Canon XA40 Camcorder

Overview

For fast performance in both capture and transmission, excellent for the dynamic world of Electronic News Gathering (ENG) as well as journalistic, documentary, corporate and higher education video production, look no further than the XA40 Professional Camcorder.

Featuring an advanced 4K UHD CMOS Pro Image Sensor, a powerful DIG!C DV 6 Image Processor and a phenomenal 20x High Definition optical zoom lens, the XA40 camcorder captures expansive, high-quality 4K UHD video. Dual SD card slots that are compatible with universal SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards provide super-high capacity and ultra-fast data transfer.

The compact XA40 includes a detachable handle for low-angle shooting and portability. Functionality is further enhanced with the addition of XLR inputs and an external microphone holder when the handle is attached. Combining a lightweight design, a 1.56 million dot electronic viewfinder and a 3.0-inch capacitive touch panel LCD, the XA40 is comfortable to operate for extended periods of time and in numerous environments.

When there’s no telling what or where the next story will be, the XA40 is ready to go. A remarkably versatile, powerful and compact camcorder, it delivers the quality, speed and connectivity to drive a 24-hour news workflow.

 

[What’s in the Box]

 

XA40 Lens Hood (with Lens Barrier) Battery Pack BP-820 Compact Power Adapter CA-570 Handle Unit ·         Mic Holder

 

[Features]

• Genuine Canon 20x High Definition Optical Zoom Lens
• Advanced 4K UHD CMOS Pro Image Sensor with Impressive Low-light Performance
• 4K UHD and Advanced Full HD Recording Capabilities
• Dual SD Card Slots
• Simultaneous Dual Recording
• Slow and Fast Motion Recording
• Advanced Full HD Image Quality
• Outstanding Image Reproduction
• 0-inch LCD Capacitive Touchscreen with Tiltable Electronic Viewfinder
• Intelligent Optical Image Stabilization System
• Full Manual Control
• Ergonomic, Portable Design
• Two Phantom-powered XLR Audio Inputs
• Linear PCM 4-channel Support
• Ultra-compact with Detachable Handle
• High Definition Peaking for Focus Assist
• Assignable Buttons for Custom Shooting
• Infrared Shooting Mode for Extreme Low-light Conditions
• Connectivity to Various Inputs and Outputs
• Advanced Display Features: Zebra, Color Bars and Test Tone

 

Genuine Canon 20x High Definition Optical Zoom Lens

The XA40 Professional Camcorder features a Genuine Canon 20x Optical Zoom Lens that provides a highly versatile zoom range with a 35mm equivalent of 29.3-601mm to help capture newsworthy recordings near and far.

The impressive image quality is enhanced by an 8-blade Circular Aperture design, which helps to avoid the “starburst” effect of point light sources in non-circular aperture designs. Out-of-focus areas are smooth, natural and appealing.

An endless-type focus and zoom control includes user-programmable direction and sensitivity modes. Zoom speed can be set to either a variable or constant (with 16 levels) speed setting, with Fast, Normal or Slow zoom speed levels.

Advanced 4K UHD CMOS Pro Image Sensor with Impressive Low-light Performance

For incredibly sharp and detailed high-definition video recording, the XA40 Professional Camcorder features a 1/2.3-inch, 8.29 Megapixel 4K UHD CMOS Pro Image Sensor that captures approximately 3840×2160 pixels. Thanks to the sensor’s high sensitivity, the XA40 helps provide vivid, accurate recording through an excellent signal-to-noise ratio.

Superb Low-light Performance

Featuring a low-luminance noise rating of +3 dB, the XA40 Professional Camcorder is able to capture clear, sharp images with incredible detail even in low light.

4K UHD and Advanced Full HD Recording Capabilities

Multiple recording modes, resolutions and frame rates make the XA40 Professional Camcorder creatively flexible and adaptable to virtually any news-gathering environment. It can record to an SD card in 4K UHD and Full HD resolutions using the MP4 recording codec, at multiple bit rates- and even record simultaneously.

HDMI Terminal

An HDMI terminal supports FHD 60p output, which can be connected to a standard external SSD/HDD recorder, enabling conversion to ProRes and DNx formats for efficient editing and storage.

 

Dual SD Card Slots

The XA40 Professional Camcorder features dual SD card slots that are compatible with universal SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards, which provide super-high capacity and ultra-fast data transfer.

Double-slot SD Card Recording for Instant Backup

For safety and convenience, double-slot recording allows you to record simultaneously to each of the two SD memory card slots, providing an instant backup for your footage.

