MELVILLE, NY, September 7, 2022– Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions,announced the launch of four professional camcorders – the XA65, XA60, XA75, and XA70 – alongside the VIXIA HF G70 camcorder. The new camcorders are suited to a wide range of uses, including documentary, corporate events, and education. Capable of capturing amazing 4K quality content and HD UVC Streaming via USB-Ci, with advanced autofocus and face detection functionality, these models offer excellent performance. All of them enable MP4 and On-Screen Display (OSD) recording, while the four professional camcorders feature XF-AVC recording to support broadcast applications. Additionally, Canon has announced a firmware update for the XF605 camcorder.
High-Quality 4K Capture
With Canon’s line-up of compact camcorders, content creators can easily capture stunning 4K footage in multiple scenarios. Powered with the DIGIC DV6 image processor and leveraging the 1/2.3-inch type CMOS sensor and 1.0-inch type CMOS sensor, respectively, the XA65/XA60 and XA75/XA70 are capable of shooting 4K UHD and Full HD images using oversampling for superb HD quality, making them perfect for a wide range of shooting scenarios. When coupled with Canon’s intelligent optical design, these camcorders offer impressive zoom functionality in a lightweight body. Achieving a 35mm equivalent focal length, the XA65/XA60 offer a 20x optical zoom and the XA75/XA70 a 15x zoom. All professional models support 40x digital zoom, which extends to 800x in the XA65/XA60 and 600x in the XA75/XA70. These models are also designed to improve operability with a new, large 3.5 inch Touch Panel LCD Monitor and high-resolution Ocular EVF with impeccable video capabilities.
Precision Focus, Steady Footage
With Canon’s precision AF systems, the XA65/XA60 and XA75/XA70 help content creators lock onto their subjects and easily follow the action. Featuring Dual Pixel CMOS AF, the XA75/XA70 models are capable of fast and accurate focusing, which couples with the Dual Pixel focus guide to help make manually focusing on a subject easy. The XA65/XA60 line-up employs an advanced Hybrid AF system for precise focusing even in low light situations. All offer adjustable focusing speeds for either fast or smooth AF, which can also be controlled via the 3.5 inch LCD display, enabling operators to easily set the focus by touching a single AF point. For excellent accuracy and convenience, especially in busy environments where operators need to keep a subject in shot, Face Detection AF and Face Tracking are available. All feature manual focus, which can be set either by the focus/zoom ring, or the control ring on the lens of the XA75/XA70. Employing 5-axis image stabilization, these models capture steady, virtually shake-free footage.
Versatile Recording Formats
Featuring a range of flexible recording options, the XA65/XA60 and XA75/XA70 can seamlessly fit into multiple professional workflows. With a host of specialist recording options, including Slow and Fast Motion, on-screen display recording, which embeds the date and time into the video image, and an infrared mode to capture footage in the dark, these camcorders can be used for a wide range of use cases. They can also be easily integrated into a multi-camera setup thanks to the custom picture menu, allowing users to color match footage with other Canon cameras. For professional sound capture, the XA65/XA60 and XA75/XA70 have two XLR audio inputs and 4-channel linear PCM to set the recording level and input sensitivity.
New to the XA and VIXIA Series of camcorders, OSD recording embeds date, time, timecode and other data into your original camera files, effectively “time stamping” the information into each frame of video, a requirement for legal and law enforcement videographers.
Enhanced Connectivity Options
Canon’s new professional camcorders offer a range of connectivity options to enable simple and fast transmission of high-resolution video. The XA65/XA60 and XA75/XA70 can stream HD video in UVC via USB-Ci through a compatible PC – great for education or houses of worship which increasingly offer both in-person and virtual services. All models feature HDMI output and simultaneous backup and relay recording via dual SD cards, with the XA65 and XA75 offering an additional 3G-SDI output.
Unlock Your Inner Filmmaker
Designed for aspiring filmmakers and documentarians, the VIXIA HF G70 is a multi-functional camcorder delivering professional capabilities in an easy-to-use form factor so they can shoot like a pro. Utilizing a 1/2.3-inch type CMOS sensor and high-quality 20x Zoom lens, this camcorder captures 4K UHD video in MP4 and oversampled HD footage for impeccable video resolution. HDMI and USB-C output enable users to turn the VIXIA HF G70 into a web camera for high-quality video calls and sharing content online. Additional scene modes are also available, including night mode, on-screen display recording, and audio scene mode, which adds sound recording that is tuned to the shooting environment.
XF605 Firmware Update
Canon has also added a firmware update for the XF605 camcorder in response to feedback and requests from users. The firmware v1.0.1.1 offers greater efficiency for broadcasters, and more versatile shooting options for content creators using the XF605 – a professional broadcast camera designed for solo shooters.
