Canon extends the XF Family of Camcorders with the XF400 Professional Camcorder, a workhorse with a 1? 4K UHD CMOS image sensor and dual DIGIC DV6 Image Processors.
The Canon XF400 brings the XF line into 4K territory for the first time with not only the 1? CMOS sensor, but also a 4K video lens with 15x optical zoom. Recording MP4 to dual SD card slots, the XF400 can also output via HDMI 2.0.
XF400 Features:
1.0-inch 4K UHD CMOS Image Sensor
15x Optical 4K UHD Zoom Lens with 5-Axis Optical Image Stabilization
Dual DIGIC DV 6 Image Processors
Dual Pixel CMOS AF
4K UHD and Full HD Recording to Dual SD Card Slots
Slow and Fast Motion Recording up to 120fps
3.5-inch Touch Panel LCD and 0.24-inch Electronic Viewfinder
HDMI 2.0 Terminal with 4K UHD 60p Output Support
Flexible Audio Inputs with Linear PCM 4-channel Support
RC-V100 Remote Controller Support
Detachable Handle
Network Connections for FTP Transfer and Browser Remote (Wired and Wi-Fi® Connectivity)
The 1? 4K UHD CMOS Image Sensor. The image sensor on the XF400 can capture 4K UHD video at 60p and Full HD slow-motion video at 120fps. Its comparatively larger size brings improved images with significantly less noise (especially in low-light). A larger sensor also translates to a shallower depth of field at large apertures.
15x Optical 4K UHD Zoom Lens. The Canon 4K video lens features a 15x zoom that is optical, not digital, and offers a 35mm equivalent focal length of 25.5mm-382.5mm. In Full HD, a 30x advanced zoom is achievable; but it relies on the 4K UHD sensor to digitally extend the zoom range.
5-Axis O.I.S. The camcorder features three modes of image stabilization: Standard, Dynamic and Powered. In Standard IS mode, the stabilizing angle is made constant independent of the zoom magnification. Dynamic IS mode extends the stabilizing range at the wide end of the focal length, allowing for image stabilization when shooting while walking. Powered IS mode helps facilitate stabilization in the low frequency range at the tele end, and should be used exclusively for fixed-point shooting which does not involve panning.
Quality Images. The XF400 features a 9-blade iris for an excellent bokeh. The camera’s built-in ND filter uses a circular turret mechanism and has three selectable densities (it can also be turned off). Dual DIGIC DV 6 Image Processors power most of the excellent features in this camera such as image stabilization, slow and fast motion recording, and Dual Pixel CMOS AF (Canon’s exclusively developed high-speed, high-precision autofocus technology). This autofocus technology is especially useful with the XF400’s 3.5? touch-panel LCD — which allows for touch focus by tapping a finger on the desired area of the monitor. Dual Pixel CMOS AF offer continuous AF with a horizontal and vertical range of the screen of approximately 80%. The camcorder also features Face Detection AF with two modes: Face Priority AF and Face Only AF.
XF400 Physical Features. As mentioned, the camera sports a 3.5? Touch Panel LCD, but it’s also equipped with a 0.24? EVF — both of which display approximately 1.56 million dots. It also has five assignable buttons [two on the LCD, two on the camera body covered by the LCD when closed, and one to the right of the EVF] that can be set to control the following functions: Powered IS, Forced backlight correction, Face only AF, Priority WB, Pre-REC, Infrared Light, Monitor channel, Focus Guide, AF/MF, REC review, Enlarge image, Photo, Off. Any functions left unprogrammed are still just as easy to access on the camcorder’s intuitive interactive menu.
HDMI 2.0 Out with 4K UHD Support. The Canon XF400 professional camcorder brandishes an HDMI 2.0 terminal with 4K UHD 60p output support. The terminal allows the camcorder to be connected to an external recorder.
The Audio Capabilities of the XF400. There are two XLR terminals on the removable top handle of the XF400 and an internal stereo mini-jack mic terminal on the camera body. Users can also capture audio using the camcorder’s internal stereo mic. The XLR inputs on the handle can be controlled separately and the handle itself is capable of mounting a mic holder and sports a cold shoe.
Network Connections for FTP Transfer and Browser Remote (Wired and Wi-Fi® Connectivity). The XF400 Professional Camcorder offers both wired and wireless connectivity to enable recorded files to be shared and transmitted back to the station or home base via FTP for editing or live streaming. The camcorder can also be accessed remotely from a normal web browser running on a laptop or a compatible smart device to control functions such as record start/stop, AF/MF switching, focus/zoom settings and white balance mode. Background transfer of MP4 format video files via FTP links is also possible, enabling the latest recordings to be distributed quickly over the Internet.