Customer reviews from usa.canon.com
Canon - XA20 Professional HD Camcorder - Black
Average customer rating
4.3
(8 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 8 reviews
5 Stars
5
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
1
1 Star
0
83%of customers recommend this product.
(
5 out of
6)
Customer Reviews for Canon - XA20 Professional HD Camcorder - Black
Customer Rating
5
Solid Camera for Videography
on June 6, 2014
Posted by: Indie docs
from St. Paul, MN
This is a terrific camera when I purchased it more than a year ago when it first came out. I was on a tight budget, needed something to use right out of the box and adapt as the client work increased and this is a perfect fit.
I do lots of trade show news gathering work, shoot high school basketball, and documentary style video. It is flawless with FCPx and Mavericks OS. I did add a Sennheiser MKE 600 shotgun
Pros: Good Low-Light Performance, Easy Computer Connectivity, Accurate, Vivid Colors, Compact Design, excellent image quality, durable, easy to use, manual settings easy to use, auto can bail you out of most situations
Cons: none that i find
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Absolutely fantastic!!
on September 13, 2013
Posted by: JRNipper
from Clearwater, FL
I haven't had it long, but this camcorder is the best I've ever owned. It truly lives up to the Canon name and quality one would expect from a leader in the industry. If I had to list any concerns it would be that the menu system is a bit difficult for me to recall where things are, but that will smooth out with experience and use of the unit. Overall, I give this product a five star PLUS rating! Way to go Canon!!
Pros: good battery life, Good Low-Light Performance, Easy Computer Connectivity, Great sound/audio, Accurate, Vivid Colors, Compact Design, excellent image quality, durable, Good Software Compatibility, Ergonomic/comfortable to hold, Easy TV Connectivity, easy to use, blt-in a-v test sig gen, variable shutter & iris, manual lens ctrl ops, int. vf for outdoor use, zebra pattern on-off, bal (xlr) audio inputs, under 2.5 lbs w/batt
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
XA20: The best camcorder I've ever owned.
on January 13, 2016
Posted by: Eyeball
from Virginia, United States
I have owned many camcorders and cameras in the last 25 years. I am a surveillance contractor and I needed the ability to take superior video and stills in all lighting conditions. This XA20 "Run and Gun" style camera is the answer. I use one card slot for raw video, the other for captured high quality stills from the raw video slot (all programmable in the menu). I can push the stills to others via phone app in less than 60 seconds. I researched all camcorders to death before deciding on this one. It has all the features needed for what my industry demands for superior work product (large sensor, excellent low light ability, high optical zoom, card slots, non-bulky mobility, great image stabilization, easy connectivity, user friendly design, and great overall value). I realize that my applications for this device are unique and somewhat extreme, but it was worth every dime I paid for it. I used Sony products for years. They cannot compete with Canon in my field anymore. Period.
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Great pro camcorder packed with many features
on March 27, 2016
Posted by: 50PlusVideo
from Fort Collins, CO, United States
I just purchased my second XA20 camcorder as a backup and for multiple cam shooting for my video business. I use the XA20 for creating video ads, documentaries, tradeshow interviews, product reviews, employee training, and record meeting presentations, mainly for customer or online use. I use the LANC remote control, HDMI port with an external monitor, and both XLR mics during my shoots. I like the small size, flash memory, and many other features too. Easy set up and easy to use.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
Big features in a small package
on August 12, 2013
Posted by: GC
from Houston
There are always tradeoffs in buying a smaller camera, but I needed something compact enough to take backpacking and remain unobtrusive wading through a crowd.
With the XA20, I didn't have to give up much to get those things. Of course, it would be lovely to have bigger or multiple sensors, 4:2:2 color, separate focus and zoom rings and manual ND filters. But I know - at least right now - I'm not going to get them at this price in a camera 7 inches long.
What I got is:
- A smooth and sharp, 20x Zoom
- Good low light performance
- Exemplary image stabilization
- 1080/60p recording
- Balanced XLR inputs
- Dual AVCHD/MP4 recording
- An accessible manual focus ring
- And enough customizable buttons that I can untether from the OLED screen for many of the functions I go to most often.
