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.
Canon says they have been based on the XF100/105, but
enhanced to reflect feedback from users, to offer “greater versatility, with a
more powerful Canon HD Video System, numerous recording modes, wireless
connectivity and an enhanced operational design – providing operators with
greater freedom to shoot, view and distribute their footage during
assignments.”
Each has a 20x zoom lens (3.67 - 73.4mm equivalent to 28.8 -
576mm on a 35mm sensor, f1.8), offering double the optical zoom of the XF100
and using Hi Index Ultra Low Dispersion glass lens elements for compact size
and reduced chromatic aberrations compared to prior models. It has a minimum
focus distance of 60cm (throughout the zoom range) or 10mm (using the Wide
MACRO setting), plus a built-in ND filter.
They also boast Canon’s latest HD CMOS PRO imaging sensor
and a DIGIC DV 4 processor, technologies carried over from the XA25 and XA20
Professional Camcorders.
Simultaneous recording
Like the rest of the XF range, they can record at 50Mbps
(MPEG-2) with 4:2:2 colour sampling, using the MXF broadcast file format
recorded on Compact Flash (to dual card slots). They can also simultaneously
capture 35Mbps 4:2:0 MP4 files to an SD card, in HD or lower resolutions –
useful for anyone who has to shoot material for both broadcast and web channels.
There is a new rotating handgrip (seen on the XF200 above) that can move through a
120º angle, for greater comfort and stability. There are also three individual
lens rings for focus, zoom and iris, for ease and speed of operation.
Both the viewfinder and pull-out display have a resolution
of 1.23m dots. The upgraded 3.5-inch OLED display offers higher contrast, more
vivid colours and faster response times, which should be far superior in
operation, especially in bright conditions, than the lower-resolution XF100 LCD.
Audio capture has also been upgraded, and both models
support four-channel linear PCM recording, with two XLR inputs allowing the use
of professional microphones. There is also a built-in stereo microphone and a
3.5mm microphone jack.
Going wireless
Each model also has WiFi and Ethernet LAN connectivity,
allowing direct or wireless connection to smartphones, tablets and laptops,
including camera control, remote viewing and the ability to transfer files via
FTP without additional software. A new CameraAccess function allows
lower-quality proxy files to be streamed to another device via WiFi, improving
the speed in which content, such as news flashes, can be shared.
The XF205 also has selectable 3G-SDI/HD-SDI, Timecode and
Genlock connections (pictured above) for easy integration on multi-camera shoots or with other
broadcast equipment.
“The new XF205 and XF200 are a natural next step in the
evolution of our XF range, providing enhanced functionality, alongside another
step up in terms of the quality of the visual and audio output,” said Kieran
Magee, Director of Professional Marketing, Canon Europe. “Historically, the
versatility of our XF series cameras has seen them widely adopted by a range of
different users, and the new features we’ve added into these products provide
our customers with greater choice and creative freedom than previously
available from such a compact camcorder.”
The XF205 and XF200 should be available from mid-July 2014, with
pre-order prices of about $3,500/£2,750 for the XF200 and $4,000/£3,200 (plus
taxes) for the XF205.
UPDATE: Canon XF200/XF205 free firmware reduces noise + adds livestreaming
UPDATE: Canon XF200/XF205 free firmware reduces noise + adds livestreaming
By Christina Fox