Read the press release here: http://www.dvinfo.net/news/canons-new-xf305-and-xf300-professional-camcorders.html


CANON'S NEW XF305 AND XF300 PROFESSIONAL CAMCORDERS RECORD
NATIVE 1920 x 1080 4:2:2 VIDEO DIRECTLY TO COMPACT FLASH CARDS

Both Models Utilize an MPEG-2 4:2:2 50Mbps Codec for Exceptional HD
Image Quality, Full NLE Compatibility and an Efficient, Robust Workflow

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., April 7, 2010 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announces the Canon XF305 and XF300 Professional Camcorders. Both new models employ an MPEG-2 4:2:2 50Mbps codec – Canon XF Codec – for capturing and recording native 1920 x 1080 video onto affordable, universally available Compact Flash (CF) cards. Uniting video, audio and metadata into a single file, the Canon XF305 and XF300 use an MXF (Material eXchange Format) File Wrapper, a widely supported open source format, to maximize compatibility with existing industry infrastructure and non-linear editing (NLE)systems. Priced under $8,000 per model, the Canon XF305 and XF300 are engineered for multiple production applications including broadcast news, documentary and independent filmmaking and event videography. Canon will be demonstrating a variety of professional applications for the Canon XF305 and XF300 at the Company's booth# C4325 at the 2010 National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show in the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The Canon XF305 and XF300 Professional Camcorders include a Genuine Canon 18x HD L-series lens providing documentary filmmakers and news camera operators with the focal-range versatility required in the field. Designed with input from professional users, each model includes three Canon developed and designed native 1920 x 1080 CMOS image sensors, and the new Canon XF Codec for extreme color detail required for accurate chroma-keying, color-grading and compositing for digital filmmaking. For finer transitions in tone and color, 4:2:2 color sampling offers twice the color resolution of HDV and other 4:2:0 formats. In addition, Canon's XF305 model features industry- standard HD-SDI output, genlock, and SMPTE time code (in/out) terminals for multi-camera or 3-D productions.

"The creation of HD video content continues to grow across every market category," stated Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. "We are proud to introduce the new Canon XF305 and XF300 Professional Camcorders, which provide extraordinary image quality, a generous array of features and seamless integration with file-based workflows, all at an attractive price. These camcorders provide the convenience, production cost and quality that the HD video market has been asking for."

Further adding to the low total-cost-of-ownership of the Canon XF305 and XF300 Professional Camcorders is their use of CF cards. In addition to rugged, solid-state construction and the speed and ease of file transfer to computers, CF cards are cost effective and widely available, unlike proprietary memory systems. The new Canon XF305 and XF300 Professional Camcorders feature hot-swappable dual card slots and support UDMA CF cards for maximum performance.

To support the swift adoption of the Canon XF Codec, Canon has worked in cooperation with major editing and post-production software developers, including Adobe, Apple, Avid, and Grass Valley, to ensure compatibility with leading software programs widely used within the video production and broadcast industries.

Genuine Canon Optics with Image Stabilization
Leveraging the Company's expertise as a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance optics, the Canon XF305 and XF300 Professional Camcorders feature a Genuine Canon 18x HD L-series lens with a 35mm equivalent zoom range of 29.3 – 527.4mm and a Full Manual Focus mode with mechanical "hard" end stops and distance markers for professional operability and repeatable manual focus. Canon utilized HI-UD (high-index, ultra low dispersion), UD and aspherical lens elements to minimize chromatic aberrations and provide a compact size and weight to the lens – while also delivering a resolution of approximately 1,000 TV lines. The lens also features a new SuperRange Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS) system featuring Dynamic and Powered modes for optimal performance in the greatest variety of situations.

DIGIC DV III Image Processor
At the heart of Canon's XF305 and XF300 Professional Camcorder models is Canon's proprietary DIGIC DV III Image Processor, which ensures natural, lifelike colors and captures tonal gradations and shadow detail with remarkable accuracy. The DIGIC DV III Image Processor also powers Canon's innovative Face Detection Technology, an autofocus option that can significantly reduce the effort required when camera operators work alone, such as in news applications.

