Canon has made the leap into solid-state recording with their new XF305 and XF300 cameras. Listening to the needs of the production community, Canon developed a robust  50Mbps MPEG-2 4:2:2 recording format and enabled recording directly to Compact Flash (CF) cards. This combination provides excellent image quality and an efficient, robust workflow at an affordable price. The camera is lightweight and has a form factor that sits incredibly well in the hand. It is ideally suited to match the requirements of electronic newsgathering (ENG) crews, filmmakers, and every type of production in-between.

Utilizing file-based MPEG-2 compression with an MXF File Wrapper ensures the widest compatibility with existing industry infrastructure, metadata and non-linear editing (NLE) systems. And 4:2:2 color sampling provides ultra-fine transitions in tone and color for maintaining the highest quality image for use in advanced post production. The 50 Mbps the MPEG-2 format is widely accepted by major television networks across the country.

A newly developed Genuine Canon 18x HD L-Series lens along with three Canon native 1920 x 1080 CMOS Image Sensors delivers pristine image quality.

The XF305 incorporating industry-standard HD-SDI output, genlock input and SMPTE time code input/output terminals makes the Canon XF305 perfectly matched for live application and multi-camera shooting.

The XF305 also offers multiple recording bit rates, resolutions and variable frame rates to expand your creative flexibility, and allow you to work in virtually any production environment. Complete customization over the image (paint settings), display and operation makes the XF305 a camcorder that can be tailored to the needs of different professionals.

Includes:

• XF305 Camcorder with lens cap
  
• Lens Hood
  
• Eyecup
  
• Battery Pack BP-955
  
• Compact Power Adapter CA-930
  
• DC Cable DC-930
  
• Wireless Controller WL-D6000
  
• Shoulder Strap SS-1200
  
• Component Cable DTC-1500
  
• Canon XF Utilities Disc

Canon’s new XF305 compact camcorder features a unibody design, incorporating an 18X zoom lens. The focus function button on the lens barrel can activate full manual focus or auto focus. There is also a digital zoom function that can be triggered by the two magnification buttons built into the camera body. Additionally, the auto focus function on this camera is one of the best I have seen – it is center-weighted, meaning that the camera looks to the center of the frame to determine focus.

The XF305 also boasts some pretty impressive stats: its highest recording resolution is 1920×1080 at 50Mbps, and footage is captured in MPEG-2 codec in LongGOP format with 4:2:2 color sampling. HD-SDI, SD-SDI and composite outputs are available as well. Watch Ian McCausland's video to learn more about this versatile new camera.