Canon XM1 Mini DV Camcorder

I have been on a learning curve and the more I use this camcorder the more I like it, the large lens gives a fantastic array of light functions, particularly when zooming into a dark building, the lens reproduces the same light values as outside the building, indoors during daylight, who needs any extra lighting the camcorder fixes it. This is down to the three colour guns at about 309,000 pixels each, magic! The controls are simple and great, also the weight is not at all taxing becausse the camcorder is balanced. I have trawled the web looking for a bad word, the only one I found was from a professional who had to admit the fault was so small it was hardly worth mentionioning. Alright the XM1 has been superceded by the XM2, I dont know much about it, but I can only assume it is even better in some ways than its predessor. The bottom line is that a lot of what the XM1 has got is common to all cine and camcorders, the big difference is the XM does it a whole lot better. To give an example of how easy it is to understand, when I bought it the instruction manual was in French/German/Italian, my linguistic ability in any of these languages is limited, but I was able to work out what I had to do quite easily using a few pixels of my own common sense. All comments regarding batteries say the one provided with the camcorder will last about three quarters of a day, and everyone recommends getting an upgraded 6000ma battery this can be obtained through many outlets I paid £20.00 for a 6000ma battery, another supplier was charging £164.00 for the same battery, the difference, it had a Cannon logo on it, big deal! I have owned several cine cameras over the years, but to say I am glad I bought this would be an understatemt, it is the best buy in camcorders I have ever done, if the rating above had fabulous as an option I would click on it. Such is the sophistication of this camcorder, I am going to have a go at a documentary, because the camera is good enough, the worst review I read was that the camcorders reproduction was almost that of a fully professional camcorder. Of course everyone is different and I can't answer to anyone elses view of the camcorder, this review is what I think, pure and simple. I am however so impressed, I bought an English manuel in case I had missed anything and I had, you can even use this camcorder to record from a remote location using a remote control, so you can be somewhere else using another camera if you want, and while it is filming it tells you so, this is in addition to all the other bits that make this camcorder facinating and a complete pleasure to use. Once you have your hands on this camcorder it will be the devils own job to prise it away from you, it is that good for the money and I bought mine cheap. Do you know any camera or camcorder outside of professional one that can get down to a focal length of 3/8th of an inch or about 5mm, all without supplimentary lenses, the versatility is fantastic, Everyone wants to buy a camera or camcorder that will fit the expectation of their ability, very often because of cost this is not possible, now it is, because it takes stills as well, just like any other camcorder, but better, I rest my case.