Canon strengthens its professional video camera range with market first features in a compact-class camera

Sydney, 31 August 2010: Canon Australia today launched its smallest professional video cameras to date - the Canon XF105 and XF100 – providing amazing professional quality video, in a more affordable and compact camera for high-end enthusiasts and professional videographers.

Both new models are extremely compact (268mmx143mm) and light (approximately 1.2kg) while loaded with professional features. Following the launch success of the Canon XF305 and XF300 video cameras, these new models also offer stunning image quality with a MPEG-2 FULL HD 4:2:2 50Mbps Codec, for capturing and recording native 1920 x 1080 video onto affordable, universally available Compact Flash (CF) cards. The Canon XF105 and XF100 are the first compact-class video cameras to offer 4:2:2 colour sampling, providing finer transitions in tone and colour, and twice the colour resolution of HDV and other 4:2:0 formats.

“The new Canon XF105 and XF100 video cameras are perfect for situations requiring high-performance video cameras which are easily portable, such as in-field work, live news situations and challenging rigging scenarios, where you require the versatility to be creative,” said Anna Kalinowska, Brand Manager – Professional Video, Canon Australia. “The new models offer everything that users have come to expect from the Canon range of professional video cameras, from maximum usability to high-performance features, now within a smaller body.”

Professional performance and quality

Both new models employ the MPEG-2 FULL HD 4:2:2 50Mbps Codec, enabling recording direct to CF cards. In addition to rugged, solid-state construction and the speed and ease of file transfer to computers, CF cards are cost effective and widely available, unlike proprietary memory systems. The new video cameras feature hot-swappable dual card slots and support UDMA CF cards for maximum performance.

Uniting video, audio and metadata into a single file, the Canon XF105 and XF100 use an MXF (Material eXchange Format) File Wrapper, a widely supported open-source format, to maximise compatibility with existing industry infrastructure and non-linear editing (NLE) systems.

Designed with input from professional videographers, each model includes a Canon developed and designed native 1920 x 1080 CMOS sensor, and the new Canon MPEG-2 Codec for extreme colour detail required for accurate chroma-keying, colour-grading and compositing for digital filmmaking. For finer transitions in tone and colour, 4:2:2 colour sampling offers twice the colour resolution of HDV and other 4:2:0 formats. In addition, Canon’s XF105 model features industry-standard HD-SDI output, GENLOCK, and SMPTE time code (in/out) terminals for multi-camera or 3-D productions.

The Canon XF105 and XF100 professional digital video cameras feature a Genuine Canon 10x Optical Zoom HD L-series lens with a 35mm equivalent focal length of 30.4 – 304mm and a Full Manual Focus mode with mechanical “hard” end stops and distance markers for broadcast-quality footage and repeatable manual focus. Canon Hi-UD (high-index, ultra low dispersion), UD and aspherical lens elements minimise chromatic aberrations and provide a compact size and weight to the lens – while also delivering a resolution of approximately 900 TV lines. The lens also features a new SuperRange Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS) system featuring Dynamic and Powered modes for optimal performance in the greatest variety of situations.

At the heart of Canon’s XF105 and XF100 models is Canon’s proprietary DiG!C DV III Image Processor, which ensures natural, lifelike colours and captures tonal gradations and shadow detail with remarkable accuracy. The DiG!C DV III Image Processor also powers Canon’s innovative Face Detection Technology, an autofocus option that can significantly reduce the effort required when camera operators work alone, such as in live-news situations.

Features enabling versatility and creativity

The Canon XF105 and XF100 video cameras are packed with features that enable versatility and creativity while shooting.

With 3D video production becoming more and more popular, the Canon XF105 and XF100 have incorporated convenient features to assist users in 3D shooting. The cameras make it easy and affordable to put together a compact 3D system with impressive image quality, utilising two cameras. An Axis Shift function allows the user to easily shift the axis using a menu item within just a few minutes and regardless of whether the camera is on a rig or tripod. Furthermore, a guide display appears during angular adjustment, to help streamline the work when aligning both cameras.

Both models incorporate a built-in infrared (IR) LED light, allowing operators to capture their subject in extremely low-light situations or even in total darkness, by projecting IR light onto the subject to achieve focus.

Further adding to the versatility of these new video cameras is the pre-record feature. When this function is turned on, the camera will record video for a full three seconds before you even press the REC button, ensuring that you never miss a moment, whether that be waiting for someone to begin a speech, or for an animal to emerge from its habitat. It also helps provide you with the often forgotten “pre roll” time you will need for video editing.

To maximise the adaptability across various production environments and to offer a variety of creative options, Canon equipped each model with the ability to record at multiple bit rates, resolutions and variable frame rates for slow and fast motion. Additional professional features include variable-interval (for time-lapse) and frame-record for stop-motion animation, and a photo feature for frame-grabs.

The Canon XF105 and XF100 offer impressive close-range shooting with a minimum object distance of 60cm which is maintained at all zoom levels, from wide-angle to telephoto. Users can enjoy getting creative by capturing the desired compression effect or blurring associated with long-range lenses, even when shooting with a distinctive wide-angle perspective.

Optimal mobility

The Canon XF105 and XF100 are designed to maximise shooting comfort and usability, offering the same build quality as many advanced professional video cameras. The video cameras are small and slight, while structurally rigid, allowing operators to comfortably control the camera for long periods of time. The two new cameras weigh significantly less than the next model up in the Canon professional video range - the XF300 - measuring approximately 41 percent less in volume and approximately 44 percent less in weight.

Making shooting even easier, Customizable Control Buttons allow users to assign their favourite functions to up to 10 easy-to-access buttons.

Each camera also features a convenient, freely rotating 3.5-inch, 920,000 dot LCD monitor that can be positioned at either the right or left side of the camera body, allowing for easy viewing even in the most difficult shooting positions.

The LCD monitor also provides a display of the camera’s built-in waveform monitor to aid in achieving accurate exposure while shooting. Additionally, the LCD can show peaking, edge-monitor-focus and magnify the image, enabling users to confirm critical focus, an essential objective in all HD production.

Audio Flexibility

The Canon XF105 and XF100 professional digital video cameras feature a built-in stereo microphone as well as dual XLR inputs for external audio sources. The new cameras support 16-bit audio at 48 kHz with automatic and manual audio level adjustment.

Pricing and Availability

The Canon XF105 (RRP $TBC) and XF100 (RRP $TBC) professional digital video cameras will be available from January 2011 through Canon dealers nationally. For more information customers can contact Canon on 1800 021 167, or visit the website at canon.com.au.

Key Features:

• MPEG-2 FULL HD 4:2:2 50Mbps Codec

• Compact (268mmx143mm) and light (approximately 1.2kg)

• 1/3-inch CMOS Sensor

• Records direct to Compact Flash (CF) cards

• Genuine Canon 10x Optical Zoom HD L-series lens

• SuperRange Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS) system

• DiG!C DV III Image Processor

• Built-in infrared (IR) LED light

• Pre-record function

• Customizable Control Buttons

• Minimum Object Distance: 60cm

• HD-SDI output, GENLOCK, and SMPTE time code (in/out) terminals (XF105 only)

Related Links

Learn more about Canon’s video camera range