Watchdog Lens List Guide XL1/Xl2 differing figures?
 

I was just wondering why the block list of lens zoom measurements and 35mm equiv. focal lenghts shown on the Xl1/Xl1s & Xl2 pages display entirely different figures for the exact same lenses. Are the figures correct?
Does an XL2 body (when set on 4:3 - the same as XL1s) increase the focal length of a 16X by 220mm (35mm equiv) and even decrease the wide-angle view of a 3X lens compared to being mounted on an XL1s?!

The data is correct. The focal length does not change -- it never does -- but the fields of view are different. This is due to the three different sizes of CCD target areas between the XL1/XL1S in 4:3 mode, the XL2 in 4:3 mode and the XL2 in 16:9 mode. Hope this helps,

I understand the 16:9 option of the XL2, Chris, so obviously did not mean this, only the difference in 4:3 between Xl1 & Xl2.

I knew that there was a slight difference, but I didn't realise that the XL2 in 4:3 normal mode gave such as vast difference compared to the XL1, when the same lenses were used on both bodies. This really is a sour note for those who need the wider image, and certainly makes it even more strange that Canon didn't update the X3 lens at the same time as the 20 X L IS.

Yes, I suppose the 16:9 mode does provide a wider horizontal frame for the X3 lens, but not for those who mainly shoot footage in 4:3.

(Out of interest, the Optex site gives these figures for the 16X lens: Without wide angle lens: Focal Length 5.5mm; Horizontal angle of view 47.1 degrees, 35mm SLR Equivalent - 40mm.

With 0.7X lens: Focal Length, 3.85mm; Horizontal angle of view 63.8 degrees, 35mm SLR Equivalent - 28mm.

With Super Wide Angle Lens: Focal Length, 2.75mm; Horizontal angle of view 82 degrees, 35mm SLR Equivalent - 20mm)

4x3 mode on the xl2 is derived by sampling the middle of the 1/3 inch CCD therefore it "crops" the field of view when compared to 4x3 of the Xl1. Bummer but that is how it is.

The Xl2 was really intended to shine in 16x9 and unfortunately 4x3 is kinda playing second fiddle.