What should Canon put in an XA20/25 firmware update?

[Bob Ohlemann]

I've had my XA20 for all of about two weeks now. I love it! It's a fantastic camera but, it could be better. I was just reading a discussion about high frame rates and it got me to thinking. The jist of the discussion was that a camera capable of 1080p60 has enough speed of processing to be also capable of 720p120. So if that is true, which I don't really know if it is, why not allow it on this camera?

So, here's what I would like to see Canon give us in what I think could be addressed in a firmware update.

-720p60 & 720p120
-Quick startup and/or a standby mode
-The ability to pan two audio inputs across the stereo spectrum in camera
-Actual numbers on the screen representing the zoom magnification
-The ability to have a function assigned to the custom button/dial in auto and another in manual without having to dig back into the menu

That's my list for now. What would you guys like to see in an update?

Pay attention Canon!!

Bob

[Jeff Harper]

The ability to set/change white balance/color temperature while recording would seem to be the most obvious oversight with this camera, in my opinion.

[Ugo Merlini]

Hi

The "problem" is that we will never see an update firmware for these canons

Ugo

[Daymon Hoffman]

I have the same thought that Ugo has. What it ships with is what we're stuck with i reckon. Its unfortunate. Hopefully the Magic Lantern guys delve into new territory and crack this sucker open. Gosh that would really make this camera fly off the shelves. One can dream :)

[Don Palomaki]

Firmware update usually address bugs, rarely adds new features that would have marketing value for the next generation camcorder, or encroach on a higher level product.

Canon history appears to be to do two in a series of their profesional/prosumer lines before moving on to a totally new model: consider: L1 and L2, XL1 and XL1s, GL1 and GL2, XH-A1 and XH-A1s, and so on. (The consumer line practice is different.)

[J.T. Price]

I was just at an event where I had the chance to talk to one of Canon's senior sales managers. I had the opportunity to give him my impressions of the XA-20 as well as mention some of the issues that have been mentioned on this group.

He has offered me the chance to send him an email which he has assured me will go to the appropriate regional video rep to send on to Canon in Japan.

They may not do anything but then again, this is a chance to let them know what we think. For example, when I pointed out that the microphone holder was too large for the Sennheiser ME-66 and that I had to install my own gasket to hold it in place, he thought that was something Canon should provide.

So, post away. I will compile what is posted here with what I had already discussed with him.

It doesn't hurt to try.....

Jeff

[Don Palomaki]

On mic diameter,

The AT875R came with a couple O-rings

[David Johns]

Originally Posted by J.T. Price

I had the chance to talk to one of Canon's senior sales managers. He has offered me the chance to send him an email which he has assured me will go to the appropriate regional video rep to send on to Canon in Japan. I will compile what is posted here with what I had already discussed with him.

1) I need to be able to select, individually, which files to send back via FTP (not just 'all' or 'all new' as it is now). You can do this for deleting, why not for FTP?!

2) I need a low-bitrate interlaced mode for dual recording. In other words, when I'm out shooting the news, I want to film it in high quality for later edit but make a simultaneous low bitrate *interlaced* version for FTP back to the newsroom. At the moment I can only make a 25p version which is flickery when broadcast. The existing 5Mbps AVCHD would be fine, if only I could simul-record to it alongside 24Mbps AVCHD.

3) I'd like the FTP to happen in the background so I can carry on filming (so this means shifting the FTP function to the recording mode instead of playback). The news doesn't stop just because I'm trying to send back to base.

4) Would like to have multiple FTP server presets, not just the one. The cam allows you to set 4 WiFi access points, why not more than one FTP server too?

5) Would like an option for the control dial to step through the aperture and then (when aperture at max) to go on to increase the gain. At the moment, you have to go to max aperture then push that recessed button to toggle the dial through to Gain, then turn the dial again. It's fiddly when you're in a hurry and the button is awkward to get to when the cam's on a tripod.

6) The auto white balance often has a very pink cast, it seems well off compared to other cams.

7) When converting from one file format to another, just convert it as fast as possible, don't play it back in real time while the conversion takes place. I haven't time for this when out in the field.

8) Give me a Waveform Monitor or histogram!! (and don't hide it awkwardly away in the menus like on the HF-G25). Give me the option to make it appear when I'm changing the exposure and then vanish shortly afterwards (like Focus Assist mode does)

9) It would be nice to be able to program the assignable buttons to some features directly instead of them simply bringing up the relevant menu. Eg I might like to program a button to turn zebras on or off instantly (rather than bringing up the menu which then can be used to turn them on or off. Ditto peaking)

10) "Rec Review" would be really useful if only it a) played back more than 4 seconds of the last clip and b) played back the audio. At the moment, it's useless.

Regards
Dave

[Bryce Comer]

More frame rate options for slow & fast motion recording. I would like to be able to select anything down to say 1 frame per second for fast motion recording. That would allow me to get some timelapse stuff without the need to speed things up in post. At this time it is all locked into the usual shooting frame rates like 24, 30 & 60p so the fastest I can make the footage go without altering it in post is by using 24p frame rate with 60p meaning I get a speed up of 2.5x Not much good for a timelapse of a sunset for example.
Bryce

[Jeremy McKay]

Ooh, a wish list! Don't mind if I do :)

1) Ability to change parameters while recording, such as white balance, IS, etc

2) Dual record at MP4 35Mbps

3) Facebook upload like HFG30

4) Wifi control through access point, not camera's adhoc connection

5) Maybe a paid update to 4:2:2 codec 50mbps

6) 35MBps MP4 with LPCM