- A smooth and sharp, 20x Zoom
- Good low light performance
- Exemplary image stabilization
- 1080/60p recording
- Balanced XLR inputs
- Dual AVCHD/MP4 recording
- An accessible manual focus ring
- And enough customizable buttons that I can untether from the OLED screen for many of the functions I go to most often.
The other cameras I considered either lacked the longer zoom or were considerably larger.
What has most surprised me about the camera is the quality of the image stabilization, even at maximum zoom. The autofocus - which has three "speeds" available - is very smooth and responsive, though predictably a bit less so in low light.
The image quality is excellent, and the colors, though perhaps not as saturated as some similar cameras, seem much more natural.
The dual SD approach is much more convenient than internal memory for my work flow and organization of content. With two 64GB SDXC cards, I'm getting 10+ hours at the highest HD settings and, theoretically, would get a ridiculous 70 hours of recording at MP4/4 Mbps for web content.
I've yet to use the Wi-Fi upload capability but I'm anxious to try it to post directly to the FTP server on my web site.
The camera has great ergonomics; I like the ability to drop the xlr attachment and lens hood to revert to an innocuous consumer profile, which enables me to shoot in places where anything more elaborate would draw unwanted attention.
I'm using a shotgun mic that produces absolutely terrific sound with the XA20. It's a good thing I don't really use the onboard mics because they're mediocre and awkwardly placed behind the lens hood. Overall, an amazing camera in a small package.
Pros: Accurate, Vivid Colors, Compact Design, excellent image quality, easy to use, excellent image stabilization, big zoom, overall fast autofocus
Cons: Poor sound/audio, some controls awkwardly located, poor low light autofocus
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
3
Good BUT one massive design flaw
on February 17, 2014
Posted by: Jiggs
I used to love this camera. I purchased two for filming weddings. However, there's a major, I repeat, MAJOR design flaw in that the picture oscillates in what appears to be some kind of echo when a camera flash goes off in the room. As I film weddings, camera flashes are a common occurrence. It completely destroyed my footage.
How can Canon advertise this camera in the following way:
'The high image quality and recording versatility make the XA20 ideal for independent and documentary filmmaking, as well as event videography and educational institutions.'
(a quote from the Canon website)
(a quote from the Canon website)
Event videography! Really! Did they even try this camera out in such situations before releasing it ?
Nothing less than false advertising.
Such a shame because apart from that it's a fantastic camera. So if you can see past this problem, it's an incredible camcorder.
Let's hope Canon listens to it's loyal customers and does something to address this issue quickly. I've always bought Canon and this if the first time I've felt absolutely cheated.
Pros: it's a great all round camera except for one flaw
Cons: picture echos when flash goes off
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
2
Sadly missing basic functions
on December 19, 2014
Posted by: DB Photo
from New York, NY
Bought this to upgrade my Vixia G10. I had rented the XA10 and loved the built in XLR ports and the compatibility with my existing accessories and of course the ease of use as it was so similar to my own camera. So the upgrade to the XA20 was a no brainer.
Sadly this camera lacks a waveform monitor (for correct exposure, essential in bright light), which my cheaper old G10 had one (as did the XA10).
Secondly, there is a playback button (great i don't have to switch to media mode, well….) except it only plays for 4 secs, why not the whole of the last take/clip?
And lastly the file numbering, even when set in continuous mode, will reset each time you format or use a new card.
I hoped the firmware update 1.0.4.0 would address some of these issues, but it didn't. Still hoping that there maybe another update to address at least the first issue.
For me it's sad that the above features are missing, as the quality is definitely a step up from the G10 and XA10 and i love the size and handling of the camera.
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Fantasitic entery level pro camera
on March 6, 2018
Posted by: lifeguardlloyd
from Winnipeg, MB, Canada
I have always had great luck with Canon products. The xa20 has not disappointed me. Great pro features and easy to use.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com