lets say money was not an issue, which one has beter picture quality and overall a better camera for filmaking? because i hear some people say GL2 is better. id think the xl1s would be better because of the price difference alone. anyone have opinions?

[This message was edited by slashmash on February 03, 2003 at 09:07 AM.]

Price alone should never be the only reason to by any equipment. Both cameras have their benefits and drawbacks.

First both contain the same imaging system and the stock 16x lens that comes with the xl1s is the same as the lens on the gl2.

The only real reason to go with the xl1s is that it is an extendable platform meaning you can change the lens, add an accessory boot, you can even mount filter rails, etc, etc, the list goes on and on.

With the gl2 you can't...but... the gl2 is smaller, and lighter, has a screen (although a tiny one) and now has xlr inputs (I think) and audio meters.

So which one is better?

It depends on what you need. If you want to spend a little less money and get the same image quality as a stock xl1s then get the gl2. If you want more options (and have the money... we are all students here right?) then get an xl1s.

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It depends on what you need. If you want to spend a little less money and get the same image quality as a stock xl1s then get the gl2. If you want more options (and have the money... we are all students here right?) then get an xl1s.

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Fresh out of the box I actually feel the Gl-2 has better image quality (I don't know what they did, but the color rendering seems more natural to me). However, I agree with paulcr's assessment. If you take money out of the equation the XL model is significantly better because you can throw some nice glass in front of it. Not only does it have a larger CCD, but it's readily compatible with all EOS lenses and with the P+S Techniks adapter you can basically use most 35mm still and m.p. lenses as well. Therefore, the XL has vastly more optical options than the GL-2. If you will not have the budget to exploit these things in the near future I'd probablly go with the GL-2 though. Depth of field disadvantage aside I've been very content with the crisp and vivid images I've gotten with it.

If I were wanting to buy a mini-DV camera, though, I'd pick up a PD-150, or wait for the next version of the XL (Due out in November I think). I believe it will have 24p options, a native 16:9 1/3"CCD array and all the goodies from older models.

Nota "Still hates DV" Mono

the gl-2 has a good overall picture, but the manual controls are less than desireable. Also, the gl-2 doesnt have an xlr input(you need to buy and adaptor).

You're beautiful, just touch it.

Hmmm. 16:9 ccds would be nice ... but I prefer the XL1 (and XL1S's) anamorphic squish techniques to straight cropping.

Ben Syverson has a great article about this at http://members.macconnect.com/users/b/ben/widescreen/index.html

I only mention it because i'm pretty sure the GL1 only does 4:3.

I've never used a GL1, but GL2's definately have 16:9 mode