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Canon's new XL2 camcorder offers an evolutionary design and
new professional features — including a choice of 60i,
24p or 30p frame rates, 4:3 or high resolution 16:9 aspect
ratio, new 680,000 pixel progressive scan CCDs, and a full
line of customizable controls for cine-looking results. Along
with its new 20x interchangeable lens, this Canon xl1 Mini-DV
camcorder empowers cinematographers and videographers with
a completely customizable broadcast and feature film quality
acquisition tool.
The professional series XL2 camcorder replaces one of the
most successful and iconic products in Canon's history — the
XL1S — as the company's new digital video camcorder
flagship. Canon's new XL2 camcorder evolves the "open architecture" concept
of its XL1 and XL1S predecessors beyond body design to include
a wide range of customisable cine-like looks and enhanced
image controls previously unavailable in the Mini-DV format.
"It is our goal to provide an affordable, high-performance
Mini-DV camcorder for the professional and serious amateur," said
Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager
of the consumer imaging group at Canon USA, Inc., a subsidiary
of Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ). "By intentionally 'over-engineering'
this product, Canon expects the XL2 camcorder to be immediately
popular with movie makers, documentary, corporate, electronic
news gathering, wedding and event videographers, because
it gives them the features, control and versatility they
need."
The 3CCD progressive scan system utilized by the XL2 camcorder
provides 16:9 (962 x 480 pixels) and 4:3 (720 x 480 pixels)
recording. The camcorder's third generation signal processing
LSI (large scale integrated circuit) improves Signal/Noise
ratio to realize higher resolution than XL1s camcorder.
The XL2 camcorder provides users with frame rate options
needed to achieve a wide range of "film" looks. Whether shooting
standard video for television or video for transfer to film
with extremely high resolution, the XL2 camcorder features
60i, 30p, 24p (2:3 and 2:3:3:2) frame rates, so that cinematographers
and electronic news gatherers have the flexibility to create
virtually any desired look and feel.
When shooting 30p, the camera operator has the ability to
capture 30 full frames per second. When shooting sports,
users can freeze an image, capturing the full frame, or slow
motion down for that "instant replay" effect.
The 24p (2:3:3:2) frame rate is now widely adopted by those
transferring video to film. But film and videographers turn
to 24p for the "cine" look, even if their productions are
not going to be transferred to film, simply because of the "look" of
the 24p frame rate. Just as important as 24p frame rate,
is the 1/48th per second shutter speed, which is the standard
for movie cameras. The XL2 camcorder's combination of 24p
frame rate and 1/48th per second shutter speed matches a
motion film camera.
When producers use the 24p with 2:3 pulldown feature, it
produces video with the look and motion of film. The 24p
frame rate used in conjunction with a cine gamma curve on
the XL2 camcorder, produces images that have similar tonal
characteristics as film. This mode is used when the finished
video will be shown on television, while 24p with 2:3:3:2
pulldown, is used when the video is going to be transferred
to film (The 2:3:3:2 pulldown allows editing software to
extract true 24 frames a second.).
With "big name" and not so well known producers turning to
digital video for their movie-making needs, these moviemakers
place an increasing emphasis on delivering the "film" look
to video. The Canon XL2 camcorder offers users the ability
to customize their video recordings using a number of variables:
Gamma, Knee, Black, Color Matrix, Vertical Detail, Sharpness,
Coring, Noise Reduction, Color Gain, Color Phase And Film
Grain. Each one of these can be adjusted independently, thereby
giving the camera operator precise control over the "film-like" appearance
of their video.
Professional videographers need control of the camcorder
set-up. From complete automatic setting to fine adjustments
of Master RGB Gain; Setup Level; Master Pedestal; Skin Detail;
Program AE; Gain; AE Shift and Lock; White Balance; Shutter
Speeds; Aperture Control; Zebra Pattern; Clear Scan and Interval
Timer, the XL2 camcorder has the total image control that
professionals need. Camera operators can create three custom
presets of their desired camera settings, which can be recalled
at a later date or shared with another XL2 camcorder via
IEEE 1394 connection.
White balance can be adjusted to true white or manually set
to either outdoor (5600K) or indoor (3200K). Camera operators
can save up to three custom white balance settings. Video
gain is now available in seven steps from -3dB to +18dB,
including a new +3dB gain setting.
Professional Features at An Affordable Price Point
The Canon XL2 camcorder offers many on-camera enhancements
to help capture high-quality footage, including features
commonly found on broadcast camcorders. Among these is the
inclusion of a SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television
Engineers) time code on the tape. The XL2 camcorder offers
camera operators SMPTE color bars and a 1khz reference tone
(-12dB and -20dB), for set up of monitors and edit suites.
Camera operators can choose Drop, Non-Drop, Rec Run and Free
Run modes. User bit settings are also provided, allowing
the inclusion of reel number or other user data. The SMPTE
time code is used to identify a precise location on a video
tape, a mainstay of professional editing, allowing all tape
and equipment to work together for precise editing.