To maximize the camcorders' adaptability across various production environments, Canon equipped each model with the ability to record at multiple bit rates, resolutions and variable frame rates for slow and fast motion.


Mode Resolution Frame Rate
50Mbps (CBR) 4:2:2 1920 x1080 60i/30p/24p
50Mbps (CBR) 4:2:2 1280 x 720 60p/30p/24p
35Mbps (VBR) 4:2:0 1920 x1080 60i/30p/24p
35Mbps (VBR) 4:2:0 1280 x 720 60p/30p/24p
25Mbps (CBR) 4:2:0 1440 x1080 60i/30p/24p

CBR = Continuous Bit Rate VBR = Variable Bit Rate

Additional professional features include variable-interval (for time-lapse) and frame-record for stop-motion animation, and a photo feature for frame-grabs.

Refined Ergonomics and Operation
The Canon XF305 and XF300 are designed to maximize shooting comfort and usability. The well-balanced design allows the operator to comfortably control the camcorder and easily maintain a steady shot while minimizing arm fatigue. Each camcorder also features a convenient, freely rotating 4.0-inch, 1.23-megapixel LCD monitor that can be positioned at either the right or left side of the camcorder body, allowing for easy viewing even in the most difficult shooting positions.

The LCD monitor also provides a display of the camcorders' built-in waveform monitor and vectorscope to aid in achieving accurate exposure and color levels while shooting. Additionally, the LCD can show peaking, edge-monitor-focus and magnify the image, enabling users to confirm critical focus, an essential objective in all HD production.

The Canon XF305 and XF300 models also come equipped with a 0.52-inch, 1.55-megapixel color electronic viewfinder, providing ample resolution for critical focus and approximately 100 percent field-of-view coverage for accurate judgment of composition.

Audio Flexibility
The Canon XF305 and XF300 Professional Camcorders feature a built-in stereo microphone as well as dual XLR inputs for external audio sources. The new camcorders support 16-bit PCM audio at 48 kHz with automatic and manual audio level adjustment

Pricing and Availability
Canon's XF305 Professional Camcorder is scheduled to be available in late June for an estimated retail price of $7,999. Canon's XF300 Professional Camcorder is scheduled to be available in late June for an estimated retail price of $6,799.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), a top patent holder of technology, ranked fourth overall in the U.S. in 2009†, with global revenues of US $35 billion, is listed as number four in the computer industry on Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies 2009 list, and is on the 2009 BusinessWeek list of "100 Best Global Brands." Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. At Canon, we care because caring is essential to living together in harmony. Founded upon a corporate philosophy of Kyosei – "all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future" – Canon U.S.A. supports a number of social, youth, educational and other programs, including environmental and recycling initiatives. Additional information about these programs can be found at About Canon: Corporate Philosophy (http://www.usa.canon.com/kyosei).

High-res pics... click to embiggen.

And more pics.... click to see 'em big.

I have to say, though -- these came in at higher prices than I expected ($8000 with SDI and $6800 without SDI). Honestly I had figured they would be much closer in price to the XH series.

This is a very exciting camcorder and a great improvment of the XHA1. But I'm worried that it seems there is no annoucement for an interchangeable lens version…

I was so excited... right up to the CMOS bit.

Just because they didn't say anything about an XL version doesn't mean it ain't going to happen. It would be too much too soon for them to announce an XL version today. They tend to spread out their major product announcements, just like all the big manufacturers do. I think they took a look at how the XH series had so much greater market penetration than the XL H series did, and decided therefore to push the XF ahead of the XL F (if that's what it's actually going to be called; just a guess on my part).

Just because they didn't say anything about an XL version doesn't mean it ain't going to happen. It would be too much too soon for them to announce an XL version today. They tend to spread out their major product announcements, just like all the big manufacturers do. I think they took a look at how the XH series had so much greater market penetration than the XL H series did, and decided therefore to push the XF ahead of the XL F (if that's what it's actually going to be called; just a guess on my part).

