Canon XL2 Digital Camcorder [XL2] - £2,326.99 : Universal Electronics, UK Cheapest Retailer

An Open Architecture philosophy, performance found only in much more expensive video cameras, Total Image Control and the solid foundation of Genuine Canon Optics, interchangeable lens capability and superb Canon image processing quality are united in the XL2.

The XL2 brings a host of performance and convenience features to this class of video camcorder- benefits that can't be found in this combination on other high-end video cameras. They include: Canon Super Range Optical Image Stabilization in the standard lens; dual aspect ratios; various frame rate capabilities; image gamma and detail controls; skin detail control and convertible LCD display among others.

Unprecedented image control coordination between two XL2 cameras, remote computer camera control and direct video recording to computer are just a part of the capabilities of the XL2. Never before has so much creative power been put in the hands of the film maker, video artist, and corporate and event videographer.

16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratio shooting formats

With an increasing consumer shift toward widescreen TVs that deliver the full width of film-based theatrical movies, plus the resulting need for productions in the 16:9 aspect ratio, Canon's XL2 offers both the standard 4:3 aspect ratio and the 16:9 widescreen TV aspect ratio. Whether your production is standard video, cinema, wide-screen TV, and HDTV, the XL2 -- with menu-selectable aspect ration -- is your camera.

The 4:3 aspect ratio of the traditional TV screen is the most commonly used aspect ratio in broadcasting today. The 16:9 aspect ratio is the most common aspect ratio for film-based movies, and produces full screen playback on widescreen TVs. 16:9 is also the world standard aspect ratio for HDTV.

Variable frame rates

The demands being made on the video production community to be able to provide solutions under a multitude of different scenarios have been met with the Canon XL2. It delivers 60i, 30p, and 24p frame rates (24p with 2:3 and 2:3:3:2, both with 1/48th second shutter speed).

60i (interlaced) is the standard video frame rate that has been in use for decades; it's what you see on your home TV, whether from a broadcast signal, rented DVD, or home camcorder.

30p, or 30-frame progressive, is a non-interlaced format -- the same as Canon's Frame Movie Mode -- and produces video at 30 frames per second. Progressive (non-interlaced) scanning mimics a film camera's frame-by-frame image capture and delivers spectacular clarity for high speed subjects and a cinematic-like appearance. Shooting in 30p mode offers video with no interlace artifacts.

The 24p frame rate is also a non-interlaced format, and is now widely adopted by those planning on transferring the video signal to film. But film- and video-makers turn to 24p for the "cine" look even if their productions are not going to be transferred to film, simply because of the "look" of the frame rate. As well, the shutter speed of 1/48th per second is the standard shutter speed that movie cameras use. The combination of 24p frame rate and 1/48th perfectly mimic a motion film camera.

24p with 2:3 pulldown produces video with the look and motion of film. (24p, used in conjunction with a cine gamma curve on the XL2, produces images that have similar tonal characteristics as film.) This mode is used when the finished video is to be converted to 60i so that video can be viewed on a television. 24p with 2:3:3:2 pulldown is used when the video is to be transferred to film. The 2:3:3:2 pulldown allows editing software to extract true 24 frames a second.

Customizable Cine Look

The Canon XL2 lets users fine-tune the cine look of their video recordings using a number of variables: color matrix, gamma, knee, black stretch, vertical detail, coring, sharpness, noise reduction, color gain, and hue. Each variable can be adjusted independently, thereby giving you precise control over the "film-like" appearance of your video. Because Canon utilizes a 12 bit DSP (Digital Signal Processor) customized for the XL2, maximum image quality is preserved

Even Greater 3 CCD Performance

Building on the superior image quality associated with its industry-leading XL1 and XL1S camcorders, Canon has made a major step forward with the XL2. The XL2 continues to feature a 3 CCD system with a separate progressive scan CCD (charge coupled device) for each primary color (red, green and blue), with each CCD containing 680K pixels.

With the XL2, a beam-splitting prism separates light passing through the lens into individual color components and each is sent to its own CCD. Compared to a single CCD, the three CCD system achieves outstanding detail with highly accurate color reproduction suitable for the demands of high-end video production: wide dynamic range, low color noise, high-contrast detail, natural color resolution and low-aliasing.

