What to Buy
 

Hi i am currently at University and i am going to invest in a camera

i am looking at the Sony Z1 however, i have shot on the Canon XLH1 and i really have enjoyed using this camera and its functions.

Any advice, i know the price is different, but is it worth spending that little extra to get a a canon.

Thanks

You'd be buying the Z1 second hand whereas the Canon would be new? In which case there will be a big difference in the amount you shell out. The XH-A1 is much more the Z1's competitor in price, size, weight and handling though.

The Z1 has a really excellent top screen and I couldn't live without it so the XL range doesn't do it for me, but if you're going to interchange the lens then the Canon's the one to buy. It's a camera that takes some getting used to from a handling pov but you say you're happy with that.

Picture-wise they're much of a muchness. Both use 1"/3 CCDs, both record HDV to tape and both have an excellent reliability record.

tom.