Canon XA30 Camcorder

Refined and compact performance

Canon XA30

For everything from movie and television production to event recordings.

Canon’s XA30 Professional Camcorder is a solid and affordable choice. Whether producing films, recording weddings and more, the XA30 offers an impressive combination of portability, image quality and reliable operation. It features a Genuine Canon 20x High Definition Optical Zoom lens, a newly designed HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor with improved low-light performance and new Wide DR Gamma and Highlight Priority modes that help capture an extended, seamless range of colours and tones virtually consistent with how they’re seen by the naked eye. A new interval recording option expands the XA30’s abilities for creative animation and motion effect Full HD video capture with fast motion of up to 1200x the original speed. From movie productions to events to company presentations and more, the XA30 delivers outstanding video with portability, high quality and great versatility.

Key Features:

• Genuine Canon 20x High Definition Optical Zoom Lens
• New, Advanced HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor with Improved Low-light Performance
• Full HD 1920x1080 Recording Capabilities
• Built-in Wi-Fi Technology with FTP Transfer Capability
• Superb Image Reproduction
• 3.5-inch OLED Viewscreen with 10,000:1 Contrast Ratio and EVF
• Dual SD Card Slots, Using Readily Available, Consumable Media
• Wide DR Gamma (600%)
• Highlight Priority Mode
• View Assist Function that Supports Highlight Priority Mode
• Intelligent Optical Image Stabilization System with Powered and Dynamic Modes and Auto On/Off
• Full Manual Control
• Ergonomic, Portable Design
• Two Phantom-powered XLR Audio Inputs with Manual Gain Control
• Ultra Compact with Detachable Handle
• High Definition Peaking for Focus Assist
• Assignable Buttons for Custom Shooting
• Infrared Shooting Mode for Extreme Low-light Conditions (with built-in IR emitter and diffuser)
• Connectivity to Various Inputs and Outputs
• Optional Bluetooth Mic with Two-way Intercom-like Capability
• Advanced Display Features: Zebra, Colour Bars and Test Tone
• Impressive Slow and Fast Motion, including Interval Recording from 2x to 1200x

Genuine Canon 20x High Definition Optical Zoom Lens

The XA30 Professional Camcorder features a Genuine Canon 20x HD Zoom Lens that provides a highly versatile zoom range with 35mm equivalent of 26.8–576mm, and a minimum object distance of just 23.6 inches (60cm) to help capture newsworthy recordings near and far. The impressive image quality is enhanced by an 8-blade Circular Aperture design, which helps to avoid the “starburst” effect of point light sources in non-circular aperture designs. Out-of-focus areas are smooth, natural and appealing. An endless-type focus and zoom control includes user-programmable direction and sensitivity modes. Zoom speed can be set to either a variable or constant (with 16 levels) speed setting, with Fast, Normal, or Slow zoom speed levels.

New, Advanced HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor with Improved Low-light Performance

• New, Advanced HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor

  For incredibly sharp and detailed high-definition video recording, the XA30 Professional Camcorder features a reengineered, 1/2.84-inch, 2.91 Megapixel HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor that captures approximately 2136x1362 pixels. Thanks to the sensor's enhanced sensitivity, the XA30 helps provide vivid, accurate recording through an improved signal-to-noise ratio.

• Improved Low-light Performance

  Featuring an improved, low-luminance noise rating of +3 dB, the XA30 Professional Camcorder is able to capture clearer, sharper images in lower light, with even better detail.

Full HD 1920x1080 Recording Capabilities

Multiple recording modes, resolutions and frame rates make the XA30 Professional Camcorder creatively flexible and adaptable to virtually any news-gathering environment. It can record in Full HD resolution in both AVCHD and MP4 recording codecs, at multiple bit rates, and even simultaneously.

