Rating: 
Summary: An excellent choice
Review: I produce news programs and documentaries, and I use my GL1 to suppliment video from the professional grade cameras used by my videographers. Only a professional can tell the difference in video quality. The unit is easy to use and has performed flawlessly in the field...and I can be pretty hard on equipment. The only thing that keeps it from getting five stars is the small flip out screen...there are larger views on the market, but on DigiCams that I believe are more awkward to operate.
Rating: 
Summary: A pleased user
Review: I purchased my GL-1 almost two years ago with the original intention of using it to create videos of weddings and grandchildren. After comparing numerous available models and brands, I chose the GL-1 for its good reputation, high-end features, lenses, and of course for the more reasonable price.It could be said that the GL-1 is among the worst of the best, but that is not a fair way of comparing its features to other camcorders. The GL-1 is top end material, producing similar or equal quality as equipment costing twice as much or more. The lower price mostly reflects the fact that the GL-1 does not have as many features as the more expensive models. It already has more buttons and settings than most of us even want to know exist anyway, so except for professionals and hard-core video fans, we amatures are plenty happy to leave the settings on 'automatic' and simply push the record button. What really matters is the end result, and viewing a video on your television recorded with the GL-1 looks no different than a video recorded with more expensive models (well, unless you are one of those hard-core types who are very critical, but then too, every camcorder model produces slightly different results, so any differences noticed would be noticed in all). The major end-result difference will be noticed in audio quality. Recording video in a normal room setting is no problem, it comes out great, but in areas with high noise, winds, or too low of sound, the recording is sometimes less than desired. Too loud of noise causes distortion (avoid sitting directly in front of or even behind a rock group's speaker array, even if 75 feet away!), and when the desired sound to be recorded is too quiet, you may hear a slight humming of the camcorder's motor. Many users have solved the problem by purchasing additional audio recording equipment, which is of course an acceptable solution, but one that new owners should be aware of. Every camera of course has it's good points and bad points, and except for the bad points of not-perfect audio, everything else about the GL-1 is good. Good balance, medium weight, easy loading, good battery life (1 hour with the factory battery, other batteries can be bought that will record for over 3 hours), and the appearance does say you are using high-end equipment. All things considered, the GL-1 is right about in the middle, giving better results than all known lower-end models, but not quite as good of results as the more expensive models. The Gl-1 is Goldilock's "just right" choice (sorry, I just had to say that). The Sony camcorder is said to be a little better, close to that of the Canon XL-1, and I did consider it, but at the time I had just overcome a less than favorable experience with a Sony product and I did not want to make another mistake. If you have the money to spare, get the XL-1 just because it's cooler looking, but for fast, easy, quality video, the GL-1 is a great choice.
Rating:
Summary: Professional Quality Video...period.
Review: I wasn't so sure about this camera because I had listened to the hype about Sony DV cameras. But let me tell you, I have never seen a mini DV camera pack such a punch for the price. Between the GL-1 and the much more expensive Xl-1, I cannot tell that much difference at all, maybe none at all. This camera captures truly stunning video. From reproducing each and every color vibrantly and crisp to the razor sharp picture quality. And I haven't even gotten to the microphone. It captures the audio very true to life. From soft whispers to loud bangs, the audio never becomes muddled or distorted. The menu buttons and function keys are all very well placed, and it takes a still photograph of a fairly decent quality, although it couldn't compete with a 2 megapixel photo camera. It has many different video modes,including toggling between Video and Frame recording, although most of the time you'll never need to take it off of automatic. Another sleek feature is how it captures video in low light. In low lighting conditions, the picture NEVER becomes the least bit grainy. I am continually impressed, and am impressing others with this camera. It is perfect for the beginner or the pro.
