1080 50p on XF300/305? at DVinfo.net

Chris Stevens · December 10th, 2013, 08:19 AM

I'm being asked to shoot 1080 50p by more clients now. I'm very happy with my XF300 but upscaling 720 50p softens the image too much for my taste. Can we expect a firmware update for these cameras? Or do I have to go to Sony's PMW 300 & wait for the revised codec sometime next year?

Pete Bauer · December 10th, 2013, 09:32 AM

Anybody who might actually be informed won't be able to say, but VERY unlikely that current XF cameras will get a firmware upgrade that allows 1080p50 or 1080p60. Maybe in the next product cycle.

Jack Zhang · December 11th, 2013, 06:27 AM

It's more based on hardware for things like 1080p/50 or 60. MPEG-2 is not designed for 1080p60, so only with a hardware update to H.264 based recording would it be possible.

Also, Canon's current offerings still limit 1080p50/60 to 35Mbps and 4:2:0, so you'll be getting less quality than the 50Mbps 4:2:2 you currently have.

Martin Duffy · October 12th, 2015, 04:57 AM

I have the same issue at hand.

I have a xf205 and a Xf305.

In mpeg4 mode the 205 can record in 1080 50p and I did this recently and can confirm the footage looks mighty sharp.

I didn't think to compare 720 50p @ 50mbps but that's a test I will do soon.

I record alot of 2 camera shoots, mainly sport and so prefer 50p. We record live into Vmix. I'm faced with a situation that sees the the 205 output 1080 50p and the 305 limited to 720 50p.

I'm not sure how 720 50p and 1080 50p will match up or if in fact will do this (i will test soon)but its disappointing that the 305 is technically inferior.

One alternative is to go 1080 50i out of both camera but record in Vmix in 1080 50p. I have tested this and Vmix does a great job with minimal loss in quality when converting and recording live.

Jack Zhang · October 13th, 2015, 10:29 AM

This is because the 305 was made before the 205. The 205 has the H.264 codec chips, whileas the 305 was designed when people were JUST transitioning from HDV.

Martin Duffy · October 29th, 2017, 05:55 AM

I just love the 300/305 cameras and its killing me to have to swap to another brand in order to shoot 1080 50p.

I prefer bigger cameras like the 305 not smaller size cams like the 405.

I need dials at my finger tips, dials that are big and not fiddely like on the 205 or 405.

Come on Canon look after us cameraman that film sport or live events where making changes to iris or focus needs to happen in a snap.

Can't believe the 405 is so small and disappointing in pro features.

I've just bought a Sony X160 and it's horrible. Feels like a piece of plastic but yep it does 1080 50P.

Christopher Young · October 29th, 2017, 10:00 PM

It costs more money but the image quality, lower noise floor and being able to record 4:2:2 10-bit 50/60p puts the current Sony PXW-200 at the top of the comparison list against the smaller chipped but similarly configured Canon XF305. For me with its later 1/2" sensors that are now rated at F/12 in 60Hz and F/13 in 50Hz it makes it a pretty good camera even in lower light conditions.

The biggest drawback for me was like with all these cameras that don't have proper side mounted viewfinders I was often having to double check the accuracy of my focus. Using an Alphatron viewfinder on it transformed the camera from an operational point of view. All in all I was pretty impressed with the camera. As an all rounder capable of covering many types of shooting situations in a pretty workman like manner it's worth considering in my opinion.

Chris Young
CYV Productions
Sydney

December 10th, 2013, 08:19 AM	#1
Chris Stevens Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: UK Posts: 44	1080 50p on XF300/305? I'm being asked to shoot 1080 50p by more clients now. I'm very happy with my XF300 but upscaling 720 50p softens the image too much for my taste. Can we expect a firmware update for these cameras? Or do I have to go to Sony's PMW 300 & wait for the revised codec sometime next year?

December 10th, 2013, 09:32 AM	#2
Pete Bauer Wrangler Join Date: May 2003 Location: Eagle River, AK Posts: 4,100	Re: 1080 50p on XF300/305? Anybody who might actually be informed won't be able to say, but VERY unlikely that current XF cameras will get a firmware upgrade that allows 1080p50 or 1080p60. Maybe in the next product cycle. __________________ Pete Bauer The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. Albert Einstein Trying to solve a DV mystery? You may find the answer behind the SEARCH function ... or be able to join a discussion already in progress!

December 11th, 2013, 06:27 AM	#3
Jack Zhang Inner Circle Join Date: May 2005 Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada Posts: 3,053	Re: 1080 50p on XF300/305? It's more based on hardware for things like 1080p/50 or 60. MPEG-2 is not designed for 1080p60, so only with a hardware update to H.264 based recording would it be possible. Also, Canon's current offerings still limit 1080p50/60 to 35Mbps and 4:2:0, so you'll be getting less quality than the 50Mbps 4:2:2 you currently have.

October 12th, 2015, 04:57 AM	#4
Martin Duffy Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 156	Re: 1080 50p on XF300/305? I have the same issue at hand. I have a xf205 and a Xf305. In mpeg4 mode the 205 can record in 1080 50p and I did this recently and can confirm the footage looks mighty sharp. I didn't think to compare 720 50p @ 50mbps but that's a test I will do soon. I record alot of 2 camera shoots, mainly sport and so prefer 50p. We record live into Vmix. I'm faced with a situation that sees the the 205 output 1080 50p and the 305 limited to 720 50p. I'm not sure how 720 50p and 1080 50p will match up or if in fact will do this (i will test soon)but its disappointing that the 305 is technically inferior. One alternative is to go 1080 50i out of both camera but record in Vmix in 1080 50p. I have tested this and Vmix does a great job with minimal loss in quality when converting and recording live.

October 13th, 2015, 10:29 AM	#5
Jack Zhang Inner Circle Join Date: May 2005 Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada Posts: 3,053	Re: 1080 50p on XF300/305? This is because the 305 was made before the 205. The 205 has the H.264 codec chips, whileas the 305 was designed when people were JUST transitioning from HDV.

October 29th, 2017, 05:55 AM	#6
Martin Duffy Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 156	Re: 1080 50p on XF300/305? I just love the 300/305 cameras and its killing me to have to swap to another brand in order to shoot 1080 50p. I prefer bigger cameras like the 305 not smaller size cams like the 405. I need dials at my finger tips, dials that are big and not fiddely like on the 205 or 405. Come on Canon look after us cameraman that film sport or live events where making changes to iris or focus needs to happen in a snap. Can't believe the 405 is so small and disappointing in pro features. I've just bought a Sony X160 and it's horrible. Feels like a piece of plastic but yep it does 1080 50P.

October 29th, 2017, 10:00 PM	#7
Christopher Young Trustee Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 1,567	Re: 1080 50p on XF300/305? It costs more money but the image quality, lower noise floor and being able to record 4:2:2 10-bit 50/60p puts the current Sony PXW-200 at the top of the comparison list against the smaller chipped but similarly configured Canon XF305. For me with its later 1/2" sensors that are now rated at F/12 in 60Hz and F/13 in 50Hz it makes it a pretty good camera even in lower light conditions. The biggest drawback for me was like with all these cameras that don't have proper side mounted viewfinders I was often having to double check the accuracy of my focus. Using an Alphatron viewfinder on it transformed the camera from an operational point of view. All in all I was pretty impressed with the camera. As an all rounder capable of covering many types of shooting situations in a pretty workman like manner it's worth considering in my opinion. Chris Young CYV Productions Sydney