It’s the middle of 2015. Affordable ooparge sensor cameras are well established in the market and 4K resolution is the latest trend. To this ever evolving market, here comes Canon with its latest innovation. A 1-inch, fixed lens, compact, ultra high definition professional camcorder aimed at “everyone”, according to Canon:
“from next-generation advanced amateurs to professional 4K and HD videographers, from digital filmmakers needing a cost-effective 4K/HD “B” or “C” camera to multimedia journalists and news agencies seeking a 4K video camera”.
As not everything is about “film look” and not everyone is keen on / capable of working with large sensor cameras, Canon chose wisely to cater a specific niche in the market with the new XC10, and what’s left for us to examine is: How well did they do it?
Although this camera can produce at times gorgeous looking images, the way to get those are in my opinion very painful – but before I share my concerns, here is what I liked:
- Canon XC10 footage looks sharp and nice
- Newly developed codec (already supported by Adobe and other editing platforms)
- Good image stabilization
- Multiple recording modes and frame rates (4K up to 30FPS, HD up to 60 FPS, 720p 120 FPS, in the NTSC version – appropriate 25/50fps/100fps values in the PAL version of the camera)
- Canon Log and Wide Dynamic Range Gamma
- OK in lowlight especially concerning the fact that it has a 1 inch sensor
- Built in ND filter (One stage only. At times too weak on a sunny day)
- SanDisk 64 GB CFast card and card reader are included in the price
Here are the points which might limit your creativity when working with the camera:
- Limiting lens. The non-constant aperture can drive one crazy while shooting at multiple focal lengths…The maximum aperture difference between wide (F2.8) and tele (5.6) is too large.
- Not enough assignable buttons. There are only 3 of those and that’s very limiting. After assigning 1-Magnification, 2-Display and 3-Push auto focus, I had to dig into “FUNCTION” in order to change ISO values, engage the internal ND filter, use the focus peeking or enable zebra.
- After changing a value in “FUNC”, when starting to record, the menu screen will still be present, preventing the possibility of quick recording. You are forced to close the menu in order to have a clean view of your recording.
- No viewfinder. The proposed original Canon solution (loupe over the LCD) is a good idea but badly implemented. The image is distorted and not evenly in focus when you enable the diopter, which can cause eye fatigue and headache at times.
- Cheap stiff rubber on the loupe is extremely uncomfortable to use.
- Not a worldwide camera. Region restricted.
- Up to 120 FPS in 720p only.
- Magnification will punch in only once. Not enough to judge critical focus in some shooting situations.
- Build quality is questionable. The lens on the camera I had already made strange noises while using the zoom ring, when holding it down.
- If you intend to shoot in HD (1080) or slow motion 120 FPS in 720p, prepare to have an extra SD card as those formats will not record onto the CFast card.
- Canon is marketing this camcorder as professional. A better professional XLR audio solution from Canon is missing for that though.
- Minimum ISO in video mode is ISO 500.
- Please be aware: When changing the frame rate to 100 FPS the shutter speed will automatically change to “100”, which is great, but when going back to 4K 25p this value will stay and not change back to shutter 50.
- Expensive for what it is and what it offers – also the CFast 2.0 media are still quite expensive for such an entry level camera.
Shooting experience:
All in all I would expect a market leader like Canon to deliver a more solid product especially when the price tag is so high for what it is. I can sum up that working with the XC10 was simply tiring for me. Too much menu fiddling and “worries” about staying in focus but hey, who said that the way to produce nice looking images should be easy ….
Camera settings/editing/colour correction for this shoot:
- Picture profile: Canon LOG
- ISO 500 for outdoor shots, 5000 for the “indoor working place”
- 4K 25p, 305 Mbps, shutter 50
- Adobe Premiere CC 2014, Colour corrected with FilmConvert
- Music: themusicbed (Take me back-Instrumental)
About the story and ethic statement:
Adrian Mahovics is a good friend and a working colleague. His sliders are exceptionally fine products. If you are in the market for the lightest professional tracking systems around, you should check this out:
Regarding Canon XC10. The camera was at our office for a few days on a loan bases and now is back with Canon. If you click on one of links and buy the camera from our sponsor B&H, you will be supporting us by generating affiliate income which helps to develop and produce more original content.
