What an awesome picture!

Author's Rating:

Pros: Picture quality, weight, durability; manual controls

Cons: No convenient accommodation for capturing still pictures; no interchangeable lenses

Author's Review
Canon GL-1. Just the thought of a tiny camera producing broadcast quality video is absurd but this one does it!

I purchased my GL-1 in July and have been totally amazed by the camera. Straight out of the box, I plugged up a battery and used it that afternoon to videotape a wedding ceremony. Just turned on the camera and hit the record button. The quality of the video is exceptional with nice colors and wonderful steady-shot control. Most of the Sony cameras I have seen have a slight tint on the color that doesn't show up on the Canon cameras. The Canon seems to be more of a true color and much more pleasant to watch in most situations.

Capturing stills probably shouldn't even be an option on this camera. I think you can buy an adapter that will transfer the stills straight to a floppy disk but other than that, the stills are captured for 6 seconds onto the MiniDV tape. The stills are 720x480 which doesn't even compare to the digital still cameras that can be bought for under $300. Besides, Adobe Premiere does a good enough job of capturing the stills straight from the video shot.

The fold-out viewfinder is a little small but a convenient size to work with when shooting and editing video. The sound quality of the recorded video has little to be desired but sufficient for most cases. The microphone can also be substituted with professional equipment.

From a photography standpoint, the GL-1 offers manual exposure controls, manual focus controls, and some effects that can turn ordinary shots into some fascinating pictures. Nonetheless, for the videographer who could care less about this, the GL-1 is simple enough and automated enough to still be easy to use.

If I had to pick anything that I didn't like about the GL-1, it's the fact the lens is not interchangeable. Sure, the XL-1 is but how can I justify spending about $2000 more for the camera and about $1000 for each additional lens? I couldn't justify it so therefore, I bought the GL-1 and have been a totally satisfied videographer since!

The durability of the camera is something worth speaking of. Just holding the camera, a user can feel the solidity. It's a comfortable camera to use and is light enough to conveniently take on vacation or a long hike. The handle on top also helps!

The people who should buy this product are professionals who are watching expenditures and for any individual who wants a super video for a special event. The camera is a bit pricier than the consumer line of cameras but is worth every penny if you want picture quality.

A fan of the GL-1,
Shane