Canon Unlikely to Display XL1S Replacement at NAB

by Robin Liss
Published on Apr 12, 2004 12:00 AM



Canon's broadcast division just put out a press release stating their plans for the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) annual convention a week from today. The press release specified a variety of high definition lenses for broadcast camcorders, however the press release did not mention any upgrade of the very popular Canon XL1S or GL2. Industry enthusiasts have been eagerly awaiting this year's NAB show for any news of a high definition replacement for the prosumer XL1S. The lack of an upgrade will certainly be a disappointment to many users.

The press release is around a page long and is titled ''Canon Enhances Industry's Ability to Deliver High Quality HD Content While Lowering Costs of Production.'' The majority of the release discusses new anamorphic and zoom lenses for broadcast camcorders. These lenses are typically priced upwards of $10,000.

The end of the press release shortly discuses the products which Canon video is displaying at NAB, and there is clearly no mention of an upgraded XL1S or GL2. The section starts with ''Canon will also have on display at NAB2004 its entire line of digital video camcorders, including the XL1s and GL2 digital video camcorders, its network video solutions and Pan/Tilt/Zoom (P/T/Z) system cameras, and full line of projectors.''

The lack of any mention of an upgraded XL1S or GL2 most likely means that Canon will not be displaying a replacement for the XL1S at NAB. The XL1S replaced the XL1, and both camcorders that have been very popular with independent filmmakers and videographers. Each selling for around $4,000, the XL1 and the XL1S that replaced it have developed almost a cult following. Throughout the web there are countless discussions, rumors and debates about an 'XL2' replacement, and many believed that Canon would be announcing the so called 'XL2' at NAB. Much of the attention has centered around whether or not Canon will be adding high definition recording capability or the ability to record 24 frames progressive scan video.

Pressure has increased in recent weeks on Canon to produce a product at NAB because of product teases from both Sony and JVC. In March, Sony displayed a prototype high definition prosumer camcorder in the same $5,000 price range as the XL1S. Late last week, JVC began to tease their $20,000 'low end' high definition solution.

Officials at Canon declined to comment on the record on whether or not the company was planing on replacing the XL1S at NAB or not.