Genuine Canon 20x HD Video Lens III with Professional L-Series Flourite

The XH A1S comes with a Genuine Canon 20x HD lens that shows why the name Canon is synonymous with optical excellence.

Canon reserves the L-Series designation for its highest quality photographic lenses. The Professional L Series Fluorite lens of the XH A1S ensures outstanding resolution, contrast and color reproduction, and delivers clarity and image quality you won't see with conventional optical glass lenses. And, because it's an ultra-low dispersion (UD) lens, chromatic aberration is reduced for brilliant results.

The XH A1S's design gives you equally impressive operational performance. The design lets you operate the zoom using the lens barrel ring, the control on the camera's grip, or the control on the camera's handle. When using the zoom ring on the lens, you can control the speed of your zoom by varying the angle of the ring, or by varying the speed at which you rotate the ring. When using the grip control, you can zoom at 16 different speeds; or you can use the control to operate at a single zoom speed which you preset. When using the handle zoom control, you can operate the zoom at a single speed which you preset. You can also select high-speed zoom to increase the zoom speed when using either the grip or handle control. And, because the lens is designed with a zoom ring, you can operate zoom, focus and aperture using a single hand.

This f1.6 - 3.5, 4.5 - 90mm lens gives you a wide view that - at its widest - is equivalent to a 32.5mm focal length lens on a 35mm camera. It also comes with two built-in ND filters, and can be enhanced with an optional wide converter to meet all your needs.

SuperRange Optical Image Stabilizer

The XH A1S also comes with Canon's innovative SuperRange Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS), which combines gyro- and image-sensors to give image stabilization through a wider range of camera motions. Some image stabilization systems correct one type of camera motion or vibration better than another. But Canon's SuperRange OIS corrects for a wide range of camcorder motion: the fast vibration you'd experience while recording from a moving car; the medium-speed motion of hand-held recording; and the slower motion of body sway. No matter what you're recording and how you're recording it, the XH A1S's stabilization design corrects camcorder shake instantly. In addition, optical stabilization keeps your shot steady without a loss in image quality - something that can't be said for electronic image stabilization.

Three 1/3" Native 16:9 CCD Image Sensors with 1.67 Megapixels (1440 x 1080)

Canon DIGIC DV II HD Image Processor

DIGIC DV II HD is the next generation of Canon's exclusive DIGIC DV signal processing technology. Designed specifically for processing the immense volume of information in 1080i HD signals, DIGIC DV II ensures optimal image quality for HD video.

Tonal reproduction has been increased for high image quality. Color reproduction has also been enhanced for improved color image quality - especially in skin tones, and dark and light scenes. The DIGIC DV ll processor also employs a new, hybrid noise reduction system that integrates two types of noise reduction. This, along with a new gamma system, reduces noise in monotone and shadow areas especially, for high definition images that are crystal clear.

The XH A1S captures 1080 High Definition resolution video at 60i, 30F or 24F frame rates (or, 50i/60i with optional upgrade). It captures a true 16:9 widescreen HD image that's made for your broadcast and theatrical projects.

Industry-Standard Connections & Terminals

The Flash Accessory Shoe of the XH A1S supports Canon EX Series Speedlites, enabling you to use the proper lighting accessory to provide the illumination you need for practically any subject in any situation.

A robust 6-pin IEEE 1394 terminal is provided on the XH A1S to provide enhanced durability when using external devices, and an external EVF monitor output terminal is also fitted to allow the use of a component external monitor for more accurate image composing and video review.

Audio System

Monitoring

Operation

Improvements have been made to the manual zoom, manual focus and iris ring on the XH A1S to further enhance its operability and which make it even easier to achieve your creative vision.

• Zooming
  Responsive manual zoom ring with three settings (Slow, Normal, Fast)
  Three preset zoom speeds (Slow, Normal, Fast)
  Increased weighting of zoom ring for smoother control
  Smooth zoom start and stop
  Selectable rotational angle of zoom between Wide and Tele
• Focusing
  Manual focus capability during zoom (in both Manual Focus and AF Modes)
  Selectable response on focus ring (Slow, Normal, Fast)
  Focus Limit (On/Off)
  Four selectable focus preset speeds
• Iris Ring
  Improved ring design for better performance is an extremely useful function on the XH A1S. The manual iris adjustment ring allows you to adjust your f-stop with the same hand and in the same manner as you focus and zoom. You can thereby control all aspects of the image with your fingertips, while keeping the camcorder steady. In addition, the Iris limit is selectable.

Instant AF

With HD, focus is more critical than ever. It demands Instant AF: the next generation of auto focus, designed with HD resolution in mind. Because HD resolution is higher, focusing time is longer - it's harder to find perfect focus. Canon's Instant AF combines an external AF sensor with Canon's legendary auto focus system for fast and accurate focus. Together, the two sensors reduce focusing time - even in low-light, low contrast, or high brightness situations - and improve focusing performance on difficult subjects.

The XH A1S gives you a choice of two AF modes for different shooting applications:

• Normal AF changes focus at a speed that appears natural and doesn't distract the viewer
• Instant AF changes focus as rapidly as possible and is designed for applications in which quick focus is more important than other considerations - for example, in news gathering or documentary work