Canon XH-A1 / A1E / A1S

378 reviews

Apr, 2025

Positive
usability (121)
price (88)
image quality (74)
portability (63)
design (43)

Negative
reliability (11)
memory (4)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 378 reviews of Canon XH-A1 / A1E / A1S. The average rating for this product is 4.4/5, compared to an average rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders for all reviews. Views about the size and design are generally positive. The image quality and price also get good opinions. There are some less positive comments about the memory. There are some mixed reviews about the reliability and portability.

usability, price, image quality, design, size

memory

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Camcorders the Canon XH-A1 / A1E / A1S is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 88/100 = Very good quality.

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Review analysis

(Based on 378 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(63% of reviews)
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Features

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price
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portability
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image quality
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design
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Showing 1 - 211 of 285 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (92)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Canon XH-A1 / A1E / A1S

alaTest has collected and analyzed 19 user reviews of Canon XH-A1 / A1E / A1S from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.6/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.co.uk. Reviewers really like the price and color. The zoom and size also get good feedback, but the design and portability get critical comments.

usability, size, zoom, color, price

portability, design

95% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2025

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Canon XH-A1 / A1E / A1S

alaTest has collected and analyzed 182 user reviews of Canon XH-A1 / A1E / A1S from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.5/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.9/5 for other Camcorders on Amazon.com. People really like the size and design. The image quality and price are also mentioned favorably. There are some mixed views about the portability, while there are some critical comments about the reliability.

usability, price, image quality, design, size

reliability

92% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2025

Expert review by (gadgetheaven.co.uk)

Canon XH A1 Camcorder Review

Deigned for the digital filmmaker, the Canon XH A1 HDV camcorder delivers full manual control and a range of advanced functions into a compact design.

Complete image control is possible with adjustable visual parameters such as gain, matrix and colour correction.

May, 2012

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Expert review by : James Morris (digitalartsonline.co.uk)

Canon XH-A1

Last year, Canon's XH-A1 bowled us over with its keen price and exceptional capabilities in low light. But the market has moved forward - particularly Sony's offerings.

The Canon XH-A1's award-winning status has been usurped by Sony this year, but it's still a great performer. If your budget doesn't stretch to the Sony HVR-Z7E, and you don't need a removable lens or solid-state recording system, the Canon continues to...

Apr, 2008

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Expert review by : Steve Paris (macworld.co.uk)

Canon XH-A1

There is a vast range of HDV camcorders available today. One of the newest from Canon, the XH-A1, has inherited a lot of features from its bigger brother the XL-H1, a very powerful professional camera.

Excellent image quality even in low light, 3 CCD, can record in 1080i or DV, fantastic manual controls, works with all Apple editing applications

Unintuitive screen menus and navigation, small LCD screen, uncomfortable eyepiece, heavy, not for the faint hearted

This camera is of such excellent value that most of the defects are quite minor in comparison. It isn’t for everyone, and definitely not for the novice user, but if you’re a professional filmmaker on a budget or a dedicated amateur you’ll absolutely...

Feb, 2005

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Expert review by (goodgearguide.com.au)

Canon XH A1

Jun, 2008

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Chris Jager (goodgearguide.com.au)

Canon XH-A1

Ever since the advent of digital video, Canon has been the uncontested king of prosumer level camcorders. From the all-conquering XL-1, to its elite H...

Exceptional high-definition image quality, huge level of customisability, professional components and design

Represents good value for money -- but only to those who can afford it, tiny low resolution LCD screen

Falling somewhere between the professional and high-end consumer markets, the XH-A1 is an outstanding high-definition camera that should suit anyone who is career minded about video.

Nov, 2007

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Review Crew (reviewboard.com)

Canon XH A1 Digital Camcorder Review

Giving independent videographers something to choose from besides its popular but long-in-the-tooth GL2, Canon offers up two HDV models designed to appeal to the prosumer and entry-level pro markets. Derived ...

Jun, 2010

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Derek Fung (cnet.com.au)

Canon XH A1

Wedding videographers and indie film-makers should check out Canon's XH A1 if they require high-defintion output.

Outlook Though an impressive HD camera, its price (AU$6,499) and weight (2.33kg) means that this is not a camera for the average consumer, however its intended audience (independent film-makers, wedding videographers or serious and well-heeled...

Dec, 2006

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Jeremy Stamas (camcorderinfo.com)

Canon XH A1S Camcorder Review

In the burgeoning market of hand-held pro camcorders, the tape-based Canon XH A1S isn't anything close to ground-breaking. Still, with a $4000 price tag, it is a reasonably-priced model that's loaded with features and did quite well in our performance...

We like the Canon XH A1S, but its tape-based recording system is a bit outdated in our increasingly non-linear world. Many pro camcorders are beginning to include the ability to record video to memory cards-just like the bulk of the consumer camcorder...

Sep, 2009

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Expert review by : David Kender (camcorderinfo.com)

Canon XH A1 Camcorder Review

The Canon XH A1 is poised to win over a host of videographers looking to make the switch to HD. Billed by Canon as the XL H1 in miniature, we can tell you that the statement is hardly exaggeration. The manual control suite is simply outstanding and the...

Nov, 2006

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Expert review by : Sandy Samra (brighthub.com)

Canon XH A1 Review

The XH A1 by Canon is an extremely portable professional level camcorder powered with Super - Range Optical Image Stabilizer and Digic DV II processor. Read on to know more about the features and advantages of this high definition camcorder.

With so many features, Canon XH A1 is surprisingly easy to operate and an outstanding camcorder for independent filmmakers and entry level professionals. It is extremely customizable and produces excellent quality videos. $4999.95 is a hard to beat...

Jun, 2011

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