I hope as I really would like the XL version to come out soon as that's what I'm really interested in.

But wow, these prices are a little surprise for me as well!

I was so excited... right up to the CMOS bit.

1/3 CMOS at that, thought Canon would do 1/2 CMOS TO MATCH SONY XDCAM EX

1/3rd-inch was reported here as officially confirmed by Canon USA way back in February.

WOW!! Wayyyyy over priced for what it is. IMHO.

Ben

And pal frame rates require additional upgrade.

"Optional 50i/25p Frame Rate Upgrade
For added versatility, XF305 can be customized to record in both 60i/50i and 24p/25p (this optional upgrade must be performed by a Canon Factory Service Center)."

Nothing about 50p?

We're saving up for an HD cam (upgrading from an XL2) and like everybody else, was eagerly awaiting for Canon's new cam announcement. Before, I was set up to save for an EX1R, but thought, wait...Canon's got some new stuff coming out! Then, I read the specs...and the prices...

Might have to go back saving pennies for the EX1R...

I would hold off on over-priced comments considering the technology required to record 4:2:2 50Mbps video. I am presuming that, like Sony and the NanoFlash, Canon's implementation of 4:2:2 requires a second processor. This adds significantly to the cost. I in fact am amazed that Canon is able to bring 4:2:2 50Mbps at this price point.

The only weak link here is the SDHC card. I can easily see too many users trying to use the cheapest card they can find, disregarding specs, and then filling the boards with complaints of media errors and dropped frames.

I'm looking forward to a good look at NAB and am I already predisposed to writing positively about it and its pricing.

I noticed both cameras have HDMI output which makes the HD-SDI not as important as it once was. Unless of course you work with other broadcast equipment that uses HD-SDI.

I do have to agree about the price. Considering the SONY EX1 is cheaper and uses 1/2" CMOS with full HD-SDI this price seems a bit extreme. The only advantage is the 4:2:2 and higher bitrate recording which in the progressive world isn't as important as many once thought it was. Of course for interlaced shooters 4:2:2 and 50 mbits is a pretty big deal but is that really worth $3,000.00? Although CF cards are much cheaper then SxS cards.

The fact that the camera does have HDMI does make the whole 4:2:2 for keying issue kind of interesting. As a visual effects artist I would still prefer to capture HDMI directly into Prores.

For the event videographer I could still see them preferring the EX1 since it sounds like it may be better in low light situations. We won't really know if that will be true until we actually see the performance of the camera but the physics of chip design usually means a full raster 1/2" chip will be more sensitive then a full raster 1/3" chip.

Cmos I really don't see as an issue. I think very soon we will see everything switch to Cmos. There are very few CCD based cameras left and other then rolling shutter they are a huge advantage to not only image quality but how far companies can push these cameras. It is so much easier to deliver the quality we want with Cmos then it is to deal with the issues of CCD design. CCD is just a pain to deal with for HD cameras. Too many trade offs and/or workarounds.

Where are you getting 1/3" CMOS from? I assumed in my blog post this morning that it would be 1/2" but only because the full raster 1920x1080 resolution - guess I might need to make an adjustment.

Here is my brief post, with photos!

Canon XF300 and XF300 - Pre NAB 2010 announcement ? Shawn Lam Video (http://www.shawnlam.ca/2010/nab-2010-preview-canon-xf300-xf305/)

The only weak link here is the SDHC card.
The SDHC card is there only for sharing custom preset files between multiple cameras, so
considering that it's used only for logistics and not for recording HD video, I wouldn't
exactly call it a weak link. HD video is recorded to one of two Compact Flash card slots.

Where are you getting 1/3" CMOS from?
Like I said, we reported way back in February that Canon USA had
confirmed the sensor size as 1/3rd-inch. This happened during the
Canon USA presentation at the San Francisco FCP SuperMeet and
has already been discussed here in a couple of earlier threads. I
don't understand the confusion, sorry.

