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Canon XF205 HD Camcorder

BH #CAXF205 • MFR #9592B002
6 reviews
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Canon XF205 HD Camcorder
Key Features
  • 1920 x 1080, 1/2.84" CMOS Sensor
  • 20x Zoom with Zoom, Focus, Iris Rings
  • 50 Mb/s MPEG-2 & 35 Mb/s MP4 Recording
  • 4:2:2 Color Sampling
The Canon XF205 HD Camcorder is a compact and ergonomically friendly camera suitable for traditional multicamera productions as well as ENG, event coverage, independent films, and documentaries. The camera features a 1/2.84" CMOS sensor that captures 1920 x 1080 video at various frame rates up to 59.94p, including a 24p mode for a more cinematic feel. The integrated Canon 20x HD optical zoom lens has a 35mm equivalent zoom range of 26.8 to 576mm and features an eight-bladed iris to render highlights in a more natural manner. Individual gear rings for focus, zoom, and iris on the lens provide you with a natural way to make manual adjustments.
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Canon XF205 Overview

  • 1Description
  • 21920 x 1080 CMOS Sensor
  • 320x Optical Zoom Lens
  • 4Image Stabilization
  • 5Advanced Displays
  • 6OLED View Screen and EVF
  • 7Audio
  • 8Outputs
  • 9Media Card Slots
  • 10Infrared Shooting Mode
  • 11Wi-Fi Connectivity
  • 12Wired Connectivity
  • 13Autofocus
  • 14Wide Dynamic Range

The Canon XF205 HD Camcorder is a compact and ergonomically friendly camera suitable for traditional multicamera productions as well as ENG, event coverage, independent films, and documentaries. The camera features a 1/2.84" CMOS sensor that captures 1920 x 1080 video at various frame rates up to 59.94p, including a 24p mode for a more cinematic feel. The integrated Canon 20x HD optical zoom lens has a 35mm equivalent zoom range of 26.8 to 576mm and features an eight-bladed iris to render highlights in a more natural manner. Individual gear rings for focus, zoom, and iris on the lens provide you with a natural way to make manual adjustments.


The camera records MPEG-2 at frame rates of 23.98/29.97p and 59.94i at up to 50 Mb/s, with 4:2:2 color sampling, to integrated CF card slots using an MXF wrapper that is compatible with most popular NLE systems. You can also record to an integrated SDXC card slot using the MP4 codec at frame rates up to 59.94p. The XF205 features four channels of audio with manual/automatic record levels, with two XLR inputs and a built-in camera microphone. The built-in handgrip features 120° of rotation, making it easier to find a comfortable shooting position.

Built-in dual-band Wi-Fi allows you to control the camera's functions from available mobile devices as well as view footage on the devices. Proxy files can be transferred via Wi-Fi while you are shooting new footage. The camera also incorporates an Ethernet connection, so you can transfer files directly from the camera. An HDMI output provides you with video out.

1920 x 1080 CMOS Sensor
The XF205 features a 1/2.84" HD CMOS image sensor which is slightly larger than a 1/3" sensor. The sensor features approximately 5% more pixels than 1920 x 1080, and it records a 1920 x 1080 window from the slightly large sensor. This allows the camera to use the extra pixels for Electronic Image Stabilization and maintain the 1920 x 1080 resolution so the image isn't degraded by being blown up as with traditional EIS systems.
20x Optical Zoom Lens
The Canon 20x HD zoom lens provides a zoom range with 35mm equivalent of 26.8 to 576mm, and a minimum object distance of just 23.6". The lens features an eight-blade iris design providing out-of-focus highlights with a natural rounded appearance.

The lens features three infinitely rotating rings for focus, zoom, and iris. The rings use an electronic coupling to move the lens functions but maintain a mechanically linked feel during use.
Image Stabilization
The XF205 offers optical image stabilization (OIS), useful for reducing image blur in a wide variety of shooting situations. It also utilizes electronic image stabilization (EIS) in conjunction with the OIS, providing five-axis image stabilization.
Advanced Displays
The camera features focus peaking and a selectable waveform monitor display.
OLED View Screen and EVF
The 3.5" Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) display provides vivid color and 1.23MP resolution. The view screen has a viewing angle of over 80° in all directions, allowing you to see a usable image even when you are off-angle to the view screen. The color EVF is 0.45" with 1.23MP of resolution and tilts up to 45° to accommodate different shooting positions.
Audio
The XF205 features an integrated microphone and two XLR line/mic level inputs with +48V phantom power for connecting external mics.
Outputs
The camera features an HDMI output, as well as HD-SDI, 3G-SDI, and timecode output via BNC connectors on the side of the camera.
Media Card Slots
Dual CF Card slots allow varied recording options:
  • Dual recording: Simultaneously record the same footage to different media cards using different codecs and bit rates
  • Double-slot recording: Record simultaneously to each of the two CF memory card slots, providing an instant backup for your footage
  • Relay recording: the XF205 automatically switches video recording from one memory card to the other when the first memory card becomes full

The SDXC slot can be used to record high-quality MP4 files, and you can record to one CF card slot and the SDXC card slot simultaneously.

