DV's Evolution, in a Familiar Form Factor

As Canon unveiled the successor to its popular XL1S MiniDV camcorder at DV Expo in New York City, the story was all about features and glass. Early adopters will get the XL2 in a package that includes a new XL-series 20x zoom lens with fluorite-coated elements, and the camera itself offers 11 new "cine settings" covering everything from gamma and color matrix to noise reduction and simulated film grain. But when will Canon unveil an HDV version? Not until "there is a business model to support the technology," says Senior VP and GM Yukiaki Hashimoto.
Key Features:
  • Image-control settings including master RGB gain, set-up level, master pedestal, skin detail and gain
  • 11 "cine settings," including gamma, color matrix, knee, black stretch, vertical detail, coring, sharpness, noise reduction, color gain, color phase and film grain
  • 4×3/16×9 aspect ratios
  • Record 24p in 2:3 pulldown mode for a film look, or in 2:3:3:2 for transfer to film
  • 20x fluorite zoom lens with optical image stabilization available in package deal
  • XL lens mount
Price:
$4999 with 20x lens; $3999 without
Availability: Now with lens; later this year without
Site: www.canondv.com