and serious non-professional alike, the XH A1 combines a wealth of features with the outstanding performance of a 3 CCD, High Definition camcorder.

If you need HD SDI, Gen Lock, and Time Code, then the XH G1 is the HD camcorder for you.

The excellence of the XH A1 begins with its Genuine Canon 20x HD zoom lens with Professional L Series Fluorite. Super-Range Optical Image Stabilization corrects for a wide range of camera movement and vibration, and Instant AF (Auto Focus) ensures ultra-quick, accurate focus. The DIGIC DV II HD image processor then ensures improved color reproduction and noise reduction - for a final result that is the zenith of image quality.

If you need advanced image control, the XH A1 gives you features that let you make manual adjustments to fine-tune your video. If you prefer to concentrate on your subject and let your camcorder take care of exposure and image controls, the XH A1 let you do that as well.

With a wide range of features and optional accessories, the XH A1 is a versatile, flexible and powerful performer that is sure to meet your uncompromising standards.

The Image Quality of High Definition

The XH A1 captures true 1080 High Definition resolution video at 60i, 30F or 24F frame rates (or, 50i/60i with optional upgrade). It captures a true 16:9 widescreen HD image that's made for your broadcast and theatrical projects.

 

Genuine Canon HD Zoom Lens

The XH A1 comes with a Genuine Canon 20x HD zoom lens that shows why the name Canon is synonymous with optical excellence. Canon reserves the L-Series designation for its highest quality photographic lenses. The Professional L Series Fluorite lens of the XH A1 ensures outstanding resolution, contrast and color reproduction, and delivers clarity and image quality you won't see with conventional optical glass lenses. And, because it's an ultra-low dispersion (UD) lens, chromatic aberration is reduced for brilliant results. The XH A1's design gives you equally impressive operational performance. The design lets you operate the zoom using the lens barrel ring, the control on the camera's grip, or the control on the camera's handle. When using the zoom ring on the lens, you can control the speed of your zoom by varying the angle of the ring, or by varying the speed at which you rotate the ring. When using the grip control, you can zoom at 16 different speeds; or you can use the control to operate at a single zoom speed which you preset. When using the handle zoom control, you can operate the zoom at a single speed which you preset. You can also select high-speed zoom to increase the zoom speed when using either the grip or handle control. And, because the lens is designed with a zoom ring, you can operate zoom, focus and aperture using a single hand   This f1.6 - 3.5, 4.5 - 90mm lens gives you a wide view that is equivalent -- at its widest -- to a 32.5mm focal length lens on a 35mm camera. It also comes with 2 built-in ND filters, and can be enhanced with an optional WD-72 wide converter (.75x) to meet all your needs.

3 CCD Performance

The XH A1 is equipped with three 1/3" Native 16:9 CCDs (1440 x 1080 each) -- the same image sensor that is at the heart of Canon's exceptional XL H1. They deliver outstanding picture quality, highly accurate color reproduction, and a wide dynamic range with virtually no color noise.

 

CCD Overview
Moving images	SD (4:3) when selected	Approximate pixels 1,170,000 (1080 x 1080)
Moving images	SD (16:9) when selected	Approximate pixels 1,560,000 (1440 x 1080)
Moving images	HD when selected	Approximate pixels 1,560,000 (1440 x 1080)
Still images	SD (4:3) when selected	Approximate pixels 1,170,000 (1080 x 1080)
Still images	SD (16:9) when selected	Approximate pixels 1,560,000 (1440 x 1080)

 

The XH A1 also comes with Canon's innovative Super-Range Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS), which combines gyro- and image-sensors to give image stabilization through a wider range of camera motions. Some image stabilization systems correct one type of camera motion or vibration better than another. But Canon's Super-Range OIS corrects for a wide range of camcorder motion: the fast vibration you'd experience while recording from a moving car; the medium-speed motion of hand-held recording; and the slower motion of body sway. No matter what you're recording and how you're recording it, the XH A1's stabilization design corrects camcorder shake instantly. In addition, optical stabilization keeps your shot steady without a loss in image quality -- something that can't be said for electronic image stabilization.

