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Note: this camcorder was first sold in Aug 2003. There may be newer versions available.
Canon GL2
Canon GL2
F
HQ Grade: F
A is outstanding and exceptional, rated in the top 10% of camcorders.
B means they are good, with some standout features.
C means they are mediocre, and probably more trouble than they are worth.
D & F mean they are absolutely awful or old. Avoid at all costs.
  • 3 out of 5
"Problems with Start/Stop Rewind/FF"
  • 3 out of 5
"Great Camera Quality but not dependable"
See rating based on 153 user reviews
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Question Answered!
Erin Cullen (erintilly) 1 pts
December 17, 2006 3:14 PM
1 people rated this question helpful, 2 people rated this question not helpful Subscribe for Email Updates for this Question

Best camera for a student filmmaker?

I'm looking for something small so that I can pretty much take it anywhere and shoot everything (to have a lot to play with) so I've been looking at the Sanyo Xiacti HD-1 (decided against 1a for prices) but I'm worried that the quality will be too bad to properly edit and/or enter into small-time (not professional) student contests . . . I edit with Premiere Pro at work and Final Cut at home, so I'm also worried about choosing a camera that is easily compatible with both programs . . . any advice?
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This question is also associated with Canon HV10 and Canon 100.

Answers This question has been answered!
by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58450 pts
December 19, 2006 2:31 PM
3 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
You have a good reason to worry. The HD1 shoots in MPEG4. As such, it's compressed already. Not good for the edit bay when you will just end up recompressing footage that is already compressed in order to burn to DVD or put online.

I'm still of the mind that miniDV cameras are the way to go, and that leads to the Canon HV10. And since Canon designs their cameras with Apple in mind, I think it's a good choice for HD.
Best Answer
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JJhay 0 pts
December 23, 2006 6:43 AM
2 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
The problem is that the Canon HV10 has no microphone jack. Thats a big deal.
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58450 pts
January 3, 2007 9:18 PM
0 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
A very good point. So, for budgetary reasons, I would suggest the Elura 100. However, if you can splurge, the XL2 and the GL2 are popular student filmmaking choices.

And I'm betting there will be even better choices after CES later this month.
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Don S 0 pts
January 7, 2007 4:45 PM
0 people rated this answer helpful, 4 people rated this answer not helpful
 
If she is truely film student, then the first thing she will learn is that nobody uses the onboard mic inputs on a camcorder. Sound is always recorded using dedicated sound equipment,ie feild recorders and professional mics, all of which can be purchased or rented with camera for under 5 grand.
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58450 pts
January 8, 2007 3:31 PM
4 people rated this answer helpful, 1 people rated this answer not helpful
 
5 Grand? If she's a student, she doesn't have five grand. I agree that recording with a boom mic and dedicated sound equipment is the way to go, but when you're just getting into it .... there's nothing wrong with recording as you go.
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