Relay Recording for Continuous, Long-run Recording

With Relay Recording, the XA40 Professional Camcorder automatically switches video recording from one SD memory card to the other when the first memory card becomes full.

Approximate Recording Times

Simultaneous Dual Recording

Dual Recording offers format choices that are useful for various post-capture options. The DiG!C DV 6 Image Processor and dual SD card slots enable simultaneous recording the web-ready MP4 format, at different bit rates.

 

Native 24p Recording

A must for serious documentary work, Native 24p matches the frame rate of a traditional film camera, giving the same cadence and temporal motion for “film-like” quality.

 

 

Slow and Fast Motion Recording

Slow and Fast Motion Modes allow the XA40 Professional Camcorder to record a different frame rate than the playback frame rate for a fast or slow motion effect during playback. Since the camera is recording real frames and modifying the playback rate, there is virtually no quality loss and maximum image quality is maintained. Additionally, interval recording allows the user to record frames at specified intervals, providing time-lapse recording of up to 1200x and slow motion down to 0.4x of the original speed.

 

 

 

Advanced Full HD Image Quality

Our Full HD image quality from our XA series camcorder is now even better thanks to Over Sampling HD Processing, which enables Full HD recording by effectively utilizing the outstanding capabilities of the 4K UHD CMOS Sensor.

Outstanding Image Reproduction

The XA40 Professional Camcorder represents Canon’s 4K UHD System, delivering truly excellent image quality and reproduction for most any news-gathering application. With its 20x Optical Zoom Video lens, its 4K UHD CMOS Pro Image Sensor and the powerful DiG!C DV 6 Image Processor working together to capture and process the images at hand, the XA40 is positioned to deliver HD video that is nothing short of stunning.

3.0-inch LCD Capacitive Touchscreen with Tiltable Electronic Viewfinder

The 3.0-inch 460,000 dot LCD display provides vivid colors and high contrast. A wide-view angle (over 80° at all angles) aids in composition versatility, and regular chromaticity adjustments, which are prompted by the camcorder, help ensure correct brightness and faithful color reproduction.

Electronic Viewfinder

The 0.24-inch tilt-type color electronic viewfinder on the XA40 Professional Camcorder has 100% field of view, and 1.56 million dots of resolution help ensure critical focus adjustment, with peaking applied if necessary. The viewfinder can tilt up to 45° for low-angle shooting. A joystick located to the right of the viewfinder, where the thumb rests, enables control of camera settings on the viewscreen without having to use touch panel controls.

Intelligent Optical Image Stabilization System

The XA40 Professional Camcorder offers a powerful optical image stabilization system suited to help reduce image blur in a wide variety of shooting situations. The different image stabilization options can be selected manually, or Intelligent IS can use an automatic detection system to identify the proper stabilization mode for the situation. Featured on the XA40 is Dynamic Mode, which provides electronic correction of roll and tilt.

 

Dynamic IS

Used for image stabilization at the wide end, Dynamic IS builds on translational (up-down/left-right) stabilization, adding roll axis correction, horizontal roll correction and vertical roll correction for five-axis correction. Image distortion is substantially reduced, even when shooting while in motion.

Macro IS

Macro IS corrects angular and shift-type shake in wide-angle shots.

Powered IS^*

Used for image stabilization in telephoto shooting, Powered IS corrects for low-frequency camcorder shake.

* During Intelligent IS (AUTO mode), Powered IS can be set to ON or OFF.

 

Full Manual Control

 

Custom Key and Dial

A Custom Key and Dial feature allows you to assign functions to an easily accessible key and adjust the settings with a control dial. The functions include:

• Tv/Av: Use the dial to adjust shutter speed (Tv mode) or aperture (Av mode), as needed. In this mode the key has no effect.
• Manual exposure: When manual control is selected, the dial can adjust aperture, shutter speed or gain. Select items to adjust, such as aperture or other settings, with the key.
• Exposure Lock can be set on or off as can the AGC Limit.

 

Composition Aids

With the Level Marker feature, it’s easy to keep the camcorder level for more accurate framing. The Grid Marker provides a reference grid in your viewfinder. Depending on the background color of your shot, you can choose between two different colors (white or gray) for better viewing contrast.

Gain Control

Gain may be manually set from 0 dB to 24 dB in 1 dB increments. Additionally, Auto Gain Control Limit allows you to set the maximum gain limit for the image sensor’s sensitivity. With this function, brightness and noise can be balanced as required, and image quality can be maximized in low-light situations.

Power Zoom

Power zoom is available in Variable and Constant settings in 3 modes: Fast (approx. 1.9–60 seconds), Normal (approx. 2.5–180 seconds) and Slow (approx. 4.0–285 seconds). To provide added control, there are 16 predefined steps in Constant mode.

