Canon XC15 Compact 4K Camera Announced

News

by Johnnie BehiriSeptember 1^st, 2016

Busy times at Canon! The end of last week saw the announcement of the new Canon 5D Mark IV and today, we welcome the new Canon XC15 as well as the EOS C700.

While the XC10 was a brand-new product category for Canon (a very compact and lightweight 1-inch sensor UHD-capable video camera that can also shoot stills, with a built-in fixed zoom lens), the Canon XC15 has carried over almost the exact same specifications as its predecessor, yet differs in one important aspect: audio connectivity. While reviewing the Canon XC10 over a year ago, one of my concerns was the camera’s “audio department”. Here is what I had to say: “Canon is marketing this camcorder as professional. A better professional XLR audio solution from Canon is missing for that, though”. Today, I’m happy to report that Canon listened and updated the audio capabilities of the new camera by adding an XLR input (when using the MA-400 mic adapter which was originally designed for the C300 Mk II).

Having a robust codec in such a small camera and improved audio connectivity are certainly welcome features, but all in all, for a camera that is aimed at the occasional news and documentary shooters, it is yet to be seen if the current update is satisfying. Personally, I would have loved to have seen a constant aperture lens, a dedicated EVF and better quality 120fps implemented in this revision.

Below you can find the updated specification list of the new camera: (over the XC10)

• The movie looks from the C300 Mk II have been incorporated, and this will allow for consistency with the C300 Mk II
• New 24p mode for both 4K and 1080p (in addition to 23.98p) and at up to 305 Mbps in 4K.
• Waveform Monitor display.
• Added flicker reduction
• Highlight Priority, a new gamma mode that provides similar effects to HDR.
• A new touch panel with an operation lock.
• Shutter speed display can be switched to a shutter angle display

The camera is currently available for pre ordering at B&H by clicking here and for our European audience by clicking here