Buying abroad
 

I am going to the States in a few weeks time and I was planning on buying a Canon XL2. I was just wondering whether there were any compatibility issues considering that I live in the UK? Is the XL2 the same wherever you buy it in the world? Thanks!

There are two different cameras depending on the part of the world where they're sold and there are some very important differences between them ... the UK is on the European PAL television system while the US is on the NTSC television system and the two aren't compatible. While it's true that many current generation PAL TVs are able to display NTSC signals, it's by no mean guaranteed that all of them will. If you buy your camera in the US it will be an NTSC version unless you take pains to make sure you're getting the "e" model and you may have severe compatibility problems when you get back home - it depends on what you're going to do with it. B&H and others do sell PAL versions, the XL-2e, in the US but they are not covered by the normal factory/importer warrantee.

Not to mention sneaking it past those nice customs men at Heathrow airport (or wherever) who might consider £2000 of camera equipment just slightly above the meagre import allowance, and slap on import tax and VAT. You might have difficulty persuading them that something as chunky as the XL2 was for holiday video!

Of course, you *might* get away with it... but is it worth it? Especially as it won't have a UK warranty. It is tempting

Given the age of the camera, it might be an idea to trawl around the UK dealers for a good second hand one.