 

 

Ergonomic, Portable Design

Weighing less than three pounds including the detachable handle, battery and lens hood – and less than two pounds without – the XA40 Professional Camcorder is ideal for high-action shoots when both speed and mobility are essential, and where keeping a low profile is an added benefit. Though small in size, this camcorder sacrifices nothing when it comes to professional functionality. It features a “seesaw” style zoom lever, manual focus/zoom ring and selection switch, a joystick for easy control and an electronic viewfinder that can tilt up to 45° for low-angle shooting. It also has five assignable buttons to help it fit to your operational needs.

 

 

Two Phantom-powered XLR Audio Inputs

A stereo microphone is incorporated into the XA40 Professional Camcorder, and two XLR audio inputs with +48 V phantom power is on the detachable handle unit. The built-in microphone supports plug-in power, and provides outstanding audio in fast-paced situations while the XLR inputs provide connectivity to external microphones and other professional audio devices. If you choose, the built-in microphone and XLR input can be used simultaneously.

Audio is recorded in 16-bit PCM format at 48 kHz for amazing quality and fidelity. And both the built-in microphone and XLR inputs have the option for automatic or full manual gain control. To prevent variations in the recorded audio level, the dial can also be locked.

The XA40 also includes a 3.5mm headphone terminal with 16 volume settings for accurate audio monitoring.

 

 

Flexible Audio Inputs with Linear PCM 4-channel Support^*

The XA40 Professional Camcorder offers a variety of ways to record audio: through two XLR terminals, an internal stereo mini-jack mic terminal or from the camcorder’s internal stereo mic. In addition to AAC 2ch audio, XA40 offers support for high-quality linear PCM 4ch audio and manual gain control. The on-board 4ch audio independent settings let users set recording levels, input sensitivity and limiters for each channel.

*Not available during 720 recording

 

 

 

Ultra-compact with Detachable Handle

A detachable handle provides the user with expanded audio performance and added flexibility. Removing the handle allows the camcorder to be made more compact for convenient storage when travelling. Included on the handle are the following terminals, controls and monitors:

 

• Two built-in XLR audio input terminals with phantom power
• Accessory shoe (cold)
• External microphone holder
• Manual audio level control
• Zoom control and record start/stop button
• Infrared light
• Tally lamp

 

 

High Definition Peaking for Focus Assist

To enhance focusing capability, the XA40 Professional Camcorder provides Focus Assist. It includes enlargement, which helps in capturing your subject in razor-sharp focus. It works by providing a 2x magnification of your subject, which is automatically cancelled when you start recording. Also included is color peaking, which shows the shooting object’s focused areas in actual colors.

Assignable Buttons for Custom Shooting

The XA40 Professional Camcorder is equipped with five assignable buttons so that the camcorder can be tailored to the specific preferences or needs of the user.

 

Button 1 is preset as AF/MF.

Button 2 is preset as Pre REC.

Button 3 has no preset.

Button 4 has no preset.

Button 5 is preset as Rec Review.

 

Infrared Shooting Mode for Extreme Low-light Conditions

The XA40 Professional Camcorder features an Infrared Mode allowing the capture of video in conditions with little to no ambient light. Compared to the XA25 and XA20, the XA40 can shoot at brightness levels that are approximately 1.4 times more sensitive, and allows low-light capture by removing the infrared cutoff filter from the optical path. Its specially designed lens coating allows the infrared light to pass through to the image sensor.

Additionally, the detachable handle of the XA40 features an infrared emitter with a diffuser to shoot appealing infrared imagery even in complete darkness. For evening camera crews or nature documentary makers, the benefits of a compact, high-performance camcorder for shooting in such conditions are obvious. Without the need to add lights, the shooter can save time on set-up, or blend into the background to reduce their chance of being seen by the subject. Also, the XA40 gives the option of recording in white or green mode.

 

Connectivity to Various Inputs and Outputs

Not only does the XA40 Professional Camcorder provide the user with incredible control over the image, it also provides immense creative freedom when it comes to inputs and outputs, including:

• HDMI Output (HDMI mini connector, time code can be superimposed)
• Composite Video Output (3.5mm)
• USB Hi-Speed Terminal
• (2) XLR Audio Input (when handle is attached)
• Microphone Input (3.5mm)
• Headphone Jack (3.5mm)
• Accessory Shoe (when handle is attached)

 

Advanced Display Features: Zebra, Color Bars and Test Tone

Color bars and test tone can be selected and recorded. The color bars comply with the SMPTE standard. -12 dB, -18 dB or -20 dB can be selected as the test tone.