Rating:
Summary: The best in this price range
Review: I've owned the GL1 now for almost 3 months now. It was a christmas gift to myself. It took me 3 months to decide on the GL1 (my 2nd choice was top of the line Sony). The picutre quality is GREAT. Plus, I wasn't impressed with all of the special effects that came bundled with the Sony. IMHO, a digital camera should take the best quality videos and NOT be used as an editing tool on the fly. I use the supplied cables to transfer the movies that I make to my PC (winXP) and do my editing using DV Studio PRO which comes with tons of special effects. The results are awesome....I can edit and make movies and do video streaming, create DVD, Video CDs, etc. etc. The camera is bulkier than the Sony but it has a nice handle with controls, which is not a big issue for me. The audio is sensitive and picks up lots of noise, this is probably an issue if you're doing interviews....as for other occasions, it's not a big deal for me, since, I usually add background music to go with the recorded sound.
Rating:
Summary: GL1 has great image quailty, what else do you need?
Review: My GL1 has produced great images. I also use it with my firewire
card to edit and to tape graphics. Some of these graphics are being used in shows that thousands see per day.
Couple this camera with a sennheiser shotgun mic, or wireless mic system and you got
and ultimate production tool. I have compared images shot with this camera and the sony dsr200 and I couldn't tell the difference. (I actually thought the GL1 was a bit better.)
The only beefs I have with it is the construction, a bit plasticy, and there is no way to control audio(There is a AGC).
Great product through and through.
Rating:
Summary: The Canon GL1 is the best Camera on the Market
Review: The Canon GL1 is a professional DV camera, that is in the marginally afordable range for general consumers. The piture quality is full professional broadcast quality, and looks far better than any other Digital Camcorder that I have used in the sub $3000 range. It is compatible with more firewire cards and computer programs than any other products on the market. Quality, compatability, service, are all best available. DEFINATELY worth the price difference over all other general consumer cameras.
Rating: 
Summary: Performance Unsatisfactory
Review: The GL-1 attracts a lot of praise, but I regret buying mine. It supposedly has optical stabilization, but I don't see much of an effect. I bought several pieces of overpriced grips and handles to secure a comfortable and steady grip. I was disappointed especially when trying to tape a bald eagle during a nature outing. I wanted a steady image in the worst way, but there was no apparent help from the optical stabilization. Another problem I noted was a mushy resolution in taping an outdoor scene in cloudy conditions. I was taping preparations for a blimp flight, but the footage taken as late as 10AM was muddy and of poor quality. In bright light, the quality was OK. I think my Panasonic camcorder at half the price is just as good as the GL1. I am experiencing a bout of Buyer's Remorse.
Rating:
Summary: Performance Unsatisfactory
Review: The GL-1 attracts a lot of praise, but I regret buying mine. It supposedly has optical stabilization, but I don't see much of an effect. I bought several pieces of overpriced grips and handles to secure a comfortable and steady grip. I was disappointed especially when trying to tape a bald eagle during a nature outing. I wanted a steady image in the worst way, but there was no apparent help from the optical stabilization. Another problem I noted was a mushy resolution in taping an outdoor scene in cloudy conditions. I was taping preparations for a blimp flight, but the footage taken as late as 10AM was muddy and of poor quality. In bright light, the quality was OK. I think my Panasonic camcorder at half the price is just as good as the GL1. I am experiencing a bout of Buyer's Remorse.
Rating:
Summary: Great DV camera
Review: The quality of both the video and stereo audio recording is outstanding. I have made some amazing pipe organ and choral recordings, far exceeding what can be done with VHS or 3/4" machines. It is very easy to use. In particular its analog inputs allows you to convert your old video recordings to digital to permit digital video editing, which gives a long term stability in their quality. Great for developing web video as well.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant piece of machinery
Review: This is by far the best camera for this price range. HOWEVER don't pay more than 2100-2200$US for it. I bought it for even less than that. Its size at first gives it the appearance of being a "home-video" recorder and not quite the sleak professional look that the XL1 has. However don't be fooled by this, it uses the same CCD system as the XL1, and just lacks the removable lens option in addition to a handful of other digital features. But the GL1 costs 70% less and produces very high quality images and video. Its size makes it VERY easy to carry around (just last weekend I saw someone with one at a bar in San Francisco). Its a great value and a great product, just hunt around and read up on it to make sure its what you want. Because Looks are VERY deceiving, this isn't your dad's old mini-betacam...this is a beautifully engineered camera that produces high quality results.
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