Canon XA10 and HFG10 pics and impressions

Michael Galvan · January 8th, 2011, 09:22 PM

So I was able to go to the Canon booth today and take some pics. Here they are... my impressions to follow.

Here

Michael Galvan · January 8th, 2011, 09:28 PM

Here are pics of the menu system, showing what kind of options you have with this camera.

Michael Galvan · January 8th, 2011, 09:42 PM

Here are the rest.

These cameras are very nice... they are quite small, and seem to offer quite a lot for their size. Hopefully the pics give you a better idea of what they offer.

The focus ring on these cams make them feel much much better operationally. Really a nice step up compared to previous Vixias. And the handle on the XA10 is great... very small, but very functional.

But of note... for those thinking about this camera as a replacement for the XHA1, I would note that operationally, they are very different. The XHA1 is much much better with all its physical control rings and buttons. Moving to the XA10 may feel like quite a step back... it really is just the top of the line VIXIA consumer model with a handle attached to it. Its touch screen interface won't lend itself well to a lot of types of shooting that would be much easier for something like an XHA1 (imagine trying to change lens parameters manually on the fly for an event shoot for example). And the level of control you have over image parameters on the XL/XH/XF cameras are not found on the XA10/HFG10... not anywhere nearly as close. No control over gammas, knee, RGB matrix, etc.

This is REALLY something to consider if contemplating moving to these cams...

Michael Galvan · January 8th, 2011, 09:51 PM

But something cool that wasn't in previous VIXIA's before is the Cinema mode is now part of its on mode on the menu switch. And not only is there 9 different cinema filter modes, but for the first time, you have full control of aperture, shutter speed, and gain in all the cinema modes!

Chris Hurd · January 8th, 2011, 10:06 PM

Many thanks, Michael -- sure appreciate all the photos! Well done,

Floris van Eck · January 9th, 2011, 03:16 AM

Can you tell of the Touch Focus/AE work in the manual modes? On my Panasonic TM-700, those features only work in the iAuto mode and not in the manual mode. I hope Canon doesn't limit their use.

Michael Galvan · January 9th, 2011, 10:24 AM

I haven't tried it, but it should work just fine.

The camera has a full manual mode... a first for any VIXIA!

Other things I noticed: ND filter can be turned on/off. There is an image orientation option where you can flip it for 35mm adapters. White balance Kelvin adjustment the same as XL/XH/XF cams (just done in touch screen menu though). You can change the direction of the control ring. And there are 2 assignable buttons.

I gotta go into the show now... last day! Need to shoot this NBC video now so dunno if I can go back and look at the camera further, but I'll try.

Rick Presas · January 10th, 2011, 12:09 PM

This camera will be big. I actually REALLY want one to replace my HF S200. Its like they read my mind and fixed EVERYTHING that was wrong with it.

I can see this being a Go-To camera for "Run and Gun" or extremely remote location Documentary filmmaking. Its as small as a handicam, but has all the crucial pro features (XLR's, Full Manual Control etc.)

That it has an Imageflip for 35mm adapters just makes it even more enticing. This camera REALLY bridges the gap between consumer and pro/prosumer cameras.

Buba Kastorski · January 10th, 2011, 07:23 PM

Thanks Michael!
I'm getting this one no matter what :)

Steve Struthers · January 16th, 2011, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Galvan

I haven't tried it, but it should work just fine.

The camera has a full manual mode... a first for any VIXIA!

Other things I noticed: ND filter can be turned on/off. There is an image orientation option where you can flip it for 35mm adapters. White balance Kelvin adjustment the same as XL/XH/XF cams (just done in touch screen menu though). You can change the direction of the control ring. And there are 2 assignable buttons.

I gotta go into the show now... last day! Need to shoot this NBC video now so dunno if I can go back and look at the camera further, but I'll try.

I sold my HF-S200 mostly for the same reasons you outline above. And I'm not a fan of the touch-sensitive menu found on the Vixia line of cameras. It's hard to work with on the fly, and seems best suited to situations where you select a given setting, and then forget about it. The XA-10 seems to rely fairly heavily on that same menu system, so I don't know if I would spring for an XA-10 right away.

I now have a Canon T2i DSLR, but I didn't buy it for its video capabilities. It might be interesting to run a comparison to see how the XA-10 stacks up against the T2i, which has a substantially larger image sensor.

The XA-10 strikes me as fairly intriguing though, and appears to be directly aimed at Panasonic's AG-HMC40, albeit almost two years late.

Michael Wisniewski · January 16th, 2011, 08:23 PM

For me the XA10 is the replacement for the good old GL2. But I'm still wondering when Canon will retire that camera.

Michael Galvan · January 17th, 2011, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Struthers

I sold my HF-S200 mostly for the same reasons you outline above. And I'm not a fan of the touch-sensitive menu found on the Vixia line of cameras. It's hard to work with on the fly, and seems best suited to situations where you select a given setting, and then forget about it. The XA-10 seems to rely fairly heavily on that same menu system, so I don't know if I would spring for an XA-10 right away.

I now have a Canon T2i DSLR, but I didn't buy it for its video capabilities. It might be interesting to run a comparison to see how the XA-10 stacks up against the T2i, which has a substantially larger image sensor.

The XA-10 strikes me as fairly intriguing though, and appears to be directly aimed at Panasonic's AG-HMC40, albeit almost two years late.

If you are not a fan of touch screen cameras, this is not the camera to get. Most of the functions are in the touch screen menu.

It'll provide a very different shooting experience from something like an XL/XH/XF cam.