Some of the positives for buying the XF300/305 for me:

1) 18x zoom lens (built in. Will have to wait for an interchangeable XL series)
2) universal Compact Flash cards (but like Ned said, will need to buy more durable, faster CF cards)
3) and I can use my old BP batteries from the XL2

Way over price, they are crazy charging that much for 1/3 chips, not gonna happen with me.

I am intrigued by the markings on the lens barrel - did they finally ditch the servo setup from the XH A1?

I agree Khoi. I've been saving for a new camera and am saddened by the price point. But maybe canon will work some magic with the 1/3 chips.

Well, as Ned Soltz points out (http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-xf-series-hd-camcorders/476380-press-release-canons-new-xf305-xf300-professional-hd-camcorder.html#post1511055), they are charging for the 4:2:2 codec, not the chip size.

Way over price, they are crazy charging that much for 1/3 chips, not gonna happen with me.I agree Khoi. I've been saving for a new camera and am saddened by the price point. But maybe canon will work some magic with the 1/3 chips.Considering the improved low light performance of the crop sensor 1D Mark IV compared to the full frame 5D Mark II, I suspect these sensors will be pretty good compared to the EX1/3 despite the smaller size.

Hopefully they have worked some other magic to help with skew which is my main concern with choosing a new camera to replace my DSR-PD170P

maybe we have a few dslr surprises coming? This fills one gap...

did they finally ditch the servo setup from the XH A1?They appear to have adopted the Sony PMW-EX1 lens design. There's a release button on top of the lens. You press it and slightly twist the lens barrel to lock it in place to enable full mechanical stops at each end of the focus range for manual focusing. Then you can press the release button again, twist the barrel back the other way and have the servo-style controls which spin without stops just like the old XF / XL series auto lenses did -- the advantage here is you can switch between manual focus and AF while in servo mode, or just go "mechanical" manual focus with physical stops, your choice.

Just added about 16 images to the second and third posts
of this thread -- so if you haven't seen the photos yet, be
sure to go back and check out page one again.

They produce mxf straight out of camera... no more mov wrapper and it works directly on the timeline of Vegas 8 =) Low light is to be very comparable to EX1r.. we shall see very soon if that is true. Features wise like overcranking and undercranking are all available.

I agree that the price point should be slightly lower than EX1r.

A bit too expensive for my liking. Let's hope they did some magic with the sensors to produce awesome low-light images to compensate for the 1/3" chips. I like the 4:2:2 codec though. Basically, they crammed a Nanoflash in there. Pretty impressive! But I am not buying for these prices. I hope the street prices will be much lower.

Also... how do you explain to your customers that they go from $3,999 for the XH-A1 to $6,899 for the XF-300. A bit to steep if you ask me. Most likely, they will keep the HDV models in production for a little longer. I hope they hit with a street price under $6,000.

I am looking at the specifications now:

- 3 ND filters
- LCD: Waveform monitor and Vectorscope
- More gain settings: Assignable L, M, H switch positions (-6dB / -3dB / 0dB/ 3dB / 6dB/ 12dB / 18dB / 21dB / 33dB / TUNE (0.5 dB increments from 0 to 21 dB))
- Audio: 16-bit 2ch (48 kHz) linear PCM

Over/under cranking:

YES. 720p: 12, 15, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 32, 34, 37, 42, 45, 48, 50fps 1080p: 12, 15, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25fps

Focus control: Manual ring or automatic (Instant AF, TV AF or Face Detection AF)

Optical lens shift system (angle & vector movement detection); 3 modes: Dynamic, Standard, Powered

Not too bad.

Any news on UK/EURO MSRP pricing?

Where are you getting 1/3" CMOS from? I assumed in my blog post this morning that it would be 1/2" but only because the full raster 1920x1080 resolution - guess I might need to make an adjustment.

Here is my brief post, with photos!

