Canon XL2 User Manual

XL2 Digital Video Camera

The ultimate 3CCD DV camera system

for creative film-making.

No more limits.

Canon’s XL2 is more than just a successor to the popular
XL1s – it’s a revolution in digital video camera freedom.

The design concept is based on the
successful ‘open architecture’ structure
of its predecessor, with innovation
upon innovation added to produce a
broadcast quality digital video camera of
unprecedented flexibility. The XL2 gives you
total control over virtually all of your shooting
parameters for an unrestricted creative
experience like no other. Incorporating many
new features normally only found in a
post-production studio, this supremely
advanced MiniDV format video camera is
the flagship of Canon’s range. And with
Canon’s XL
system providing consistently stunning
picture quality, there’s no limit to what
you can achieve.

-

series interchangeable lens

Unprecedented level of manual control

•

Pro-Quality 16:9 capability

•

25p progressive scan Cine

•

3CCD 800,000 pixel sensor with horizontal

•

pixel shift

Optical 20x Zoom lens with precision

•

circular iris and SuperRange Optical
Image Stabilizer

Interchangeable lens system compatible

•

with EOS EF
lens with fluorite elements

2 XLR jacks with phantom power supply

•

and BNC jack

SMPTE time code

•

-

lenses and L-series video

-

Look

The XL2’s magnesium alloy
frame is tough and durable,
yet extremely lightweight
for easy portability.

Technology that pushes
the possibilities.

Push your imagination to the limit. With cutting-edge technology and
Canon quality image processing, the XL2 not only gives you the ability
to realise your creative vision, but inspires you to expand it even further.

The new high sensitivity

1/3" 3CCD achieves 625 lines of

horizontal resolution.

PROGRESSIVE SCAN 3CCD

The XL2’s superb image quality is
largely due to its three highly sensitive
1/3" progressive CCD sensors. With
one 800,000 pixel (approx.) sensor
dedicated to each of the primary
colours
the XL2 can capture an outstanding
level of detail and reproduce colours
with greater accuracy. Using 3
generation DSP signal processing
LSI technology, the XL2 achieves 625
lines of progressive scan capability.
When compared to standard interlaced
scanning, there is a noticeably improved
S/N ratio, wider dynamic range, lower
colour noise, more natural colour
resolution and lower aliasing. The XL2’s
unique 25p Cine-Look mode delivers
output that’s optimal for composite
processing as well as offering a better
vertical screen resolution and higher
detail without flicker.

Red, Green and Blue

–

–

rd

TOTAL MANUAL CONTROL

Whatever you’re shooting, the more
creative control you have the better.
The XL2 offers a level of manual control
that is unprecedented in its segment
and is sure to surprise even the most
experienced filmmaker or videographer.
Virtually every single shooting parameter
is adjustable
Green and Blue Gain settings to Master
Pedestal, Coring and V Detail
you the flexibility to shoot any given
scene in an infinite number of ways.

from separate Red,

–

giving

–

4:3 16:9

Pro-Quality 16:9 mode gives you incredible resolution
in a wide format aspect ratio from a 4:3 sensor size.

PRO-QUALITY 16:9

With this new recording mode, the XL2 can
maximize the captured information to deliver
a professional quality 16:9 aspect ratio. Even
though its CCD sensors are standard 4:3 size,
the quality of its 16:9 mode is equal to that of
a true 16:9 CCD sensor. When recording in
this mode you can view the results directly
on the LCD/EVF in letterbox format.

CINE-LOOK/VIDEO RECORDING

The XL2 is capable of more than just crystal clear
video output. With its unique Cine-Look capability
you can also shoot footage with a genuinely
warm, cinematic quality. In 25p recording mode
it captures video at 25 frames per second for
a true cinematic feel. When combined with the
wide range of adjustable functions (Gamma,
Knee and Black Stretch adjustments as well as
Colour Matrix, V Detail, Skin Detail and Film Grain
functions), the effect is truly remarkable. For a
cooler ‘video’ feel, the 50i recording mode is
pin-sharp and gives you just as much freedom
when configuring the parameters of each shot.

HORIZONTAL PIXEL SHIFT

With this feature the images captured by
the three CCD

’s (Red, Green and Blue) are
not placed exactly over each other. The green
pixels are shifted slightly horizontally in
order to provide a composite image with
a higher resolution.

Lenses to expand
your vision.

The XL2 is designed primarily for the high performance XL interchangeable
lens system, but is also easily fitted with an optional EF adapter to make
full use of Canon’s pro-quality L-series EF lenses. Manual focus is possible
with all capable lenses and in all shooting modes. When combined with the
variety of professional presets and filters available, as well as the remarkable
Vari-Angle Prism (VAP) Optical Image Stabilizer, this video camera system is
capable of virtually anything.

NEW 20X L-SERIES ZOOM LENS

Developed exclusively for the XL2, the XL 5.4-108mm
L IS lens is composed of 12 lens elements in 10
groups, delivering a focal length range of 41.4 to
828mm in Pro-Quality 16:9 mode. It incorporates
Canon’s SuperRange Optical Image Stabilizer, an
L-series Fluorite lens and two aspherical lens
elements to deliver consistently sharp images and
true colours. Two built-in ND filters allow you to
adjust the light intensity without affecting the colours.

The lens’ six iris aperture leaves have
nearly circular shaped blades that create
a beautifully natural blurring effect
when shooting a short depth of field.
This brilliant new lens fully supports
manual focus functionality and comes
as standard with the XL2 kit.

XL-SERIES
INTERCHANGEABLE LENSES

Using the specially designed XL mount
that supports the 1/3" 3CCD system,
this series of three lenses provides a
35mm equivalent focal length range
from 26.6 to 1018mm. The new 20x
Zoom is a perfect multi-purpose lens.
The 3x Zoom Video lens and 16x
Zoom Manual lens offer even more
creative flexibility. All are designed
and engineered exclusively by Canon
– making full use of more than
70 years of experience in the field.

CANON PROFESSIONAL
EOS LENSES

The optional EF adapter gives you
access to the full spectrum of Canon's
Professional 35mm L-Series EF lenses.
This collection of lenses has proven
to be essential for any serious
photographer and invaluable to
many filmmakers and videographers.
They are particularly useful for sports,
wildlife and astronomy applications
as their magnification increases by
approximately 7.2x when mounted
on the XL2.