XL2 Specs (PLEASE READ BEFORE asking questions!)

[Rob Lohman]

Read the NTSC release at Canon USA
Or check out the PAL release at Canon Europe

• Canon XL2 site
• Complete feature list
• Specifications from Canon

UPDATE: XL2 watchdog open!
XL2 heaven portal
The XL2 Skinny
The Watchdog's Unofficial XL2 F.A.Q.

A summary of the specs:

Recording options/format

• miniDV tape
• choice of 60i, 24p (2:3 and 2:3:3:2) or 30p frame rates, NTSC (see this page for a diagram, click here to see animation)
• choice of 50i or 25p frame rates, PAL
• SMPTE timecode: Drop (NTSC), Non-Drop, Rec Run and Free Run modes. User bit settings are also provided, allowing the inclusion of reel number or other user data

CCD

• 12 bit DSP
• new gross 680,000 pixel progressive scan CCDs 1/3", horizontal pixel shift, NTSC
• new gross 800,000 pixel progressive scan CCDs 1/3", horizontal pixel shift, PAL
• true 16:9 (962 x 480 pixels, 460,800 pixels per CCD, total 1,382,400) and 4:3 (720 x 480 pixels, 345,600 pixels per CCD, total 1,036,800), NTSC
• true 16:9 (960 x 576 pixels) and 4:3 (720 x 576 pixels), PAL
• The three CCD image sensors are specifically designed to capture as much image detail as possible and for shooting under extremely low light conditions. In super low light, the XL2 captures crisp and clear digital data. Under extremely bright conditions, the XL2 greatly reduces vertical white streaks and smears

Lens

• accepting the full line up of Canon's XL lenses — including the 16x IS II Auto focus lens, 16x Mechanical Servo Zoom lens, 3x Wide Angle, the 1.6x Extender and the EF adaptor
• new L-series 20x IS Optical zoom: fast f/1.6 to f/3.5, 51.8mm to 1036mm (in 4:3), 42.2mm to 844mm (in 16:9), 72mm filter thread, 6-blade iris diaphragm, 2 independent ND filters (1/6 ND and 1/32 ND), Electronic focus ring, Electronic zoom ring, Zoom and Focus preset and optical image stabilization
• Zoom/Focus preset: this function allows memorization of a focus/zoom point, so that the lens can return to that focus/framing by a push of the button. A 'pull focus' can easily be accomplished. The speed of the change can easily be controlled

Internals

• third generation signal processing LSI (large scale integrated circuit) improves Signal/Noise ratio to realize higher resolution than XL1s
• SMPTE color bars and a 1khz reference tone (-12dB and -20dB)
• 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.

Audio

• 4-channel audio with independent control of each audio channel, two built-in XLR connectors with 48v phantom power (audio in)
• includes a built-in BNC connector (audio out)
• MA-300 microphone adaptor for an additional two XLR connectors
• VU meters: side body and EVF

Body (enhancements)

• dimensions: 8.9 x 8.7 x 19.5 in. (225 x 220 x 496mm)
• weight: 5.3 lbs. (2410g, not including lens and battery pack). 7.8 lbs. (3545g, fully loaded)
• built in shoulder pad
• new color electronic viewfinder (EVF) that is convertible between a standard eyepiece and a 2" flip-up LCD monitor with left, right, fore, aft mechanical adjustments, 16:9 letterbox display, LCD indicators (REC/SHUTTER/GAINUP), center marker, viewfinder brightness, color, sharpness and contrast adjustments (click here for animation)
• Advanced Accessory Shoe: can exchange data and supply power directly, VL-3 video light, VFL-1 video flash light (light only), DM-50 directional microphone, MA-300 microphone adaptor for an additional two XLR connectors
• Dust gasket on tape door
• Body compatible with FU-100 B/W EVF (not with current color EVF)

User options

• a full line of customizable controls for cine-looking results (see this page for a diagram)
• users can freeze an image, capturing the full frame, or slow motion down for that "instant replay" effect
• customize recordings using a number of variables: Gamma, Knee (H/M/L), Black (Stretch/Normal/Press), Color Matrix (Video, Cinema), Vertical Detail (Normal/Low), Sharpness (-6 to +6), Coring (-6 to +6, fine noise/detail control), Noise Reduction (OFF/H/N/L), Color Gain (-6 to +6), Color Phase (-6 to +6) And Film Grain (one setting). Each one of these can be adjusted independently
• From complete automatic setting to fine adjustments of Master RGB Gain (R: -6 to +6, G: -6 to +6, B: -6 to +6); Setup Level (-6 to +6); Master Pedestal (-6 to +6, gamma curve); Skin Detail Hue, gain, area, Y level (+/- 6 steps); Program AE (Auto, TV, AV, Manual, Spotlight, Low Light, Green); Gain (-3 / A / 0 / +3 / +6 / +12 / +18 dB); AE Shift (13 steps) and Lock; White Balance; Shutter Speeds (30 settings); Aperture Control (23 settings); Zebra Pattern (100%, 95%, 90%, 85%, 80%); Clear Scan (61.9 Hz to 201.5 Hz in 117 steps) and Interval Timer (30 seconds; 1 minute; 5 minutes; 10 minutes. Set recording times include: 0.5 second; 1.0 second; 1.5 seconds; 2.0 seconds)
• can create three custom presets of their desired camera settings, which can be recalled at a later date or shared with another XL2 camcorder via IEEE 1394 connection and a computer (3rd party software required)
• White balance can be adjusted to true white or manually set to either outdoor (5600K) or indoor (3200K)
• Camera operators can save up to three custom white balance settings
• Video gain is now available in seven steps from -3dB to +18dB, including a new +3dB gain setting

Software

• DVPC Recorder - only available to XL Owner's Club members. Record directly to PC (XP only) -single file or individual scenes in different files
• Software Developers Kit (SDK): expand the functionality and performance, create customized software controls for such features as zoom, focus and such image controls as white balance and Master RGB gain

The Canon XL2 camcorder will be available at Canon U.S.A. authorized dealers in August for an estimated selling price of $4,999 (NTSC model)

Click here to see a nice little animation with the camera.

Enjoy!