Canon unveils small, lower cost XA10 pro camcorder

Canon used the prelude to CES today for a handful of camera launches led first by its smallest and least expensive pro HD camcorder to date. The XA10 is only somehwat larger than home video cameras but still has a 1/3-inch CMOS sensor, dual XLR inputs, an external mic holder and detailed manual controls. It similarly has an infrared mode that can capture some footage with no ambient light.

The camera captures its footage at up to 1080p in AVCHD (H.264) at multiple frame rates and with Dolby Digital stereo sound. Videographers have the options of setting visual details like white balance at fine increments but can also use cinema filters to implement broader visual effects. It records footage either to its internal 64GB of storage, to one or both SDXC card slots at the same time, or to a remote computer or other hub.

The camera revolves around a fixed, 10X (30.4-304mm) lens. A 3.5-inch touchscreen LCD provides the main interface, though a remote control terminal is also available.

Canon ships the XA10 in March for $2,000 and will be followed by a WM-V1 wireless mic that can talk to camcorders up to 164 feet away. It ships in May for $250.

By Electronista Staff