It's official: Canon XL2 announced

Rob Lohman · July 13th, 2004, 05:26 AM

Steven I can't see how you get to that conclusion when it clearly
states it uses more pixels in 16:9 than it does in 4:3. This is NOT
what "most" other camcorders do and is also NOT what the XL1
range did/does.

The other camera's and the XL1 range does electronic stretching.
So they use the same amount of pixels in both modes.

Steven-Marc Couchouron · July 13th, 2004, 05:32 AM

Sorry, I was being unclear.

What I meant is that the CCD probably aren't 16:9 shaped but 4:3. Since the overall pixel count is higher you can still get an enhanced 16:9 mode similar to that which can be found on the GS400 for example.

But, it also means that it lessens the effective CCD size and maybe the sensitivity.

However, the japanese site also boasts 540 lines of horizontal resolution in 16:9 mode, which is fairly good.

Edit: Just want to add that I may be wrong and that the CCD are true 16:9. But the site is unclear about that:
http://babelfish.altavista.com/babel....html&lp=ja_en

Aaron Koolen · July 13th, 2004, 05:33 AM

It strikes me as strange that the effective pixels are so much higher than the 460K of 16:9.

Rob, yeah I noticed that little hinge there too. We really have to see some images with this thing to compare with other cameras, but I'm not too excited at the moment to be honest. And 350K pixels in 4:3? The DVX trounces that but then I know it's more than the pixels, it's how you use them ;)

Aaron

Rob Lohman · July 13th, 2004, 05:36 AM

Steven: ah, thanks for that. I understand you know. The more
pixels are indeed puzzling and I have to agree that it sounds
like a 4:3 chip with more pixels. But who knows. Would be
interesting to see how the dynamic range is compared to the
XL1S. Can someone send me a model for review/testing please? <g>

Aaron San has wise words!

Ben Gurvich · July 13th, 2004, 05:37 AM

If this is not HDV, whee does this leave canon on HDV.

If people buy this and then in 12 months they release the HD version, it will not be good for Canon.

OR

Are they backing out of the race for the time being, and just waiting? Overall, I am a little dissapointed. Progressive is IT as far as cams go for me, but weve been waiting anxiously or more HDV since NAB.

Steven-Marc Couchouron · July 13th, 2004, 05:39 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Aaron Koolen : It strikes me as strange that the effective pixels are so much higher than the 460K of 16:9. -->>>

Apparently, the XL2 uses a digital image stabilizer (which can be combined with the OIS found on some lenses), which could (at least partly) explain the higher pixel count.

Rob Lohman · July 13th, 2004, 05:45 AM

Where did you find that, Steven? I've not seen any mention of
a digital stabilizer function anywhere or I must have not been
reading stuff correctly (which could be). Please point to the source
of this. Thank you.

Steven-Marc Couchouron · July 13th, 2004, 05:51 AM

You're right. After re-reading the press release I found that I mis-interpreted the following bit:

Quote:

Canon's SuperRange OIS system goes one step further by examining the image after the CCD receives it and detecting any low-frequency vibrations missed by the gyro. This data is fed back to accelerate and refine the movement of the vari-angle prism. This greatly improves performance for low frequency vibration, resulting in the most advanced optical image stabilization available today.

OK, enough guessing for me ! LOL

Aaron Koolen · July 13th, 2004, 05:57 AM

The LCD display sounds nice (Although a measly 2") but I'm interested to see if they underscan. That would be a really nice addition.

Aaron

Rob Lohman · July 13th, 2004, 06:16 AM

I've added the PAL info just now to the summary thread which
everybody can still read and see

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=28853

Richard Alvarez · July 13th, 2004, 06:51 AM

Available in August.

Guess I was right all along.

Tommy Haupfear · July 13th, 2004, 07:09 AM

I'm ok that its not HDV. I'm just happy to see a hiqh quality widescreen mode. After translating the Canon Japan site it looks like the XL2 will properly display its anamoprhic widescreen mode as letterboxed in the viewfinder!

How much do you get for selling plasma?

Steven-Marc Couchouron · July 13th, 2004, 07:13 AM

The XL2 is now online on the Canon USA site:
http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/con...&modelid=10350

Tommy Haupfear · July 13th, 2004, 07:17 AM

Quote:

The "true" 16:9 is probably just an enhanced 16:9 like on most other camcorders.

Thats more than enough pixels for a quality widescreen mode. I don't see a problem with those numbers!