Johnnie Behiri is a freelance documentary cameraman/editor/producer working mostly for the BBC and other respected broadcasters. He is also co-owner of cinema5d.com
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Watch it on Vimeo
.the images is not so cleans .
I guess you are referring to the indoor footage. Don’t forget it is a 1 inch sensor camera. Being on 5000 ISO it’s not clean but manageable.
Thank you!
Johnnie
Hi,
what you suggest which Camera is now best one for best results, Which one easy to use for every one. Not very complecatetd operating.
KSF
Hi KSF.
I presume you are the same person who was asking about buying a “very good camera for video and photo under $5000”.
I’ve answered your question down below.
Regarding your question above, I’m not sure this camera exists….Also, it is truly depended on the way you will use it, the purpose of using it, your expectations and level of professionalism.
Thank you!
Johnnie
Footage looks terrible… Price is insane for this camera… they shouldn’t even call it professional camera… 5d footage looks much better…
Hi Matteo.
I wouldn’t go as far as saying “Footage looks terrible” (unless I completely f__ked it up).
It best be compered to Sony RX10 (1080p only) or Sony FDR AX100 (4K camcorder).
5D is a different type of animal….
Thank you!
Johnnie
Agree, the DR is low even in good light, the highlights are blown out in shots where they shouldn’t been (the scene with the flowers etc), the noise is high and the NR is strong. At low ISO the grass looks funny (it lacks detail). I expected so much more from a 2500$ camera.
Surprise, surprise … the 5D has a full frame sensor. The XC10 a 1-inch sensor. They are not comparable at all. Different tool for a totally different purpose.
I was speaking about the 5d mark ii… Pretty old camera… We re in 2015.,, how can you release a camera with those specs in 2015? 4k 30… 1080 60? Really? Same thing for the c300 mark ii… 16.000 for a camera already obsolete…
4k 30 and 1080 60 aint the biggest issues with this camera in my opinion. fixed lens with 2.8 – 5.6 ?! come on canon you can do it better. and the 1-inch sensor anit that great too. at least aps-c would be awsome.
all those points together just kill this product. hopefully canon will learn from this fail!!
Remember… Ursa mini 4k costs the same! 2995$.
The viewfinder and a battery solution for the Ursa mini will cost you about the same amount as an XC10. And that’s with the old Ursa sensor, the new one is $4995.
worst step canon could make.. dont know what they were thinking..
Hi Shorty…
The step is in the right direction as there is a big market for a small sensor high quality 4K camcorder. My concern is the implementation. Canon should have tried harder!. Some things simply don’t make sense.
Thank you!
Johnnie
Like the insane price/quality/functions ratio.
hi Johnnie.
yes you are right. the direction canon is going is the right one. but to mr it just looks like that they wanted to hit the marked with something “new” as soon as possible. and thats a wrong step! this product could be a nice addition tho canons lineup, but with this specs?!
but the xc10 isnt the only camera that dissappoints me.. still stiking to my5d mkII because canon wasnt able to come up with something really better (within that pricerange) that really made me want to upgrade!
I think its great! Its far too expensive, for what it is, in my honest opinion, but the footage is nice. I kind of like it. It has that Canon “thing” that the C line has – something about the compression + color science makes it appealing.
I don’t know why everyone is ripping this camera in image quality, I think its fine! Great job on the video BTW, I liked it.
After the c300 mark ii for 16.000… Lol
At least c300 mark ii will make beautiful super 35mm motion images with great colors and DR. XC-10 is only an overpriced piece of joke with a small sensor, low DR and fixed dark lens.