Canon XA20-25
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- This topic has 24 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 2 years, 7 months ago by
VTexan.
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AuthorPosts
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July 6, 2013 at 8:03 AM #68460
VTexan
ParticipantI'm thinking of buying a Canon XA20 or 25. As I understand it, they weren't available 'til June 30. I've read quite a bit about them, but since they weren't out yet, the only words wrote about them were provided by Canon, or speculatively by writers who have shot on their predecessors. Has anyone shot on them yet? I hate to buy a camera without seeing what its detractors say about it. Thanks.
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July 6, 2013 at 9:40 AM #208168
brunerww
MemberVTexan – here are some good pros and cons from someone who returned his X920 when he saw what the XA20 could do in this recent review at Amazon.
Hope this is helpful,
Bill
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July 6, 2013 at 10:12 AM #208169
VTexan
ParticipantThanks; I hadn't seen that one. I guess they'll start trickling in now. Hate that it's called prosumer…but I guess that price range pretty much is.
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July 8, 2013 at 5:37 AM #208190
VTexan
ParticipantBought one; it'll be here tomorrow.
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July 8, 2013 at 8:23 AM #208192
Jackson Wong
InactiveVTexan,
I'm not sure if you saw our review of the XA25 (http://www.videomaker.com/article/15890-canon-xa25-professional-camcorder-review), but be sure to check out the sample footage. I hope your camera arrives nicely and shoots well!
-Jackson
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July 8, 2013 at 1:29 PM #208194
VTexan
ParticipantThanks Jackson; yes I saw that. And thanks for the recommendation Bill. I'm looking into it.
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July 11, 2013 at 7:35 PM #302651
VTexan
ParticipantSince B&H was backordered, I got my AX20 from Amazon. As I put it in my cart, a host of other items appeared at bottom, one of which I needed: a case for the camera and assorted things. So I purchased it, and it got here 3 days later. Camera came today, and after putting the shotgun mic holder onto the handle, the camera doesn't even fit in the bag Amazon recommended for that model. Be forewarned to do your research instead of just believing they know what they're talking about…
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July 11, 2013 at 7:35 PM #302141
VTexan
ParticipantSince B&H was backordered, I got my AX20 from Amazon. As I put it in my cart, a host of other items appeared at bottom, one of which I needed: a case for the camera and assorted things. So I purchased it, and it got here 3 days later. Camera came today, and after putting the shotgun mic holder onto the handle, the camera doesn't even fit in the bag Amazon recommended for that model. Be forewarned to do your research instead of just believing they know what they're talking about…
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July 11, 2013 at 7:35 PM #301892
VTexan
ParticipantSince B&H was backordered, I got my AX20 from Amazon. As I put it in my cart, a host of other items appeared at bottom, one of which I needed: a case for the camera and assorted things. So I purchased it, and it got here 3 days later. Camera came today, and after putting the shotgun mic holder onto the handle, the camera doesn't even fit in the bag Amazon recommended for that model. Be forewarned to do your research instead of just believing they know what they're talking about…
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July 11, 2013 at 7:35 PM #208226
VTexan
ParticipantSince B&H was backordered, I got my AX20 from Amazon. As I put it in my cart, a host of other items appeared at bottom, one of which I needed: a case for the camera and assorted things. So I purchased it, and it got here 3 days later. Camera came today, and after putting the shotgun mic holder onto the handle, the camera doesn't even fit in the bag Amazon recommended for that model. Be forewarned to do your research instead of just believing they know what they're talking about…
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July 11, 2013 at 7:35 PM #301745
VTexan
ParticipantSince B&H was backordered, I got my AX20 from Amazon. As I put it in my cart, a host of other items appeared at bottom, one of which I needed: a case for the camera and assorted things. So I purchased it, and it got here 3 days later. Camera came today, and after putting the shotgun mic holder onto the handle, the camera doesn't even fit in the bag Amazon recommended for that model. Be forewarned to do your research instead of just believing they know what they're talking about…
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July 11, 2013 at 7:35 PM #302830
VTexan
ParticipantSince B&H was backordered, I got my AX20 from Amazon. As I put it in my cart, a host of other items appeared at bottom, one of which I needed: a case for the camera and assorted things. So I purchased it, and it got here 3 days later. Camera came today, and after putting the shotgun mic holder onto the handle, the camera doesn't even fit in the bag Amazon recommended for that model. Be forewarned to do your research instead of just believing they know what they're talking about…
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July 11, 2013 at 7:35 PM #301554
VTexan
ParticipantSince B&H was backordered, I got my AX20 from Amazon. As I put it in my cart, a host of other items appeared at bottom, one of which I needed: a case for the camera and assorted things. So I purchased it, and it got here 3 days later. Camera came today, and after putting the shotgun mic holder onto the handle, the camera doesn't even fit in the bag Amazon recommended for that model. Be forewarned to do your research instead of just believing they know what they're talking about…
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July 17, 2013 at 12:44 PM #208287
ugo1
ParticipantHi,
can someone confirm vignetting problems or (I hope) no?
