The step-up model of the Canon XA40, with SDI socket, goes on sale two years after being launched in North America
(Image credit: Canon)
At long last, the Canon XA45 is to be available in Europe. Originally launched in North America in April 2019, the XA45 is a step-up model to the XA40, one of the best camcorders available for pro video makers then and now.
The key difference between these two models is subtle - and hence the reason for the delay in bringing the more expensive XA45 to the European market. The XA45, quite simply, adds an SDI socket to the feature list – making it that much more suitable for documentary and news reporting, as this lockable connector is less likely to become disconnected during the run-and-gun shooting scenarios. The socket, which could be used for streaming via an encoder, uses the 3G-SDI standard that offers data transfer at 2.97Gb/s.
The XA45, like the XA40, features a 1/2.3-inch type CMOS sensor that can shoot 4K video footage at a maximum bit rate of 160 Mbps at 25.00P. The camcorder has an image-stablized 20x optical zoom, with a 35mm equivalent focal length range of 29.3mm at its widest up to 601mm telephoto.
A detachable handle/grip contains two professional 3-pin XLR connectors for external microphones, supporting two or four channel audio recording. It also has line, mic and 48V Phantom inputs and an on-board stereo microphone is available as is a standard 3.5mm Stereo Jack plug which can also supply power to an external microphone.
Canon released firmware updates for both the XA40 and XA45 that at the end of last year that added Custom Picture. This feature adjusts image settings such as, sharpness, saturation, skin detail and noise reduction to suit the users filming needs. For improved customization, users can allocate additional features to assignable buttons, such as zebra, peaking and markers for increased functionality.
The Canon XA45 will go on sale in February for £1,819.99 / €1,999.99. The XA45 has a recommended retail price in the USA of $2,199.
Chris George has worked on Digital Camera World since its launch in 2017. He has been writing about photography, mobile phones, video making and technology for over 30 years – and has edited numerous magazines including PhotoPlus, N-Photo, Digital Camera, Video Camera, and Professional Photography.
His first serious camera was the iconic Olympus OM10, with which he won the title of Young Photographer of the Year - long before the advent of autofocus and memory cards. Today he uses a Nikon D800, a Fujifilm X-T1, a Sony A7, and his iPhone 15 Pro Max.
He has written about technology for countless publications and websites including The Sunday Times Magazine, The Daily Telegraph, Dorling Kindersley, What Cellphone, T3 and Techradar.