Built-in Wi-Fi® Technology with FTP Transfer Capability

The XA30 Professional Camcorder features built-in dual-band (5 GHz/2.4 GHz) Wi-Fi® technology, enabling FTP file transfer to Cloud-based servers for convenient back ups or for situations where a relay station, such as a news truck, is unavailable. The dual bands help ensure that data can be sent even in areas with increased signal interference. It is also possible to connect to compatible networks, wireless hotspots and compatible iOS® mobile devices using the free Canon Movie Uploader app*, or play back video on the camcorder's memory cards to Wi-Fi® enabled TVs and computers.

Wi-Fi® technology also allows remote control of key camcorder controls, such as recording start/stop and zoom (in three different speeds), exposure functions (aperture, shutter speed, gain, exposure compensation and more), white balance and focus settings via a compatible tablet or smartphone. The ability to control the camera remotely, such as when using a camera crane, helps improve mobility in various shooting environments.

• * This software enables you to upload images to social network sites. Before uploading images, please be aware that image files may contain privacy related information such as people and places. If necessary, please delete such information. Canon does not obtain, collect or use such images or any information included in such images through this software. Compatible with iOS version 5/6/7 or later for select devices. MP4 60p and AVCHD recordings are not supported for this function.

Superb Image Reproduction

The XA30 Professional Camcorder represents Canon's Full HD System, delivering truly excellent image quality and reproduction for most any news-gathering application. With its 20x Optical Zoom HD Video lens, its new HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor and the powerful DIGIC DV 4 Image Processor working together to capture and process the images at hand, the XA30 is positioned to deliver HD video that is nothing short of stunning.

3.5-inch OLED Viewscreen with 10,000:1 Contrast Ratio and EVF

• 3.5-inch OLED Viewscreen with 10,000:1 Contrast Ratio

  The 3.5-inch, 1.23 million dot equivalent Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) display provides vivid colours, high contrast and dramatically improved responsiveness compared to traditional LCD screens. A wide-view angle (over 80° at all angles) aids in composition versatility, and regular chromaticity adjustments, which are prompted by the camcorder, help ensure correct brightness and faithful colour reproduction.

• Electronic Viewfinder

  The 0.24-inch tilt-type colour electronic viewfinder on the XA30 Professional Camcorder has 100% field of view, and 1.56 million dots of resolution help ensure critical focus adjustment, with peaking applied if necessary. A joystick located to the right of the viewfinder, where the thumb rests, enables control of camera settings on the viewscreen without having to use touch panel controls.

Dual SD Card Slots, Using Readily Available, Consumable Media

• SDHC/SDXC Card-compatible 

  The XA30 Professional Camcorder is compatible with universal SDHC and SDXC memory cards, which provide super-high capacity and ultra-fast data transfer.

• Double-slot SD Card Recording for Instant Backup

  For safety and convenience, double-slot recording allows you to record simultaneously to each of the two SD memory card slots, providing an instant backup for your footage.

• Relay Recording for Continuous, Long-run Recording

  With Relay Recording, the XA30 Professional Camcorder automatically switches video recording from one SD memory card to the other when the first memory card becomes full.

Wide DR Gamma (600%)

For natural and realistic-looking image capture that faithfully represents the scene at hand, the XA30 Professional Camcorder features a Wide DR Gamma mode. By suppressing overexposure in high brightness areas of the composition, this mode helps achieve a wide dynamic range of 600% to produce seamless tone gradations, resulting in smooth detail, accurate colour and virtually no blown-out highlights.

Highlight Priority Mode

To capture highly saturated, realistic colours and to convey gradation characteristics as perceived by the eye, the XA30 Professional Camcorder has a new Highlight Priority mode that achieves effects similar to HDR modes in other camcorders. By reducing the mid- to high-brightness compression of the standard gamma mode, the Highlight Priority mode helps to prevent loss of detail in high brightness areas. Designed for display on a bright LCD TV, videos captured in Highlight Priority mode should be shown at a high brightness setting to help ensure accurate portrayal of the effect.

