Does the Canon XA20 have that perfect combination of portability, functionality and a small price tag?
Review:David Whitehead
BinSearch.info Binary Usenet nzb Search Engine. Subject Poster Date; 9SMD134X57VFHPX13G - 01/39 - '9SMD134X57VFHPX13G.par2' yEnc (1/1) 52244. This product has been discontinued - the Canon XA55 is the recommended replacement. The Streaming Guys only sell genuine Canon stock with Australian warranties. The XA35 is a compact professional-use Full HD video camera with HD-SDI and HDMI outputs, which employs a newly developed Canon CMOS sensor making possible exceptional high-sensitivity imaging performance.
If you are contemplating coughing up some serious money for a DSLR and the associated bits that make them play (almost) nice for video, stop right now, turn left, and before you do anything else, take a close look at the latest generation of digital video cameras – the cameras that were actually designed from the ground up to shoot video. A prime example of these – and one that’s aimed at the high-end enthusiast, although equally suitable for the run ’n’ gun news gathering brigade – is the new Canon XA20.
FEATURES & FUNCTIONS
There are certain facilities that a pro-level camera really must have to properly perform its duties. Some are obvious: a socket to plug in a set of headphones so that audio can be properly monitored; the option to plug in external mics such as a radio mic and a proper viewfinder, as well as an LCD, for example. And in these areas, the Canon XA20 does not disappoint. But many video cameras half the price of the XA20 also have these features so does anything else set it apart? Well yes, actually, lots.
To review the XA20, we didn’t simply rely on a ‘test bench’ methodology and test the specifications. The camera was used in a variety of environments to see how it responded, including bright sunlight, low light, high-speed shooting environments, and shooting landscapes and flora and fauna.
LENS & BITS
Canon lenses are legendary. Add to that the electronics and clever bits from Canon’s up-market pro range of video cameras, and you have a powerhouse of a baby camera.
The lens is a 2.8mm f/1.8-2.8 animal, with a 20x optical zoom. Of course, at this level, you expect genuine optical image stabilisation and that’s exactly what you get. As mentioned, the processing chip is straight out of the high-end Canons and is a single 1/2.84-inch HD CMOS chip utilising Canon’s proprietary DIGIC DV4 engine.
If you are more used to 35mm nomenclature, this makes the lens equivalent to a 28-576mm when the Dynamic IS (image stabilisation) is turned on. In other words, not too shabby.
The processor has a total count of a fraction under 3 megapixels.
The predecessor to the XA20, the XA10, was stunning in its low light capability and the XA20 follows that lead. In Auto mode it can shoot in light down to 1 lux, while if Slow Shutter mode is activated, then this goes down to 0.1 lux.
You also get very respectable focus distances with a minimum focus of 60mm throughout the normal zoom range, and down to 10mm when in Wide Angle mode.
Final information of interest to the techie types is an aperture range of f1.8-f8; there is a filter diameter of 58mm (if you like add-ons such as Cokin kits etc.) and there is a built in ND (neutral density) filter.
PHYSICAL BEAST
The Canon XA20 is much smaller than the behemoths that preceded it (barring the XA10). Indeed, it is not much larger than a basic consumer camcorder. Setting it apart physically are the top mounted handle, the external microphone mount and the audio panel containing controls and twin XLR inputs for microphones. (An advanced version of the XA20, the XA25, also has SDI or serial digital interface connectivity for genlocking to other cameras).
Zooming can be achieved a number of ways. For the professional purists there is a front-mounted ring, and for the more standard, a body-mounted rocker switch. Finally, for those that like touch screens, the 3.5-inch flip out LCD is touch screen compatible. Zoom is selectable as either high-speed or soft, and in the slow mode, there are 16 levels available.
The LCD panel contains a gold mine of information acting as a monitoring panel, with indicators for peaking, magnification focus assist, and zebra striping. Once you have found settings that suit a specific environment, these can be assigned to one of five custom buttons – each of which can contain 22 separate functions.
Standard controls include shutter and aperture priority, manual exposure, exposure compensation and automatic gain.
The Canon XA20 is 131mm x 180mm x 231mm when fully optioned with the detachable handle attached and a battery in place. Also in this mode, the weight is a fraction over 1kg. The supplied battery is said to give around 145 minutes of recording time but sadly, charging is only on board – there is no external charger supplied in the box.
FUNCTIONALITY
Unlike a consumer camcorder, the operating functionality of the XA20 is far and away beyond a simple point and shoot affair. Of course, you can put the XA20 into fully Auto mode and, in fact, if you are graduating to this camera from a basic unit, it’s a good idea to start this way and slowly explore and become familiar with the additional functionality.
If your experience is limited to a more auto-based camcorder, functions you may not be immediately familiar with include exposure metering, exposure compensation, auto gain, shutter speed and Program AE. Those who have an SLR or DSLR background will be familiar with these.
