A compact Full HD ENG camera that boasts a 20x zoom lens and 5 axis image stabilization, two SD card slots and 50p/60p recording in both AVCHD and MP4 formats, the XA15 is equipped with various features for added efficiency, such as support for both relay and simultaneous recording and the ability to simultaneously record video snippets in 3Mbps mode for usage in fast-breaking news. It is also equipped with an HD-SDI terminal, the standard interface in broadcasting, so that not only can you simultaneously pipe footage directly to the broadcast van, but also output to an external recorder to make uncompressed video recordings.

The camera offers the imaging prowess of the Canon Full HD system, combining the excellent sensitivity of the CMOS sensor with the DIGIC DV 4 image processor for high image quality even in scenes with low illumination. With the ‘Highlight Priority’ and ‘Wide DR’ custom picture profiles in place, the recorded footage has more flexibility for minor image adjustments in post-production, ideal for scenes where achieving the ideal exposure is challenging. It is possible to record audio via two separate audio channels, each with the volume adjusted independently. This is a highly versatile camera that is great value for money, ideal for a wide range of purposes beyond news and reporting, such as shooting corporate promotional videos, weddings and other event coverage.