Canon XM2 vs. Sony HDR-FX1

Recently my Canon XM1 died on me halfway through a shoot (talk about timing) and I just dismissed it as a flat battery. After attempting to recharge the battery and get the camera working again I realised it wasn't a flat battery after all. Took it to a Canon dealer in Manchester and they confirmed that is was dead; something to do with corroded wiring if I remember correctly. Anyhoo, I've decided instead of getting my XM1 repaired that it's time for a change and I'll get a new camera. I'm stuck between the XM2 and Sony HDR-FX1, both being fantastic cameras and both I've used in the past.

I must admit I'm drawn closer to the XM2 due to its size and similar layout to my XM1, it's cheaper too. But then again, isn't the XM2 due an update? I dunno, I've been out of the whole check-on-camera-update-and-lifespan game for a while so I have no idea.

The FX1 on the other hand, is a camera I've had my eye on since its release. I'd love the availability of HD capture and supreme SD quality but size and price are putting me off.

So yeah, give me a hand if you can, I've got a budget of £1600 to spend on my next beast. Any help is much appreciated.

P-Worm said:

Do you mean the XL1 and XL2?

P-Worm

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XL1? God, I wish. Nope, XM1 and XM2.

LethalWolfe said:

What's your budget and what kind of shooting do you do? If your camera makes you money I'd definitely lean more towards the FX1 an the MX2. I wouldn't be surprised if the MX2 is the end of that line as Canon is moving everything over towards HDV.


Lethal

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I shoot primarily sports (namely parkour/freerunning) but I do like to shoot random arty pieces. The thing I loved about my XM1 is the small size allowed me to get certain angles that an FX1 couldn't even fit into.

Yeah, I thought the XM2 was nearing the end of its life. If Canon release a HDV version of it I think I'll go with that. Oh, and my budget is £1,600 so roughly $3,000.