In the SmartAuto mode, there are presets for particular environments or modes including Portrait, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Night, Spotlight and Fireworks. There’s even an Infrared mode and infra red lamp. Other creative facilities available are a cinema-look filter with nine options, and image effects for brightness, contrast, sharpness and colour depth.
SHOOTING FOR THE FUTURE
An innovation that is being seen more and more in cameras and camcorders alike is wireless functionality that can serve a number of purposes. At its most basic, a smartphone or tablet (currently Apple iOS-only in the XA20) can be used as a remote control/monitoring system for the XA20. At the other end of the scale, data stored on SD cards in the XA20 can be sent via wi-fi to an FTP or media server (assuming access to an internet access point).
At this stage in testing, the built-in Canon protocols do not support external storage from the XA20 to such devices as Seagate wi-fi hard drives. No doubt this will come in future iterations.
In conjunction with wi-fi, the XA20 also has built in GPS functionality.
The potential market for the Canon XA20 is threefold. The first is the existing camcorder user wishing to update from a more basic consumer unit to one with more control and functionality, but without a huge price tag. The second is for the experienced DSLR shooter who has tried the video route with their DSLR and discovered the pitfalls that do exist by taking that tack. The third is the documentary maker or news gatherer who needs portability and to a degree, unobtrusiveness. In all these areas, the XA20 is a worthy option.
Flappers Comedy Club Burbank
102 E. Magnolia Blvd. Burbank CA 91505
Corner of First & Magnolia in Downtown Burbank (AMC BUILDING ACROSS FROM SEARS)
Main Telephone Number: 818-845-9721
ON SITE PRIMARY CONTACT: VP of Groups and Parties: Jen McMahan – 619-602-8743
There is a 20 minute Yellow Loading Zone on First Street Just outside the Yoo Hoo Room entrance with parking for two vehicles or one large truck. Equipment can be brought in and stored in the Yoo Hoo Room. After 6pm Headliners, Celebrities or Executives can park here for the remainder of the evening. If an executive or headliner would like to park in this space but there are vehicles there call the main office at 818-845-9721 and we will move the vehicle so the headliners may park there.
Free parking for cast and crew arriving prior to 11am is best in the parking lot on Magnolia Blvd. (Ross Parking Lot) Just after you come over the Magnolia Bridge and you see Flappers on the corner turn right into the first parking lot. This lot does fill up quickly…so after 11am we suggest parking at ASHLEY FURNITURE OR THE MALL PARKING LOT DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET (CORNER OF FIRST AND MAGNOLIA)***
There is plenty of Free Parking in Downtown Burbank. Flappers is located at the Corner of First & Magnolia Blvd. ASHLEY FURNITURE OR THE MALL PARKING LOT DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET (CORNER OF FIRST AND MAGNOLIA)***
Flappers Comedy Club and Restaurant is a full service BAR and Restaurant. We have a full dinner menu including Burgers, Pizza, Steaks and Salmon. Not your average comedy club food—we are real restaurant. We offer morning and afternoon craft services options including Bagels and Cream Cheese, Granola Bars, Bottled Water, Hot Coffee & Tea, Hot Chocolate. We can also cater your crew and guest lunches, ask to see our special events menu. Seating for Lunch: Bar and Patio, Yoo Hoo Room, Mainroom and Yoo Lobby are all available for lunch seating.
Lunch Catering for Crew: We will setup Lunch for Crew on the Kitchen Line at the designated Time. Our kitchen is not open during the day to the public, only per special request. We open for business to the general public at 5pm Tuesday through Sunday 5pm-2am.
Bathrooms: Men and Women’s restrooms are located in the Yoo Hoo Lobby as well as one additional restroom at the end of the Bar area.
Green Room: There is a Green Room Located in the back of the Kitchen area which contains a small fridge filled with Bottled Water and a television with a Feed to the Main showroom.
Holding Areas: Our Main Lobby, Bar and Patio, and Yoo Hoo Lobby can hold up to 150 people and guests can hold or wait here before going into the showrooms.
Bar Area: Has four Televisions with a feed on one that links to the main showroom, small stage, amplifier, speakers and microphone.
Patio: Seating for 40 and 32 inch Television with Direct TV and CD Music Player.
Private Celebrity Entrance: There is a cage entrance in the back of the kitchen where celebrities can enter the building without going through any public areas. They can enter and go right to the green room, or showrooms. This entrance is located in the Magnolia Blvd Ross Parking lot directly adjacent to Flappers. There is a buzzer just outside the cage, press buzzer and someone will come to open the door.
