Canon XF100 series - Key features at a glance
- Records MPEG-2 MXF files to CF cards at up to 50Mbps (4:2:2 colour sampling)
Comprehensive non-linear editing software support; Canon file management utility supplied
10x wideangle Canon HD Video Lens, with wide angle (30.4mm) and wide aperture (f/1.8 max.)
1/3 type Full HD (1920x1080) Canon CMOS sensor with 2.07Mpixels (effective)
8.8cm LCD (920K dots) with focus assist and waveform monitor; 0.61cm (260K dots) EVF
3D shooting assist functions
Infrared recording mode
Independent audio control with XLR outputs
Variable frame rate recording (12-50fps/
DiGiC DV III image processor
Extensive customisation: 34 functions assignable to 10 buttons
HD-SDI, SDI and Timecode output, Genlock input (XF105 only)
Canon Professional Services (CPS)
Despite weighing in at not much more than 1kg, around half the weight of an XF300-series camcorder, the XF105 and XF100 boast the same high-quality recording format as the XF300-series, and continue Canon’s move to solid-state recording. The MPEG-2 compression offers data rates of up to 50Mbps, which is twice that of HDV, and the 4:2:2 colour sampling provides twice the vertical colour resolution as well.
Before Canon released the XF300-series of camcorders, an MPEG-2 codec with 4:2:2 colour sampling was only available in video cameras costing in excess of €10,000. Now, the XF100-series brings this broadcast-standard format to an even greater level of affordability.
The primary benefits of 4:2:2 colour sampling are found during post-production. In particular, grading and chroma keying can be performed more accurately, providing an improved end product. The XF100 and XF105 can output outstanding footage usable in all kinds of production environments – a commendable feat for such compact camcorders.
More details here