But the system now features even higher resolution, delivering outstanding picture quality, highly accurate color reproduction and a wide dynamic range with virtually no color noise. 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, making it a consummate field recording device for all conditions.

16:9: 960x480 effective pixels (460,800 pixels per CCD, total 1,382,400)

4:3: 720x480 effective pixels (345,600 pixels per CCD, total 1,036,800

Total Image Control

Professional videographers need to have control over the set-up of their camcorder, including complete automatic setting to fine adjustments of: Master RGB, Setup Level, Master Pedestal, Skin Tone Detail, Program AE, Gain, AE Shift and Lock, White Balance, Shutter Speeds, Aperture Control, Zebra Patterns Clear Scan and Interval Timer. Because Canon utilizes a 12 bit DSP (Digital Signal Processor) customized for the XL2, maximum image quality is preserved

XL Mount Interchangeable Lens System

A key feature of the Canon XL-series camcorders is the XL mount interchangeable lens system. Unlike other systems, the XL2 offers users the ability to change lenses. This gives the producer/director the choice of the XL series of video lenses, third-party cine lenses, or even Canon's extensive range of photographic lenses. It also makes the XL2 the only MiniDV format camcorder with this feature.

Within the Canon XL system alone there are four lenses: the new 20x OIS, 16x OIS, 16x Manual, and 3x Wide. With an XL system adapter, the entire range of Canon photographic lenses is available -- a tremendous boon to those shooting for such productions as wildlife and nature documentaries. Other companies also offer a variety of specialty cine lenses that can be used on the XL2.

Fluorite Zoom Lens with Optical Image Stabilization

Canon has satisfied the demands of experienced image makers for years through the power, design and quality of 35mm and broadcast TV lenses. Canon continues that tradition with the new 20x Professional L-Series Fluorite optical zoom lens for the XL2. The lens uses fluorite, a material that provides outstanding resolution, contrast, and color reproduction, especially in lightweight, high-magnification lenses. The fluorite element inside the lens defeats color aberration an effect that causes a reduction in sharpness, contrast and color. It precisely controls components of light providing an excellent balance of these three critical ingredients of picture quality. The unsurpassed image quality is unobtainable with conventional optical glass.

The XL2's lens is the equivalent of a 42.3mm -- 846mm lens on a 35mm still camera, when the XL2 is recording in 16:9 widescreen format. When recording video in the TV-standard 4:3 aspect ratio, it is the equivalent of a 51.8mm -- 1036mm lens on a 35mm still camera.

In addition, the XL2 features Canon's superb Super Range Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) system (VAP type). The system corrects camera shake instantly so that even hand held shots at full telephoto and shots taken from a moving car are smooth and steady.

Previously, optical image stabilizers have used a gyro sensor to detect camcorder vibration. The data from the sensor would control a vari-angle prism that continuously corrected the path of the incoming light. Super Range goes one step further by examining the image after it is received by the CCD to detect 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.

And since the XL2's OIS system is optical, there isn't the loss of image quality that is inevitable with electronic image stabilizers. It perfectly complements the high picture quality of the DV format.

SMPTE time code

The Canon XL2 offers many on-camera enhancements to help capture high-quality footage, including features commonly found on broadcast camcorders. Among these is the placement of a SMPTE time code on the tape. SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) time code is a digital signal that assigns a number to every frame of video, representing hours, minutes, seconds, frames, plus some additional information. The SMPTE time code is used to identify a precise location on a video tape, a mainstay of professional editing allowing all tape and equipment to work together for precise editing.

With this feature, the XL2 conforms with industry standards and is fully integrated with today's production equipment. The camera lets you choose Drop, Non-Drop, Rec Run and Free Run modes. It also provides User bit settings which allow the inclusion of reel number or other user data.

The XL2 also generates SMPTE color bars with 1 KHz tone (-12dB and -20dB). SMPTE color bars with tone are the standard method of setting up video and audio monitors, as well as edit suites, before recording and playback, and for adjustment purposes. Using a lead-in of color bars for 10-60 seconds has become a standard in professional film and video production. The color bars also can be used during shooting to allow the adjustment of reference monitors. The XL2 can generate color bars on tape prior to shooting; this allows for fast hand-off to the professional broadcast and/or film post-production environment.

