Last Updated on January 13, 2019
Small in Size, Big with Features
Certainly geared towards professional videographers, the Canon XA25 Professional Camcorder is a perfect alternative if you cannot afford the more expensive EOS Cinema model. Basically, it features a set of upgrades over its 2011 predecessor
Canon XA25 Professional Camcorder Review
If it’s a “run-and-gun” camcorder you’re looking for, then the Canon XA25 is your best bet. With its excellent image quality, uncompressed output from an HD/SD-SDI, infrared night shooting, full manual controls and dual XLR ports for professional microphones, and dual simultaneous recording formats, you have a camcorder that’s perfect for the action-hungry pro.
Despite being light on heft, it’s very heavy on features – Canon has certainly pulled out all the stops to put together a camcorder that can put up with struggles against paparazzi hordes standing between you and your scoop or for getting around in the most remote of locations. Indeed, its outstanding recording capabilities coupled with its diminutive size make the XA25 a superb companion not for both still shooting and adventure recording.
The Package
The Canon XA25 Professional Camcorder comes with the usual battery pack, lens hood (with a flip-up lens barrier that’s manually operated), USB 2.0 cables, wireless controller, and Mini HDMI and RCA.
However, there’s one extra, super-nifty feature of the XA25 that ups its “aw yeah” factor – its microphone handle/holder unit. It can be attached at the rear using a multi-interface shoe and at the front using the shoe mount with a couple of screws. Once the audio handle is attached, it serves both as a home to two XLR microphone ports and as carry point.
Canon XA25 Review Low Light Test
[youtube height=”500″ width=”820″]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYFmzl93QTI[/youtube]
Up Close
Aside from it convenient compact form, the XA25 works its magic by making use of a fixed Canon lens that has an optimal zoom of 20x. It has zoom range of 26.8-576mm and is focusable up to two feet, offering its user a degree of versatility that’s up a notch compared to its rivals. Moreover, its focusing and stabilizing are practically silent, whereas its zooming produces only barely detectable sound – a slight hum that’s noticeable only in very quiet places.
As regards the buttons, the XA25 has very few, since most of its commands are accessible through its menu system on the LCD touchscreen. It does have a button and dial for “custom” just beneath the lens, which can be used to set Manual Exposure, Av (adjust aperture)/Tv (adjust shutter), Exposure Lock or Off, and AGC Limit.
The XA25 also has 5 additional buttons that are user-programmable, and two of these reside just on the LCD display’s bezel. One accesses the unit’s pre-record function while the other is preset for switching between Manual and Auto focus. Despite the XA25’s small number of buttons, it still offers the capability to achieve full manual control.
Behind the LCD, you will find the on/off switch for the infrared as well as the dual SD card slots. Infrared is one of the XA25’s “fun” features as it allows users to record funky-eyed, almost surreal footage with a white, black, or green look that’s often seen in horror movies; not to mention it’s very useful for shooting in situations with very low light.
As for the dual card slots, they provide superb versatility as they allow you to create instant back-up files by recording to two cards simultaneously. It’s even possible to record at a longer time if you select the Relay Recording option, which automatically switches the use of the first card to the second one if the first is full. Furthermore, you can capture footage in MP4 format with one card and AVHCD format in the other at the same time!
Our Verdict
Well, we certainly agree that the Canon XA25 Professional Camcorder is an ideal device for professional videographers who move around a lot, what with its lightweight and compact body as well as its superb features.
If you are looking for a more extended review please read our full Canon XA20 Review, We have gone into far more detail.
Buy Canon XA25
No products found.
[superchart id=2 posts=207,216 width=300px]Summary of the reason to buy a XA25
When it comes to design, a review of its features will reveal that it is cut out for handheld recording, which perfectly suits documentarians and newsgatherers. The screen has also gone through an important upgrade, now making use of a capacitive-touch technology rather than resistive touch. As compared to its predecessors, the Canon XA25 Professional Camcorder is now more responsive. In fact, flicking, gliding, and other complicated maneuvering are much easier with it as well. Further, the upgraded 3.5-inch screen makes it possible to have improved power consumption, better viewing angle, higher contrast, and brighter images.
On review, the record modes are definitely nothing to complain about. At full high-definition resolution, this new camcorder has the ability to shoot in different modes (35Mbps 60p MP4 video or 28Mbps 60p AVCHD video) and still offer the classic frame rates (24p, 30p, & 60i).
However, what round out the upgrades of the Canon XA25 Professional Camcorder are its built-in WiFi and new image stabilization features, which makes use of optical and electronic stabilization efforts. The WiFi feature, on the other hand, makes it possible to remotely operate the device with an iOS device and upload vids to the Web.
Indeed, this machine’s capability to record a video at 1080/60p effectively eliminates the disadvantage that Canon used to suffer when compared to Sony and Panasonic camcorders. Thanks for reading our Canon XA25 Review
