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Review Summary
2014-01-23T19:00:00
I own a G10 and have used the XA10 and have been waiting for an upgrade for a while. I just bought the XA20 and at first glance the footage is much nicer than the old versions of the Vixia. Flying to a job I was going to, I went through the manual to see what new features I had to learn. The multitude of frame rates was a bit confusing as some only shoot in MP4. Now for me getting the exposure right is paramount (I see so much blown out footage around) so I tried to find the waveform monitor (histogram) that was with the zebra settings on both the other cameras. On the XA20 it wasn't there, so I thought it must be a great new feature of the custom buttons, so you can flip it on and off with out having to delve into the menu each time. But no, Canon have seen fit to remove it !!!!! Really they have removed such an important feature and now all you have are zebras to get the correct exposure. Also they have a handy reply button, great no more switching to the media mode and back to camera mode, each time to view your last take. Well Canon saw fit to just show the last 3secs of it. So its as near as useless, if like me you leave editing handles, when someone has walked through frame or after a pan, etc, there is nothing going on in the last 3 secs of the clip and the camera is even showing you that view in camera mode. Why would you design a reply that doesn't show the whole or at least the last 10-15secs of a clip? Over all the size is great and its nice to remove the handle and the quality is good. But for the lack of WFM/histogram I had to take it back. It was the only way (especially when shooting in bright sun) to get the right exposure. Canon have why take away Pro features???
DANIEL B.
2013-08-13T21:00:00
It's a good small camera, with nearly all of the features a full sized pro camera has.
Charlie
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High Definition
NTSC
MPEG4-AVC / H.264
Linear PCM (2ch) / Dolby Digital (5.1ch when SM-V1 is used)
Feature supported only in the 28 Mbps/23.98 Mbps recording mode; resolution: 16 bits
1/2.84-inch CMOS, RGB Primary Color Filter
Approx. 3.09 Megapixels (2208 x 1398)
Approx. 2.91 Megapixels (2136 x 1362)
20x Optical / 400x Digital
3.67-73.4mm (35mm equivalent: 26.8-576mm without Dynamic IS; 28.8-576mm with Dynamic IS)
Variable speed / Constant speed (16 levels); Fast, Normal or Slow
f/1.8-2.8
Hybrid AF (TTL-video detection system and external phase difference metering system): Instant AF, Medium AF; Normal AF (TTL-video detection system); Face Priority AF; Face Only AF; Manual Focus
Available
Smart Auto, P, Tv, Av, M (Manual exposure), SCN (Portrait, Sports, Night, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Low Light, Spotlight, Fireworks) Cinema Mode: P, Tv, Av, M
Movie: 1/2000 sec.
20mm (wide end) / 60cm (across the entire zooming range)
Auto, Set 1, Set 2, Color Temperature (2,000K to 15,000K in 100K increments), Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H
AVCHD - 1080: 59.94P / 59.94i / PF29.97 / 23.98P
MP4 - 1080: 59.94P / 29.97P / 23.98P; 720 and 360: 29.97P / 23.98P
1.2 lux
Low Light Mode: Approx. 0.1 lux (shutter speed 1/2 sec.)
Not available
Not available
Dynamic SuperRange Optical System (Lens shift), Standard SuperRange Optical System (Lens shift), and electronic stabilization Following modes are available: Intelligent IS (AUTO mode), Dynamic IS, Powered IS, Macro IS, Tripod Mode IS Modes other than Intelligent IS: Standard IS, IS Off
58mm
0.24-inch, TFT Widescreen color LCD (Equivalent to approx. 1.56 million dots; approx. 100% field of view)
3.5-inch OLED, Capacitive Touch Panel (Approx. 1.23 million dots)
2 SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slots
mini-B receptacle and Hi-Speed USB supported (output only)
Composite: A/V terminal 3.5mm mini-jack, output only
XLR 3-pin jack (2ch), MIC/LINE switch possible (input only)
Cold Shoe
HDMI OUT mini connector
3.5mm stereo mini-jack
3.5mm 4-pole mini-jack (video/audio output only)
3.5mm stereo mini-jack
2.5mm stereo mini jack (input only)
28 Mbps: 5 hrs 5 min
24 Mbps: 5 hrs 55 min
17 Mbps: 8 hrs 20 min
5 Mbps: 24 hrs 30 min
Spec Value: 35 Mbps: 4 hrs 0 min
24 Mbps: 5 hrs 55 min
17 Mbps: 8 hrs 20 min
4 Mbps: 34 hrs 45 min
3 Mbps: 45 hrs 55min
23° to 113°F (-5° to 45°C) 60% relative humidity (operation) / 32° to 104°F (0° to 40°C) 85% relative humidity (performance)
7.4 V DC (battery pack), 8.4 V DC (DC IN)
4.3 x 3.3 x 7.2 in. / 109 x 84 x 182mm (Not including lens hood, grip belt, microphone holder and handle unit)
Approx. 1.7 lb. / 765g (includes grip belt)
Buying a camcorder does not have to be a complicated process. With some key information, you can get exactly the right one for your needs. When still images just don't cut it, and when a situation calls for video, that's the time to reach for the camcorder. But if you find yourself reaching for t...
Canon XA 20
By Charlie
It's a good small camera, with nearly all of the features a full sized pro camera has.
The Canon XA20 is a compact, "run-and-gun" HD camcorder with an impressive optical performance from a powerful new Genuine Canon 20x HD Video Lens with a new 8-Blade Circular Aperture, capable of focusing down to just 23.6 inches (60cm). Other features include a 3.5-inch OLED Touch Panel Display with the equivalent of 1.23 million dots of resolution, tiltable electronic viewfinder, multiple HD/SD recording rates - including 24p for a "cinematic" look - together with a choice of industry-standard MP4 (up to 35 Mbps) and AVCHD (up to 28 Mbps) codecs. The high image quality and recording versatility make the xA20 ideal for independent and documentary filmmaking, as well as event videography and educational institutions.
In addition to reducing horizontal and vertical shaking, five-axis SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization eliminates rolling and other artifacts, for sharper images no matter how the camcorder is moved. A new automatic correction circuit can substantially reduce image distortion, thereby producing better-looking videos.
A detachable handle offers increased control functionality, with a built-in microphone holder and XLR-format audio inputs. Infrared shooting with little to zero ambient light offers additional flexibility during, for example, surveillance and wildlife projects; the detachable handle also includes an IR light.
Dual-band, built-in Wi-Fi technology allows easy FTP file transfer and upload to the internet. And intelligent lithium batteries report remaining power and battery-wear levels in one-minute increments to the camcorder, thereby taking the guesswork out of battery management.