Custom Presets

Three custom presets allow you to store several camera adjustments, then retrieve them with the touch of a button for faster and easier camera operation. Among the adjustments are: color gain, color phase, sharpness, setup level, V detail, color matrix, gamma, knee, black stretch, skin detail (hue, gain, area, Y level). This feature lets you save the settings of a particular look that you've established for your video so that you can duplicate it even after another set up.

Using the IEEE1394 connection, these custom presets can be transferred to or stored on another XL2 or a computer (with the appropriate third party software). They can then be reloaded to the original XL2 when needed.

Professional Audio Connections

Canon knows that audio is crucial to professional productions -- and the XL2 provides the highest standards in audio capture available in a digital video system with a 16-bit, 2-channel recording option. The XL2 also has two additional 12-bit recording channels. This allows simultaneous recording on four channels. The XL2 permits both automatic and manual control of audio levels.

Two built-in XLR connectors with phantom power (+48V) are designed for use with professional condenser microphones. This balanced connection allows for the use of very long cables without the introduction of outside noise.

BNC connectors are used in professional and broadcast video applications. These connect a two-wire coaxial cable using a bayonet mount.

Open Architecture Design

You can customize the XL2 to fit your specific application and preferences through a full range of accessories. They include optional lenses, viewfinders, mounts and microphone adapters.

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Power Supply (rated)	7.2V DC (battery pack)
Power Consumption (While recording AF="ON")	7.1W (recording with AF, 20x zoom XL 5.4-108 L IS mounted)
Television System	EIA standard (525 lines, 60 fields) NTSC color signal
Video Recording system	Two rotating heads, helical scan azimuth recording, DV System (Consumer digital VCR SD system) digital component recording
Audio Recording system	PCM digital recording: 16 bit (48 kHz/2 channels); 12 bit (32 kHz/4 channels) Synchronous 4-channel recording is possible
Image Sensor	Size 1/3", approx. 680,000 pixels (total), Progressive Scan CCD x3 (charge-coupled device) with horizontal pixel shift
Tape Format	Video cassettes bearing the MiniDV mark
Tape Speed	SP: 0.74 ips (18.81mm/second), LP; 0.49 ips (12.56 mm/seco
Maximum Recording Time (with an 80-min. cassette)	SP; 80 min.
Maximum recording time	LP; 120 min.
Fast Forward/Rewind time	Approx. 2 minutes and 20 seconds (using 60-minute tape)
Lens Mount	XL interchangeable lens system
Focusing System	TTL autofocus. Manual focusing possible (20x zoom XL 5.4-108mm L IS installed)
Minimum Focusing Distance	20mm (Wide macro), 1m (entire zoom range): (20x zoom XL 5.4-108mm L IS installed)
Minimum Illumination	60i, 1/60 shutter speed = 5.5 lux; 30P, 1/30 shutter speed = 6.5 lux; 24P, 1/48 shutter speed = 10 lux
Recommended Illumination	More than 100 lx
Filter Diameter	72mm (XL lens)
Viewfinder	2.0-inch TFT color LCD; Approx. 200,000 pixels, RGB delta configuration
Microphone	Stereo electric condenser microphone
Total Pixels	16:9 target area: approx. 460,000 pixels (962 x 480) x3 CCD, 0.289" diagonal 4:3 target area: approx. 350,000 pixels (720 x 480) x3 CCD, 0.236" diagonal
DV Terminal	4-pin connector (complies with IEEE1394); input/output switching
Video Terminal	RCA pin jack; input/output switching/BNC jack; input/output switching 1 Vp-p/75 ohms unbalanced
Output Levels	Max. -10 dBv (for 47 kohm load)/3 kohm unbalanced
S-video Terminal	4-pin mini-DIN; input/output switching 1 Vp-p/75 ohms (Y signal), 0.286 Vp-p/75 ohms (C signal)
Audio Terminal	RCA pin jack (L/R) 2 systems; input/output switching
Audio	Auto Mode, Gain 18dB
Input Levels	During input; Min. -10 dBv/47 kohms unbalanced
Microphone Terminal	3.5mm stereo mini-jack unbalanced -55 dBv (Auto), -67 dBv (Manual/Vol Max)/600 ohms
Operating Temperature range	32-104° F (0-40° C)
Dimensions	8.9 x 8.7 x 19.5 in. (225 x 220 x 496mm)
Weight (not including lens and battery pack)	5.3 lbs. (2410g)
Weight (fully loaded)	7.8 lbs. (3545g)