This camcorder is over a decade old now, but still performs better than many consumer camcorders on the market. Of course it won't get as nice of an image as a decent HD camcorder, but it certainly has better image quality than pretty much any consumer level standard def camcorders and even some of the cheaper HD camcorders. Performs decently in low light. Outperforms my new consumer camcorders (canon zr930 and panasonic pv-gs85) Microphone is decent. More than good enough for home videos, and youtube/other online videos. You'll still want a real mic for more professional uses though (wedding footage, interviews, etc.) The only things i feel it is lacking are: -colour and tone bar generator. -manual audio level control, but the camcorder handles it really well -true 16:9. While it does have a 16:9 mode, it just seems to crop the footage to match the aspect ratio. Better off filming in 4:3 and cropping/stretching it later. All and all, even now in 2009 it's still a good buy for hobbyists who want to get more serious. However in this age of HD camcorders you should be aware that standard definition is fast becoming obsolete.Read full review
The Canon GL1 is a great, user friendly, broadcast quality camera. I purchased it to use for production of local television commercials, issues pramming, and a weekly church service. While it does not have the luxury of multiple lenses, it is very versatile. The image stabilization on this camera is one of the most notable features, as is its "shifted" (and pretty convincing) 16:9 setting. However, the camera does not do well in poor lighting. If you're shooting in a poorly lit area, you will not be able to get by without some lighting or a lot of extra work in post. The battery life is less than ideal with a standard battery, but a variety of larger batteries are available for purchase. Whether you're shooting professionally or for recreation, this camera will not let you down.Read full review
Canon GL1 older Tech You Can Afford. Very simple to use, just point and shoot in easy or automatic mode. Can accommodate more advanced functions for some one that knows how to use them or wants to learn how. No Need to dig through a bunch of menus for most functions. The buttons are easy to find with just a shot time of use. Light enough at 2.75 lbs.’ that you can carry it around and use it for long periods of time. The Optical Image Stabilizer works very well, but is no substitute for a tripod. If you on the run and gun it's great. Over all it's a great camera that can be bought at a very low price, the tech is older but still works very, very, well.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This camera is awesome. Everything about it is decent, simple and straight forward. Functionality so far for me has been quite excellent, and there have been no problems. Charger is very quick at charging as well. Video quality is great, and the frame shooting mode is fun to shoot with, since it adds a cinematic quality to the film. I'm excited to get filming with this camera so pick one up for yourself!
We like every thing about it; size, wt, easy usability. This is great for mini films and family functionality. We decided on this camera after watching many independent you tube films with this camera. It is great for snowboarding and skateboarding footage. Plus it's awesome to shoot the kid's sporting events. very easy to use.
A few years ago Canon was probably the first company to understand that miniDV was about to change everything for indpendant film makers, passionate people and a few others. What did they understood ? They understood that people were aware that it was now possible to build camcorders capable of doing high quality material and even professionnal footages if used correctly, for a much lower price, size and weight than in the past. So those people were waiting for the baby to be born. And here it came : The GL1. Back to the day it got on the market you got get it for around three thousand if I remember correctly. 3000$ and capable of doing professionnal work ? That's what I'm talking about ! 3CCD, amazing lens, great stabilization, impressive sound quality also, easily carriable with its two pounds. This camera was dreamt, Canon built it. It was a new age for inpendant reporters, indpendant film makers, small companies / videographers. So many people used to struggle with equipment too heavy, too difficult to use and mostly too expensive. Before that new age some had to use crap or spent fortunes renting. Now they were using an affordable camera that was solving all of their problems and offering so many possibilities... And now, almost ten years after that, that Camera and her little sister the GL2 still have their fans. JVC released the Everio, Panasonic the PVGS series and all of them claimed to be today's equivalent of the GL1. Anyone with a shooting experience with the GL1, and even if the Everio is "HD", will tell you those toys have a long way to go before thinking they might be able to compete. If you have enough money to buy a REAL HD camera, go for it. If you're on a budget and need something reliable and still giving amazing results for around a thousand. Buy the legend, don't even think about JVC's crap or the cheap PVGS series and all the others. Because legends never die.Read full review
The Canon GL1 is an excellent video camera for prosumer purposes. It is rock solid. What I like most about the GL1 is its size. Not too big, and not to small. It has exceptional picture and exposure control and easy menu to navigate cam ops. Just like the step up GL2 and XL2, Canon allows users to manipulate picture and color values in a lot of ways. When you add the 20x lens to the mix and frame movie mode....it all adds up to great versatility. I use this camera to cover sporting events. But it is versatile enought to be able to shoot most any kind of projects on a pro entry level. The GL1 still has a place with me as a great back up to my GL2 and XL2. I bought it to shoot B-roll and sporting events.
I bought this camera because I couldn't afford the XL1S. What I've learned though after using it for so long now is that Canon didn't compromise on this camera. The GL1 has essentially every feature the aspiring film maker or video professional needs to get underway quickly and easily. My favorite feature of this camera is the frame mode ability that allows you to shoot non-interlaced video, with results that are very similar in appearance to film rather than video. After shooting in frame mode and seeing the results, I've yet to shoot interlaced video again. The one thing that this camera lacks is any ability to manually control the audio levels for the internal or external mics, which can sometimes give you less than optimal results in situations where the noise volume fluctuates noticably, or where you are trying to achieve a specific audio effect. Summary - Excellent camera worth the price tag. Across the board, far more features and better quality than all competitors in its class. Probabaly the only camera that can top the GL1 in this class is the GL2.Read full review
I bought a Canon GL1 camcorder and was quite impressed from the moment I recieved it. I chose the GL1 as it is an affordable option for film making on location and skateboard footage. The Camera is not extremely loaded with features; however, the features it does have are very handy and the camera is user friendly. I love how compact it is but it is not a camera that feels cheap in your hands. The things that I dislike about the GL1 were remedied with the GL2 but the price that the GL1 is, in comparison to the GL2, is irresistable to the bargain hunter. This camera is a great choice for many film makers on a budget I think the potential for turning out great documentaries and skate vids is excellent with this camera as you can slip it in to your backpack, or a crowded room with ease. Overall a great camera.Read full review
This camera is great as a second for wedding and other eventt video. It is portable and manueverable. It gives perfect shots in outdoor and good lighting, but a little disappointing in low light. However I find it ok with a cheap video light. The functions are accessable, even while shooting you can change the f-stop or gain. The optical stabilizer is amazing. A wide angle lens also makes the GL1 perfect for shooting in tight spaces like inside a limo. It is great purchase, especially if you get one used for under $1500.
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