Last Updated on August 11, 2020
The Canon XF400 and 405 are tried and tested out in their field and have already experienced any teathing problems associated with new video cameras. With up to date firmware this camera really can become the one-stop shop for high-quality HD & 4K video. The first question most people ask is what’s the difference between the XF400 & the XF405. Well I can tell you, the 405 includes a 3G-SDI terminal, this gives you a secure BNC connection that enables a 1920x1080 4:2:2 10-bit signal output for broadcast-quality HD. We will focus on the 405 in this review.
Features
- 1.0-inch 4K UHD CMOS Image Sensor
- Dual DIGIC DV 6 Image Processors
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF
- 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) and Full HD (1920 x 1080) recording in MP4 format at up to 60p
- 15x Optical 4K UHD Zoom Lens with 5-Axis Optical Image Stabilization
- Slow and Fast Motion Recording up to 120fps
Canon XF405 Intro Video
Canon XF405 Overview
Launched together with two other Canon camcorders with similar tech, the XF405 differed from the pack by having more features that would attract advanced users. And in a world where users would rather use smartphones, DSLRs and compact cameras to shoot video, why should this Canon model even be considered?
The Canon XF405 is portable, making it comfortable to carry around even when a shoot or coverage lasts an entire day. It supports a popular recording format, MP4, which is a major plus in terms of compatibility. The camcorder records 4K UHD video at 60p and is also capable of shooting slow-motion video at 120fps in Full HD.
With other tricks up its sleeve, the Canon XF405 makes a case as serious and capable camcorder for filmmakers and broadcasters.
Design & Features
The Canon XF405 combines outstanding 4K UHD image quality and portable design, making it an ideal companion for news coverage that lasts all day or even documentary shoots that lasts for hours. This camera can also make a case for camcorder of choice for covering sports events.
With a 1.0-inch 4K UHD CMOS sensor that can record 4K UHD video at 60fps and slow motion Full HD video up to 120fps, the XF405 makes a strong case for use in various shooting scenarios, be it a creative production or a professional one.
The larger sensor also comes with other benefits. For one, it allows larger photosites which guarantees better image quality that also has minimal noise, even when shot in a low-light environment. A bigger sensor also guarantees a shallower depth of field when shooting with large apertures, resulting in more creative results. The camcorder’s capabilities are also made possible thanks to the new DIGIC DV 6 image engine.
The Canon XF405 also makes it easy to capture the scene as it is with its Wide DR Gamma support. Such a feature achieves an 800% wide dynamic range that captures color accurately and with no blown highlights.
A 15x optical 4K UHD zoom lens is used on the XF405 camcorder. The lens is also able to maintain a 4K UHD quality throughout the entire zoom range, which covers 25.5 to 382.5mm. Thanks to the camera’s 4K UHD sensor, you can stretch zoom to 30x when shooting in Full HD.
The XF405 was the most expensive model out of all the three camcorders it was released with, and there was good reason for it despite them sharing many features. This model comes with a 3G-SDI terminal for integration with professional workflows in addition to supporting HDMI 2.0 for video output.
An adjustable 3.5-inch touch panel LCD monitor is a nice touch for easier composition. The camcorder also comes with a built-in 0.24-inch electronic viewfinder for better usability. It also has a detachable handle to accommodate various shooting situations.
Lets look at the Features and Spec below
Specifications in detail
Image Sensor
Sensor
1.0 – Type CMOS
Filter
RGB Primary Colour Filter
Total Pixels
13.4 MP
Effective pixels per sensor
8.29 MP
Subject illumination range
Approx. 0.1 lx to 100,000 lx
Minimum illumination(PAL/50.00Hz Mode)
Approx. 1.4 lx , P Mode(shutter speed 1/25 sec.) (50.00P; with auto slow shutter On), Low Light Mode: Approx. 0.1 lx (shutter speed 1/2 sec.)
Lens
Zoom ratio
15x Optical (30x Advanced Zoom in Full HD)
Focal Length
Approx. 25.5 to 382.5 mm
Minimum focus distance
10 mm at wide end, 60 cm across entire zooming range
ND filter
3 densities: turret switched, motor-driven.
ND 1/4, ND 1/16, and ND 1/64.