Enhanced zebra pattern (70% or 100%) indicates “blown out” or high brightness areas to help you set the proper exposure.

The white balance control has six available presets selectable through a variety of day and artificial light conditions (Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H and Tungsten), as well as two manual white balance settings. Color temperature may also be manually set from 2,000K to 15,000K in 100K increments for more precise adjustment.

 

 

[Specifications]

Main Unit Specs
Standard Definition or High Definition	4K Ultra High Definition
Power Supply (Rated)	7.4V DC (Battery Pack), 8.4V DC (DC IN)
Television System	NTSC
Video Recording System	Compression: MPEG-4 File Format: MP4
Audio Recording System	MP4: MPEG-2 AAC-LC (2ch) LPCM (4ch), not available during 1280×720 recording)
Image Sensor	1/3-inch CMOS, RGB Primary Color Filter
Total Pixels	Approx. 21.14 megapixels
Effective Pixels	Approx. 8.29 megapixels (3840 x 2160)
Lens	Zoom Ratio: 20x Optical / 400x Digital Focal Length: 3.67–73.4mm (35mm equivalent: 29.3–601mm with Standard IS/IS Off, 30.6–612mm with Dynamic IS) Zoom Speed: Variable speed / Constant speed (16 levels); Fast, Normal or Slow Max. F/Stop: f/1.8–2.8
Focusing System	Hybrid AF (TTL-video signal detection system and external phase difference metering system), Normal AF (TTL-video signal selection system), Face Only AF, Manual Focus Hybrid AF Controls: Instant AF, Medium AF
Manual Exposure	Available
Exposure Control	Auto Mode: Smart Auto Manual Mode: P, Tv, Av, M (Manual Exposure), SCN (Portrait, Sports, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Night, Low Light, Spotlight, Fireworks)
Maximum Shutter Speed	1/2000 sec.
Minimum Focusing Distance	10mm (at wide end), 60cm (from lens front) across zooming range
White Balance	Auto, Preset (Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent H, Fluorescent), Color Temperature Settings (2,000–15,000K), Set (1/2)
Frame Rate	4K UHD: 30p, 24p FHD: 60p, 30p, 24p
Minimum Illumination	P Mode: Approx. 1.2 lux (shutter speed 1/30 sec., with auto slow shutter on) Low Light Mode: Approx. 0.1 lux (shutter speed 1/2 sec.)
Image Stabilization	Optical system (lens shift) + electronic stabilization Control Modes: Dynamic IS, Powered IS*, Macro IS, Tripod ModeIS Modes other than Intelligent IS: Standard IS, IS Off   * During Intelligent IS (Auto Mode), Powered IS can be set to On or Off.
Filter Diameter	58mm
Viewfinder	0.24-inch TFT wide color LCD screen, approx. 1.56 million dots, 100% field of view
LCD Touch Panel	3.0-inch LCD panel with AR surface treatment, approx. 460,000 dots, 100% field of view
Microphone	Stereo (using electret condenser microphone)
Recording Media	2 SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slots
USB Terminal	mini-B receptacle and Hi-Speed USB supported (output only)
Accessory Shoe	Cold shoe
Video Terminal	3.5mm diameter 4-pole mini-jack (video/audio output only)
HDMI Terminal	HDMI™ mini connector
Microphone Terminal	3.5mm diameter stereo mini-jack, MIC/LINE switching possible
AV Mini Terminal/Headphone Terminal	3.5mm stereo mini-jack
Remote Control Terminal	2.5mm stereo mini jack (input only)
Handle Unit Terminals	Input Terminal: XLR 3 pin-jacks (2 systems), MIC/LINE switch possible (input only) Shoe Terminal: Cold shoe
Operating Temperature Range	For Performance: Approx. 0–40°C, 85% (relative humidity) For Operation: Approx. -5–45°C, 60% (relative humidity)
Dimensions	Approx. 4.3 x 3.3 x 7.2 in. / 109 x 84 x 182mm (excluding lens hood, mic holder unit and handle unit) Approx. 4.5 x 3.3 x 9.1 in. / 115 x 84 x 231mm (including lens hood; excluding mic holder unit and handle unit) Approx. 5.2 x 7.1 x 9.1 in. / 131 x 180 x 231mm (including lens hood, mic holder unit and handle unit)   All dimensions exclude the grip belt.
Weight	Approx. 1.6 lbs. (730g) (body only) Approx. 2.5 lbs. (1120g) (includes lens hood, mic holder unit, handle unit, Battery Pack BP-820 and 1 memory card)   Grip belt included for all values.

 

 

 

Recording Modes

Approximate Recording Times