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| Canon XA55 |
Canon has added four new models to its XA range of professional camcorders updating the series to include its first models capable of 4K / 30p recording: the XA55, XA50, XA45 and XA40.
All four of the cameras are aimed at professional news, broadcast and corporate videographers. They providing 5-axis OIS support for their wide ranging zoom lenses and feature dual XLR sockets built-in to the handle for linear PCM audio recording.
The XA55 and XA50 are essentially the same camera just with the addition of an HD-SDI (3G-SDI in Europe) terminal in the XA55. Both use 1″-type sensors and use Canon’s Dual Pixel AF system. They have a 15x zoom that covers the angle of view we’d expect from a 25.5-382.5mm lens on a full frame system, and both offer a Wide Dynamic Range Gamma mode that Canon says increases the DR by 800% to improve detail in highlight areas and to produce more accurate color.
The XA45 and XA40 use smaller 1/2.84-inch sensors and have 20x zoom lenses (29.3-601mm). As well as offering 4K / 30p recording each of the new models provides an over-sampled HD footage mode.
A fifth model launched at the same time has many of the features of the XA55 according to Canon, but is aimed at the budget/student market and doesn’t feature an overhead handle. The Canon VIXIA/LEGRIA HF G60 4K UHD uses a 1″-type sensor, has Dual Pixel AF and a 15x zoom with a variable maximum aperture.
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Some existing Canon camcorders will also benefit from new firmware:
- XF705: Firmware Version 1.0.1.1 now features improved zoom response when using the zoom ring or zoom rocker, improved focus following speed during zooming, and improved image quality of interlaced recording.
- XF405/XF400: Firmware Version 1.0.3.0 now features IP streaming, the ability to set custom white balance, support for the reset function that resets the clip number when the reel number is set and improved image quality of interlaced recording.
- XF405 only: Firmware Version 1.0.3.0 now features 3G-SDI mapping at level A and level B.
- VIXIA GX10: Firmware Version 1.0.3.0 now features the ability to set custom white balance.
The new XA55 and XA50 models are due to ship in June this year and will cost $ 2699 and $ 2199. The budget VIXIA/LEGRIA HF G60 will arrive at the same time and will cost $ 1699. Those interested in the XA45 and XA40 should see their cameras later this month, at a cost of $ 2199 and $ 1699.
For more information see the Canon website.
Press release:
Four New Canon XA Professional Camcorders Feature 4K 30p High-Quality Recording
XA55, XA50, XA45 and XA40 Camcorders Deliver Crisp 4K Imagery in Compact Bodies at Affordable Price Points
Meeting videographer needs for a variety of applications, Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced four new additions to the lineup of XA Series professional camcorders, the XA55, XA50, XA45 and XA40. These four camcorders are the first in the series to feature 4K 30p recording. They also include a detachable XLR handle and the XA55 and XA45 each feature an HD-SDI terminal. In addition, the company has announced the Canon VIXIA HF G60 4K UHD camcorder, a budget-friendly, compact-and-lightweight camcorder.
“Often spending their days and nights working in fast-paced environments, videographers need a camcorder that is affordable, reliable, and delivers great images,” said Kazuto Ogawa, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “These new camcorders meet the needs of a variety of users, including those capturing news, shooting influential documentaries, educating young filmmakers or developing content for their companies.”
All of the camcorders feature Canon’s five-axis Intelligent Optical Image Stabilization system, providing users with powerful image stabilization via a Dynamic mode, which helps reduce image distortion, even when shooting while moving. The ergonomically designed and highly portable camcorders have a three-inch LCD touch panel screen and user-friendly, tilting, high-resolution Electronic View Finder (EVF).
The XA55 and XA45 are excellent options for news reporting and documentary shooting, while the XA50 and XA40 are geared more towards broadcasting schools, government agencies and corporate-video production companies. The affordable VIXIA HF G60 caters to advanced amateur videographers who need a 4K UHD camcorder to shoot a wedding or a student film project.
The XA55 and XA50 camcorders both feature a 1.0-inch sensor, nine-bladed circular aperture and Dual-Pixel CMOS AF with a 15x (25.5-382.5mm) genuine wide-angle Canon optical zoom lens. For natural and realistic life-like imagery the XA55 and XA50 camcorders feature a Wide Dynamic Range (DR) Gamma mode. This lowers the barrier for focusing, especially when shooting in 4K, which requires strict focus accuracy. By suppressing overexposure in high- brightness areas of the composition, this mode helps achieve a wide dynamic range of 800 percent to help produce seamless tone gradations, resulting in smooth detail, accurate color and virtually no blown-out highlights. The camera’s Dual Pixel Focus Guide takes advantage of Dual Pixel CMOS AF data to display focus-assist information on the screen. The camcorders also record 4K UHD/30p (4:2:0 8 bit) and 1080p Full HD (4:2:2 10 bit) via SDI/HDMI Output in XF-AVC and MP4 format to dual-card SD card slots with dual and relay recording.
The XA45 and XA40 camcorders both feature an eight-bladed circular aperture with the ability to record 4K UHD/30p (4:2:0 8 bit) and 1080p Full HD (4:2:2 10 bit) via SDI/HDMI Output) in MP4 or XF-AVC format to dual-card SD card slots with dual and relay recording. To help provide enhanced image quality over its predecessor, over sample HD processing can be utilized with information obtained from the 4K 1/2.84-inch sensor and the DIGIC DV 6 image processor. Both camcorders boast a 20x (29.3-601mm) genuine wide-angle Canon optical zoom lens.
The Canon VIXIA HF G60 4K UHD camcorder is packed with many of the same great features found in the XA55 and XA50, like a nine-bladed circular aperture, Dual Pixel Focus Guide and Wide DR, but with the budget- conscious user in mind. The affordable camcorder is an ideal tool for young videographers taking their first steps in the craft and will be sure to please due to its compact-and-lightweight form factor in addition to ease of use.
Additionally, Canon today announced firmware updates for the XF705, XF405/XF400 and VIXIA GX10 camcorders. New features by model include:
- XF705: Firmware Version 1.0.1.1 now features improved zoom response when using the zoom ring or zoom rocker, improved focus following speed during zooming, and improved image quality of interlaced recording.
- XF405/XF400: Firmware Version 1.0.3.0 now features IP streaming, the ability to set custom white balance, support for the reset function that resets the clip number when the reel number is set and improved image quality of interlaced recording.
- XF405 only: Firmware Version 1.0.3.0 now features 3G-SDI mapping at level A and level B.
- VIXIA GX10: Firmware Version 1.0.3.0 now features the ability to set custom white balance.
Pricing and Availability
The Canon XA55, XA50 and VIXIA HF G60 are scheduled to be available in June 2019 for estimated retail prices of $ 2699.00, $ 2199.00 and $ 1699.00, respectively. The XA45 and XA40 4K UHD video camcorders are all scheduled to be available in April 2019 for estimated retails prices of $ 2199.00 and $ 1699.00, respectively*. For more information, please visit, usa.canon.com.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
