Compact in size, light weight and fully featured, the Canon XF100 Professional Camcorder can be tailored to fit a wide range of individual needs. While sharing many of the capabilities of the Canon XF305 and XF300 Professional Camcorders, including the Canon XF Codec and Compact Flash (CF) recording, the XF100 offers some exciting new features of its own.
Whether used as a companion to the XF305 or XF300 or as a standalone camcorder, the XF100 is geared for a wide range of applications where high image quality, extreme portability, and efficient workflow are of the utmost importance. And with infrared recording and true stereoscopic 3-D production capabilities, the XF100 allows users to explore new creative outlets and emerging markets.
The XF100 utilizes Canon's XF Codec – a file-based MPEG-2 compression with an MXF File Wrapper that ensures the widest compatibility with existing industry infrastructure, metadata and non-linear editing (NLE) systems. The codec's 4:2:2 color sampling provides ultra-fine transitions in tone and color for maintaining the highest image quality needed for advanced post production processing.
The XF100's newly developed Genuine Canon 10x HD Video Lens along with a Canon native 1920 x 1080 CMOS Image Sensor delivers exceptional image quality. The XF100 also offers multiple recording bit rates, resolutions and variable frame rates to expand creative flexibility, allowing users to work in virtually any production environment.
MPEG-2 compression is both highly reliable and versatile. Developed by the Moving Pictures Expert Group (MPEG), it is one of the most widely used compression schemes in the industry for camera acquisition, over the air broadcast, cable and satellite TV. Canon's adaptation of MPEG-2 for the XF100 Professional Camcorder, named the Canon XF Codec, ensures the widest compatibility with existing industry infrastructure and non-linear editing (NLE) systems. As well, by using an MXF file wrapper, video and audio can be wrapped in a single file along with important metadata.
The XF100 supports the highest HD quality with Full HD 1920x1080 resolution, up to a 50Mbps bit rate and 4:2:2 color sampling.
4:2:2 color sampling provides twice the color resolution of HDV and other codecs that use 4:2:0 color sampling. 4:2:2 provides ultra-fine transitions in tone and color and maintains the highest quality image for use in post production processes such as chroma keying, color grading, advanced compositing and effects.
The codec’s 50Mbps constant bit rate provides the bandwidth needed to capture the XF100's superior resolution and color in spectacular detail.
Unlike other camcorders which use proprietary memory systems, the XF100 Professional Camcorder records to cost-effective Compact Flash (CF) cards. The camcorder features two CF card slots and offers versatile recording functions including:
Relay recording
When one CF card becomes full, the camcorder automatically switches video recording to the other CF card.
Hot swapping
Media can be replaced without turning off the camcorder. And while recording, the other card can be removed without interruption.
File copy and backup
Files may be copied from one card to the next – ideal for backing up when on location.
Pre Record
Perfect for news crews and live event shooters, the camcorder continuously buffers approximately three seconds of video in memory. When the Record button is pressed, recording begins and the contents of buffer memory are added, so you never miss an important shot.
Double Slot Recording
For safety and convenience, the Double Slot Recording feature allows you to record simultaneously to each of the two CF cards, providing an instant backup for your footage.
Canon's optical expertise is clearly seen in the XF100's Genuine Canon 10x HD Video Lens. It delivers flexibility in image capture with a zoom range of 30.4 – 304mm (35mm equivalent).
Power zoom is available in Constant and Variable settings in 3 modes, Fast (approx. 1.9 – 60 seconds), Normal (approx. 3.0 – 180 seconds) and Slow (approx. 4.0 – 285 seconds). To provide added control, there are 16 predefined steps in Constant mode and rocker switch pressure sensitive or control ring speed management in Variable mode.
For enhanced versatility the XF100 offers a built-in gradation type neutral density (ND) filter (approximately 1/8), as well as an eight blade metal aperture iris.
A customizable manual control ring allows users to assign focus, zoom, or iris. These functions are easily selected through a switch on the lens barrel.
Additionally, a custom dial is available which allows the iris to be controlled.
SuperRange Optical Image Stabilizer
The XF100 also incorporates a SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization system (lens shift) with four modes: Standard, Powered, Dynamic and Off.
Standard:
Lens shift is controlled so that the maximum compensation angle is constant from wide angle through telephoto.
Powered:
Vibration is suppressed at the telephoto end of the range, where shake is most apparent due to high magnification.
Dynamic:
Stabilization changes throughout the zoom range to minimize more pronounced shaking. This is especially useful at wide-angle focal lengths when walking.
Instant AF
When shooting high definition video, sharp focus becomes more critical than ever. Canon's proprietary Instant AF system combines an external AF sensor with Canon's legendary auto focus system for fast and accurate focus. Together, the two sensors reduce focusing time - even in low-light, low contrast, or high brightness situations - and improve focusing performance on difficult subjects.
The XF100 gives you a choice of five AF modes for different shooting applications:
Instant AF changes focus as rapidly as possible, for those applications in which quick focus is more important than other considerations - for example, in news gathering or documentary work.
Medium AF changes focus at a speed which is softer and smoother than Instant AF, but faster than would likely be possible manually.
Normal AF changes focus at a speed that appears natural and doesn't distract the viewer.
Face AF tracks focus on faces when present. The user selects the face to be tracked. Face AF has the ability to track even if the subject face is in profile. If the chosen tracked face is not present in a shot, the subject in the center of the screen will automatically be brought into focus.
Face Only AF automatically tracks the chosen tracked face in focus but, should that face leave the scene, will reset focus to manual mode.
Minimum Object Distance
When shooting with the XF100, the minimum focus distance is 20mm (0.78 inches) at Macro and maintains 60cm (1.97 feet) throughout the entire zoom range. This allows excellent versatility in a wide range of shooting situations.
8-Blade Iris
In contrast to a typical 6-blade iris, the XF100's 8-blade iris captures extraordinarily smooth out-of-focus ‘bokeh' for a more attractive image effect. The additional blades also reduce diffraction of light passing through the iris, allowing for the use of smaller apertures while maintaining image quality.
The Digital Teleconverter extends the reach of the optical zoom, and is selectable by 1.5x, 3x and 6x. This feature is ideal when extreme telephoto shooting is needed such as in sports and wildlife, as well as, surveillance applications for law enforcement and the military.
The XF100 has the ability to be paired with another XF100 or XF105 camcorder to provide true stereoscopic 3-D recording. It offers several features to assist with 3-D production including OIS Lens Shift to aid in optically aligning the two camcorders.
A focal length guide displays the zoom position of each camera in relation to each other and calibrates the zoom distance.
The XF100's compact size provides an alternative to large 3-D rigs allowing 3-D crews to work more quickly and efficiently, while providing the needed features to capture exceptional 3-D imagery.
The XF100 Professional Camcorder features an Infrared Mode allowing users to capture video in conditions with little to no ambient light, a situation which would make other camcorders useless. During infrared capture, the infrared cutoff filter is removed from the optical path. Combined with a specially designed lens coating, infrared light is able to pass through to the image sensor. Additionally, the XF100 features an infrared emitter with a diffuser to shoot pleasing infrared imagery even in complete darkness. For the nature videographers or law enforcement users, the benefits of a compact, high performance camcorder for shooting in such conditions is obvious. Without the need to add lights, the shooter may remain hidden from their subjects. Also, the XF100 gives the option of recording in green or white light mode.
3.5-inch, 920,000 Dot LCD Monitor
A 3.5-inch, 920,000 Dot LCD monitor provides an ample, accurate area for critical focus confirmation and approximately 100% field of view. The display opens on the left side of the camera body.