Canon XA11 Review, Unboxing, User Manual
HIGHLIGHTS:
CANON XA11 PROFESSIONAL CAMCORDER- OVERVIEW
Canon XA11 camcorder, released in 2017, is perfect for filming live events, documentary shooting, and newsgathering. The brand packs top-class performance and portability in one package and markets the CANON XA11 camcorder model as one of their best run-and-gun shooting cameras.
This HD video camera owns a compact body with extensive manual controls and easy-to-access function buttons. The combination of an advanced HD CMOS Pro image sensor, a 20X HD optical zoom lens, and the DIGIC 4 image processor makes it capable of capturing stunning HD content in all types of situations.
CANON XA11 REVIEW
Design & Features
Since the camcorder is targeted towards journalists, documentary, wedding and live event shooters; it comes with a detachable handle unit to give you the advantage of reducing weight. The handle offers record button, zoom toggle, IR emitter buttons, manual audio level controller options, a pair of CLR connectors with phantom power and a mounting shoe (MI shoe) for attaching external accessories like tally light, external microphones and more.
Canon XA11 provides both full-auto modes and manual control for focus, exposure, white balance, gain, and shutter speed. It incorporates five different customizable zooming setting options as Fast, Normal, Slow, Variable, and Constant to ease the recording tasks.
The constant setting lets you define between 16 different zooming speed levels. With this camcorder, you will get several professional features like peaking, a reference tone, pre-record buffer, color bars, zebra bars, and much more.
Also, the camcorder allows live streaming of videos onto Facebook, Youtube, or any social media.
Like other modern-aged camcorder models, this Canon XA11 video cam is also equipped with a standard-sized 100% field covering electronic viewfinder and touch-friendly 460,000 dots swivel LCD screen. You can adjust the 1.56 million dots resolution 0.24” viewfinder according to your comfort.
You can tilt the flip-out screen up or down to around 45-degree. Moreover, the 3” touch panel view screen gives you a clear and color-rich preview of recording. So, you can compose your scene comfortably with ease, even in bright daylight.
The HD optical zoom lens offers a 26.8 to 576mm focal and 20X zooming range. Such range is perfect for instant point-and-shoot work, where you can easily capture wide shots and zoom in or out of the scenes according to your preference. The round 8 bladed aperture provides a pleasing bokeh quality.
On top of that, the HD CMOS Pro image sensor maintains superb image quality in all circumstances, even in low light and unstable situations. The 1/2.84 inch CMOS Pro sensor truly works great in low-lighting conditions while also providing a wide dynamic range.
All these features make the camcorder perfect for wedding videography, sports, or any live-event shooting.
Image stability is a major concern for most run-and-gun shooters, especially while shooting in handheld positions. The powerful DIGIC DV 4 processor enables a dynamic stabilization mode and reduces image distortions from all directions. Moreover, the image processor makes the XA11 camcorder capable of recording in two different formats and bit rates. So, you will get a web-ready version for instant sharing, besides having a copy of the master video for future reference.
IMAGE AND VIDEO QUALITY
The XA11 simultaneously records videos in different formats, at multiple bit rates or frame rates. It supports AVCHD and MP4 format recording at 30P to 60P mode with up to 60FPS speed.
If you want a cinematic feel, I would like to suggest you set your recording settings in native 24P / AVCHD H.264 mode. Professionals consider 28 MBPS bit rate is best for AVCHD, and 35 MBPS is well-suited for MP4 recording. The 2 MP 1920 x 1080 HD resolution still picture capturing ability is an extra benefit for professional event videographers and journalists.
Storage
The XA11 comes with two built-in media slots that support SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards. The camcorder allows you to record videos using different formats or bit rates and save files automatically or select cards manually.
Connectivity and Compatibility
It has a 3.5 mm TRRS A/V composite jack for audio/video connectors and a mini-HDMI connector. A 2.5 mm LANC control and mini-B USB port are also there for taking or delivering audio/video input and output signals.
Canon XA11 features the most demanded two 3-Pin XLR connection points with Mic/Line Level input and (+48 V) phantom power. The XLR points are compatible with most professional audio devices.
Also check the Canon XA10 and Canon XA20 reviews!!
BEST FEATURES OF THE CANON XA11 PROFESSIONAL CAMCORDER
Portable ergonomic physical design, advanced lens, sensor, and processor, improved low light shooting capabilities, more impactful image stabilization mechanism, and last but not least 600% wider dynamic range.
SPECIFICATIONS OF CANON XA11
LENS SPECIFICATION
Focal Length | 8.9 to 89mm |
Zoom | 20X Optical Zoom, up to 400X digital Zoom |
Maximum Aperture | f/1.8 to 2.8 |
Minimum Aperture | f/16 |
Filter Size | 58 mm |
Control Rings | Focus Zoom |
Focus Control | Autofocus Manual Focus |
IMAGE SENSOR
Sensor Size | 1/2.5" |
Sensor Type | CMOS Sensor |
Resolution | 2.91 Megapixel |
CAMERA SPECIFICATION
Image Stabilization | Dynamic Stabilisation process by DIGIC DV 4 image processor |
Built-In ND Filter | Gradation ND filter |
Shutter Speed | 1/6 to 1/2000 sec |
Gain | 0 to 18 dB |
Minimum Illumination | 0.1 Lux at 1/2 Shutter Speed |
White Balance | 2000 to 15,000K |
VIDEO RECORDING
Recording Formats | AVCHD/MP4 |
Video Resolution | 8-bit 4:2:0 AVCHD: 1920 x 1080P (17 to 28 Mb/s) at 23.98/29.97/59.94 FPS 8-bit 4:2:0 MP4: 1920 x 1080P (17 to 35 Mb/s) at 23.98/29.97/59.94 FPS |
DISPLAY SCREEN
Screen Size | 3" |
Resolution | 460,000 Dot |
Display Type | LCD Touch Screen |
EVF
EVF Display Type | LCD |
Screen Size | .24" |
EVF Resolution | 1,560,000 Dots |
Connectivity
Wired Connection | XLR Inputs, HDMI, Micro-B USB |
Mounting Feature
Accessory Mount | Cold Mount Shoe |
Power
Battery Model | Canon BP-820 Lithium-ion battery packs |
Battery Capacity | 1780mAh |
TEST FOOTAGE OF CANON XA11 COMPACT FULL HD CAMCORDER
CANON XA11 UNBOXING
CANON XA11 USER MANUAL
You will be receiving a detailed user manual while purchasing a Canon XA11 professional camcorder. But, I will always suggest you to view the user manual from the Company's official website before you make a final decision about the purchase. The user manual will have a complete guide on the different camera settings, firmware, and safety precautions you must follow while using this camcorder.
If you wish to check the official user manual of this Canon XA11 camcorder, click here.
CANON XA11 accessories
Memory Cards
Relay mode is also there; that shifts recorded files to the unused memory card when the storage capacity of the primary card gets full. But, what will you do if the storage of both cards runs out? You can record for a maximum of around 3 hours using a single 32GB memory card or approx 6 hours while using dual memory slots; which, is not enough for covering a live event without hassle.
So, never have a second thought regarding keeping extra memory cards and batteries.
Battery
Canon XA11 includes a small powered 1780mAh lithium-ion rechargeable battery, model no - BP-820. So, it’s not fine to leave only with this short battery life. You can purchase Canon BP-820 battery that has expanded battery life and is well compatible with the XA11 model.
Conclusion
The Canon XA11 camcorder always produces high-quality HD content with the highest clarity, in all situations. If you are fine with only HD resolution recording and don’t opt for Wi-Fi connectivity, you can for this less expensive run-and-gun video camera.
