Flash based version of XH-A1 - does it exist?

[Lightstream]

Put my 5D2 through a real torture test in the field today, shooting video. That's where I learned that much as I love the 5D2 as a premium SLR, its ergonomics are horrible as a video camera, to say the least. But the image quality is absolutely sweet. I love the buttery smooth bokeh even on a 24-105 zoom lens.

Back to the point.... I've always wanted an XH-A1, apart from the price, which is a deterrent. But more annoying than the price is the fact that the XH-A1 uses tape, and I have a deep seated hatred of tape in all shapes and forms.

Anybody knows if there is a camcorder out there similar to the XH-A1 which uses flash memory?

In a perfect world, Canon would bolt the 5D2's imager onto an XH-A1 together with an EOS mount on the front end, and 128GB of SSD flash in the backend, and the only unhappy piece of the equation would be my credit card ;)

[basroil]

In a perfect world, Canon would bolt the 5D2's imager onto an XH-A1 together with an EOS mount on the front end, and 128GB of SSD flash in the backend, and the only unhappy piece of the equation would be my credit card ;)

Red rocket mount?

[MarKap77]

How about the Canon XH-A1S? Same camera as the XH-A1 except records to SD cards.

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=175&modelid=17885

[Lightstream]

How about the Canon XH-A1S? Same camera as the XH-A1 except records to SD cards.

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=175&modelid=17885

I thought it was a dream come true, but unfortunately if you check out the specs page:

Video Recording system
HDV: HDV1080i; DV: DV specifications
Two rotating heads, helical scan azimuth recording, (Consumer VCR SD specifications)

Recording Media
SD/SDHC (photos), MMC (photos) <-- only if you're using it as a still camera

[MarKap77]

My bad.

Why not look at the HF S10/11?

I have the S10 and it is HD with a single CMOS sensor. By the time you put it on a television, you won't notice much difference. The difference between the HD of the S10 and the normal definition quality of my GL2, the S10 blows away the GL2's 3 CCD sensors. And the price difference is amazing.

[Matthew Craggs]

If you're looking for a HD camcorder that doesn't record to tape, the closest in price without getting down to the consumer level camcorders is the Panasonic HMC-150 which records to SD cards.

[Lightstream]

Hmm.....something to think about! Thanks :)

[Lightstream]

Stumbled across the HMC40 as well. The price looks more attractive to me - what am I giving up in terms of low-light performance? (yes, to open a can of worms especially on this forum, I know about sensor size and I love my full frame :p)

[MarKap77]

Lightstream,

You might want to consider the FireStore (http://www.focusinfo.com/) line of products. They make DTE (direct to Edit) video recording units that connect to a video camera via firewire. This allows simultaneous recording to tape and disk. They even have a device that will record to CF cards. When you have finished recording, you just connect the FireStore device to you computer as an external hard disk and import the video to your editing software.

This might be a solution to your dislike of tapes. Something to consider.

[Lightstream]

Yup, checked them out. For the price, I am more than halfway to a HMC40 :p (was looking at this one: http://www.focusinfo.com/fsh200.asp)

I'm actually quite keen on the HMC40, now the key issue is its lowlight performance vs the HF100, which I already own and am somewhat familiar with. The primary drawback to the HF100 is the ergonomics, the lack of places to stick external lights and mikes, and the size. To make a camcorder that size a lot of buttons had to be given up - it is essentially a P&S (although one with superb image quality especially in good light), and a lot of manual control was sacrificed.