An excellent digital camcorder, the XF305 represents Canon’s entry into professional solid-state video acquisition. Check out the Canon XF405 for a more recent and updated option. Key features include:

Want An Updated Option? The XF305 was a fantastic option in 2010, but cameras have come a long way in 10 years. We recommend the Canon XF405 for a comparable option that shrinks the form factor and records to common SD media or the Canon XF705 for a top of the line professional option that maintains the larger size. For an all-in-one option we off the XF405 in an XF405 4K Event Package as well.

CMOS Sensors. The XF305 uses three 1,920 × 1,080 1/3-inch CMOS sensors, and you can choose among 60i, 60p, 30p, and 24p settings to achieve just the look you want. The camera supports Full HD 1,920 × 1,080 resolution at up to 50 Mbps bit rate with 4:2:2 color sampling.

Fast- and Slow-Motion Recording. This camera can record at one frame rate and play back at another, allowing fast- and slow-motion recording without loss of image quality. The XF305 can also do interval frame recording at any of 25 rates, from one second to ten minutes.

Compact Flash Card Recording. The camera records to UDMA CF memory cards and has two hot-swappable card slots, allowing you to change cards without interrupting shooting.

Canon 18x HD Zoom Lens. The XF305’s L-series lens has a 35mm-equivalent zoom range of 29-527mm, twin autofocus systems, and three-mode optical image stabilization. A waveform monitor and vectorscope are built right into the camera. The freely rotating 3.5-inch LCD monitor and 1.55MP electronic viewfinder show a 100% field of view.

HD-SDI Output and Genlock Input. The XF305 features industry-standard HD-SDI output, genlock input and timecode input/output terminals (BNC style), making it perfectly suited for multi-camera or 3-D productions.

Additional Features. Inputs and outputs, including HDMI Output, Component Video Output (using the included DTC-1500 cable), Composite Video Output (BNC and 3.5mm), USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Terminal, and a Remote Control Terminal (compatible with LANC protocol). There’s also a built-in stereo microphone and two XLR audio inputs with +48V phantom power.