Instant AF

With HD, focus is more critical than ever. It demands Instant AF: the next generation of auto focus, designed with HD resolution in mind. Because HD resolution is higher, focusing time is longer -- it's harder to find perfect focus. Canon's Instant AF combines an external AF sensor with Canon's legendary auto focus system for fast and accurate focus. Together, the two sensors reduce focusing time -- even in low-light, low contrast, or high brightness situations -- and improve focusing performance on difficult subjects. The XH A1 gives you a choice of 3 AF modes for different shooting applications: Natural AF changes focus at a speed that appears natural and doesn't distract the viewer Super Quick AF changes focus as rapidly as possible and is designed for applications in which quick focus is more important than other considerations -- for example, in new gathering or documentary work Stable AF ensures smooth, stable focusing when speed isn't the highest priority

DIGIC DV ll HD Image Processor

DIGIC DV II is the next generation of Canon's exclusive DIGIC DV signal processing technology. DIGIC DV II processes the HD signal at 1440 x 1080 with 4:2:2 color sampling. Designed specifically for processing the immense volume of information in 1080 HD signals, DIGIC DV II ensures optimal image quality for HD video.

Tonal reproducibility has been increased for high image quality. Color reproducibility has also been enhanced for improved color image quality -- especially in skin tones, and dark and light scenes. The DIGIC DV ll processor also employs a new, hybrid noise reduction system that integrates two types of noise reduction. This, along with a new gamma system reduces noise in monotone and shadow areas especially, for high definition images that are crystal clear.

Complete Customization

Image, display and the functionality of the camera can be customized to suit your preference or application. This customization ensures that your XH A1 fits your creative, production and personal needs and preferences exactly. Settings can be saved to memory for easy retrieval or downloaded into other XH G1 and XH A1 cameras via an SD memory card or Canon's CONSOLE version 1.1.

Image Control


A variety of image control functions give you as much or as little exposure control as you want, and let you fine-tune your exposures for outstanding video. You get Total Image Control, Exposure Lock for re-composing your shot after setting your exposure, AE shift (+/- 2 levels), Gain Setting, 2 Custom Keys, as well as:

7 Program AE Modes
A variety of AE modes allow you to take as much or as little control of exposure as you need. Auto and Full Auto modes let you concentrate on your subject and the composition of your shot rather than exposure, or make it easy maintain exposure during shots with lighting conditions that change. Manual lets you control every aspect of your exposure manually. With Tv priority, you select the shutter to match your subject; for example, you might select a shorter shutter speed for a fast moving subject. With Av priority, you select your aperture; for example, you might want more control over your depth of field. Spotlight gives you the optimal exposure for a brightly light subject against a darker background. Night mode automatically adjusts exposure parameters to give you the best image possible of video recorded at night.

 

9 Custom Presets
With the XH A1, you can make set a variety of image quality adjustments and store them for later use or for exporting to other camcorders. The adjustments include: hue, color gain, sharpness, setup level, color matrix (Normal/CINE1/CINE2), gamma (Normal/CINE1/CINE2), auto knee/knee, black (normal/stretch/press), G gain, B gain, R gain, NR1, NR2, coring, master pedestal, horizontal frequency adjustment, H/V balance, and matrix settings (R-G/R-B/G-R/G-B/B-R/G-B).

Custom Functions


With the XH A1's Custom Functions capability, you can establish the camera settings best suited to your preference. Three custom functions (C.Fn1, C.Fn2 and C.Fn3) are provided. Each custom function allows a total of 21 main items to be selected. All three custom functions can be recorded on a memory card, and can then be downloaded to another camcorder. Items include: Shockless WB/GAIN, AE Response, High-speed Zoom Setting, Focus Ring Response Characteristics, Ring/Dial Operation Direction Settings, Subject Distance Unit Setting, Color Bar Display, Remote Control Codes, and Tally Lamp Settings.