Canon XF300 and XF300 - Pre NAB 2010 announcement ? Shawn Lam Video (http://www.shawnlam.ca/2010/nab-2010-preview-canon-xf300-xf305/)

If you look at the specs page for both of these new cameras on the Canon website they list 1/3" CMOS at full 1920x1080 effective pixels.

this is amazing news! thanks for the detailed write up chris, i am eagerly waiting for NAB, hopefully there may be some canon XF coverage somewhere on the net.

i have always liked what canon has made and this is no exception. i have hated my hdv 4:2:0 sample and this is great. when considering to the ex1r, despite the sensor size, when you add the cards on top of the sony price, these could be comparable. obviously cant tell until some footage is shown. i just hate how canon used two models still and a huge price difference in the two. even the nx5 has an hd-sdi out for 5000 camera. buying this camera for the long term i would want the most flexibility in my purchase, but the difference is hard to choose. can someone explain the sensor technology a little more(if we know more).

i also love the look and usability of the body design. seems slightly bigger than the a1, which i like a bigger camera, and the buttons seem roughly the same spot or added new ones. looks like a much better body design than the ex1r.

overall i am so excited for this product to come out and see some sample footage soon. very exciting news for my video world.

Any news on UK/EURO MSRP pricing?

If its par for the course $7999 = £7999 or something very close. The exchange rate is never taken into account, I guess its what the market will stand. Its why here in the UK we are paying £5.40 for a gallon of petrol

Again with HDMI is HD-SDI output really that important to most of us? I totally agree that it is silly to charge that much just for HD-SDI but with HDMI output I just don't really need it. Only people who work with other broadcast gear is going to need HD-SDI. If you want a high quality capture method for uncompressed 4:2:2 then HDMI is more then enough unless of course you need 10bit video.

Everybody should also keep in mind that the new codec isn't just 4:2:2 but 50 mbits as well. Take a look at how much better 35 mbits was compared to 25 mbits. 50 mbits compared to 35 mbits is even better yet and is usually extremely clean and artifact free. To some people the 50 mbits recording alone will be well worth the price because it gives them piece of mind that even in the most complex situations their footage should be rock solid. This is the same super high quality form of Mpeg2 SONY uses for their higher end broadcast products.

The camera itself seems to also be built very well. I like very much what I see although I would have loved 4 channel audio.

But it looks like it has a GREAT lcd and viewfinder. Also covers the bases with 35mbps 4:2:0 takes the output straight to Blu-ray without re-encoding, in addition to the keyable 50mbps 4:2:2. Did they really solve the CA problem of the XH-A1 with the new lens? If so, that's preferable to electronic reprocessing. And if the new optical image stabilization works well at 18x, then what they've managed to combine could be great for eng work.

Canon is late to the game for me, but what they usually manage to deliver is a thoroughly debugged, field ready camera with quality control, unlike the pun intended, betacams.

I'm not so sure this is overpriced, but the one reason that it could be will depend on how well it handles low light. Love the manageable size and weight, ergonomics look good. Also has that quick-focus thingy, the little lens to the side of the main one, that worked well for me on the XH-A1.

Put a fork in CCD, it's done.

I give this a thumbs up.

Again with HDMI is HD-SDI output really that important to most of us?Maybe not, but it is important to broadcasters who will want to integrate
this camcorder into their existing SDI infrastructure -- so it's there if you
need it. If you don't need SDI, then you should be looking at the XF300
model, which doesn't include it (but still has HDMI, of course).

I totally agree that it is silly to charge that much just for HD-SDI...Actually the premium for SDI has just now come way down in price. Previously
with the XH and XL H models, the pro connectivity jacks (SDI, GenLock and
TimeCode) involved a $3,000 price differential. Now it's just $1,000 which
means it's never been more affordable until now.

