new camcorder ffrom canon

estimated at 1,300.00

ultra comact XA10 hd camcorder - 2 xlr inputs etc...

http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/news/canon_unveils_xa10_camcorder.do

looks cool eh?

heeres a pdn article http://www.pdnonline.com/pdn/gear/New-Gear-Article-1409.shtml

I want one, but I don't see any info. about still images.

At this point in the game I want a video camera that can give a DSLR a run for it's money in the still image department. At a minimum, 14mp, to give it's closest rival, the Sony NEX VG10 a capable suitor.

Would have loved to see interchangeable lenses too. I imagine that will be the next XA in the series.

Also, looking forward to tests to see whether or not it performs better in low light than the VG10.

Overall, I am very happy. I was really hoping that Canon would announce a camera of this caliber at the CES today and lo & behold.......

aparently there are others to be announced

the estimate is 2,000 now, i dont know if the page changed or i was just looking at the wrong thing.

I am looking forward to seeing what else is to be announced - to tickle my gear addictions lol

I do not know if the Sony NEX VG10 is a good deal. I have seen about 3 in the BHPhoto.com used department come and go. For a new camcorder, I suspect some people were not happy with it. I personally prefer the Panny GH2 over the VG10.

The XA10 is a Vixia HF G10 ($1499) with xlr inputs. So it must be an improved better built VIXIA HF S30 with a focus ring.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/749190-REG/Canon_4923B002_VIXIA_HF_G10_Flash.html

If the XA10 comes out at $1750, then it may be a good deal. If it comes out at $2000, then I would buy a HF G10 instead. $500 to add only XLR inputs and a better eye cup is too much. IMHO.

Personally I'm holding out for something Canon may come out with that has a larger sensor to give shallow DOF like the DSLR's and the VG10 and interchangeable lens. But not $4000 like the Panasonic.
I really can't see me ever buying anything that has everything in focus with those tiny sensor cameras like that XA10.

I have the VG10 and have about a dozen videos online here at the moment from that camera.
I would think that the returns you are seeing may be people that think this camera has auto zoom or some other feature of the normal video camera and are disappointed when they see it doesn't
It doesn't have that since it has interchangeable lenses.

I am starting to like using this camera for more documentary videos since it gives me over an hour of shooting time and the cool shallow DOF that I love.

Here is a test using a Canon 50mm 1.4 on the VG10. Great shallow DOF


VG10 video

Jake, I'm kind of new here and I have been working diligently on getting MORE videos uploaded, as I know that volume is the key to sales.

I picked up your name from some of the forums. I am Mark by the way.

I have recently looked into buying the VG10 and I read some of your posts about it. The bad low light capabilities I have read about this camera have sent me looking elsewhere. I was really hoping that the CES would deliver something to rival the VG10.

I'm with you, I like and want the shallow DOF. My question is: Is the size of the sensor the only thing that determines shallow DOF? In my mind, I'm wondering if the manual controls on the XA10 will still allow for shallow DOF, even with a smaller sensor than the VG10

Here is an article I received today from Creative Cow that talks about this topic in depth... http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/relax-and-quit-bluffing - it talks about aspect ratios, sensors, film specs and all of the things about DOF and how it is conceived by these things.
just an FYI :)

From the article recommended by VanderVideo in the previous post:

"When a DSLR camera says that their sensor is full frame (like the Canon 1D Mark II or Canon EOS 5D Mark II), this means that the sensor (36mm x 24mm) is roughly twice the size of the 35mm motion picture frame (24.9mm x 18.7mm), and very similar to VistaVision (36mm x 18.3mm). The size of the image sensor greatly affects the angle of view and depth of field..., which means that a full frame DSLR has very different characteristics than a full frame motion picture sensor (like a RED One camera)."

I found http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/creative-cow-dslr-video-podcast/id409873012, explaining the relationship between aperture, sensor, and shutter speed helpful.

Hi Mark,
In digital video cameras. The larger the sensor the more shallow DOF you will have. Just plain and simple.

With a 50mm lens at f2 on my Canon 5D I will get a much shallower DOF than the same lens f-stop on my 7D. and the 7D will have a shallower DOF than the Sony VG10 since that sensor is smaller than the 7D.

That's not saying you can do things to create a shallow DOF with the small 1/3 or 1/2 inch sensor cameras. You just have to pick the most wide open f-stop, zoom in the lens and get close to your subject.

Jake