Last Updated on January 13, 2019
Canon has announced new professional video products, including Canon XF205 and XF200 camcorders and CINE-SERVO 17-200mm T2.95 lens. These product announcements came right before the NAB show, which is the largest B2B media and entertainment event in the world.
The Canon XF205 and XF200 full HD professional camcorders are slated to go on sale in the middle of July with an estimated price of $4,000 and $3,900, respectively. The Canon CINE-SERVO 17-120mm T2.95 zoom lens is expected to go on sale in August 2014 with an estimated price of $33,000.
CANON XF205 and XF200 PROFESSIONAL CAMCORDERS
Both the Canon XF205 and XF200 build upon technologies that have been carried over from the XA25 and XA20 professional camcorders. Both offer enhanced performance and improved operability in response to feedback from the industry. Both camcorders are ideal for run-and-gun, cinema verite filmmakers.
The XF205 and XF200 are positioned well above the XF105 and XF100 professional camcorder models. Both models come with upgraded zoom lens, CMOS sensor, and an image-processing platform that is featured in the XA25/XA20 high-definition camcorders. The newest camcorders come with a compact, lightweight body design, advanced operability and expanded network connectivity. All of these features are able to satisfy a wide range of professional shooting demands. Among those that both camcorders can cater to are the production of high-definition content for news gathering, documentaries, weddings and event photography.
Both the XF205 and XF200 come with wide-angle 26.8mm (35mm film equivalent) 20x optical zoom lens with Hi-UD (Hi Index Ultra Low Dispersion) glass lens elements. These make for a more compact size camera with reduced chromatic aberrations compared to models released before. The lens is also equipped with eight-bladed circular aperture that makes use of the same Eletro Magnetic Diaphragm (EMD) technology featured in EF lenses by Canon. Thanks to the use of this technology, natural, attractive blur characteristics can be created. What differentiates the two new models are the industry-standard 3G-SDI and HD-SDI output terminals, as well as the genlock in/SMPTE time code terminals that are present in the XF205 camcorders.
Both camcorders also support two recording formats, MXF – which is a file format used by broadcast stations – and MP4 – which is really versatile because of its compatibility with different viewing and content providers, including web browsers and television news outlets.
The camcorders are also compact in size, carrying only 58% of the mass and volume of the XF305/XF300 models.
The XF205 and XF200 also include three separate lens rings for focus, zoom and iris control. Additionally, they feature a comfortable handgrip that rotates freely up to a 120-degree angle, which allows for outstanding operability while shooting in different situations.
Both the camcorders also come equipped with Ethernet LAN terminal and dual-band wireless connectivity to ensure a reliable data connection at all times. This enhanced network connection also provides users with improved shooting, as well as efficiency during news gathering and other shooting scenarios.
The CameraAccess Plus app of Canon also allows live viewing and remote operation by way of a compatible smartphone or tablet. Not only that, it also allows the real-time transfer of proxy data.
CINE-SERVO ZOOM LENS
The CINE-SERVO 17-120mm T2.95 zoom lens is designed to be used in a shoulder-mounted application or as a traditional cinema lens. The lens comes with an ENG-style Digital Drive handgrip with zoom rocker switch that is also detachable to allow manual cinema operation. The CINE-SERVO lens comes with high 4K optical performance throughout the whole broad focal length of 17mm to 120mm with its compact and lightweight body.
It also comes with a three-group inner focus system that reduces focus breathing and provides a stable angle of view. The lens also comes with an 11-blade iris that achieves creative depth-of-field manipulation and natural “bokeh” background. The design features are also user friendly, and it supports matte boxes and follow focus. It is designed to work with single-sensor cameras and will be available in either PL- or EF-mount.