Smoking: There is NO SMOKING allowed in downtown Burbank or on Flappers Premises. Guests may cross the street on First and Magnolia and walk over to the DO NOT ENTER Sign and smoke there (This is technically Glendale therefore you can smoke there)
CAMERA MOUNTS: 4- Bescor 101 Pan tilting remote control mounts remote controlled from the Sound booth Located in the Mainroom Cameras are located in the Room Center | House Left | House Right | Stage Right Focused on Audience. _____________________________________________________________________
LIGHTING 4- Lighting Bar rigs on stage right and left over the stage- Each had Two LED Lights programmed for 4 channels of Color 1-Smartfade Controller & Board Located in the Sound Booth 5- Par Lights Focused on Center Stage 1- Spotlight focused on Center Stage Located over the Sound Booth 4_BackLighting_LEDPar_ColoradoZoomSoloRGBW_IP65
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PROJECTION 1-Remote control Center screen Homegear 100” HD Motorized 16:9 Projector Screen W/ Remote Control 3- 40 Inch Television Monitors in the mainroom located in two corners of the room and one located above the Sound Booth with a clear view from stage. All can project the same image that is on the center of the screen. ____________________________________________________________________
MICROPHONE 3- Pyle-Pro PDWM96 Lavalier Wireless Microphone System 6- Sennheiser Microphones ____________________________________________________
SOUND MIXER 1_Burbank-Beringer- 24 Channel Mixer Behringer Eurodesk Sx2442fx Ultra-Low Noise Design 24-Input 4-Bus Studio/Live Mixer With Xenyx Mic Preamplifiers, British Eqs And Dual Multi-Fx Processor Premium ultra-low noise, high-headroom analog mixer
16 state-of-the-art XENYX Mic Preamps
Neo-classic “British” 3-band EQs with semi-parametric mid band
4 bus outputs and additional Mono output with sweepable Low Pass filter for subwoofer application
2 independent studio-grade 24-bit stereo FX processors with 99 presets including reverb, chorus, flanger, delay, pitch shifter and various multi-effects
1-Burbank- Onyx 1220i- 12 Channel Mixer
DIGITAL RECORDER 1- Tascam DR-40 V2- Digital Audio Recorder ______________________________________________________________
VIDEO VILLAGE SETUP We have a Video Village already set up in the Main SoundBooth but all the BNC cabling has been doubled up so you can run the video village from Stage Left as well. Come Take a Tour
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VIDEO RECORDER & LIVE STREAMING SWITCHER Specs
1) Motherboard Intel Z270 GIGABYTE AORUS GA-Z270X-Gaming 7 (rev. 1.0) LGA 1151 Intel Z270 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.1 ATX Motherboards – Intel Supports 7th/6th Generation Intel Core Processors DDR4 4133(O.C.)/ 4000(O.C.)/ 3866(O.C.)/ 3800(O.C.)/ 3733(O.C.)/ 3666(O.C.)/ 3600(O.C.)/ 3466(O.C.)/ 3400(O.C.)/ 3333(O.C.)/ 3300(O.C.)/ 3200(O.C.)/ 3000(O.C.)/ 2800(O.C.)/ 2666(O.C.)/ 2400(O.C.)/ 2133
2) Graphics card Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1060 Mini ITX OC 3G Graphics Card 1531 MHz Core – Boostable up to 1771 MHz 1152 CUDA Cores Pascal Architecture 3GB of GDDR5 vRAM
3) Processor Intel® – Core™ i5-7500 LGA 1151 3.4GHz Processor 6MB Cache
4) Capture Card- Blackmagic Design DeckLink Duo 2 SD/HD/3G-SDI Input/Output | PCI-E Interface | 1080p 4:4:4 by Single-Link 3G-SDI | 10/12-Bit Processing It has 4 input/outputs (user selectable) up to 1080p HD.
5) Power unit Thermaltake SMART 700W Continuous Power ATX 12V V2.3 / EPS 12V 80 PLUS Active PFC Power Supply PS-SPD-0700NPCWUS-W
6) RAM 24GB Patriot 16GB Viper 4 DDR4 3200 MHz UDIMM Memory Kit (2 x 8GB, Black/Red) 16GB (2 x 8GB) Capacity | 3200 MHz Clock Speed | PC4-25600 | 288-Pin UDIMM
7) HARD Drives SSD DRIVE : Samsung – 850 EVO 500GB Internal SATA Solid State Drive for Laptops and this SATA: WD – Mainstream 3TB Internal Serial ATA Hard Drive for Desktops
8) Case Corsair Carbide Series Quiet 400Q Mid-Tower Case | E-ATX, ATX, M-ATX, and M-ITX Support | Steel Case with Sound Damping Material | 2 x 3.5″ Drive Bays | 3 x 2.5″ Drive
SOFTWARE:
9) VMix http://www.vmix.com/purchase/ PROFESSIONAL VERSION
10) Windows 10
11) Adobe CS 5.5
DRESS CODE:
Clothing required! Dress casual and comfortable.
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FLAPPERS COMEDY CLUB & RESTAURANT
102 E. Magnolia Blvd.| Burbank CA 91502
Black Magic 2 84 Serial Killer
Phone:818-845-9721 Fax: 818-841-6222
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www.FlappersComedy.com | Facebook | Twitter