Only people who work with other broadcast gear is going to need HD-SDI. Correct, and that's exactly why they're offering two versions of this camcorder,
one with SDI (the XF305) and one without SDI (the XF300). They are probably
expecting to sell one XF305 for every nine or ten XF300's, just like the ratio
between the earlier XH A1 / A1S vs. the SDI-equipped XH G1 / G1S.

Most people who are in broadcast do not care about the cost as much which is why the 305 works well for them. My whole point is the indy market or smaller production house. With HDMI they don't really need HD-SDI so it isn't really a big deal now like it was for us Canon users before. With the other Canon models you either had component or HD-SDI. If you could not pay the premium for the HD-SDI version we were kind of SOL unless we wanted to use component. Now the HDMI is more then enough to fill the needs of most of the people here.

For me the HDMI, what looks to be a very sophisticated lens and the big LCD screen are pretty much worth the price. The 50 mbits mpeg2 should be a bit better then 21 mbit AVCHD as well. 21 mbit AVCHD is better then 35 mbit mpeg2 but 50 mbit mpeg2 should be equal to or better not to mention much easier to edit with. Although archiving footage is going to take twice as much space.

I should also note that I like the fact that you can record 50 mbit, 35 mbit and 25 mbit. This makes this camera pretty darn versatile and able to match with pretty much any other pro mpeg2 based HD camera out there.



Put a fork in CCD, it's done.



I agree. CCD is quickly being phased out. It just never really had it for HD cameras without a boat load of compromises. CCD in HD cameras only really works well for 1/2" or 2/3" cameras but the cost of those chips is way too high and usually only works for large shoulder mounted form factor cameras. Unless people want to continue to deal with split screen CCD's (JVC) pixel shifted soft image CCD's (Panasonic) or interlaced only CCD's (Canon) the only option is CMOS. Even still cameras like the 5D, 7D and even Red itself are CMOS based because there are dozens of pros compared to it's single con.

does anyone know if the thread size will still be 72mm?

I was so excited... right up to the CMOS bit.

Same here - though I strongly suspected they would be CMOS - it's the only way to keep pace (spec-wise) at this price and size of camera.
Steve

I agree. CCD is quickly being phased out.

Except with high end cameras. I still don't see a mad rush by the folks with £1million budgets ditching their Varicams and F900s for PDW350s.
It's a funny situation now with this Canon vs the EX series - the Canon qualifies as EBU compliant due to codec but fails on chip size, while the EX qualifies on chip size and fails on codec. Anyone want to make a 1/2" camera with 50 mb/s codec? Hello?
Steve

But let's see if anybody comes out with a new 1/2 - 2/3 CCD.

I think even Panasonic will no longer use them. It's not the same thing as saying everyone will ditch CCD and Varicam and FW900. Airline travel restrictions are growing tighter everyday, most recently Spirit announcing $45 fee for carry-on bags that go into the overhead, while still having to conform to 45 linear inches, 22 x 14 x 9 and 40 lbs, lithium battery restrictions etc. You're a news organization and want to ship oversize overweight baggage in the cargo hold? No problem for you!

Who is really pining for short battery life and high weight anyway?

Wow, talk about sticker shock...I was expecting about $1500 to $2000 less. I'm not going to go as far as to say its overpriced until I see the many head-to-head comparisons with the EX1r that are sure to come...but even if it's worth every penny, it's beyond my means at those prices.

Slinking back to the shallow end of the pool now...

does anyone know if the thread size will still be 72mm?On the XF series it's now 82mm. They have a new 0.8x wide-angle adapter to go with it, the WA-H82.

For high end productions though you're generally not talking about a single bag but rather 1/4 ton of gear so the weight of the actual camera is not that significant.
But you're right about weight and battery life.
Just more strength to the argument that the CMOS cameras are not quite good enough yet - even with all their advantages the high end folks are just not using them.
Steve

Couple thoughts.