Custom Display

The Custom Display function lets you set 22 display items to create a custom menu to suit your specific needs. Once set, the functions can be recorded on a memory card, and can then be downloaded to another XH G1 or XH A1 camcorder. Items that can be selected include: Record Programs, Camera Data 1, Camera Data 2, Zoom, Focus, Neutral Density, Image Effects, Focus Assist Function, Customize, Recording STD, DV Record Mode, Frame Rate, Tape, Tape remainder, Tape/Card, Light Metering, Card, Card Remainder, Audio, Condensation, Battery, and Wireless Remote.

 

 

60i / 50i Video Mode Option

With the XH A1's versatile open-architecture approach, you can even customize your HD camcorder to record in both 60i and 50i. (This optional upgrade must be performed by a Canon Service Center.)

Additional Features

• 2.8" Widescreen LCD and .57" Widescreen EVF provide you with bright, high-resolution views. The LCD gives approximately 207,000 pixels and the EVF, 269,000. The LCD and EVF can be used at the same time, giving both camera person and director a view of the action. The VF stows in the camcorder body when not in use, and can also point forward for self-portrait work.
  
  
• Still Image Shooting capabilities turn your XH A1 into a valuable production tool for storyboarding, continuity and publicity shots, and other applications. You get single image shooting, continuous shooting, high-speed continuous shooting, histogram display, AEB, image quality selection, print order, protect, slide show, and index display. And, digital still images can be recorded in either digital color space or video color space. Image sizes are 1920 x 1080, 848 x 480, 1440 x 1080, and 640 x 480. Still image shooting records images to a MultiMedia Card or SD Memory Card. Metering modes include center-weighted average metering, evaluative metering, and spot metering.
  

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  Simultaneous Still Image Shooting lets you capture still images to memory card while you record video to tape. It also lets you capture still images to card from HDV footage for news applications or for creating storyboards.
  
  
• Support for 9 languages including: German, Spanish, French, Italian, Polish, Russian, English, Chinese (simplified), and Japanese.
  
  
• Analog-Digital Converter lets you use your XH A1 to convert the analog signal from your TV, VCR or analog camcorder to digital. Or use your XH A1 as a signal converter by connecting it between an analog device and another digital device.
  
  
  
• Level Shot and Grid Marker features make it easy to keep your camera level or compose your shot with precision. Simply press the Level Shot Control button, and a horizontal marker appears in your viewfinder. Line up any horizontal lines in your shot -- such as the horizon -- to the marker and you can be sure your camcorder is level. The Grid Marker feature lets you compose your shot accurately in relation to a precise grid,
  
  
• Canon CONSOLE Image Control & Storage Software Version 1.1 is an XH A1 accessory that lets you control key functions of the Canon XH A1 camcorder remotely through a PC, delivering camera set up and image adjustment capabilities wherever you are working. Commands and responses are exchanged through a single IEEE1394 cable.
  
  
  • Backwards compatible with the feature set of the XH A1 camcorder
    
  • Control all aspects of color and exposure settings
    
  • Measure and adjust video and phase parameters precisely with wave form and vector display
    
  • Control zoom, focus, white balance preset shift, shooting mode & frame rate, color correction, skin detail, sky detail, custom presets
    
  • Split screen views of record and playback control panels let you view video as it's recorded to the hard drive and simultaneously adjust camera settings for the next shot

• Built-in XLR terminals (2) supply phantom power (+48 dB) and can be switched between LINE and MIC.
  
• External Microphone Holder lets you attach an external microphone to your XH A1.
  
• Internal Battery Compartment
  
• Flash Accessory Shoe can accept a Canon EX Speedlite flash unit for still photography.
  
• Letterbox Display during playback allow easy viewing of HD footage on any monitor, even a 4:3 monitor.
  
• 1 Year Parts and Labor Limited Warranty