Canon XL2 mini DV just like the picture on telly

What sets the XL2 apart from the rest of the crowd is that it can shoot in true widescreen.

Canon's XL2 mini DV video camera is a beast of a machine that would definitely look out of place on a summer holiday.

This semi-pro monster supersedes the XL1, which has enjoyed a strong and loyal following among independent movie makers.

What sets the new model apart from the rest of the crowd is that it can shoot in true widescreen, using 4:3 CCDs each with 800,000 pixels, almost double that of comparable rivals.

And like its predecessor, it takes interchangeable lenses - a key distinguishing feature of the camera.

After breaking the camera out of its box, I attached the supplied 20x zoom lens to the body.

It is the same as connecting an SLR camera's lens - a careful push and twist and that's it.

This option allows movie makers to use lenses for different situations. For example, one might want to fit a wide angle lens - the supplied lens doesn't go as wide as I would like.

Within 20 minutes of taking delivery, I was recording the cat running away from me. Of course Mr Bigglesworth (the cat) wasn't impressed by the camera's pure image, delivered by its three 1/3in CCDs.

The eyepiece delivers a bright clear colour picture (the XL1 had a black and white screen) and flipping up its combined eyecup and magnifying lens reveals a 5cm LCD monitor with about 200,000 pixels - ideal for recording from a low angle using the camera's sturdy top mounted grip.

In 16:9 mode you see a true letterbox picture - not a squeezed distorted image as in some rival cameras.

The XL2's weight is well-balanced, so operating it freehand is a breeze, although one can feel the weight of the solid 5.4-108mm fluorite lens at the front.

Using it at eye level, I quickly learned to let my shoulder take the camera's 3.5kg weight and use my hands to keep it steady. The image stabiliser also helps keep the picture rock solid.

The clarity and crispness of the recorded picture compare well with anything on television - as it should; this is after all sold as a broadcast quality camera.

A 15-item custom memory lets users switch in their pre-set picture control settings at the press of a button, and a lens preset option will store a zoom point.

This allows the user to pan from someone close up to someone in the distance - press a button and the distant subject flicks into focus.

The other side of the equation is sound, and the XL2 delivers handsomely.

Its microphone is complemented by two onboard XLR sockets that can supply 48-volt phantom power. In all, four mics can be connected to the camera, although having more than two reduces the audio rate to 12 bit. This can cause problems with some computer editing programs, which tend to prefer 16 bit audio.

I bought the camera to help develop my movie-making hobby and to record events such as weddings.

For this the XL2 is perfect and I have been pleased with the results. All the controls are in easy-to-use places, it handles well and I felt at home with it in minutes.

The XL2 is as good as it looks - it's a real conversation starter. Other cameras in this semi-pro range - such as the Panasonic DVX102 or Sony's DCRVX2100E - look quite traditional in their design, but Canon broke the mold with the XL series.

From a purely technical standpoint there is probably little between them. Each has its pros and cons.

The one you choose comes down to budget, what you want to use it for and personal choice.

The XL2 has a list price of $9999, but the usual price is about $8500.

Remaining XL1s on the shelves should now be around $4500, and are well worth considering.

XL1 lenses will fit the XL2 body should you choose to upgrade later.

If you are tempted to buy a used XL1 - still an excellent camera - have it checked and serviced by Canon first.

Canon XL2 DV video camera

Pros

Interchangeable lens

Impressive picture quality

Wide screen

Canon L-series EF lenses can be fitted to the camera

Cons

High price

It is not a point and shoot camera so the buyer must learn how to use it

Herald rating: 8/10