regards
Ugo
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July 21, 2013 at 8:38 AM #208325
VTexan
ParticipantI don't think I've seen the vignetting. Here's a little thing I whipped together when a fox appeared in a parking lot. I was shooting through windows for most of this. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jadinamo/9335598894/
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July 24, 2013 at 9:45 AM #208373
Matt Wolfskill
Participant -
July 30, 2013 at 5:47 AM #208394
albert.maruggi@gmail.com
ParticipantThis is the audio feature that allows you to essentially check the audio that was recorded, as opposed to what's coming in, great feature I think
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February 6, 2014 at 8:28 AM #209738
Matt Wolfskill
ParticipantSure enough, there is a problem with the XA20 audio output delay.
Canon just released a Firmware Update which "resolves the phenomenon in which the headphone terminal audio ouput timing is delayed when [Normal] is selected as the [Monitor Delay] option."
Unfortunately, this forum wlll not let me cut and paste the link for the update.
If you go to the Canon support site, look for: Download Firmware Version 1.0.3.0 for the XA20
(The XA20 was shipped with Version 1.0.1.0.)
I did the update and the delay problem was solved.
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February 6, 2014 at 8:33 AM #209739
Matt Wolfskill
ParticipantBTW, the same fix is there for the XA25.
Again, go to the Canon support site and look for: Download Firmware Version 1.0.3.0 for the XA25
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February 7, 2014 at 6:08 AM #209747
brunerww
MemberMatt – thanks for keeping everyone updated on this!
Bill
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July 7, 2013 at 5:28 AM #208175
brunerww
MemberSadly, with the HF G30 at $1699 and the Sony NEX-VG30 at $2698 you pretty much have to spend more than $3000 to get out of prosumer-land 🙂
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July 8, 2013 at 7:00 AM #208191
brunerww
MemberCongratulations, VTexan! Saw your question on tripods in other thread. We use very expensive Millers at work, but I use a $140 Ravelli AVTP at home. Light, but all-metal and built like a tank. Yes, it has a 75mm bowl socket and a bubble level, so you can level it with the adjustment of a single knob below the head. I especially like the dual handles, for better control of pans and tilts. This tripod does everything I need it to do – and it costs a lot less than Manfrotto. You can get an unbranded version of the same tripod and head for $125.
Cheers and good luck!
Bill
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July 26, 2013 at 7:00 AM #208389
brunerww
MemberMatt – according to page 89 of the manual for the XA20 and XA25:
"When you are monitoring the audio, you can choose to synchronize the audio signal with the video signal or monitor the audio in real time. Use the [Monitor Delay] setting to select the method. Note that there will be a slight delay when you monitor in real time. Regardless of the setting, however, the audio and video signals recorded will be synchronized."
I have this same feature on my Panasonic GH3. It allows you to hear either what the camera is "hearing" (delayed) – or what the camera has already recorded (no delay).
This can be useful in determining whether the source of an audio issue is external or internal to the camera, but I never use it – it's too distracting.
What amazes me is that Canon Tech Support clearly hadn't read the manual! I hope you didn't have to pay for that call 🙂
Hope this is helpful,
Bill
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August 10, 2013 at 9:02 AM #208445
Matt Wolfskill
ParticipantThanks for the response.
I did notice that part of the manual (page 89) referencing the different ways to monitor audio.
I tried both options to see if it made any difference.
Setting the [Monitor Delay] function did seem to reduce the "slight delay" — but I'm still hearing it.
Anyway, this isn't a deal breaker and I still like the XA20 overall, so maybe it's just something to get used to when monitoring audio.
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August 22, 2013 at 6:48 PM #208515
Martin Cowan
ParticipantHi there. There are some issues with the XA25 and one of them is Chromatic Aberations are noticable when shooting against a high contrasted area especially when using more than 50% zoom. Canon dealers are putting this down to "you get what you pay for" in so much as Canon have managed to put a 20X optical zoom on this camera and still keep the price down. Basically the lens is using cheap optics I'm afraid.
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AuthorPosts
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I received my Canon XA20 from B&H the first week in July.
While testing it out, I found something unexpected with the audio.
I contacted Canon Tech Support and explained that, when monitoring a recording with headphones, there is a slight delay in the sound. It is a little "behind" the video.
I explained this slight delay was present in both mono and stereo mode, using either the built-in mics or external shotguns. So, regardless of the source, it's still there.
On playback, the slight delay is gone. The video and audio match and are in sync.
I told the tech I'm using Sennheiser HD 25 headphones, which I have had for years, and never heard this slight delay with other videocams when recording.
The tech suggested I try another pair of headphones, which I did, but that didn't change the outcome. There was still that slight delay.
The XA20 has only been available for a few weeks and Canon probably doesn't have a whole lot of feedback from other owners at this point.
In the meantime, if anyone is experiencing a similar issue, please let me know.