View Full Version : Canon announces XF705 pro 4K camcorder


Chris Hurd
September 12th, 2018, 01:09 PM
Scheduled to be available in December 2018 at just under $7,000.

See the full press release with images here:

Canon Launches New Flagship XF705 Professional Camcorder at DV Info Net (http://www.dvinfo.net/news/canon-launches-new-flagship-xf705-professional-camcorder.html)

Pre-order from B&H: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1434328-REG/canon_3041c002_xf705_hd_camcorder.html/BI/2855/KBID/3801

Jack Zhang
September 12th, 2018, 07:57 PM
It's Canon's 1'' vs Sony's 3 1/2''... SD cards vs SxS/XQD...

You wonder why Sony doesn't just release a Z150 successor that shoots 60p to SD cards. They have to segregate 8bit 4:2:0 just to not "cannibalize."

Not a fan of HEVC as the primary recording codec though, puts more strain on edit suites, but of course there will be a import tool to handle that through transcoding. 160Mbps if done right is good, but I have my doubts.

I really hope they improved on the sensor vs the XF400 though, cause that was just a really muddy sensor.

Tom Roper
September 12th, 2018, 09:54 PM
It's Canon's 1'' vs Sony's 3 1/2''... SD cards vs SxS/XQD...

You wonder why Sony doesn't just release a Z150 successor that shoots 60p to SD cards. They have to segregate 8bit 4:2:0 just to not "cannibalize."

Not sure I understand what you mean by segregating 8 bit 420, Sony? The Z280 is the rival at this price point and it is 4K 60P 10 bit 422. Lens is constant F1.6 and has electronic variable ND. Have no idea which has the better image, neither from what I've seen are impressive although Canon chose really bad snow conditions lighting to show off the XF705 but claim 13 stops DR. Well, I kind of doubt that but will wait to see.

Jack Zhang
September 13th, 2018, 01:55 AM
I was talking about in the same sensor size category.

The PXW-Z150 is also a 1'' sensor, but is limited to 4K 30p 8bit 4:2:0. So is the Z90V and NX80.

The Z280 is 3x 1/2'' sensors, which is a different beast and sensor category from this camera. It actually uses a more edit friendly I-frame only codec too.

Dan Brockett
September 19th, 2018, 10:08 AM
I say this as a Canon fan, the XF-705 seems overpriced. Nice features, nice camera but should be $4,999.00. But then again, I don't work for Canon and perhaps Canon does research that says that there client base will gladly pony up $7k for this camera?

Chris Hurd
September 19th, 2018, 11:33 AM
I have been using Canon camcorders and cameras for more than 20 years.

In my estimation, Canon is overpriced by roughly twenty percent, across the board, no matter what particular product line or specific model.

If you're earning money by using their gear, then their pricing is a non-issue, since you're making that money back many times over.

If you're a hobbyist, then the trick is to wait for the price to come down by 20%, which it may or may not do. I'm a fan of their refurbs... good deals can be found that way. But it usually means waiting nine to twelve months for refurbs to show up.

Dan Brockett
September 24th, 2018, 10:23 PM
I have been using Canon camcorders and cameras for more than 20 years.

In my estimation, Canon is overpriced by roughly twenty percent, across the board, no matter what particular product line or specific model.

If you're earning money by using their gear, then their pricing is a non-issue, since you're making that money back many times over.

If you're a hobbyist, then the trick is to wait for the price to come down by 20%, which it may or may not do. I'm a fan of their refurbs... good deals can be found that way. But it usually means waiting nine to twelve months for refurbs to show up.

Truth Chris!

Donald McPherson
September 27th, 2018, 01:01 PM
Is there any reason there are no 3 x 1inch cameras? Or would that be just too bulky?

Dan Brockett
October 3rd, 2018, 09:37 PM
Is there any reason there are no 3 x 1inch cameras? Or would that be just too bulky?

Three imager cameras are out of fashion in general except for live broadcast/ENG type cameras and Canon has never built those kinds of cameras. Also, if you've ever shot with a 2/3" imager camera, they are usually physically quite large, a 3 x 1" camera would have to be even larger, I would think? And the trend for the past decade or so has been smaller, lighter, cheaper, I can't see what advantages you would gain by making a 3 x 1" camera? The last three imager camera that was popular in my world was the Sony F900 and that was a long time ago.

Pete Cofrancesco
October 5th, 2018, 01:58 PM
I’ve wondered about the same thing. In 90s - early 2000s there was always the warning make a professional 3 chip camera is used. There was never any announcement proclaiming 3 chip was no longer needed because of new sensor technology. It seemed like it happened when dslr popularity took off and then the camcorders followed suit.

As far as the XF705 the specs seem great but honestly it seems over priced and targeted to corporate customers how have budgets that an extra couple of thousands is no big deal.