These new Canon 4K camcorders are perfect for ENG, documentaries and more. Do you really think the camera is dead?
If you don’t feel nostalgic when you see some of the new camcorders on the market, you’ve probably just graduated from college. Some of the people on the NFS team have already cut their losses on older Canon camcorders, such as the Canon GL-2 and Canon XL-2.
Now, Canon has announced five new 4K camcorders — the XA65, XA60, XA75, XA70, and the Canon VIXIA HF G70 camcorder — to prove that if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. All of these new cams are compact and lightweight, making them ideal for documentaries, weddings, corporate and even content creators.
Before diving into the features of all five 4K cameras, let’s talk about how to use them.
With their versatility, they can be used in controlled situations, like corporate videos, interviews and even weddings. But they also shine in run-and-gun and ENG-type situations thanks to their size and all-in-one camera package. All you need is the vehicle!
For filmmakers and content creators, these Canon cameras can act as a great B-camera option for guerrilla filmmaking. They’re also great for quick setups in bad outdoor conditions or when you don’t want to risk a more expensive camera.
Camera lineup
The new Canon XA75 and XA70 both have 1-inch type CMOS sensors, while the Canon XA65 and XA60 camcorders have 1/2.3-inch type CMOS sensors. All cameras are powered by the DIGIC DV 6 image processor ensuring clear 4K video wrapped in a sleek MP4 container. These cameras will also keep your footage steady when in handheld mode, thanks to 5-axis image stabilization.
While they don’t have the great depth of field that larger sensors offer, smaller sensors can still deliver great footage. Just look at Danny Boyle’s 28 days later, shot on DV tape using a Canon XL-2. Yes, they have the benefit of the DOF Adapter.
Some of the key features found in the Canon XA75 and XA70 include:
- 15x zoom lens with 40x digital zoom
- DUAL pixel CMOS AF and face tracking
- Dual XLR audio inputs with 4-channel recording
- OSD recording (On-screen display; time, date, timecode, etc., embedded in camera files)
- Infrared support
- USB video layer (UVC) support
- Output 3G-SDI (XA75 only) and HDMI
The prices of the XA75 and XA70 are $2,999 and $2,499 respectively and will be available in the market in November 2022.
Canon XA65 and XA60 features are very similar with:
- 20x zoom lens and 40x digital zoom
- Dual XLR audio inputs with 4-channel recording
- Record OSD
- Infrared support
- USB video layer (UVC) support
- Output 3G-SDI (XA65 only) and HDMI
Neither camera features DUAL pixel CMOS AF and face tracking, but does have hybrid AF technology. The XA65 costs $2,299, while the XA60 will set you back $1,799, both with October 2022 shipping.
All four XA cameras can connect via USB-C to a compatible computer to play video in UVC (USB video class), perfect for live events and houses of worship. You can match the camera’s picture settings for a multi-camera setup.
The features of the Canon VIXIA HF G70 are very similar to those of the XA65 and XA60, including:
- 1/2.3-inch type CMOS sensor
- Zoom 20x
- Record OSD
- USB-C output for streaming (and can be turned into a webcam)
- Combined AF
- Excessive HD recording
- UVC . support
The VIXIA HF G70 is priced at $1,249 and is available October 2022. That price makes it very attractive for those looking for a very compact 4K camera or a B-camera for simulations. interviewing and filming in general.
The new Canon cameras have fixed zoom lenses and harken back to the “early days” of content creation, even harking back to the analog era of Hi-8 to DV and affordable HD cameras. maybe initially. You won’t easily get bokeh (if any) with these cameras, but they’re still an important tool for content creators who need to move quickly and can’t really stop or reset. and do it another time. What they sacrifice in bokeh, they make up for in speed and reliability.
Our thoughts
Compact, fixed-lens cameras like the new Canon XA75, XA70, XA65, XA60 and VIXIA HF G70 still play an important role in the world of production, including video in general, events, documentaries, films. photos, etc. They do not need to be crafted and can be shot out of the box. We’re talking full audio and video ready to edit as soon as you download your media. But this time, you won’t have to log in and record your footage!
Often, a camcorder is just the right tool for the job. Sometimes a cinema camera with a prime lens won’t be able to cut it during a wedding or a documentary about the scene. If the majority of your business consists of corporate and event production, these new Canon cameras are well worth considering.
Learn more at Canon’s website and let us know in the comments if you’re planning on buying any of these cameras for your kit! If you think this is old technology that needs to go down in history, we’d love to debate it!
