Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

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

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

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

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

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.

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

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...

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

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

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

Thanks Ron.

I'll give it a go.

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

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

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

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

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

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?

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

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.

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

Maybe a XF101 with 3 position ND and 50 MBPS for 3,299?

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

That would work... but to offer a credible upgrade from the XA25, the XF101 you propose would have to have at least a 20x lens. A camera like that would pose a problem for sales of the XF300, which has an 18x lens.

That said, I can easily see the XF100 going the way of the dodo bird because of this dilemma, with the end result that no intermediate model will exist between the XA25 and the XF300.

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

" A camera like that would pose a problem for sales of the XF300, which has an 18x lens."
I believe it's more of an apples to oranges dilemma when you start comparing those 2 cameras because the 300 series utilizes 3 chips versus 1 in the 100 series. Also the price nearly doubles.

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

Two questions - I think I read that Canon was going to release a HD/SDI recorder for the XA-25 that plugs into and perhaps mounts to the camera. I don't see it at B & H - is there any info on this yet ? Secondly, I am unsure if there is likely to be any quality difference between the 35 Mbps MP4 and 28 Mbps AVC recording options for 1080 p60. AVC is more efficient, so perhaps they will be similar ?

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

I wouldn't think there would be a huge amount of difference between the two codecs where image quality is concerned, although the MP4 might be easier to edit. In any case, both are compressed formats.

Having once had an XA10 (and having sold it in error), I'm following the XA20/25 cameras with considerable interest. If I don't end up getting something like a Panasonic AC130, I might go with an XA20. One thing I want to know is whether the XA20/25 will offer advanced image adjustments like knee, pedestal, detail coring, etc., and custom picture profiles that can be stored on SD cards and loaded into the camera.

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

Guys... correct me if i'm off base here. But i think people have got a bit mixed up about the difference between 35 mbps MP4 and 28 mbps AVC. From my understanding the reason for the different container format is due to standards. The actual codec is the same (both h264). The AVC format is bound by the standard which maxes out at 28 mbps so to have a higher bitrate they have to chose a container that doesn't have that limitation... hence the shift to the open MP4 container. But again this is just my understanding and there could obviously be other technical reasons within Canon. But i'd guess this is not far from the truth and what gives me this clue is the fact that they are both h264 *container* formats i.e. both being encoded in h264 and just stored differently for the most part.

On another note... just wanted to chime in and mention that i seen a bit of a review on a Chines (or was it Korean? forgive my ignorance oriental earthlings!) web site and the quality really disappointed me. Even at 35mb/s! I was hoping it'd at least be on par with the samples i've seen from the old TM900 at the very least! :( Perhaps something wasn't right. Apologize as i cant remember where i got the damn link to the review... i'll have to try find it again.

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

I cannot attest to the validity of this video, just scouring the Internet for anything.

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

Ok i found the original link i was talking about that had some footage. Color me unimpressed. :( Perhaps he re compressed the videos as there are overlays. So i'll reserve full judgement. But i'm still not impressed at all IQ wise. :(

�y�¬Ž›�M—Ç‚Ì�TŠ§ Electric Zooma!�z‘æ611‰ñ:ŽŠ‚ê‚è�s‚*‚¹‚è‚̃nƒ“ƒhƒwƒ‹ƒh�AƒLƒ„ƒmƒ“�uXA25�v -AV Watch

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

I checked out that link, and saw some of the vids posted there. Can't say I was overly impressed either. Much of the footage does look overcompressed and also seems to have a strange, almost interlaced, 'live TV' kind of look to it even in 29p/24p modes. I also noticed that the camera didn't seem to fare well in the autofocus (AF) test.

I'm reserving judgment too - it's possible these samples have come from pre-production cameras, since the expected release date for the XA20/25 is still just a little over a month away. That's lots of time for Canon to work out any firmware bugs.

I'll wait until better quality samples surface on Youtube and Vimeo before I draw any conclusions.

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

Though the term Oriental is sometimes used in the UK, unless you're discussing objects people from Asian countries prefer to be known as Asians.
If you see jp in a link tagline it usually means Japan/Japanese.
I also have some interest in the XA25 and wondering when there will be more samples and pre-release reviews available

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

I have a XA25 on pre-order at UK-seller CVP and was informed today that Canon expects to start shipping these new camcorders in the week commencing 24h june.

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

Congrats, I am quite jealous! I believe this is an amazing camera for the money, I really don't think it can be beat at this time.