The XL2 camcorder's open architecture and modular design
allows users to build their ideal camcorder system with interchangeable
lenses, viewfinders and shoulder mounts. The Canon XL2 camcorder
remains the only Mini-DV camcorder that users can customize
to fit the needs of specific shooting applications. The camcorder
permits the use of most Canon and third party accessories.
The shoulder pad and XLR Audio connectors are now built in
to the camera body.
With the XL2 camcorder's interchangeable lenses and adapters,
users have focal length options that match their creative
and technical needs. With the XL2 camcorder's XL mounting
system, users can choose from an array of wide angle, manual
and auto focus zoom lenses as well as fixed-focal length
and telephoto lenses.
In addition to accepting the full line up of Canon's XL lenses — including
the 16x IS II Auto focus lens, 16x Mechanical Servo Zoom
lens, 3x Wide Angle, the 1.6x Extender and the EF adaptor
for use with Canon's full line of EF photographic lenses
- Canon is launching a new Professional L-series 20X Optical
zoom lens.
The new lens incorporates Fluorite elements for superior
contrast, resolution and color fidelity through the reduction
of chromatic aberration. This 20x IS Optical zoom lens offers
a fast f/1.6 to f/3.5 aperture for users that shoot under
the most demanding lighting conditions. At an aspect ratio
of 4:3, the 20x zoom range is an impressive 51.8mm to 1036mm
(35mm equivalent). At the 16:9 aspect ratio, it is an equally
impressive 42.2mm to 844mm (35mm equivalent). The lens comes
equipped with versatile features, including: a 72mm filter
thread; 6-blade iris diaphragm; 2 independent ND filters;
Electronic focus ring; Electronic zoom ring; Zoom present
position; Focus preset position; and optical image stabilization.
Canon's optical image stabilization (OIS) system corrects
camera shake instantly so even hand held shots, at full telephoto,
and shots taken from a moving car, are smooth and steady.
Because it is optical, it can compensate for a greater degree
if camera shake and avoids any loss in image quality, unlike
some electronics image stabilizers.
Other optical image stabilizers use a gyro sensor to detect
camcorder vibration (the data from which controls a vari-angle
prism that continuously corrects the path of the incoming
light). Canon's SuperRange OIS system goes one step further
by examining the image after the CCD receives it and detecting
any low-frequency vibrations missed by the gyro. This data
is fed back to accelerate and refine the movement of the
vari-angle prism. This greatly improves performance for low
frequency vibration, resulting in the most advanced optical
image stabilization available today.
Canon is launching a new multi functional color electronic
viewfinder (EVF) and 2" LCD monitor with left, right, fore,
aft mechanical adjustments for greater balance; 16:9 letterbox
display; LCD indicators (REC/SHUTTER/GAINUP); center marker;
viewfinder brightness, color, sharpness and contrast adjustments.
The new LCD screen flips up for distance recording, so users
can work up to two feet away.
When selecting the high-resolution 16:9 aspect ratio, the
camcorder uses the full width of the CCD. When camera operators
look through the viewfinder, their footage will be displayed
in letterbox style, so users can compose widescreen images
precisely. This way, when the video is later edited in postproduction,
or when viewed on a 16:9 monitor, users will see exactly
what they intended.
The XL2 camcorder offers 4-channel audio with independent
control of each audio channel built into the camera body.
It also includes two built-in XLR connectors with 48v phantom
power. These inputs are designed for use with professional
microphones. These connections allow for the use of very
long cables without the introduction of outside noise. Condenser
microphones need "phantom power," with the voltage going
to the microphone along the same wires that carry the audio
signals. The camcorder supplies this through the XLR connectors.
The XL2 camcorder includes a built-in BNC connector, which
is used in professional and broadcast video applications.
This terminal connects a two-wire coaxial cable using a bayonet
mount.
When specific accessories compatible with the XL2 camcorder's
Advanced Accessory Shoe are attached, the camcorder can exchange
data and supply power directly to them. These accessories
include the VL-3 video light, VFL-1 video flash light (light
only), and DM-50 directional microphone. The MA-300 microphone
adaptor also works with the Advance Accessory Shoe, which
lets camera operators connect an additional two professional
XLR connector microphones to the camcorder. They simply slide
the optional device into the accessory shoe, no external
power or cables are required.
To further emphasize the "open architecture" concept of the
new XL2 camcorder, Canon is offering a software developer's
kit. This SDK will permit developers to expand the functionality
and performance of the XL2 camcorder. With this kit, developers
can create customized software controls for such features
as zoom, focus and image controls; and such image controls
as white balance and Master RGB gain. These customized software
applications may then be sold independently for customized
looks or shared amongst the community of users.
The Canon XL2 camcorder will be available at Canon U.S.A.
authorized dealers in August for an estimated selling price
of $4,999*.
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Daniel Del Aqua is a contributing
author to www.digital-camcorders-reviews.net. A guide
that offers reviews, ratings & info on where to find
the best mini dvd camcorders, Handycam video cameras,
batteries & accessories.
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