Canon XF400/405 with 4K 60P

indiawilds

indiawilds

Veteran
Canon has just launched XF 400 and XF405 camcorders with UHD 4k 60p.

XF 400 is UHD 60p via HDMI 2.0
SF405 is UHD 60p via HDMI 2.0 and 3G SDI

15x optical zoom. Dual XLR, 4 channel audio, DPAF, Dual Digic DV6 processors, UHD 60p in XFAVC long GOP, 2 SD memory card slots.

According to B&H XF 405 at 3499 USD and XF400 at 2999 US dollars.

Sensor is 1.0" CMOS 8.29 MP.
 
Currently, there is no information regarding the GX10 offering XF-AVC as the 400/405...there might be a few other small differences.
 
This is a very cool release by Canon.....oddly cutting edge. I say oddly because Canon is not noted for cutting edge. This is something Sony should have released. There are not many 4K 60P camcorder out in the market, especially at this price bracket.

The Dual Pixel Auto Focus is really breakthrough in the Camcorder market. It seems as if everyone in the 4K camcroder market has abandoned the small sensor approach. Resolution has outpaced the ability for sensor technology to catch up. No one has been successful releasing a small sensor 4K camera with decent low light abilities. Camcorders are not the right tool for all occasions but histrionically speaking one of the strengths of small sensor Camcorders has been their ability to easily retain focus. The 1" sensor approach for 4K certainly alleviates some of the light management challenges found in small 4K sensors, but it obviously puts a strain on maintaining focus. I have the Panasonic AG-UX180 and the AF is pretty good, but this dual pixel focus option on these cameras is truly cutting edge in this category.

I am impressed by this release
 
The XF400 looks like a fantastic camera for event video. Touchscreen DPAF, 4K UHD, 15x zoom lens, 1" sensor, dual SDXC card slots. I might get one (or two) in the very near future. Not as sexy as a C200, but for event video, probably more effective (and certainly far cheaper).
 
Jaime Valles said:
The XF400 looks like a fantastic camera for event video. Touchscreen DPAF, 4K UHD, 15x zoom lens, 1" sensor, dual SDXC card slots. I might get one (or two) in the very near future. Not as sexy as a C200, but for event video, probably more effective (and certainly far cheaper).
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I am surprisingly interested in these cameras as well for event work. I have a C300 II and a couple XC15's. The XC15's seem to still have their space, but the XF405 might be a really nice alternative if I continue to do events and presentations.
 
I wonder how fast & slow the servo zoom can go. If I can achieve super-slow zooms, it would be fantastic. Especially if it can be controlled from the tripod pan handle with a wired controller.
 
Jaime Valles said:
I wonder how fast & slow the servo zoom can go. If I can achieve super-slow zooms, it would be fantastic. Especially if it can be controlled from the tripod pan handle with a wired controller.
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I have teh XA30 and you can set servo zoom speed but I have never tested how slow it can go

Just looked up the Product PDF sheet on the Website and it has an input for a remote LANC. I couldn't imagine leaving LANC control out of the equation

https://downloads.canon.com/nw/brochures/pdf/camcorder/XF405_400_data-sheet.pdf
 
I am thinking it will be good for some of the events and B roll. In some of the tourist areas, the stupid authorities don't allow the C300 but will allow these cameras as "camcorders" with some $10 fees.
 
I have a need for a small, unobtrusive camera for crews out on small boats with racers coming onto and jumping off the boats into the water, grabbing quick soundbites and coaching strategy meetings. Shallow DOF is not needed at all, XLRs, 4K 60P and DPAF would be perfect for this use though. The smaller imager would be easier to keep everything in focus and the small size and weight would be a big bonus. Bravo Canon, these cameras will be a hit for B and C camera for documentaries and of course, for event work.

1. Does it have Face Tracking as part of it's DPAF?
2. I know it can shoot BT-709/WDR, think it could have C-Log 3?
3. Do you think the colorimetry, in general, would blend with the C300 MKII and the C200?
 
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For me, I will try to decide between the GX10 and the Sony Handycam® FDR-AX700. I have been using the Vixia G30 for a while now, and super happy for my youtube channel results. And ready to jump to 4K with these 2 great options. Wish the price was around 1500.00 though. Anyone looking at the same options?
 
indiawilds said:
I am thinking it will be good for some of the events and B roll. In some of the tourist areas, the stupid authorities don't allow the C300 but will allow these cameras as "camcorders" with some $10 fees.
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Indeed. I travel internationally for many video shoots, and the XF400 looks far easier to deal with customs than the C100.

At this point I'm just waiting for reviews to come out to see how the high ISO performance looks. If it's at least on par with my C100 then I'm definitely getting a couple of these.
 
puredrifting said:
I have a need for a small, unobtrusive camera for crews out on small boats with racers coming onto and jumping off the boats into the water, grabbing quick soundbites and coaching strategy meetings. Shallow DOF is not needed at all, XLRs, 4K 60P and DPAF would be perfect for this use though. The smaller imager would be easier to keep everything in focus and the small size and weight would be a big bonus. Bravo Canon, these cameras will be a hit for B and C camera for documentaries and of course, for event work.

1. Does it have Face Tracking as part of it's DPAF?
2. I know it can shoot BT-709/WDR, think it could have C-Log 3?
3. Do you think the colorimetry, in general, would blend with the C300 MKII and the C200?
Click to expand...

Don't know about questions 2 and 3, but I'm almost 100% sure it has face tracking AF, just like the other touchscreen Canon cameras. That's the main reason I'm interested in this.
 
Through the use of the Sony RX10 II I have found the 1" sensor size to be quite versatile. It is a perfect size for all around shooting. Some deep DOF and some shallow if you want it. My main concern is always color and image refinement. The body size of these cameras looks very easy to handhold. I wish the makers would take this body size, maybe a bit larger and put the $5,000 processing and codecs inside.
 
Deer Film said:
For me, I will try to decide between the GX10 and the Sony Handycam® FDR-AX700. I have been using the Vixia G30 for a while now, and super happy for my youtube channel results. And ready to jump to 4K with these 2 great options. Wish the price was around 1500.00 though. Anyone looking at the same options?
Click to expand...

Yup, although I just pre-ordered the AX700 from BH Photo. In my case it was an easier choice because I've used their AX100 for 3 years now and love it, I already have an A7S and other Sony batteries, mics and accessories and I don't really need 60fps right now. Still, the Canon XF400 looks really nice. I suspect it will come down to whether or not you need 60fps and how vested you are in various accessories for either brand. I hope someone compares the two eventually though on low light performance and stabilization.
 
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