Zoom control
Via Zoom Rocker Switch, Lens Control ring or Remote Control
Zoom Speed
Selectable. Variable or constant speed. Fast, Normal or Slow speed.
Focus control
Manual via Lens Ring, Dual Pixel CMOS AF, Face Only, Face Priority
Iris control
Manual via Iris Control Dial, Auto
Aperture range
f/2.8 – f/11 (AV Priority and Manual Modes)
Filter diameter
58mm
Lens elements/groups
14 groups of 18 elements (double aspherical lenses and single Hi-UD lenses)
Aperture blades
9 Blades
Image stabilization system
Optical system (lens shift) + electronic stabilization Dynamic, Powered IS, Standard
Digital zoom/Teleconverter
Yes. 300 X Digital Zoom, 2 X Digital Teleconverter.
Image Processor
Type
Dual DIGIC DV6
Dynamic Range
12 stops (800%) in Wide DR mode
Sampling accuracy
YCC 4:2:0
Bit depth
8 bit
Looks settings
Standard, Wide DR, Monochrome
Recording
Video storage media
SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Type
Class U3 recommended for recording at 150MBPS
Recording time (64GB Card, approx.)
MP4 Recording:150 Mbps: 55 Minutes. 35 Mbps: 240 Mins
XF-AVC Recording: 160 Mbps: 50 Minutes. 45 Mbps: 185 Minutes
Recording file system
FAT32/exFAT
Internal Recording
MP4 3840x2160 (150 Mbps) / 1920x1080 (35/17 Mbps) / 1280x720 (8/4 Mbps)
NTSC: 59.94P / 29.97P / 23.98P
PAL: 50.00P / 25.00P depending on recording resolution selected
XF-AVC ¹:
NTSC: 3840 x 2160: 59.94P/ 29.97P/ 23.98P
1920 x 1080: 59.94P/ 59.94i/29.97P/23.98P/120P
1280 X 720: 59.94P/29.97P
PAL: 3840×2160: 50.00P/25.00P
1920×1080: 50.00P/50.00i/25.00P
1280×720: 50.00P/25.00P
External Recording Output
SDI: XF405 Only
NTSC: 1920x1080 59.94P YCC422 10bit /1920x1080 29.97P YCC422 10bit
PAL: 1920x1080 50.00P YCC422 10bit / 1920x1080 25.00P YCC422 10bit
HDMI: XF405 and XF400
NTSC: 3840x2160 59.94P YCC420 8bit / 1920x1080 59.94P YCC422 10bit / 3840x2160 29.97P YCC422 8bit / 1920x1080 29.97P YCC422 10bit
PAL: 3840x2160 50.00P YCC420 8bit /1920x1080 50.00P YCC422 10bit / 3840x2160 25.00P YCC422 8bit / 1920x1080 25.00P YCC422 10bit
Recording frame rate (PAL model)
50.00P/25.00P
Slow/Fast motion
Yes.
3840 x 2160: 50.00P: x2, x4, x10, x20, x60, x120, x600, x1200
25.00P: x0.5
1920 x 1080: 50.00P: x0.5, x2, x4, x10, x20, x60, x120, x600, x1200
25.00P: x0.25, x0.5
1280 x 720: 50.00P/8Mbps: x2, x4, x10, x20, x60, x120, x600, x1200
25.00P/4Mbps: x0.5
Interval Record
No
Frame Record
No
Pre Record (cache record)
Yes. 3 Seconds
Scan Reverse
No
Still quality
3840x2160 / 1920x1080 / 1280x720
(Still image resolution is dependent on the video resolution)
Photo storage media
SD Card
Audio
Recording
MPEG-4 AAC-LC (16-bit 2CH) / LPCM (16-bit 4CH)
Control
Manual or Auto
Reference Tone
1KHz, -12dB / -18dB / -20dB / Off
Microphone level meter
Yes
Panel
Type
LCD Capacitive touch panel
Size
3.5-inch (8.9 cm)
Dots
(approx. 1.56 million dots)
Adjustable
Yes
Waveform Monitor
No
Focus Assist
Yes. Focus Guide Function in MF
Peaking
Yes. Selectable Peaking Colour: Red / Blue / Yellow
Zebra
Yes. 70%, 100%
Markers
Yes. Horizontal (grey) / Horizontal (white) / Grid (grey) / Grid (white)
CVF
Size
0.24-inch
Dots
approx. 1.56 million dots
Adjustable
Yes
Viewing Angle
100%
Correction lens
+2.0 to -5 diopter
Inputs/Outputs
Audio in
XLR 3-pin jacks (x2), balanced on Handle Unit. 3.5mm Stereo jack (unbalanced) on camera body
Headphone output
Yes. 3.5mm
Video monitor output
No
HDMI
Yes
USB
Yes. Mini-B and Hi-Speed USB supported
