Now that the 2015 NAB show in Las Vegas is over it’s time to do some coverage! Starting on April 17th and going until the end of the month I will be doing a spotlight on what was good at the show. Each day I’ll focus on something new or exciting that I saw. These are being released in no particular order.
Canon XC10
I try not to cover a lot of the “bigger ticket” releases from NAB (there’s plenty of coverage put out about them), but going into the show this year I was really excited about the Canon XC10.
If you’re looking to move into 4K video, like me, then the XC10 is probably on your radar; and for good reason, it’s hard to dismiss internal 4K recording for only $2,500. But like all cameras it has its pluses and minuses.
First the ups. Obviously the 4K recording is a huge draw. But the XC10 also offers 12 mega pixel stills and up to 120fps through its 1″ CMOS sensor; and the built-in 10x zoom gives you a focal range from 27-273mm, making the XC10 a great option for broadcast/journalists or as a B-Cam.
Now the drawbacks. The first thing that jumped out at me was the HDMI mini output; it’s 2015, there’s no reason for the XC10 to not have SDI out. The audio input also is a little lackluster, only having a single 1/8″ jack. And while the XC10 does offer 120fps, it only does so in 720p.
I think that I went into the show with too high of hopes for the XC10 and it left me feeling very underwhelmed. It’s not the camera for me, though I do see uses for the XC10 (mainly in the news realm or as a B/C/D-cam). It’s basically a supped up DSLR, and has a lot of the same limitations.
Since the XC10 is only $2500 it’s a solid option for those looking to move up from DSLRs. All the information about the XC10 is available on Canon’s website; and if you’re interested in getting one, the XC10 is available on B&H now.
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