Rob Lohman · July 13th, 2004, 07:26 AM

I guess I was right about the viewfinder flipping mode to LCD:

" convertible LCD display " (click here to see it animate)

And:

" The XL2 has an EVF that is convertible between a standard eyepiece and a 2” high resolution LCD "

July 13th, 2004, 05:26 AM	#31
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Steven I can't see how you get to that conclusion when it clearly states it uses more pixels in 16:9 than it does in 4:3. This is NOT what "most" other camcorders do and is also NOT what the XL1 range did/does. The other camera's and the XL1 range does electronic stretching. So they use the same amount of pixels in both modes. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

July 13th, 2004, 05:32 AM	#32
Steven-Marc Couchouron Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Paris, France Posts: 110 Images: 5	Sorry, I was being unclear. What I meant is that the CCD probably aren't 16:9 shaped but 4:3. Since the overall pixel count is higher you can still get an enhanced 16:9 mode similar to that which can be found on the GS400 for example. But, it also means that it lessens the effective CCD size and maybe the sensitivity. However, the japanese site also boasts 540 lines of horizontal resolution in 16:9 mode, which is fairly good. Edit: Just want to add that I may be wrong and that the CCD are true 16:9. But the site is unclear about that: http://babelfish.altavista.com/babel....html&lp=ja_en __________________ SMCproductions.com

July 13th, 2004, 05:33 AM	#33
Aaron Koolen Trustee Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,727	It strikes me as strange that the effective pixels are so much higher than the 460K of 16:9. Rob, yeah I noticed that little hinge there too. We really have to see some images with this thing to compare with other cameras, but I'm not too excited at the moment to be honest. And 350K pixels in 4:3? The DVX trounces that but then I know it's more than the pixels, it's how you use them ;) Aaron __________________ My Website Meat Free Media

July 13th, 2004, 05:36 AM	#34
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Steven: ah, thanks for that. I understand you know. The more pixels are indeed puzzling and I have to agree that it sounds like a 4:3 chip with more pixels. But who knows. Would be interesting to see how the dynamic range is compared to the XL1S. Can someone send me a model for review/testing please? <g> Aaron San has wise words! __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

July 13th, 2004, 05:39 AM	#36
Steven-Marc Couchouron Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Paris, France Posts: 110 Images: 5	<<<-- Originally posted by Aaron Koolen : It strikes me as strange that the effective pixels are so much higher than the 460K of 16:9. -->>> Apparently, the XL2 uses a digital image stabilizer (which can be combined with the OIS found on some lenses), which could (at least partly) explain the higher pixel count. __________________ SMCproductions.com

July 13th, 2004, 05:37 AM	#35
Ben Gurvich Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 329	If this is not HDV, whee does this leave canon on HDV. If people buy this and then in 12 months they release the HD version, it will not be good for Canon. OR Are they backing out of the race for the time being, and just waiting? Overall, I am a little dissapointed. Progressive is IT as far as cams go for me, but weve been waiting anxiously or more HDV since NAB.

July 13th, 2004, 05:45 AM	#37
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Where did you find that, Steven? I've not seen any mention of a digital stabilizer function anywhere or I must have not been reading stuff correctly (which could be). Please point to the source of this. Thank you. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

July 13th, 2004, 05:57 AM	#39
Aaron Koolen Trustee Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,727	The LCD display sounds nice (Although a measly 2") but I'm interested to see if they underscan. That would be a really nice addition. Aaron __________________ My Website Meat Free Media

July 13th, 2004, 06:16 AM	#40
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	I've added the PAL info just now to the summary thread which everybody can still read and see http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=28853 __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

July 13th, 2004, 06:51 AM	#41
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	Available in August. Guess I was right all along.

July 13th, 2004, 07:09 AM	#42
Tommy Haupfear Wrangler Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 1,415	I'm ok that its not HDV. I'm just happy to see a hiqh quality widescreen mode. After translating the Canon Japan site it looks like the XL2 will properly display its anamoprhic widescreen mode as letterboxed in the viewfinder! How much do you get for selling plasma?

July 13th, 2004, 07:13 AM	#43
Steven-Marc Couchouron Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Paris, France Posts: 110 Images: 5	The XL2 is now online on the Canon USA site: http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/con...&modelid=10350 __________________ SMCproductions.com

July 13th, 2004, 07:26 AM	#45
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	I guess I was right about the viewfinder flipping mode to LCD: " convertible LCD display " (click here to see it animate) And: " The XL2 has an EVF that is convertible between a standard eyepiece and a 2” high resolution LCD " __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors