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CANON'S
HOTLY ANTICIPATED XL2 THREE CCD MINI-DV CAMCORDER SIZZLES THIS
SUMMER From
Big Screen to Small Screen New XL2 Camcorder Provides Cinematographers
and Videographers With Image Customization And Creative Control.
Canon's
new XL2 camcorder offers an evolutionary design and new professional
features Ñ including a choice of 60i, 24p or 30p frame rates,
4:3 or high resolution 16:9 aspect ratio, new 680,000 pixel
progressive scan CCDs, and a full line of customizable controls
for cine-looking results. Along with its new 20x interchangeable
lens, this new Mini-DV camcorder empowers cinematographers and
videographers with a completely customizable broadcast and feature
film quality acquisition tool.
The
professional series XL2 camcorder replaces one of the most successful
and iconic products in Canon's history Ñ the XL1S Ñ as the company's
new digital video camcorder flagship. Canon's new XL2 camcorder
evolves the "open architecture" concept of its XL1 and XL1S
predecessors beyond body design to include a wide range of customisable
cine-like looks and enhanced image controls previously unavailable
in the Mini-DV format
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"It
is our goal to provide an affordable, high-performance Mini-DV
camcorder for the professional and serious amateur," said
Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager
of the consumer imaging group at Canon USA, Inc., a subsidiary
of Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ). "By intentionally 'over-engineering'
this product, Canon expects the XL2 camcorder to be immediately
popular with movie makers, documentary, corporate, electronic
news gathering, wedding and event videographers, because it
gives them the features, control and versatility they need.".
Internally,
the XL2 boasts an amazingly comprehensive set of user-definable
image adjustments, which Canon has branded as Total Image Control.
Customizable "Cine" looks are included, and it's even possible
to get down to the CCD level and finitely alter the amount of
Red, Green and Blue output. Combinations of a wide variety of
adjustments may be saved in the camera as one of three Custom
Presets. These settings may be loaded to another XL2 via FireWire
transfer, and there are software options (some available now,
some will come later) which integrate the XL2 with a portable
laptop computer for image recording and other functions.
The
XL2 is a standard definition DV camcorder which records DV-format
digital video on an industry standard Mini-DV cassette. It has
selectable shooting aspect ratios and frame rates, including
native 16:9 widescreen and standard 4:3 ratios; two 24p frame
rates; and 30p and 60i frame rates. Its three image sensors
are one-third inch true progressive scan CCD's with 460,800
effective pixels per chip (in native 16:9 mode). The XL2 retains
the XL lens mount and is compatible with all existing XL lenses.
The standard XL2 kit is packaged with a new 20x automatic lens
containing Flourite optical elements and Optical Image Stabilization,
two Neutral Density filters, focus and zoom presets and selectable
focus speeds. There are 16 discrete zoom speeds and a switchable
zoom controller built in to the XL2 body grip handle. The standard
XL2 kit includes a new multi-function color LCD viewfinder,
which may be flipped open for ease of display, or closed to
use as an eyecup. The XL2 features two built-in balanced XLR
audio inputs with phantom power. An accessory mounting bracket
is included with the standard kit. A shoulder pad is built in.
A large, professional tripod mounting plate adapter is optionally
available.
Unprecedented
image control coordination between two XL2 cameras, remote computer
camera control and direct video recording to computer are just
a part of the capabilities of the XL2. Never before has so much
creative power been put in the hands of the film maker, video
artist, and corporate and event videographer.
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