Whether you’re an enthusiast video maker looking to shoot 4K YouTube content, a one-man journalist, or an indie filmmaker on a budget, Canon is introducing a new high-end video camcorder that targets this audience. The XC10 4K Digital Camcorder is compact and lightweight, and it can record in either cinematic 4K or 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) at 30 frames per second (fps), as well as standard Full HD (1080) at 60 fps – covering all the resolution standards for today and the near future. With its newly developed 1-inch CMOS sensor, it can also shoot 12-megapixel still photos, and extract 8-megapixel stills from video recorded in 4K.
The XC10 has a 10x wide-angle zoom lens with a 2x digital teleconverter (in 35mm-equivalent terms, it’s 24.1-241mm for photos, and 27.3-273mm for videos), and a five-axis optical image stabilization system aid in steady Full HD video and still images (five-axis isn’t available when shooting 4K). Video is recorded either onto a CFast card (4K) or SD (Full HD) card. Unlike the 4K camcorders in Canon’s Cinema EOS series, the lens is fixed. In addition, there’s a touch LCD that swivels, mic and headphone jacks, fast and slow-motion recording modes, ISO range of 160 to 20,000, built-in neutral density (ND) filter, and Wi-Fi connectivity for remote operation via a Web browser or smart device. An optional viewfinder is available.
With its compact size and unique, DSLR-like design, operating one should feel more like using a Canon EOS camera than one of the Cinema EOS camcorders.
Expect to see the XC10 as early as June, for $2,499, which will come with a SanDisk 64GB CFast 2.0 card and card reader – an attainable price for budding 4K videographers or those looking for an affordable 4K solution.
In related news, Canon also announced the EOS C300 Mark II Digital Cinema Camera. The new camera is aimed at cinema, documentary, event, and commercial videography. It packs a 8.85-megapixel Super 35mm Cinema CMOS Censor, new Dual DIGIC DV 5 Processors, a new Canon XF-AVC Codec that’s capable of recording 10-bit, 4:2:2 4K image data, and an expanded dynamic range of up to 15 stops.
Whereas the XC10 is aimed at indie filmmakers, journalists, YouTube creators, corporate video teams, etc., the C300 is about filmmaking. It also has a matching price tag, at $20,000, and it doesn’t include any lenses. The camera is available with either an EF or PL mount, so you can use either Canon lenses or third-party cinematic lenses.
The Canon EOS C300 Mark II Digital Cinema Camera is scheduled for September release, for somewhere around $20K. The camera will be available with either an EF of PL mount.
To complement cinema production workflows and TV broadcasting, Canon is introducing the DP-V2410 4K Reference Display. The 24-inch, 10-bit IPS LCD tips the scale at around 26 pounds, and while that is heavy, it is meant to be portable for use as an on-set reference display for 4K UHD and 2K viewing. The unit has a sturdy metal frame housing, and includes handles and adjustable feet. Among its features are 4K RAW Debayering feature helps users process 4K RAW data (shot with Canon EOS Cinema cameras) and anti-glare coating. Not for your typical living room, this display will cost $18,000 when it comes out in November 2015.
