HD Camcorders

XH G1S / XH A1S

XH G1S / XH A1S

XH G1S / XH A1S

  • Japan
  • Americas
  • Europe, Asia, Oceania
  • Outline
  • Specifications
Marketed XH G1S / December 2008 XH A1S / December 2008
Original Price 800,000yen 550,000yen

The Canon XH G1S and XH A1S succeed the XH G1 and XH A1 video camcorders launched in the fourth quarter of 2006, whose high mobility earned favorable reviews from professionals in the fields of broadcasting and video production. Offering the superlative optical performance and imaging engine hallmark to the XH series, the new camcorders not only enable high-quality HD recording, but also feature improved zoom lens operability and revised audio specifications in response to the needs of professional users.

The XH G1S and XH A1S are equipped with three 1/3-inch CCDs, each with approximately 1.67 million pixels*1 and the high-performance DIGIC DV II image processor to record high-quality HD video. The models’ 20x HD Video Zoom L Lens incorporates a fluorite lens elements to correct residual chromatic aberration and an Ultra Low Dispersion lens. The duo also features an optical image stabilization system to support the recording of steady images, even at long focal lengths.The zoom lens’s focus, zoom, and iris rings are now better separated to allow easier handling, and further improve operability by enabling users to customize driving torque and reaction speed while shooting. Focus and zoom operations have also been improved so that they allow manual focusing during zooming, increasing the range of image expression.

For audio input, the XH G1S and XH A1S can simultaneously record sound through the internal mike as well as via the XLR terminal, and allow users to independently adjust sensitivity settings for each channel during XLR input. Advents such as the ability to use the limiter function, which prevents aberrations in voice quality caused by sudden increases in audio volume, when recording audio manually provide extra convenience when shooting in professional settings.Additionally, the XH G1S and XH A1S incorporate a variety of functions suited for professional shooting, including an expanded white balance range that can be adjusted from 2,000–15,000K, and the Push AE function, which corrects exposure at the push of a button during manual shooting. The models also feature indentations around control buttons to prevent operation errors, allowing users to shoot with more confidence.

The XH G1S offers an expanded range of shooting applications through its three terminals, providing HD-SDI with embedded audio/TC (LTC) output,Genlock, and Time Code input/output.

*1 Effective pixels: Each CCD sensor utilizes approximately 1.56 megapixels when recording in HDV Mode of 16:9 SD Wide Mode, and approximately 1.17 megapixels in 4:3 Standard (SD) Mode.

Power Supply (rated) 7.4V DC (battery pack)
Video Recording system HDV: HDV1080i; DV: DV specifications
Two rotating heads, helical scan azimuth recording, (Consumer VCR SD specifications)
Audio Recording system HDV: 2-channel recording MPEG1 Audio Layer II: (Sampling frequency 48 kHz, bit rate 384 kbps)
DV: 2-channel recording PCM digital recording: 16 bits (48 kHz), 12 bits (32 kHz, 12 bits selectable)
Image Sensor (3) 1/3-inch CCDs
Total Pixels Approx. 1.67 Megapixels each x 3
Effective Pixels HD approx. 1.56 Megapixels
SD (4:3) approx. 1.17 Megapixels
SD (16:9) approx. 1.56 Megapixels
Tape Format Video cassettes bearing the MiniDV mark
Tape Speed HDV/DV: SP mode 18.81mm/second
DV: LP mode 12.56 mm/second
Maximum recording time HDV/DV: SP mode 80 min. DV:LP; 120 min.
Lens Canon 20x HD L Series Zoom, f=4.5-90mm, f/1.6-3.5
Focusing System Instant AF system TTL-video signal sensing system autofocus. Manual focusing possible.
Minimum Focusing Distance 20mm (wide macro), 1m (entire zoom range)
Frame Rate NTSC : 60i, 24F, 30F
PAL : 50i, 25F
Minimum Illumination NTSC: 6 lux (Shutter speed 1/60, Gain 18 dB)
PAL: 5 lux (Shutter speed 1/50, Gain 18 dB)
Manual mode (when Gain 18 dB, f/1.6, 60i/50i are selected)
NTSC: 0.4 lux (Shutter speed 1/4), PAL: 0.3 lux (Shutter speed 1/3) (when 60i/50i is selected)
Image Stabilization SuperRange Optical (Lens Shift)
Filter Diameter 72mm
Viewfinder .57-inch widescreen, approx. 269,000 pixels
LCD Screen 2.8-inch widescreen, approx. 207,000 pixels
Microphone High-performance stereo electric condenser microphone
Recording Media(photos) SD/SDHC , MMC
DV Terminal HDV/DV 6-pin connector (IEEE1394 compatible); both input/output
Video Terminal (a) Also serves as AV mini-terminal; both input/output
(b) Also serves as BNC connector; output
Output Levels -12 dBV (with 47-kohm load, 1 Vrms output level setting and -12 dB full scale)
Audio Terminal XLR 3-pin jack (2 systems); Switchable between MIC/LINE
Microphone Terminal 3.5mm stereo mini-jack
Operating Temperature range 32 – 104° F (0 – 40° C)
Dimensions 6.4 x 7.6 x 15.5 in. (163 x 192 x 394mm)
Weight (not including lens hood and eyecup) XH G1S:4.9 lbs. (2200 g) / XH A1S:4.7 lbs. (2135 g)
Weight (fully loaded) XH G1S:5.4 lbs. (2465 g) / XH A1S:5.3 lbs. (2400 g)