Canon, a global leader in digital imaging solutions unveil the Canon XF 305 and XF 300 Professional Video Camera. Both new models boast of MPEG-2, 4:2:2, 50Mbps codec – Canon XF Codec – for capturing and recording native 1920 x 1080 video onto the robust, affordable and universally available Compact Flash (CF) cards.
What The XF?
The Canon XF 305 and XF 300 Professional Video Camera comes with a superior Canon 18x HD L-series lens for focal-range versatility, a 35mm equivalent zoom range of 29.3 – 527.4mm and a Full Manual Focus mode with mechanical “hard” end stops and distance markers. It also uses HI-UD (high-index, ultra low dispersion), UD and aspherical lens elements to minimize chromatic aberrations and provide a compact size and weight to the lens. The lens also features a new SuperRange Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS) system featuring Dynamic and Powered modes for optimal performance in the most demanding shooting situations.
The recording system combines video, audio and metadata into a single file, the Canon XF 305 and XF 300 use MXF (Material Exchange Format), a widely supported open source format, to maximize compatibility with existing industry infrastructure and non-linear editing (NLE) systems.
Each model includes three Canon native 1920 x 1080 CMOS image sensors, and the new Canon XF Codec for extreme color detail to produce accurate chroma-key, color-grading and compositing for digital filmmaking. For seamless transition in tone and color, 4:2:2 color sampling offers twice the color resolution of HDV and other 4:2:0 formats. The Canon XF 305 model features industry-standard HD-SDI output, Genlock, and SMPTE time code terminals for multi-camera setups or 3D productions.
Tthe Canon XF 305 and XF 300 sports a freely rotating 4.0-inch, 1.23-megapixel LCD monitor that can be positioned at either the right or left side of the camcorder body for easy viewing, even in the most difficult shooting positions. The LCD monitor also provides a display of the camcorders’ built-in waveform monitor and vectorscope to aid in achieving accurate exposure and color levels 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.
Both models also come with 1.55-megapixel color electronic viewfinder, these Professional Video Cameras provide the highest resolution in its class for critical focus and approximately 100 percent field-of-view coverage for accurate composition.
They also come with built-in stereo microphone as well as dual XLR inputs for external audio sources. The new camcorders support 16-bit PCM audio at 48 kHz with automatic and manual audio level adjustment.
Price and Availability
Both the Canon XF 305 and XF 300 Professional Video Camera is scheduled to be available in August for the recommended retail price of RM30,599.00 and RM26,499.00 respectively.
*Above content taken from Press Release, at least for the most part of it.
The Event
It was held on 10th August 2010, 11.00 a.m. at Sunway Lagoon Resort & Spa.
Speech by Mr.Simon Wong, Assistant Director, Image Communications Product Division (ICP). Canon Marketing Malaysia
Interactive Product Presentation By Mr. Herman Chiew, Senior Products Specialist, ICP Division …..
…. and Mr. Johnny Ng, Assistant Manager, Professional Business Mktg Dept, Canon Sgp Pte Ltd.
Group Photo. Hellooooo!
The event ended with an open opportunity for attendees to try out the camera. There were also a few vendors there, show casing their relevant products.
Unfortunately some guys (I don’t know who are they) were hogging the space shooting the girls.
It’s a solid camera, though being mounted on a tripod with limited usage is hardly a time to conclude how great is the product.
And lastly, the buffet lunch served was awesome. 😀 Sorry to have to highlight this during Bulan Puasa. 😛
Oh and as for the lack of articles for such a long time, it’s because I’m busy with work and StarCraft II …….. many nights (and some parts of the day) went missing as I unlock achievements. 😛