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

Here is an interesting link I came across that describes the HF G30
Denny
Click on the title of the clip and it will play

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

Not too long ago, I posted somewhere in here, probably in the Canon XF thread where Canon dropped the XF300 price by a few thousand dollars. It was like $6800 and dropped to something like $4800 at BandH.

I just looked on there and all the XF series are listed as "back-ordered".

That makes me think that maybe they're being discountinued and replaced. Kind of unique to have an entire series out of stock at the same time.

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

Thanks for that - I've got an XA20 on order and have no idea when it's coming so this is useful info!

Cheers
Dave

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

I found this on Youtube:

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

You guys ordering the XA-20 and XA-25 have finally worn me down. I placed my order also. This is to me, the most exciting camera purchase I've made in a few years. I love my XA10, but it has shortcomings, and the XA-20 rectifies these, I think. The 20X zoom in this small of a camera, with an improved sensor, and hopefully white balance whilst recording, it's great stuff.

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

I too have ordered an XA20 but seeing this video has me a little concerned about whether I have done the right thing. One thing that I dislike about my Canon HF G10 is the loss of detail in the highlights. This video shows exactly what I would expect to see from my HF G10 & hoped that it would be a little better on these new cameras. Oh well, hopefully all the other improvements will outweigh this issue.
Regards,
Bryce

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

Post removed duplicate!

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

Focus is very critical especially at full zoom and looking at the video I do not think it was always in focus and was overexposed too on some shots. My Sony NX5U needs to be in sharp focus and exposed for the highlights or looks about as good as my cell phone !!!! Having a long zoom lens is very different from a handycam with 10x zoom. I think some of the issues in the video are user error !! Was he trying to justify the XF305 as in some of the shots the X25 looked the better of the two ? Not everything on the internet is real. I can certainly make my NX5U look awful or great.

I think the StudioTech video is a better guide.

Ron Evans

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

The 305 definitely looked sharper, but it is a heck of a lot better camera to begin with - 3 sensors, 50mbps codec, etc. It's an odd comparison, as these two cameras are not in the same league.
I think for the money, the XA20 delivers a very good image, especially with that 20x zoom.
Have you checked out the Panny AC90? The images I've seen posted are very sharp, but you won't get that long zoom.

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

I saw this yesterday and thought there were some issues with the footage. (they both look pretty bad). I would wait to judge based upon better video to compare.

The XF300/XA-20 comparison is very important to me. I want to see if the XA-20 can act as a b-cam to the XF series and hold its weight. In my mind, all comparisons are valid because they are just image comparisons and we might be using or buying any range of cameras in this day and age.

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

I do not place much stock in the video above. For comparison videos exposure should be posted in the video, shutter speed should be listed, everything. Without knowing what the camera settings were, the video is somewhat useless.

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

Didn't this have a scheduled release date of June 15th? Still showing preorder options only on several sites...

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

They were saying originally that they would be in stock around the 14th where I have one ordered, but I received an email from them last week and they are saying around the end of the month. Bit of a bummer, as I had hoped to have it with me on a trip up to Jasper Nat. park next week(:
Regards,
Bryce

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

To me the comparison should have been between an Xf105 and the XA25. That was what I was looking for when I ran across the above video. If anybody has the above comparison, please post.

Andrew

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

Was wondering same thing, Byron. That's interesting Bryce. B&H showed that exepected arrival was 15th, but now they show nothing. I talked to Samy's, B&H, and Adorama before I ordered but no one could tell me anything.

Thanks for sharing that information, Bryce, I won't expect my camera this week.

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

Hi

Slashcam have tested the Canon G30 together with a review of the camera. Some things good, other not so good.

SlashCAM: Digital Video online

Regards,

/Bo

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

Amazon Japan's XA20 page are showing 2 as in stock. The handle is still being shown as unavailable yet though (until 21st).

It seems that in Japan the handle for the XA20 will indeed be sold separately in Japan, but included in the US. Price evens out though.

XA20: Amazon.co.jp� XA20 Page

Handle Page: Amazon.co.jp� HDU-1 Handle Page

Re: New Canon XA25, XA20 and HF G30 camcorders
 

I wonder if the XA20's 20x lens, or something similar, can be fitted to the XF100? If it can, and Canon add that nice zoom-speed thumb-wheel (as on the XH-A1 and XF300), then that's the cam for me. If not, well I'll just have to make my XH-A1s last a little longer...