Canon has released another quality level video camera, the XA10. This camera teeters on the line between top home camcorder to professional video camera. The term "prosumer" is being used more and more these days. I think the XA10 fits nicely as a prosumer unit. Some manufactures call their product prosumer but they are no where near that standard. The XA10 really is a professional video camera that general consumers are buying to use in non professional situations. Some of the results from average consumers are astounding. People are really taking to this video camera and creating some great footage. Its a tribute to Canon to be able to make a video camera with all the XA10's abilities and make it easy to use and at a reasonable price.
There are a few features on the XA10 that non professional users are raving about. If someone is thinking of taking that next step up to a video camera like the XA10, then these may be features to consider.
Zoom zoom zoom
The zoom used on the XA10 is the same one used on two other professional Canon cameras. The XF100 and the XF105. It's a optical 10x zoom and the digital zoom is 200x. What does 200x zoom give you? It lets you read a car plate at almost 1000 feet. Thats 300 meters to all you non USA folk. Or 984 feet. So if someone asks you did you get the plate, you can reply, sure did and I am still filming it! There two zoom modes and three different zoom speeds within those two modes. Variable/Constant - Fast/Normal/Slow.
Cool Stuff
The camera has a few bits of cool stuff. One such bit of cool stuff is Face Detection. Just like many DSLR still shot cameras have these days, the XA10 has it for shooting video. It will recognize and then track a persons face.If there are multiple faces in the frame you can actually toggle between which face you want to track. At the quick touch of the onscreen graphics on the LCD view screen, you can change from tracking one face to another. Then back again if you wish. Its a pretty neat feature. There are a few restrictions around using it. It wont operate at lower light and slower shutter speeds. However its great in everyday family shooting moments.
Infrared Mode
The Canon XA 10 has an infrared mode. Within that there are two types of infrared shooting that can be selected. There is white infrared and green infrared. This neat little feature opens up the possibility of a whole range of shooting opportunities. It has been enjoyed and employed by animals lovers for shooting nocturnal animals. It is a genuine stealth mode at its best. someone visiting the fridge in the small hours? If only we could set up a motion sensor to trigger the recording to start! Shooting in infrared you would clearly see who it was.
What ever it is that appeals to you about the Canon XA 10 video camera, I'm sure you will find many other things you love about it.
Check out the blog for more information on the Canon XA 10
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