View Assist Function that Supports Highlight Priority Mode

When using the XA30 Professional Camcorder in Highlight Priority mode, the View Assist function increases brightness and medium tone gamma in the camera's viewfinder or OLED panel. This allows images to be displayed with the brightness and gradation with which they are being recorded or reviewed, helping to ensure the subjects look natural and realistic.

Intelligent Optical Image Stabilization System with Powered and Dynamic Modes and Auto On/Off

The XA30 Professional Camcorder offers a powerful optical image stabilization system suited to help reduce image blur in a wide variety of shooting situations. The different image stabilization options can be selected manually, or Intelligent IS can use an automatic detection system to identify the proper stabilization mode for the situation. Featured on the XA30 is Dynamic Mode, which provides electronic correction of roll and tilt.

• Dynamic IS

  Used for image stabilization at the wide end, Dynamic IS builds on translational (up-down/left-right) stabilization, adding roll axis correction, horizontal roll correction and vertical roll correction for five-axis correction. Image distortion is substantially reduced, even when shooting while in motion.

• Macro IS

  Macro IS corrects angular and shift-type shake in wide-angle shots.

• Powered IS*

  Used for image stabilization in telephoto shooting, Powered IS corrects for low-frequency camcorder shake.

* During Intelligent IS (AUTO mode), Powered IS can be set to ON or OFF.

Full Manual Control

Custom Key and Dial

A Custom Key and Dial feature allows you to assign functions to an easily accessible key and adjust the settings with a control dial. The functions include:

• Tv/Av: Use the dial to adjust shutter speed (Tv mode) or aperture (Av mode), as needed. In this mode the key has no effect.

• Manual exposure: When manual control is selected, the dial can adjust aperture, shutter speed or gain. Select items to adjust, such as aperture or other settings, with the key.

• Exposure Lock can be set on or off as can the AGC Limit.

Composition Aids

With the Level Marker feature, it's easy to keep the camcorder level for more accurate framing. The Grid Marker provides a reference grid in your viewfinder. Depending on the background colour of your shot, you can choose between two different colours (white or gray) for better viewing contrast.

Gain Control

Gain may be manually set from 0 dB to 24 dB in 1 dB increments. Additionally, Auto Gain Control Limit allows you to set the maximum gain limit for the image sensor's sensitivity. With this function, brightness and noise can be balanced as required, and image quality can be maximized in low-light situations.

Power Zoom

Power zoom is available in Variable and Constant settings in 3 modes: Fast (approx. 1.9–60 seconds), Normal (approx. 2.5–180 seconds) and Slow (approx. 4.0–285 seconds). To provide added control, there are 16 predefined steps in Constant mode.

Ergonomic, Portable Design

Weighing less than three pounds including the detachable handle, battery and lens hood – and less than two pounds without – the XA30 Professional Camcorder is ideal for high-action shoots when both speed and mobility are essential, and where keeping a low profile is an added benefit. Though small in size, this camcorder sacrifices nothing when it comes to professional functionality. It features a “seesaw” style zoom lever, manual focus/zoom ring and joystick for easy control and an electronic viewfinder that can tilt up to 45° for low-angle shooting. It also has five Assign Buttons to help it fit to your operational needs.

Two Phantom-powered XLR Audio Inputs with Manual Gain Control

A stereo microphone is incorporated into the XA30 Professional Camcorder, as are two XLR audio inputs with +48 V phantom power. The built-in microphone provides outstanding audio in fast-paced situations while the XLR inputs provide connectivity to external microphones and other professional audio devices. If you choose, the built-in microphone and XLR input can be used simultaneously.

Audio is recorded in 16-bit PCM format at 48 kHz for amazing quality and fidelity. And both the built-in microphone and XLR inputs have the option for automatic or full manual gain control. To prevent variations in the recorded audio level, the dial can also be locked.

The XA30 also includes a 3.5mm headphone terminal with 16 volume settings for accurate audio monitoring.

