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A1 to A1s comparison? Need Advice
This may seem on the surface to be bordering on dumb, however, before I invest in excess of 3 grand for the camcorder and a few basic accessories, I want to make an informed decision and be satisfied with it. I bought my last camcorder (a GL-2) real close to 5 years ago, so it’s about time I upgraded!
This query is specifically addressed to those who either:
1) Had an Canon XH-A1 at some time then moved up to an A1s or:
2) May currently still have both models in their arsenal.I’m very seriously considering buying an A1S in the near future.
1) Do the models have the same optics, share the exact same lens and picture quality?
2) Is there any discernable difference particularly in regards to the sharpness between the 2 models one way or the other?
3) Did the A1s model perhaps improve on the A1’s low light performance?
I only bring this up because (rightly or wrongly), several places online scored the A1 as somewhat superior in both the low light and the sharpness categories.
To me that doesn’t quite make sense as I would certainly hope the A1’s successor was equal or better in those 2 key areas. From experience, I know the A1 can be quite sharp!
Any feedback, opinions or comments are welcome.
Do you see the price of the A1s possibly going down once the XF-100/105 and the XA10 are released?
Thanks in advance.
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3 Replies
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I assume you’re talking about the XH-A1S?
The only difference is time-code in/out, gen lock and SDI output.
I have 3, and use the TC I/O regularly for multicam shoots.
SDI output is the main reason you’d pay the difference though. If you only want timecode to sync, you should save the cash and just buy a $20 slate and mark each take. Only buy the option for SDI.
I’d stay completely away from these cameras due to HDV, unless you were outputting via SDI to a truck, true HD deck or disk recorder.
The XF-100/105 look like fantastic upgrades…
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Hi Aaron,
Unfortunately, the XF-100/105 duo only offers 10x lens.
Other than that,they appear to be very impressive.
The A1S has a 20x which in my case is mandatory and neccessary.
Neither the A1 or A1S has Genlock,Timecode,SDI and the like which is fine with me as in my case they are not needed.
I’d like full HD too and stateless instead of HDV, however there’s no point in having those features if the lens is not strong enough to reach your subject!
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Whoops!
I meant to say I’d like a solid state option onboard too.
“stateless” was a blooper!
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