SDI output
Yes. 3G-SDI Level A and B, selectable. BNC Connector (XF405 Only)
Time code
No. Timecode out via HDMI is possible
Genlock
No
LAN
Yes. Ethernet connector (RJ45) (supports 1000 BASE-T)
AV terminal
No
DC input
Yes. 3.4mm Jack
Remote Control Terminal
Yes. 2.5mm mini jack
IP Streaming Capability
Yes², via third-party hardware or software decoding solution
IP Streaming Output
Video Output: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
PAL: 9Mbps/4Mbps:1920x1080 50.00i
Audio output: MPEG-2 AAC-LC,256 Kbps, 2 channels
Output CH:CH1/CH2 / CH3/CH4
IP Streaming Protocol
UDP / RTP / RTP+FEC
Exposure
Exposure metering
Centre-weighted average metering: In the AUTO, P, Av, Tv, Portrait, Sports, Low Light and IR modes Segment evaluative metering: Snow, Beach, Sunset, Spotlight, Night modes
No metering: Fireworks; Fixed exposure [1/60 sec. (PAL: 1/50 sec.)], M (manual exposure)
Exposure Compensation
Highlight AE, Exposure lock, Auto backlight compensation, Exposure compensation amount shown as ±3 when locked or ±2 in AUTO (±8 increments).
Auto Exposure mode
P, Tv, Av, SCN (Portrait, Sports, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Night, Low Light, Spotlight, Fireworks)
Auto Gain Control setting
Yes
Auto Gain Control limit
In manual exposure (P, Av, and Tv modes): 0-29 dB (in 1 dB increments)
Not wide DR mode, not S&F x 1/4: 0-29 dB (in 1 dB increments)
Not wide DR mode, S&F x 1/4: 9-29 dB (in 1 dB increments)
Wide DR mode, not S&F x 1/4: 9-29 dB (in 1 dB increments)
Wide DR mode, S&F x 1/4: 18-29 dB (in 1 dB increments)
Gain setting
M (Manual) shooting,
Not wide DR: 0-39 dB (1 dB increments)
Wide DR: 9 – 39 dB (1 dB increments)
White Balance
Settings
Auto, Manual
Preset
Daylight: 5,600 K, Tungsten: 3,200, Default value for set 1,
set 2: 5,600 K Colour temperature (Kelvin) setting ranges from 2,000 K to 15,000 K.
Shutter Speed
Control Modes
Manual, Tv, Auto, P Mode
Shutter speed (PAL)
1/2 – 1/2000 sec
Slow Shutter (SLS)
50.00P: Auto slow shutter On: 1/25 to 1/500 sec. Auto slow shutter Off
1/50 to 1/500 sec
25.00P: Auto slow shutter On 1/12.5* to 1/500 sec.(*Display is 1/12.)
Auto slow shutter Off: 1/25 to 1/500 sec.
Clear Scan
No
Infrared
Infrared shooting mode
Yes
Built-in IR lamp
Yes, in Handle Unit
Misc.
Tally lamp
Yes
Colour Bars
EBU / SMPTE (PAL); SMPTE / ARIB (NTSC)
Accessory shoe
Cold Shoe
Custom Button Assignment
Yes. 5 assignable buttons. BLC Always On / Face Only AF / Focus Guide / Set WB / WB Priority / IR Light / Monitor Channels / AF/MF / Powered IS / Pre Rec / Rec Review / Magnification / Photo / Off
Custom Dial
Yes. [Av / Tv / M] / Exposure Compensation / AGC Limit / Off
Wireless LAN standards
IEEE802.11b/g/n/a (2.4 GHz/5 GHz)
Supported Wi-Fi Functions
Browser Remote (Camera Mode)/FTP file transfer (Media Mode)
Supported Browser for Remote Operation
Internet Explorer 8 or later, Safari (iOS 9 or 10), Safari (MacOS), Android standard browser Andoid 4.4 – 6.0
Remote Operation Control Features
1) Aperture (including ND control) (2) Focus The amount by which the focus is driven toward NEAR and toward FAR can each be controlled in 3 steps. (3) White balance (4) Shutter speed (5) Gain (6) Exposure compensation (7) Shooting mode (8) Zooming and SLOT SELECT control can be exercised. The free memory remaining on the media, time code, remaining battery charge, etc. can be checked. Live View.
