How many wedding videographer cameras do you know of that could genlock with F900's in an HD multicam shoot? :) It may a bit overpriced for wedding/event, but it sure isn't--in general--when you consider its capabilities.

My XLH1 does way better in low light in HDV mode than my SD DVX100A or B. The difference between the HVX200 and the XLH1, from what I have seen and experienced is that the XLH1 gives a much more pleasing fine grain (more akin to fast film grain) whereas the HVX goes crazy in the colored dancing digital noise department.

This is definitely a quantifiable difference in my book.

Exactly.....

In my experience the DVX100 was a darn good low light camera too. It was much better than the XL1 or XL2 for sure. So to have HD resolution and good light sensitivity is a cool combo for the H1.

No doubt that if you need the features the XLH1 offers then it's a fair deal for the price. But that wasn't the original question, and for event work the XLH1 probably isn't the right camera for most people. If you're planning to buy one anyway, it sounds like people who have it are successfully using it for events.

If you can deal with the size and weight of the camera, it is a killer machine. I was nervous switching from Panasonic to Canon because I thought I'd lose that "unique" look but the Canon is every bit as good as the Panasonic if not better because of the vast array of settings. Anyway, that's just my opinion but I can see good arguments for form factor.

Is there anyone out there who owns an XL H1 and can post some low light images at various gain settings compared against another camera? Surely there must be someone who has access to another HD camera or even an SD camera like the PD170 or DVX100a.

Different images from different HD cams
 

This is in another thread and it will provide you with what you asked for; comparing HD cams anyway

http://www.dv.com/print_me.jhtml?articleId=189500064

Thanks for the link. Unfortunately it doesn't really have any low light tests. It does have overexposure and underexposure tests, but it's not the same.

One thing is sure, you draw a lot of attention to you when you put the H1 on your shoulder. No discrete filming anymore. For instance I landed with a flight at an airport in Greece. There was signs telling "No photographs - restricted military area" but many tourists took up their small mini-DV cameras and filmed in all directions. None reacted. But what if I had pulled that hefty XL H1 out of the box? I didn't dare ...
An advantage could be some thinks you are from TV and doesn't ask about permission to enter here and there ... /Johan