I'm about to be shooting a documentary very soon that will see sales in stores around the country. Our budget is 25,000 usd and we (meaning I, who’s in charge of the outline and budgeting of this production) want to try and conserve some of our funding.

The project is going to be filmed in some rough areas of the world which need to be taken into consideration while debating these cameras.

I know most of the technical differences between the two cameras, but I'd like some input from people with real world experience using both cameras.

I'm thinking the GL2 would be a more versatile camera because of its size and price, however, now you can find used XL1's for approximately the same price as the GL2.

So if you had to choose between the two, for a semi-professional documentary, what would you choose and why?

how is the sound with the GL2 using phantom powered xlr mics over a similar setup with the XL1? etc...

Thanks!

i'll sell you a GL2 for very very cheap...email me at desertsaguaropictures@gmail.com

You can't go wrong with a GL2, the one im selling is in great condition, i have had it for a year and rarely use it. You wont find a better deal than what I am selling it for.

-Andy

I would suggest, with that high of a budget, to splurge on an XL2. However, if you're set on the XL1 or GL2 I would certainly go with an XL1. But something to keep in mind is to get not an original XL1, but an XL1s. It'll be newer and won't have the low light and back focus problems that the original XL1 had.

Agreed, with that high of a budget - why settle for a lower image quality? You seem to be decided on Canon, so in that respect the XL2 would be great. If size is to be taken into consideration, then throw the HV20 up as a possible too.

-Kegan

Either camera will give you good picture and be very reliable. But since you have the budget you do, I would suggest going with an XL1s. However the GL2 is smaller and easier to transport and can shoot in some rather unpleasant conditions. So, asside from a particularly rugged shoot I would say the XL1s is the way to go, if for no other reason than the lens.

good luck.

I ended up getting an xl2 ... so far im loving it!

I'll post pictures a little later