Canon XF200 + XF205 launched

Canon’s new XF205 and XF200 compact video cameras fit into the XF range between the existing XF100/XF105 and XF300/XF305, although as the XF200 models each have a single slightly-bigger-than one-third-inch CMOS sensor, they are nearer the 100/105 than the 300/305.

Sony PMW-200 rival for XF305

If Sony’s single-sensor PMW-100 is a competitor for Canon’s XF105, then the newly announced PMW-200 is certainly a (more expensive) rival for the XF305. Or it could be seen as an EX1R replacement, with 50Mbps recording, as it has three 1/2-inch Exmor CMOS sensors (compared to three 1/3-inch sensors on the XF305).

For a full rundown on all the features on the new Sony camcorder, have a look at our UrbanFox.tv Blog.

New XF firmware for 35Mbps recording

Canon has announced a new firmware update for its four XF cameras that will enable a new 35Mbps recording mode. 

It will essentially make them compatible with earlier Sony XDCAM HD codecs capturing 1440 x 1080 HD video at 35Mbps at 60i or 50i – which is still widely used for news. The 1440 x 1080 format was the standard resolution offered by HDV tape cameras (using 1440 instead of 1920 is a form of compression - the pixels are then stretched in the edit to cover the 1920 x 1080 image). It will help the XF camcorders integrate more easily with standard workflows used by some broadcasters.

Once the firmware is installed, the recording mode will be accessed through the regular mode selection menu on the camcorder and the frame rate will be automatically selected, dependent on the camcorder's PAL (50i) or NTSC (60i) setting. All previously supported XF-series video resolutions and frame rates will still remain available.

The firmware is expected to be available for download at the end of May 2012 and will be available on the individual product pages through the Canon website.

Canon adds to XF language support

A new firmware update for the XF camcorder series adds seven additional languages – French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian, Simplified Chinese and Spanish – to the XF300, XF305, XF100 and XF105.

The firmware, version 1.0.3.0, supports the languages across the camcorders’ menu system and is available now from http://software.canon-europe.com

XF305 and HPX250 comparison

Panasonic AG-HPX250

I’ve recently written a review of the Panasonic AG-HPX250 over on our UrbanFox.TV technology blog, but how does it relate to its biggest rival?

On this page I thought it would be interesting to compare and contrast the HPX250 with the Canon XF305, its direct rival. I’ve chosen the XF305, rather than the XF300, because they both have the timecode in/out and Genlock (and the XF300 does not) so it is a more fair comparison.

Firmware upgrade for XF305 + XF300

Canon has announced a firmware upgrade for the XF305 and XF300  to help those shooting in 3D and adding double-slot recording.

Most of the new features were already available on the XF105 (because it was launched after the XF305) including the ability to configure two units for 3D HD video capture.

But, there are some things I feel are still missing, that could easily be added.

Wide Angle Lens Attachment For XF300 and XF305

Century, part of Schneider Optics, has released a new HD Wide Angle lens attachment for the popular Canon XF300 and XF305 camcorders.

The new WA-8XLC-XF Wide Angle Converter attaches directly to the front of the camcorder's built-in 18x zoom lens to increase viewing coverage by 20%. Recent approval from the BBC for HD broadcast production has increased demand for the XF300/XF305, but at 29.3mm (35mm lens equivalent) at its widest, it doesn't have a particularly wide-angle lens.

Canon XF305 and XF105 Review

Canon XF305

To kick start this new blog here's the review I wrote for a the Guild Of TV Cameramen's magazine, Zerb....

2010 was a good year for Canon watching. At Broadcast Video Expo 2010 there were more Canon DSLR cameras in the exhibition hall than traditional camcorders.