Canon XF100

[Eugene]

I am on the verge of purchasing the Canon XF100. Its specs are great and I favour the smaller size. However, I am uneasy with its codec. It is here that I call on my peers and seniors to give me objective advice regarding this cam but in particular, the codec. It shoots in the broadcast codec MPEG2 Long GOP @ 50Mbps and with 4:2:2 colour sampling.

I am only familiar with the 17Mbps AVCHD of my currentSony handicam, which I am happy with. Please express your opinions, good or bad. I need to know if there is a caveat before I place the order.

(PS. The Sony HXR-NX5 and the Panasonic HMC 154 are/were on my shortlist. Here in South Africa these two are similarly priced to each other but cost much more than the Canon.)

[XTR-91]

What editing software are you using?

[Eugene]

I am using Serif’s MoviePlusX5. Serif has confirmed that their package handles footage from the XF305 without any problems. The XF100 uses the same codec.

[Rob]

Well, here’s an interesting review of the XF100’s big brother, which uses the same compression scheme

http://www.biscardicreative.com/blog/2010/11/testing-the-canon-xf305-camera/

…could be useful

[Eugene]

Rob, not such good news. I shall look around to find more tests.Panasonic is not well represented here and their prices are high. The DVCPro cams simply costs way above what I am willing to spend. The reality for meis either Canon or Sony.

[Rob]

Yea, I was surprised when I read that review. Canon usually has it together.

If I were limited to consumer/prosumer level cameras, I think I’d lean toward Sony. They seem to be the best at low light performance. Therefore, if you give the camera plenty of light, you should have a nice image.

[Author]

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