Steve Wolla · January 24th, 2011, 12:31 AM

But in terms of picture quality, is the new sensor a major improvement over say, my HFS-10? I am looking for a more pro-featured small cam that has the ability to use a LANC-type control, for use on a small crane at concerts, events, etc. Would you expect the XA10 to have better low light performance than the HFS-10?

Daymon Hoffman · January 24th, 2011, 02:28 AM

Damn. i really wish Canon had a 1080p50/60 in these models. I was really hanging out for it to upgrade my HV20. Looks like my only options are P or S! I really liked the more pro look of these two canon's. *sigh* Always something stopping me from having the (my) perfect camera! ggrrr

Michael Galvan · January 24th, 2011, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Wolla

But in terms of picture quality, is the new sensor a major improvement over say, my HFS-10? I am looking for a more pro-featured small cam that has the ability to use a LANC-type control, for use on a small crane at concerts, events, etc. Would you expect the XA10 to have better low light performance than the HFS-10?

I expect this new sensor should have a noticeable improvement in low-light conditions.

January 8th, 2011, 09:22 PM	#1
Michael Galvan Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 775	Canon XA10 and HFG10 pics and impressions - CES 2011 So I was able to go to the Canon booth today and take some pics. Here they are... my impressions to follow. Here Attached Thumbnails __________________ www.michaelgalvan.com www.screenanthology.com

January 8th, 2011, 09:28 PM	#2
Michael Galvan Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 775	Menu System Here are pics of the menu system, showing what kind of options you have with this camera. Attached Thumbnails __________________ www.michaelgalvan.com www.screenanthology.com

January 8th, 2011, 09:42 PM	#3
Michael Galvan Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 775	And final menu pics Here are the rest. These cameras are very nice... they are quite small, and seem to offer quite a lot for their size. Hopefully the pics give you a better idea of what they offer. The focus ring on these cams make them feel much much better operationally. Really a nice step up compared to previous Vixias. And the handle on the XA10 is great... very small, but very functional. But of note... for those thinking about this camera as a replacement for the XHA1, I would note that operationally, they are very different. The XHA1 is much much better with all its physical control rings and buttons. Moving to the XA10 may feel like quite a step back... it really is just the top of the line VIXIA consumer model with a handle attached to it. Its touch screen interface won't lend itself well to a lot of types of shooting that would be much easier for something like an XHA1 (imagine trying to change lens parameters manually on the fly for an event shoot for example). And the level of control you have over image parameters on the XL/XH/XF cameras are not found on the XA10/HFG10... not anywhere nearly as close. No control over gammas, knee, RGB matrix, etc. This is REALLY something to consider if contemplating moving to these cams... Attached Thumbnails __________________ www.michaelgalvan.com www.screenanthology.com

January 8th, 2011, 09:51 PM	#4
Michael Galvan Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 775	But something cool that wasn't in previous VIXIA's before is the Cinema mode is now part of its on mode on the menu switch. And not only is there 9 different cinema filter modes, but for the first time, you have full control of aperture, shutter speed, and gain in all the cinema modes! __________________ www.michaelgalvan.com www.screenanthology.com

January 8th, 2011, 10:06 PM	#5
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Many thanks, Michael -- sure appreciate all the photos! Well done, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

January 9th, 2011, 03:16 AM	#6
Floris van Eck Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 993	Can you tell of the Touch Focus/AE work in the manual modes? On my Panasonic TM-700, those features only work in the iAuto mode and not in the manual mode. I hope Canon doesn't limit their use.

January 9th, 2011, 10:24 AM	#7
Michael Galvan Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 775	I haven't tried it, but it should work just fine. The camera has a full manual mode... a first for any VIXIA! Other things I noticed: ND filter can be turned on/off. There is an image orientation option where you can flip it for 35mm adapters. White balance Kelvin adjustment the same as XL/XH/XF cams (just done in touch screen menu though). You can change the direction of the control ring. And there are 2 assignable buttons. I gotta go into the show now... last day! Need to shoot this NBC video now so dunno if I can go back and look at the camera further, but I'll try. __________________ www.michaelgalvan.com www.screenanthology.com

January 10th, 2011, 12:09 PM	#8
Rick Presas Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Brownsville Texas Posts: 74	This camera will be big. I actually REALLY want one to replace my HF S200. Its like they read my mind and fixed EVERYTHING that was wrong with it. I can see this being a Go-To camera for "Run and Gun" or extremely remote location Documentary filmmaking. Its as small as a handicam, but has all the crucial pro features (XLR's, Full Manual Control etc.) That it has an Imageflip for 35mm adapters just makes it even more enticing. This camera REALLY bridges the gap between consumer and pro/prosumer cameras.

January 10th, 2011, 07:23 PM	#9
Buba Kastorski Trustee Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,414	Thanks Michael! I'm getting this one no matter what :) __________________ I love this place!

January 16th, 2011, 08:23 PM	#11
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	For me the XA10 is the replacement for the good old GL2. But I'm still wondering when Canon will retire that camera. __________________ "Ultimately, the most extraordinary thing, in a frame, is a human being." - Martin Scorsese

January 24th, 2011, 12:31 AM	#13
Steve Wolla Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 477	But in terms of picture quality, is the new sensor a major improvement over say, my HFS-10? I am looking for a more pro-featured small cam that has the ability to use a LANC-type control, for use on a small crane at concerts, events, etc. Would you expect the XA10 to have better low light performance than the HFS-10?

January 24th, 2011, 02:28 AM	#14
Daymon Hoffman Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 267	Damn. i really wish Canon had a 1080p50/60 in these models. I was really hanging out for it to upgrade my HV20. Looks like my only options are P or S! I really liked the more pro look of these two canon's. sigh Always something stopping me from having the (my) perfect camera! ggrrr __________________ Welcome... to the real world!