Ultra Compact with Detachable Handle

A detachable handle provides the user with expanded audio performance and added flexibility. Removing the handle allows the camcorder to be made more compact for convenient storage when travelling. Included on the handle are the following terminals, controls and monitors:

• Two built-in XLR audio input terminals with phantom power
• Accessory shoe (cold)
• External microphone holder
• Manual audio level control
• Zoom control and record start/stop button
• Infrared light
• Tally lamp

High Definition Peaking for Focus Assist

To enhance focusing capability, the XA30 Professional Camcorder provides Focus Assist. It includes enlargement, which helps in capturing your subject in razor-sharp focus. It works by providing a 2x magnification of your subject, which is automatically cancelled when you start recording. Also included is colour peaking, which shows the shooting object's focused areas in actual colours.

Assignable Buttons for Custom Shooting

The XA30 Professional Camcorder is equipped with five assignable buttons so that the camcorder can be tailored to the specific preferences or needs of the user.

Infrared Shooting Mode for Extreme Low-light Conditions (with built-in IR emitter and diffuser)

The XA30 Professional Camcorder features an Infrared Mode allowing the capture of video in conditions with little to no ambient light. Improved from the XA25 and XA20, it can shoot at brightness levels that are approximately 1.4 times more sensitive, and allows low-light capture by removing the infrared cutoff filter from the optical path. Its specially designed lens coating allows the infrared light to pass through to the image sensor. Additionally, the detachable handle of the XA30 features an infrared emitter with a diffuser to shoot appealing infrared imagery even in complete darkness. For evening camera crews or nature documentary makers, the benefits of a compact, high performance camcorder for shooting in such conditions are obvious. Without the need to add lights, the shooter can save time on set-up, or blend into the background to reduce their chance of being seen by the subject. Also, the XA30 gives the option of recording in white or green mode.

Connectivity to Various Inputs and Outputs

Not only does the XA30 Professional Camcorder provide the user with incredible control over the image, it also provides immense creative freedom when it comes to inputs and outputs, including:

• HD/SD-SDI Output (see dedicated section for more details)
• HDMI Output (HDMI mini connector, time code can be superimposed)
• Composite Video Output (3.5mm)
• USB Hi-Speed Terminal
• (2) XLR Audio Input (when handle is attached) (See audio section for more details)
• Microphone Input (3.5mm) (See audio section for more details)
• Headphone Jack (3.5mm) (See audio section for more details)
• Remote Control Terminal (compatible with LANC protocol)
• Accessory Shoe (when handle is attached)

Optional Bluetooth Mic with Two-way Intercom-like Capability

The XA30 Professional Camcorder is compatible with the optional Canon WM-V1 Wireless Microphone. Bluetooth technology allows high-quality audio to be recorded from up to 164 feet away (50m), making it ideal for interviews, nature recording and other situations that call for unobtrusive sound recording. With earphones attached, the WM-V1 Wireless Microphone can also be used as a two-way intercom, enabling more creative control, such as discreetly providing an on-camera subject with direction.

Advanced Display Features: Zebra, Colour Bars and Test Tone

Colour bars and test tone can be selected and recorded. The colour bars comply with the SMPTE standard. -12 dB, -18 dB or -20 dB can be selected as the test tone.

Enhanced zebra pattern (70% or 100%) indicates “blown out” or high brightness areas to help you set the proper exposure.

The white balance control has six available presets selectable through a variety of day and artificial light conditions (Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H and Tungsten), as well as two manual white balance settings. Colour temperature may also be manually set from 2,000K to 15,000K in 100K increments for more precise adjustment.

Impressive Slow and Fast Motion, including Interval Recording from 2x to 1200x

Slow and Fast Motion Modes allow the XA30 Professional Camcorder to record a different frame rate than the playback frame rate (only in MP4 recording modes), for a fast or slow motion effect during playback. Since the camera is recording real frames and modifying the playback rate, there is virtually no quality loss and maximum image quality is maintained. Additionally, interval recording allows the user to record frames at specified intervals, providing time-lapse recording of up to 1200x and slow motion down to 0.4x of the original speed.