Live view image Resolution
Camera setting mode: 680 x 383
Simplified setting mode: 284 x 160
Encryption
When Wi-Fi has been set manually in the XF405/XF400 select
“Open Encoding,” “Open WEP,” “Shared key/WEP”, “WPA, WPA2-PSK,” or “WPA2-PSK AES.”
(*) At the WPS setting stage, the settings are established automatically according to the authentication and encryption systems set at the access point.
GPS Information (Optional Accessory)
Location (latitude, longitude and altitude) as well as the GPS
information while using Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) can be added to MP4 movies and photos. Also, based on this information, the satellite data acquisition status can be checked in camera mode.
Time code
Countup system
Rec Run / Free Run
Start value setting
00:00:00:00 – 23:59:59:29 (PAL 23:59:59:24)
Drop Frame
DF / NDF
User BIT Type
Setting (00 00 00 00 – FF FF FF FF) / Time / Date
Accessories
Supplied
Lens hood with barrier, Mic holder unit (w/ screw), Handle unit, Wireless Controller (WL-D89), Lithium battery (CR2025), AC adapter (CA-946), Battery Pack BP-828, AC Cable, Lens Cap
Optional Accessories (Includes items not currently on sale)
Canon Battery Pack BP-820/BP-828
Canon AC Adapter CA-946 (included with XF405/XF400)
Canon Battery Charger CG-800/CG-800E, Canon High speed HDMI cable HTC-100, Canon High speed HDMI cable HTC-100/ High speed HDMI cable HTC-100/S, Canon Wireless Controller WL-D89, * Canon Tele Converter TL-U58 * Canon Wide Attachment WA-U58
Canon Soft Carrying Case SC-1000, SC-2000
Canon Wrist Strap WS-20,Canon Shoulder Strap SS-600/650
Canon PROTECT filter 58 mm, Canon ND4-L filter 58 mm
Canon ND8-L filter 58 mm, Canon GPS Receiver GP-E2
Canon Remote Controller RC-V100, Canon Battery Video Light VL-10Li/VL-10LiII Canon Battery Pack BP-900 series (for VL-10Li/VL-10LiII), Canon Compact Power Adapter CA910/920/930 (charges BP-900 series battery packs), Canon Car Battery Adapter CB-910/920 (for charging the BP-900 series), Canon Interface Cable IFC-300PCU/S / IFC-400PCU
The asterisks (*) indicate new accessories.
Battery
Power Consumption
8.4W (MP4, 3840 x 2160, 50.00P Panel in use)
Battery Pack
Canon Battery Pack BP-828 (supplied) BP-820 (Optional)
Continuous Recording Time
BP-828: 125 mins (MP4, 3840 x 2160, 50.00P Panel in use)
Miscellaneous
Dimensions
Approx. 150 x 216 x 267 mm (approx. 5.9 x 8.5 x 10.5 in.)
[Including lens hood, BP-828, mic holder unit, and handle unit]
Weight (camera only)
XF405: 1150g(2.5 lb) XF400: 1145g (2.5lb)
Weight (fully equipped)
XF405:1670g (3.7lb) XF400: 1665g (3.7lb)
Camera, Lens Hood, Handle Unit, BP-828 batery, 1 SD card
Operating Temperature range
Approx. 0 to 40 °C, 85 % (relative humidity)
Approx. -5 to 45 °C, 60 % (relative humidity)
Unboxing the Canon XF405
User Reviews
- 1.0-inch 4K UHD CMOS image sensor
- 15x Optical 4K UHD Zoom Lens with 5-Axis...
- Dual DIGIC DV 6 Image Processors
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF
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This has been an absolute pleasure to use. I was looking for a 4K camcorder that was professional grade but light and small. This has met my expectations
