Camcorder News

There are now two prosumer camcorder models that feature variable frame rate recording: the Panasonic AG-DVX100A and Canon's XL2. There are a multitude of differences between these camcorders, as well as some very distinct similarities. But, at the end of the day, three features set the XL2 apart from the AG-DVX100A and any other prosumer camcorder on the market: the interchangable lens system, the 16:9 aspect ratio mode, and the number of effective pixels per CCD. We've laid out the differences in a spec table.

For years, Canon has been a leader in digital and optical imaging lenses, and XL camcorder line upholds that reputation. The XL2 ships with an amazing 20x optical zoom lens, with optical image stabalization built in. The glass is coated with Canon's own flourite, which they claim is a driving force behind superior optical imaging. Additionally, Canon remains the only camcorder manufacturer that has integrated an interchangable lens system into their product line. In this sense, the XL2 is leaps ahead of other manufacturers competing for the independent market. The XL2 remains compatible with the XL series of lenses, and adds a new one to the previous three: a 20x optical zoom lens with "super range optical image stabilization" on board. The optical zoom alone puts the XL2 in a league all its own. The AG-DVX100A has a Leica Dicomar 10x optical zoom lens, a magnificent piece of glass, but there was something very empowering about handling the XL2 and manually cranking through 20x optical zoom distances, wondering if any end was in sight. The new lens also has on-board zoom and focus speed sets, allowing users to manually configure the lens zoom and focus controls. This is useful for accurately racking focus, or zooming during production.

The second element that is different on the Canon XL2 is the way 16:9 mode is accomplished. The DVX100A has letterbox, squeeze, and normal 16:9 modes. These are faux 16:9 modes, however, as the resolution is not up to snuff. Image resolution suffers significantly in these modes, as pixels are stretched or manipulated in some way in order to get the most out of the aspect ratio.

According to Canon, however, this is not the case on the XL2. The aspect ratio is not achieved via native 16:9 chips, as that would put the price of the camera way outside the prosumer price point of US$5,000. The XL2 utilizes its 4:3 chip in a way that is unique among 16:9 modes. The XL2 uses an oversized 4:3 CCD, then crops the left and right side to achieve the 4:3 image. The 16:9 image, however, does not crop out the edges of the acquired pixels, and effectively records to tape an image that is 720 x 480.

The last element which will greatly improve image quality is the effective pixel count per CCD. At 460K in 16:9 mode, the effective pixel count is almost double that of the competition.

	Panasonic AG-DVX100	Canon XL2
Power Supply	7.2/7.9 V	7.2V
Power Consumption	6.8-9.2 Watts	7.1W
Television System	EIS standard	EIS standard
Video recording system	525i (NTSC)	525i (NTSC)
Audio recording System	12 bit (4 channel) 16 bit (2 channel)	12 (4 channel), 16 (2 channel)
Image Sensor	1/3 inch CCD x 3	1/3 inch CCD x 3
Gross pixels per CCD	410K	680K
Effective pixels	380K	350K(4:3), 460K(16:9)
Pixel Shifting	pixel offset system	pixel shifting
Tape format	MiniDV	MiniDV
Tape speed	18mm/sec: SP, 12.5mm/sec: LP	18mm/sec: SP, 12.5mm/sec: LP
Lens Mount	no	yes
Manual Focus Type	ring	ring
Minimum focusing distance	4.5-45mm	5.4-108
Maximum shutter speed	60i (1/60,100,120,250,500,1000,2000), 30P (1/30-1/1000), 24P (1/24-1/1000)	1/15,000
Minimum illumination	3 lux	3 lux
Recommended illumination	100lux	100lux
filter diameter	72 mm	72 mm
Viewfinder	.44 inch (180K)
LCD	3.5 inch (200K pixels)	2.0 inch(200K)
Microphone	stereo	stereo electret condenser
DV Terminal	4 pin	4 pin
S-Video IN/OUT terminal	yes	yes
Video IN/OUT Terminal	pin jack	RCN/BNC jack
Audio OUT Terminal	pin jacks for 2 channels	RCA x 2(3&4, 1/3&2/4)
	XLR in x 2 (2 channels), LINE/MIC input	XLR in x 2 (2 channels), LINE/MIC input
Headphone	yes	yes
Audio IN Terminal	16 bit(2 channels), 12 bits (4 channels)	16 bit(2 channels), 12 bits (4 channels)
Microphone IN	yes	yes
Operating temperature range	32ø - 104ø	32 - 104
Dimensions	5.5 x 6.9375 x 14.375	8.9 x 8.7 x 19.5
Weight (no battery)	3.731lbs.	5.3 lbs.
Weight (battery)		7.8 lbs.
16:9 effect	normal, letterbox, squeeze	guides, non-squeeze 16:9
grip zoom	yes	yes
handle zoom	yes	yes
adjustable zoom speed	yes	yes
movie mode	24P (2:3), 24P(2:3:3:2)	24P (2:3), 24P(2:3:3:2)
white balance	auto (3200K and 5600K) preset, hold, auto tracking white, black balance	auto (3200K and 5600K) preset, hold, auto tracking white, black balance
zebra patterning	2 modes	5 levels
optical zoom	10x	20x
built in ND filter	1/8, 1/64 reduction settings	yes
still to tape	no	no
2 photo buttons	no photos	no
two gripping positions	yes	yes
fade trigger	yes	yes
exposure steps	F1.6 - F2.8	F1.6-F2.8
shutter speed steps	60i (1/60,100,120,250,500,1000,2000), 30P (1/30-1/1000), 24P (1/24-1/1000)	1/24-1/15,000
Shooting Modes	60i (525i), 30P,24P (3:2), 24P (2:3:3:2)	60i (525i), 30P,24P (3:2), 24P (2:3:3:2)
Customized keys	yes	yes
Clear Scan	SynchroScan	Clear Scan
Audio Dubbing	yes	yes
Zoom features	ring, two toggles	ring, two toggles