Canon’s New Consumer HD Camera

For those film gurus who have been salivating over the release of a Canon HD consumer camera can finally have their cake and eat it too, and maybe then some.

Canon today released their first high definition XL H1 3CCD Camcorder. The camera is lightweight, can capture at 1080i (awww no progressive), 24 to 60 frames per second, and features three 1.67 megapixel 16:9 native CCDs, and a newly developed high definition lens.

The camera’s form mimics that of the XL1 and XL2. Let’s just hope it doesn’t lack the same professional style zoom ring around the lens. The camera is backwards compatible with the XL series, allowing for the same microphones, lens, etc.

The camera can also capture 1920 by 1080 pixel still images on its SD card and has a 20x zoom. It is also compatible with PC based Console software which allows for crane or remote operation.

The camera is expected to arrive by November and run for about $9000.