RSS Feed
XM2 Professional Digital Video Camera
The Canon XM2 Professional Digital Video Camera offers the features, manual controls and image quality that professionals demand. At the same time, it is user-friendly enough for aspiring filmmakers and those new to a more sophisticated level of digital video cameras. It's appropriate for broadcasts, web content or capturing special memories with friends and family.
Close-ups and zooming
The XM2 features a 20x fluorite zoom lens for sharp resolution when shooting close-ups. In terms of the 35mm format, the XM2's zoom lens is equivalent to 39.5-790mm. This means that footage shot with the XM2 is up to the level of broadcast TV quality. You can choose between 20x optical zoom and 100x digital zoom.
Manual control
Every video shoot is different with a unique environment. That's why the Canon XM2 allows the user to manually control numerous settings. You can fine tune until the picture is exactly the way you want it. However, for those with less experience, the XM2 also operates in a fully automatic mode.
Colour reproduction
The XM2 professional digital video camera features Canon's 3CCD technology with 470,000 pixels. As light enters the camera, the 3CCD system separates it into blue, red and green. The result is colour reproduction that's more true to life.
As mentioned above, the XM2 uses a fluorite zoom lens. Fluorite is a synthetic substance that surpasses the colour capture limitations experienced with regular glass. Fluorite technology contributes to the XM2's lifelike colour reproduction by eliminating colour deviations.
Sound
When it comes to shooting videos, sound is as important as sight. To achieve a stereo sound, the Canon XM2 utilises a direction accurate microphone. The camera actually contains two separate pairs of pick-up elements, one on the left and one on the right. You also have the ability to match the microphone settings to the recording conditions. There are three settings: normal, voice and windscreen.
For even better sound control, you can manually adjust 2-channel audio levels. An audio meter level on the camera's screen gives you a visual indication of the sound balance.
Image quality
Image quality is top-notch when shooting video as well as still images (photos). For video footage, the XM2 delivers 540 TV lines of resolution.
Still images have a resolution of 1.68 megapixels. These photos are conveniently stored on a removable memory card for easy uploading and printing. In addition to still images, you can also create photos from your video footage by using Frame Movie Mode.
The XM2's Optical Image Stabiliser helps reduce the shaking that commonly occurs when you're holding the camera while you shoot. This feature helps improve the quality of close-up footage when shaking is most noticeable. Canon's Optical Image Stabiliser is superior to electronic stabilisation because it does not affect the quality of the images.
Canon's XM2 warns you when part of your picture is overexposed. A Zebra Pattern appears on top of the overexposed area, making it easier for you to correct the problem.
The Canon XM2 professional digital video camera features the advanced technology and manual control options that elevate it to the level of professional filmmaking. Yet, the XM2 retains many of the functions and automatic settings that allow casual users to operate the camera with confidence.
This article was brought to you by Canon New Zealand.
