This is a spectacularly nice camera for my purposes---making video classes and blogs solo in my home studio. Spectacular image quality, easy to use and set up. The fixed lens is fine for my purposes, with plenty of mechanical zoom, and I love the fact that I can control everything remotely from an iPad (the camera has a web server, so you just point your browser at it). I'm not a pro, so the griping in other reviews that this camera doesn't have the same features as one that costs 8 times more doesn't faze me.
I use this camera to make video classes. I publish videos at 720p, but record in 4K. That way I effectively have 4x digital zoom with no degradation of the image quality. I set everything up, go stand in front of the camera and start talking. By zooming out, I can move around and not have to worry about panning and such. I crop, zoom, and pan in Premier when I edit the video. I use a
Sennheiser XSW 2-ME2-A Wireless Lavalier Microphone
fed directly into the XLR input. The auto leveling on the audio signal works fine, though it's a little hotter than I'd like (no headroom at all, but no clipping either, so it's okay). When I record a live class, I use the other audio input for a room mic, and the fact that I can manually adjust that mic's level and leave my lav-mic feed on auto is really useful.
I occasionally need to feed the video into my computer as if this were a web cam while I'm recording (for live webinars), and I use a
Magewell USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus Device
for that purpose.
The only down side is that the CFast memory cards that you need for 4K recording are pricey. I've been using
256GB PixelFlash
cards (which were the least expensive ones I could find), and they work fine. a 256K card will record a bit under 3 hours of 4K video. I use two and have one uploading to my computer while I record with the other. You could also feed the HDMI output into an external monitor and record there, but that would add a lot of unnecessary expense and complexity to the set up that I could do without. Finally, there's a Cannon app that will capture the video as you record, but that's less convenient for me than just going to a video card.
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This Item  Canon XC15 4K Professional Camcorder, Black (1456C002) |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | Currently unavailable. | $948.00 | $612.99 | $1,099.00 | $2,198.00 | $2,399.00 |
| Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 29 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 1 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 29 | Get it Apr 30 - May 7 | — |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Picture quality | ||||||
| Touch Screen | ||||||
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| Image stabilization | ||||||
| Sold By | — | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | BUYDIRECT & SAVE, USA | Unique Photo, Inc. |
| model name | XC15 | 4K Camcorder | HV-V785K | CNHFG70 | 8453B002 | XA55 |
| display size | 3 inches | 3 inches | 3 inches | 3.5 inches | 3.5 inches | 3 inches |
| digital zoom | 16 multiplier x | 30 multiplier x | 60 multiplier x | 800 multiplier x | 400 multiplier x | 15 multiplier x |
| optical zoom | 10 multiplier x | 20 multiplier x | 20 multiplier x | 20 multiplier x | 20 multiplier x | 15 multiplier x |
| video resolution | 4K | 1280p, 720p | 1080p | 4K | 1080p | 4K, 1080p |
| connectivity tech | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi, USB | Wi-Fi, USB, HDMI | USB | Wi-Fi, Infrared, Bluetooth, USB, HDMI | USB |
| shooting modes | Slow Motion | — | Automatic | Slow Motion, Fast Motion, Face Detection | Slow Motion, Fast Motion, Macro | — |
From the manufacturer
4K UHD 10x Wide-angle Optical Zoom Lens
The Canon XC15 4K UHD Camcorder incorporates a Canon 4K video lens that leverages proprietary Canon optical technologies derived from years of experience in developing Cinema, Broadcast and EF Series lenses. This 10x wide-angle optical zoom lens offers a focal range of 24.1–241mm for photos and 27.3–273mm for movies. The use of UD (Ultra-low Dispersion) and Hi-UD lens elements helps compensate for chromatic aberrations and provides a compact size ideal for on-the-go reporting and recording. An innovative retractable lens barrel structure integrating internal guide bars helps facilitate precise lens movement during zooming, while only extending the lens barrel by a mere 36.2mm.
Canon 12.0 Megapixel 1-inch CMOS Image Sensor
The XC15 4K UHD Camcorder features a Canon 12.0 Megapixel 1-inch CMOS image sensor with 12 stops of dynamic range, and both video and photo shooting functionality. The hybrid design makes the XC15 4K UHD Camcorder a true crossover capable of satisfying the needs of both video and still workflows. With capture that includes both 4K UHD and Full HD (FHD) video and still capture up to 12.0 Megapixels, the XC15 4K UHD Camcorder is a strong contender in professional productions, creative fields and more.
