Canon XM2 3CCD Mini DV Camcorder

The XM2 maximizes the capability of the DV format by using a 3 CCD system assigning a separate CCD to each primary colour. A beam-splitting prism precisely separates the light passing through the lens into individual colour components, and each is sent to its own CCD. This process achieves outstanding detail with highly accurate colour reproduction suitable for the demands of the high-end production field - wide dynamic range, low colour noise, natural colour resolution and low aliasing.

Pixel Shift

Canon solves common shooting dilemmas by using a signal processing technique called Pixel Shift, which has been used in professional grade video cameras for many years. It achieves wider dynamic range, reduced vertical smearing and sharper digital still images. The green component of a video signal contains 60% of the picture detail, and the red and blue components comprise only 40%. The green CCD in the XM2 is shifted vertically and horizontally the equivalent distance of 1/2 pixel from the red and blue CCD. The green signal is then sampled more frequently to extract the maximum picture detail from the video signal. This allows the XM2 to achieve resolution equal to camcorders with nearly twice as many pixels in video recording.

Professional L-Series Fluorite Lens

Canon has satisfied the demands of experienced image makers for years through the power, design and quality of 35mm and broadcast TV lenses. Canon Professional L-Series lenses utilise Fluorite, a material which provides outstanding resolution, contrast and colour reproduction, especially in lightweight, high magnification lenses. Now incorporated into the lens on the XM2, CCD R CCD G CCD B Incorporating precision optics, superior digital processing, and a sleek innovative design, the Canon XM2 offers reliable professional performance. Its advanced feature set allows users to handle even the most challenging tasks with confidence and ease.



20x Zoom Lens with 100x Digital Zoom

The XM2 incorporates a 20x Professional L-Series Fluorite optical zoom lens which transforms distant subjects into dramatic closeups. The 20x optical zoom is the 35mm focal length equivalent of 39.5 to 790mm. You'll reveal details too distant to be seen with just the eye alone. Fluorite delivers the ultimate clarity and image quality.

The Fluorite element inside the lens defeats colour aberration - the effect when components of light stray from one another within a lens, causing a reduction in sharpness, contrast and colour. Fluorite lenses precisely control components of light providing an excellent balance of these three critical ingredients of picture quality. This is unobtainable with conventional optical glass.



Optical Image Stabilizer

Canon's superb optical stabilization system corrects camera shake instantly so even hand-held shots, at full telephoto, and shots taken from a moving car, are smooth and steady. Since it is optical, there is no loss of image quality inevitable with electronic image stabilisers. It perfectly complements the high picture quality of the DV format.



IEEE 1394 DV terminal

The XM2 is equipped with a DV In/Out terminal that conforms to the IEEE 1394 standard (also known as FireWire). A single digital video cable is all that is required to transfer or copy your videos in pure digital form to your DV compatible computer (not supplied) or to another Canon DV camcorder. By transferring images and sound to a compatible computer you can start video editing and enhancing still images using popular software programs.

Using a digital connecting cable (IEEE 1394), you can dub multiple generations without signal or quality loss. If a digital video signal is being transferred from your camcorder to your computer or back again via the DV In/Out terminal, the signal does not go through any conversion process. Therefore, there is no signal loss.

Shooting Modes and Aspect Ratios

The XM2 has three shooting modes: Normal Movie Mode, Digital Photo Mode, and the cinema-like Frame Movie Mode popularized by Canon's leading-edge XL1 and XL1S. The XM2 also offers both the standard 4:3 aspect ratio and 16:9 wide screen TV aspect ratio.

Exposure Modes

The XM2 offers both the versatility to meet all exposure challenges and ease of use when you're happy to let the camera make all the choices. Amazingly sophisticated circuitry and computer algorithms analyze the light coming through the lens to deliver proper exposure automatically under almost any lighting condition. You also can easily adjust the exposure system in any one of several creative ways to meet specific needs. By turning the easily accessible Program Dial to select one of seven exposure modes, you control how you want the video to look.