Depth of Field Refers to the range between the nearest and farthest points in a scene that are in acceptable focus. If you are looking to achieve more professional results and have a hard time keeping the Canon XL1 steady, shoot at the wider settings on the lens. This will make the image appear steadier and eliminate the need to focus due to the greater depth of field. The tighter you zoom in, the more stable the camera must be held to achieve good looking results. Another way to improve your image is by purchasing a camera stabilizer.
Stabilizers are an important part of a cameraman's list of accessories.
Because modern camcorders, especially the Canon XL1 are so tiny, they do not allow the user a way to support the camera. Steady images are achieved by resting the camera on the user's shoulders. An external microphone jack allows you to disable the built-in microphone. Connecting a good quality microphone to the camera is one of the best ways to improve your production. Sound is often overlooked and is half of the viewing experience.