Integrated LCD with Touch Panel
A 3.0-inch 1.03-million-dot tilting LCD monitor provides the Canon XC15 4K UHD Camcorder with a bright, vivid-color display for shooting and playing back footage. The LCD's innovative two-axis parallel hinge mechanism allows the display to be placed in optimal positions for shooting at a variety of angles, from low to high. This LCD also integrates a highly advanced capacitive touch-panel for easy fingertip control of all camera functions and settings. Camera information can be displayed on-screen for clear and easy visual recognition of selected menu items, and users can also swipe from one menu page to another without vertical scrolling. The user interface borrows many of the concepts from the Canon EOS system making the camera intuitive to operate for users familiar with other Canon products. The XC15 4K UHD Camcorder also includes a removable viewing hood that can be used in bright or outdoor environments or where critical image viewing is needed.
Pro Audio Module with XLR Inputs
The bundled Microphone Adapter MA-400 for the Canon XC15 4K UHD Camcorder opens up a number of creative possibilities. Two XLR-format audio ports enable direct connection to professional audio equipment such as microphones and audio mixers. The MA-400 allows manual or automatic audio level control and the ability to receive line level signals. The MA-400 also includes an integrated microphone holder to facilitate mounting a shotgun style mic directly to the unit.
To provide improved stability for the supplied MA-400, the Canon XC15 4K UHD Camcorder is fitted with a cold shoe mount that is longer than that offered on other comparable Canon cameras. The cold shoe's added length provides a larger support area for the adapter and any compatible microphone mounted within the MA-400's integral mic mount. Because the cold-shoe mount does not have compatible data contact pins, the XC15 4K UHD Camcorder does not support still-image sync shooting when using Canon Speedlite flash units.
Additional Exciting XC15 Features
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Canon Optical Image StabilizationCanon Optical Image Stabilization enhances handheld operation of the camera. Three modes of Image Stabilization – Dynamic, Standard and Powered – are offered to suit a range of shooting situations including walking while shooting and shooting at long telephoto lengths. |
CFast Recording TechnologyRecording 4K UHD video requires professional-quality media capable of keeping up with the XC15 4K UHD Camcorder's 4K Codec. To meet these high data rate requirements, the camcorder features CFast recording technology. CFast is a next-generation non-proprietary recording solution supported by Canon and a variety of other manufacturers. |
4K Frame GrabIn-camera still photos that are approximately 8.3 Megapixels can be extracted from 4K UHD video files. After creating a 4K UHD video movie, users can extract any frame they wish and convert it into a high-quality still photo. |
Wireless OperationThe Canon XC15 4K UHD Camcorder incorporates dual built-in 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz band wireless networks. This functionality provides both a Browser Remote and Browser Preview. By using Browser Remote, camcorder operations can be performed remotely from a web browser on a compatible smartphone or computer. Browser Preview allows users to look at still photos recorded in the camcorder without the need to remove media from the camcorder. |
Reviews with images
The most underrated camera in 2018
I ordered the Sony a7 III two months ago and just got tired of waiting, during that time I researched cameras in that price range and found the XC15... The XC15 having a leg up on the Sony as it comes ready to shoot out of the box (no memory cards). The image is superb, low light permormance is decent and the audio is robust and reliable. The camera includes a power adapter which is bulky and you must use the camera to charge the battery, so I suggest that you get a separate battery charger. The battery lasts almost two hours. The waveform monitor is vital, and the no time limit video recording comes in handy during press conferences. Overall I'm very happy that I chose this camera over the A7III as it meets all of my needs, and is more affordable.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2018
Style: Canon XC15Verified Purchase
The most underrated camera in 2018
Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2018
I ordered the Sony a7 III two months ago and just got tired of waiting, during that time I researched cameras in that price range and found the XC15... The XC15 having a leg up on the Sony as it comes ready to shoot out of the box (no memory cards). The image is superb, low light permormance is decent and the audio is robust and reliable. The camera includes a power adapter which is bulky and you must use the camera to charge the battery, so I suggest that you get a separate battery charger. The battery lasts almost two hours. The waveform monitor is vital, and the no time limit video recording comes in handy during press conferences. Overall I'm very happy that I chose this camera over the A7III as it meets all of my needs, and is more affordable.
Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2018
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
Linc Kesler
Specialized, but also versatile
Reviewed in Canada on July 27, 2021Style: Canon XC15Verified Purchase