This camera looked very large for a "small form factor" camera in the photos posted last month By Chris Hurd. In my opinion, now that 1/3" chips are getting the nod and costing closer to $10,000 than $5,000. This form factor needs to be looked at. It is tough to handhold the EX-1 due to design and sheer weight. This new Canon camera looks like it might be a handful as well. To me, this camera design is in no-man's land. Too big to handhold for any length of time but does not go on a shoulder. Don't know why the JVC style has not been more popular.

CCD vs CMOS.

My main thought here is that so often it is said that CMOS is so much more affordable. Well the only camera that has proved that to me is the EX-1. Sony actually put 1/2" chips in a traditional 1/3" form factor and sells it for $6,000. The HPX-300/370 and this new Canon camera are going the opposite direction from their CCD forefathers with the same chip size and higher price with skew to boot. If they could take away all of the compromises then I could justify the higher price.

I like the step up to the plate with the codec by Canon and there is little doubt this camera will produce very nice images. If they had gone for a better form factor I think it would be easier to choose. All things being equal, the EX-1 still seems like the best value to me though as you can add a Nano if you need the bitrate.

The only weak link here is the SDHC card. I can easily see too many users trying to use the cheapest card they can find, disregarding specs, and then filling the boards with complaints of media errors and dropped frames.

Where did you see SDHC? I only see CF.

What will be interesting is if the light gathering of the larger 82mm glass will be an equalizer to the EX1's larger chips?

Where did you see SDHC? I only see CF.

There's an SDHC card slot located on the right side
of the camera body, on the hand grip (see my photos
back on page one of this thread, specifically in post #3).

Basically it's there as a way to move still images, custom
picture data, clip metadata and custom settings from
one XF series camcorder to another, or to a computer.

HD video is of course recorded to one of the two CF
(Compact Flash) card slots on the back of the cam.

This camera ends up being a large question mark for me. Will these new Canons be good? Undoubtedly. Is there some impressive new technology in both of them? Definitely. Are they going to be perceived by the market as a good value? That I question.

If you compare specs to the competition, the price does seem kind of high for what you are receiving. The list on the XF305 is $8,000.00. The list on the AG-HPX370 is $9,200.00. The list price on the EX3 is 9,800.00. Both the Canon and the Panasonic are 1/3" sensors and full raster, while the Sony is 1/2" full raster.

The AVCI 100MBPs codec will be better than 4:2:2 50MBPs, but the Canon's codec is superior to the creaky 4:2:0 35MBPs that the Sony EX3 has. Granted, CF cards will be cheaper than P2 cards or SxS cards. Fixed lens on the Canon versus a detachable lens on the Panasonic and Sony. Prosumer batteries on the Canon and Sony versus pro batteries on the Panasonic. Neither the Canon (so far) or the Sony offer a true studio configuration while Panasonic does off a real co-axial and CCU solution.

Handheld form factor on the Canon versus a hybrid "sort of" shoulder mount form factor on the Sony, while the Panasonic retains a broadcast shoulder mount form factor.

I don't see this camera being much a force in the market, I think Canon die-hards will obviously buy it but I am not so sure about non-Canon die hards. I guess Canon always have the option of dropping the price if it does not sell, as Panasonic did with the HPX300/301. Once the camera is available though, $8,000.00 list should street for closer to $6,800.00. It is an interesting niche they are trying to hit but other than a better codec than HDV or XDCAM EX, I don't see anything too exciting.

Keep on wishing as far as a DSLR sensor in an inexpensive video camera, I don't see that coming soon.

Thanks for posting about this Chris. It will be interesting to see just how good these new cams are.

Dan

Add me to the list of sticker shocked patrons.

One thing I did like was the intuitive layout of all the buttons on the camcorder. The only thing that I didn't see was a dedicated button for custom settings, unless that custom pict button on the left can be considered such but it looks more like a preset button to me. I'd love to have quick access to overcranking like the EX1r has.

I've been waiting for this camcorder as opposed to buying an EX1r but we shall see how this compares.

Quick question for the codec gurus, does this need to be converted in FCP or will this play nicely with prores LT? I'm not too familiar with the MXF file format.

Cheers