New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders

[Philip Lipetz]

With the new five way IS some incredible shots will be possible. Mount it in a Merlin with an external recorde and do POV steadicam work cheaply,

[Don Palomaki]

For such users, it isn't necessary that the cameras are capable of recording with a broadcast-compliant codec.

Point accepted. And for compelling content all equipment and codec rules are forgiven as long as the outlet can read it in time for the 6 PM news, etc.

[Roger Van Duyn]

Don't forget how much can be forgiven when the client has money for airtime.

[Andy Wilkinson]

Originally Posted by Philip Lipetz

With the new five way IS some incredible shots will be possible. Mount it in a Merlin with an external recorde and do POV steadicam work cheaply,

Maybe these new Canon cams will be different... but I've always found it best to turn any lens/camera IS system OFF when doing Merlin Steadicam work.

This I think is the recommended thing to do too - it's a long while since I looked at the Steadicam instruction book!

I admit that my Merlin experience is only with Canon 7D and Canon C100 (both with and without IS lenses) and a tiny Panasonic TM900 (which has an incrediblly effective hybrid IS system). However, in all cases, my best results have always been obtained with IS turned off with each cam/lens system. Otherwise you can get the same issues as when you pan on a tripod with the IS turned on - the image jumping to catch up type effect. This is why some Canon DSLR lenses have a 2 position IS switch as I'm sure we all know, one allowing horizontal panning without this problem (but still giving stabilisation in the vertical plane).

Sure, until someone gets their hands on these new Canon's we'll not know for sure how the IS performs with stabilisers like the Merlin - but just I'm raising a note of caution here.

OK, let's return to the main topic on hand, discussing these new cams from Canon.

[Philip Lipetz]

Electronic IS acts differently than OIS.

[Bo Sundvall]

Hi

What's the difference between the two codecs, AVCHD and MP4? Some JVC models uses dual codecs but in that case the alternatives are AVCHD or MPEG-2. But what is MP4 and when to use that?

Regards,

/Bo

[Bart Walczak]

AVCHD is a codec (H.264), mp4 is a wrapper, that can contain various codecs, for example XDCAM EX (a variant of MPEG-2) or H.264

[Tim Hunt]

I just pre-ordered the XA20 and I have a question regarding the mp4 and AVCHD record options, specifically their compatibility with FCPX ingestion. I shoot mostly high school sports (football) and would like to record in mp4 35Mbps for the quality and slow motion possibilities.

Also, will I have any issues capturing with 59.98 progressive or will I have to step down to 24Mbps and 59.98 interlaced?

My current set up is an XH-a1s with an FS-CF Pro DTE unit.

Thanks for the advice.

[Allan Barnwell]

Great discussion here. XA25 should be great for the multicam work. HDSDI 300+ feet down a decent quality BNC terminated cable, no problem. No HDMI to HDSDI converter needed...

[Ron Evans]

Originally Posted by Tim Hunt

I just pre-ordered the XA20 and I have a question regarding the mp4 and AVCHD record options, specifically their compatibility with FCPX ingestion. I shoot mostly high school sports (football) and would like to record in mp4 35Mbps for the quality and slow motion possibilities.

Also, will I have any issues capturing with 59.98 progressive or will I have to step down to 24Mbps and 59.98 interlaced?

My current set up is an XH-a1s with an FS-CF Pro DTE unit.

Thanks for the advice.

I shoot multicam now with NX5U ( 60i ), CX700 ( 60P ), NX30 ( 60P ) and XR500 ( 60i ) just edit all on a 60i timeline in Edius 6.07 with no problems. Also shoot all my GoPro stuff 60P. Definitely intend going all 1920x1080 60P when I change the NX5U and XR500.

Ron Evans

[Tim Hunt]

Thanks Ron.

I'll give it a go.

[Steve Struthers]

Originally Posted by Glen Vandermolen

Can the XF replacements be far behind?

You have to wonder, considering that Canon recently dropped the recommended price of the XF100 from
$2999 to $2499.

[Jeff Harper]

I beleive that was not a price drop it, it was a correction where the announcement or something has listed the prices wrong.

[Kris Zimbelman]

Price drop from original $3,300 to $2,499
https://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wc...edictiveSearch

? What type of N/D would one use on these cameras?

[Jeff Harper]

My mistake, I didn't read post all the way. I was thinking of the XA25 & XA20 and how they had listed the prices incorrectly during the annoucement of the camera.

The price drop of the XF100 is surprising, they must have a lot of stock to move.