To meet the growing demand for remote and live production, this latest firmware update adds Canon’s XC protocol, enabling the XF605 to work alongside other compatible Canon products within a multi-camera system. Combining the excellent performance of the camera with advanced network technologies, broadcasters can seamlessly integrate the XF605 into their setup and control the ISO, aperture, Custom Picture, and AF of all cameras from a single point. The v1.0.1.1 firmware also introduces a new 4K Intra 60P/50P recording option alongside XF-AVC Intra 410Mbps, creating a lightweight, high-quality codec that helps to minimize storage costs.
Powered by Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF, users can now enjoy the benefit of Face and Eye Detection AF and tracking in both fast and slow-motion shooting, perfect for capturing fast-paced action. For even more options, the firmware now also adds support for vertical shooting – a feature first seen in the EOS C70. This feature is great for digital signage, where content creators need to capture 4K content in a portrait format. For simple operation in vertical shooting mode, the monitor and on-screen menu change orientation.
A camcorder designed for single operators and streamlined crews, such as on-the-ground broadcasting, the v1.0.1.1 firmware gives operators the ability to monitor all four audio channels in the on-screen meter display. Users can now select assignable button 11 as the record button – ideal for those shooting on a tripod or in a vertical orientation. Also added is a feature that retains the selected shooting mode while switching from standard to Slow and Fast shooting.
Responding to feedback from customers and end users and the broader adoption of multi-camera setups for live and remote production, this firmware levels up the performance of the XF605 and enables it to be easily integrated into multi-camera setup.
The Canon XF605 firmware update v1.0.1.1 is currently available for download.
Canon XA75/XA70 Key Features:
- 1.0-inch type CMOS Sensor and DIGIC DV6 Processor for 4K UHD recording
- 15x optical zoom with 40x digital zoom
- DUAL Pixel CMOS AF and face tracking
- OSD Recording
- Dual XLR audio input with 4ch audio recording.
- Infra-Red Shooting Support
- USB Video Class (UVC) Supporti
- 3G-SDI (XA75 only) and HDMI output
Canon XA65/XA60 Key Features:
- 1/2.3-inch type CMOS Sensor and DIGIC DV6 Processor for 4K UHD recording
- 20x optical zoom with 40x digital zoom
- OSD Recording
- Dual XLR audio input with 4ch audio recording.
- Infra-Red Shooting Support
- USB Video Class (UVC) Supporti
- 3G-SDI (XA65 only) and HDMI Output
Canon VIXIA HF G70 Key Features:
- 4K UHD 1/2.3-inch type CMOS sensor
- High Quality 20x Zoom Lens
- OSD Recording
- USB-C Output for Streaming
- Hybrid AF
- Oversampled HD Processing
Price & Availability
The Canon XA75 and XA70 professional camcorders are both scheduled to be available in November 2022 for an estimated retail price of $2,999.00 and $2,499.00 respectively. ii
The Canon XA65 and XA60 professional camcorders are both scheduled to be available in October 2022 for an estimated retail price of $2,299.00 and $1,799.00 respectively.ii
The Canon VIXIA HF G70 prosumer camcorder is scheduled to be available in October 2022 for an estimated retail price of $1,249.00.ii
For more information, please visit usa.canon.com.
I keep my 8 year old SONY with 1" sensor and 4K30. DR might be worse than these new Canons, but otherwise its IQ is fine.
The 605 is a bit much for my needs, but a 400 replacement with the controls of the XF100 would be perfect.
+ "all-in-one", weigh, size, ergonomics, easy zooming with LANC, XLR inputs
(The reason I got it wrong was from one of the national camera stores has a blog post where it were stated wrong.)
But comparing the G50 and G70 got me thinking about the numerical gap between them, so I went looking for the G60. Turns out that will better meet my needs, which include a fair bit of low light video. The G60 has a lower zoom ratio with a slight bias to the wider end (15x from 25.5mm equivalent vs. 20x from 28mm equivalent), and a slower lens (f/2.8-4.5 vs. f/1.8-2.8), but that's driven by the larger sensor (1" vs. 1/2.3"). I really dislike the vacuum tube-based sensor sizing that is an irrelevant anachronism, but the G60 sensor is 4x the area of the G50/70 sensor, the equivalent to the difference between FF and m4/3. Since I frequently argue the benefits of FF over APS-C in low light, going with the larger sensor is a logical choice for me.
I know I can use the FF sensor in my R3 for video and have a much larger sensor, but the form factor of a camcorder just works better for me, as does the convenience of having a 25.5-383mm superzoom lens.
I did look at other brands, but almost all the camcorders with a 1" sensor are 'pro' models with XLR inputs, a rigging handle, etc., i.e. a much larger form factor. There's a Sony model similar in size and form to the G60, but with a 12x zoom starting at 29mm. Add to that the fact that I already have Canon mini-shoe accessories like the directional mic and video light that are compatible with the G60, and I decided to stick with Canon.
The B&H Deal Zone today for a 2-pack of 128 GB UHS-II v90 for $189 goes well with the G60, so I ordered both and B&H shipped them this evening.