Canon XA30 Review

At the annual National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) trade conference, Canon, a Japanese company, announced they would release two new professional-grade XA camcorders this year: their latest XA30 and XA35 models.

The fact that these camcorders are equipped with some of the most cutting-edge video-capturing capabilities should be excellent news to most of those who film documentaries or shoot events.

Even while amateurs shouldn’t run into any issues if they try to utilize them in the same way as experts, it is easy to deduce that these are designed for professionals (mostly) simply by looking at their price tags and coming to that conclusion.

Your footage’s ability to perform well in low light will be much improved because of the inclusion of Canon’s new HD CMOS (Pro) sensor in both cameras, which have designs that seem incredibly professional despite their light weight. However, the fact that none of these cameras can film in 4K resolution is the most significant drawback of this release.

It would be best if you considered this before moving further. Nowadays, 4K is a crucial feature since it is gradually becoming the norm. However, most of the time, cameras in this price range that genuinely provide 4K resolution are not an enhancement to what you get with the XA30.

We will go through the most important features and improvements so that you can easily compare them to those of other cameras, including 4K models, that you are considering purchasing and making an educated choice.

Canon XA30 CMOS Sensor

The critical enhancement brought about by the new Canon CMOS image sensor is related to the camera’s performance in low light conditions and the overall quality of its photographs. It is not uncommon for experts to have difficulty setting their cameras in such a manner that the photos that are captured are an accurate representation of what they are genuinely viewing.

No more, however. Images captured by the XA30’s brand-new sensor faithfully reproduce what the human eye can perceive near the camera. So instead of preoccupying yourself with the image quality, you are free to direct your full attention to the subject of the shot.

If you upgrade from an earlier XA model, the signal-to-noise ratio of your new device will improve by an additional 3 dB. Even when you’re photographing in low-light conditions, this causes the pixels in your image to be noticeable.

Canon XA30 20x Zoom Lens

The lens has a minimum object distance of 60.9 cm (23.6 inches) and an impressive zoom range of 35 millimeters. In addition, your photographs will generally have a much more realistic and natural appearance due to an enhanced 8-blade design. This improvement will be especially noticeable when used with the upgraded image sensor.

It is equipped with a conventional zoom ring, which can be used with a great deal of ease. This ring lets you take advantage of the different sensitivity levels and customizable directions. For instance, the zoom speed can change from continuous to rapid, slow, or regular depending on whether or not you are taking video. This lens has a high degree of adaptability and provides practically every modification that could be desired.

Canon XA30 Video

Because true high definition is the most crucial feature, you’ll be relieved to learn that the XA30 makes up for the absence of 4K resolution by combining the maximum degree of versatility in video recording. This will make you happy to hear that the XA30 does this.

You have complete control over everything, from the recording modes and codecs (such as AVCHD and MP4) to the frame and bit rates, and you can even film using several SD cards. If you are shooting a documentary or a film, you should stick with the standard frame rate of 24 frames per second (p).

Slow Motion

As a result of the XA30’s improved software, you can now adjust the speed of your video as it is being played back, meaning that you do not have to wait until post-production to either speed up or slow down your footage when you are out in the field.

Numerous options allow you to speed up your film (helpful if you’re recording a time-lapse) or slow it down (ideal for shooting fast-moving action scenes). In addition, you can use the interval recording tool, which allows you to successfully produce time lapses on the fly at any pace between two and one thousand and two hundred times the average movement speed of your movie.

Canon XA30 Wireless Connectivity

You will find the XA30’s many connectivity possibilities beneficial if you operate in a setting comparable to a small office and have an urgent requirement to transmit data as soon as you return to shooting. Wi-Fi connection is the feature that stands out the most. It even allows you to share your raw footage to any cloud-based or private server using FTP, thanks to its built-in dual-band Wi-Fi (which can cover connections at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz).

In addition, it can connect to any Wi-Fi hotspot, your iOS phone, any wirelessly equipped smart TV or PC, etc. You might wish to take advantage of this when you’re out shooting since, while you’re connected to the camera wirelessly, you’ll have the ability to manage the camera (recording start/end, zooming, shutter speed, white balance, and frame rate) using any standard mobile device. The program may be downloaded for free and is simple to use.

Canon XA30 Dynamic Range

This specialized function is only available on Canon’s higher-end models of cameras, such as the EX30: Said; it selects the sections of your video that have a high level of brightness, compresses them, and then increases the dynamic range by a few hundred percent.

This is done automatically, but the main idea is that it takes the bright parts, smoothes them out, and adjusts the colors. Hence, they are as near to reality as possible and correct any potential overexposure that may have occurred.

Compared to other pricey 4K cameras, this is one of the characteristics that sets it apart from the competition. You have reached the stage when choosing between higher image quality or superior resolution.

Canon XA30 Dual SD Card Support

If you’re sick of your photos running out of memory or swapping between memory cards, the XA30 will significantly reduce the frequency with which you must do so. The panels are compatible with SD, SDXC, and SDHC cards.

Canon XA30 Stabilization

Even though the footage is already sufficiently stable, you should try out the new optical image stabilization feature to reduce blur when you cannot rely on stabilization hardware.

In addition, a mode called “Intelligent Image Stabilization” will choose the type of image stabilization best suited for the footage you are shooting automatically.

Canon XA30 Specs

Built-In ND FilterYes
Minimum Illumination0.1 Lux at 1/1/2 Shutter Speed

Lens

Optical Zoom Ratio20x
Max Digital Zoom400x
Maximum Aperturef/1.8 to 2.8
Filter Size58 mm
Focus ControlAutofocus
Manual Focus
Video I/O1 x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm TRRS A/V Output
1 x Mini-HDMI Output
Audio I/O1 x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm TRS Stereo Headphone Output
Other I/O1 x 2.5 mm Sub-Mini (LANC) Control
1 x Mini-USB Output

Environmental

Operating Temperature32 to 104°F / 0 to 40°C
Accessory Mount1 x Cold Shoe Mount

Packaging Info

Package Weight5.75 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)11 x 10.7 x 8.5″

Canon XA30 Verdict

It is an excellent choice for individuals ranging from student filmmakers to professional news crews due to the Canon XA30’s versatility as a professional-grade, compact camera that can be used for various purposes.

Suppose you’re coming from an earlier model of Canon camera. In that case, this one is an all-around improvement, creating footage that looks more natural than ever while offering the highest customization options.

Canon XA30 FAQs

What is the price of the Canon XA30?

The price of the Canon XA30 camcorder changes depending on the store you buy it from and where you buy it. Still, when it was first released, the manufacturer recommended that retailers sell it for approximately $1,599.

What is Canon XA30?

The Canon XA30 is a camcorder of professional quality explicitly intended for the production of videos. It has a 1/2.84-inch HD CMOS Pro sensor, a 20x optical zoom lens, and dual SD card ports for prolonged recording. In addition, the lens has a 20x magnification.

What is the focal length of Canon XA30?

Regarding the 35mm format, the Canon XA30 has a focal length range that extends from 26.8mm to 576mm. This provides a wide-angle vision, enabling it to capture large landscapes and a telephoto reach, allowing it to focus on faraway subjects.

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