Infrared Shooting Mode
Engaging the Infrared (IR) shooting mode moves the IR cut filter out of the optical path for shooting in extreme low-light conditions. An IR emitter built into the top handle provides an IR source.
Wi-Fi Connectivity
Dual-band Wi-Fi (5 GHz and 2.4 GHz) support is built into the camera, allowing FTP file transfer of MP4 video. The camera supports a web browser interface that, when combined with Wi-Fi support, allows you to control key features of the camera including start/stop recording, zoom (limited to three speeds), exposure functions, and focus using a smartphone or tablet. You can also view and download recorded MP4 footage from the camera on a PC or mobile device while continuing to shoot.
Wired Connectivity
An integrated Ethernet port allows you to link your camera to existing wired networks and wireless routers, allowing you to download footage from the memory cards.
Autofocus
The camera features an autofocus system with several useful modes including Instant AF, which uses both the TTL-Video Signal Detection System and the external sensor, and Face Detection AF, which tracks the focus on faces in the video frame.
Wide Dynamic Range
A wide dynamic range gamma of 600% helps prevent overexposure, even for high-brightness areas of an image and/or with non-uniform colors. Unlike the normal knee function that compresses video signals in high-brightness areas using linear gamma, a wide DR gamma retains continuity across the image and enables color grading.

Canon XF205 Specs

Imaging
Built-In ND Filter
Mechanical Filter Wheel with 1 Stop (1/2), 2 Stop (1/4), 3 Stop (1/8) ND Filters
Gain
-6 to 27 dB (Native)
-6 to 33 dB (Expanded)
Shutter Angle
11 to 360°
Precise Scan Rate Control
Yes
Minimum Illumination
0.1 Lux at 1/4 Shutter Speed
Lens
Optical Zoom Ratio
20x
Maximum Aperture
f/1.8
Minimum Aperture
f/2.8
Optical Design
12 Elements in 10 Groups
Minimum Focus Distance
Entire Zoom Range: 2.0' / 60.0 cm
Wide: 0.4" / 1.0 cm
Filter Size
58 mm
Control Rings
Focus
Zoom
Iris
Focus Control
Autofocus
Manual Focus
Built-In Microphone
Stereo
Audio Recording
4-Channel 16-Bit 48 kHz
IP Streaming
MPEG2
640 x 360 to 1280 x 720 at 29.97p (1.5 to 9.0 Mb/s)
Video I/O
1x HDMI Output
1x BNC (HD-SDI) Output
1x BNC (3G-SDI) Output
Audio I/O
2x XLR 3-Pin Input
1x 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS Stereo Input
Power I/O
1x Barrel (110 to 240VDC) Input
Other I/O
1x BNC (Genlock) Input
1x BNC (Timecode) Output
1x RJ45 (LAN)
1x Mini-USB (USB 2.0) Output
1x 2.5 mm Sub-Mini Control
Wireless
2.4 GHz Wi-Fi
Battery Type
Canon BP-9 Series
Accessory Mounting Thread
1x
Packaging Info
Package Weight
9.205 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
13.65 x 10.2 x 8.6"

Canon XF205 Reviews

See any errors on this page? Let us know

How does this camera handle recording stage ...

How does this camera handle recording stage productions. For example, live streaming and/or recording in a dark auditorium with a spotlighted stage?
Asked by: Douglas
The Canon XF200 would be a great HD event camera but the main advantage it has is it records in broadcast standard 10-bit 422 50 mb/s HD resolution. If you don't require this feature we have other options from Canon that would be more cost effective, such as the newer XF400 with 4K resolution: https://bhpho.to/2I8Rc8Q
Answered by: Michael A
Date published: 2019-04-03

question

Can the XF205 record long scenes (over 4gb) as one continuous clip in mp4?
Asked by: Lyle C.
The 4GB per file recording limit has to do with the format of the memory cards. However once you properly import your footage in to an editing platform the footage will line up as if it is one continuous clip. The key is to maintain proper file structure. That means you need to copy and paste the entire content of the memory card over to your computer and from there properly import the footage in to your Editing System.
Answered by: Joseph P.
Date published: 2018-08-25

question

When outputting over a 3G-SDI connection - what is the maximum quality? 1080p60 or?
Asked by: John
Using the 3G-SDI output, it will be the maximum quality the camcorder can do.
Answered by: Dennis A L.
Date published: 2018-08-25

question

Would the microphone mount hold a rode ntg3?
Asked by: Ben C.
Ben, Yes the microphone mount will hold a rode ntg3 using two Sanken ROCS Rubber O-Rings that slide over the microphone. They take up slack and provide padding between the mount and microphone.
Answered by: John Z.
Date published: 2018-08-25

question

hi,i have an xf 105 and need to buy another camera for shooting from 2 angles. i was thinking to buy the xf 205 but i don't know if the image, quality, contrast etc.are the same or is a big difference between them? thx!
Asked by: Anonymous
I had the XF205 - unusable noisy video in low light. I now have the Sony HXR-NX100 Full HD NXCAM Camcorder. Record indoors in low light using XAVC-S 50Mbs 1.5 hrs on one mp4 file @ 15DB gain 60Fps - and never look back. File size is 30Gb. NO PROBLEMS!
Answered by: John Z.
Date published: 2018-08-25

question

Will the codecs (MXF Wrapper) produced from this camera work with my Adobe editing suite? I use Premiere Pro CS5.5.
Asked by: Anonymous
Yes, we use these cameras with Premiere Pro, works great.
Answered by: LUNDIN C.
Date published: 2018-08-25

question

does the viewscreen rotate180 degrees like the xa10?
Asked by: Anonymous
Yes, the viewscreen rotates 180 degrees counter-clockwise and 90 degrees clockwise from its normal position when open. Also, when the viewscreen is rotated nearly 180 degrees CCW, the preview image would flip vertically.
Answered by: DARIM V.
Date published: 2018-08-25
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