handheld?
 

I'm thinking about buying the XL1s. I still haven't found one in a store to look at and see if I like the feel of it. But when I look at the pictures, it sometimes looks like it is not a good camera to just handhold. I know a lot of times a tripod should be use, but what about those time you do want to just hold it?

For those times, you'll want to add a shoulder support, of which there are a variety available for the XL1. Go to the Articles Menu of the XL1 Watchdog at http://www.dvinfo.net/xl1.htm and browse through the various articles under "Support Options." Additionally, there are the two Canon shoulder mounts, the MA100 and MA200, not to mention the SP100 that comes with the camera. Hope this helps,

With a shoulder rest like the MA-100 it is not a problem once you adjust to it (does not take long for most people). But if you are used to small camcorders or one that fully sits on your shoulder you may have to build up some otherwise seldom used muscles.

I'll check out those pages. but what I would like to know what is the XL1 like just to grab and shoot some video without any support? Is is comfortable?

I've found it to be *adequate* with the MA100, as long as it's used with the LigtWave System Isolator to move the EVF assembly forward a bit. The camera sits better on my shoulder that way.

I'm still a relative newbie to the xl1, and being used to shooting with the bulkier dv camera's it took some getting used to shooting handheld, but as with most things, the more you use it, the more comfortable it becomes.