The XF300, one of Canon’s first file-based professional camcorders, combines an MPEG-2, 50Mbps, 4:2:2 codec with a Canon L-series lens and 3 Full HD CMOS sensors for superb HD video stored on CF card.
  
Features
MPEG-2 MXF recording to CF cards at up to 50Mbps (4:2:2)
Comprehensive NLE support
18x wide angle Canon L-series lens
3 x 1/3 type Full HD Canon CMOS sensors
10.1 cm LCD (1.23M dots); 1.3 cm (1.55M dots) EVF
Variable frame rates 
 
Capture high quality HD to CF cards
The XF300 records MPEG-2 MXF (Media eXchange Format) files – up to 1920 x 1080 Full HD at 50Mbps (4:2:2) – to CompactFlash (CF) memory cards. CF media is inexpensive and widely available: dual card slots allow filming to continue without interruption.

Flexible editing
Integrating seamlessly with existing workflows, movies shot on the XF300 are captured as industry-standard MXF files compatible with all major editing packages.

18x wide-angle lens
Drawing on Canon’s broadcast lens expertise – and informed by the feedback of professionals – the lightweight 18x L-series HD Video Lens delivers superb optical quality. Unique Ultra-Low Dispersion (Hi-UD) elements are used to prevent chromatic aberration. Separate rings offer independent control of Focus, Zoom and Iris (F1.6) – with full manual control available, end stops are provided for the focus and zoom rings.

3x Full HD CMOS
Full HD at 1920 x 1080 resolution is captured via three 1/3 type 2.07 Megapixel Full HD CMOS sensors – designed and manufactured by Canon in-house. High speed scanning minimises the effects of a rolling shutter.

10.1 cm LCD and 1.3 cm EVF
The 10.1 cm (4”) LCD screen can be positioned either side of the camera. Offering superior resolution (1.2M dots), the Focus Assist tool helps achieve sharp images. A built-in Waveform Monitor (WFM) helps verify exposure and other shooting parameters. Alternatively, a 1.3 cm (0.52”) Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) is available.

Variable frame rate
A wide range of frame rates is available, from 12 to 50 fps. This gives cameramen the freedom to alter the capture rate for additional creative flexibility.

Independent audio
Audio can be captured via twin XLR inputs and also with the front-mounted stereo microphone.

Custom pictures
Twenty-six Custom Picture options can be adjusted to achieve the perfect look. These can be stored in-camera – via SD card - and settings can even be transferred between camcorders.

Camera

Image Sensor
Sensor: 1/3 type 3CMOS
System: RGB Prism
Total pixels per sensor: 2.37 megapixels
Effective pixels per sensor: 2.07 megapixels
Horizontal Resolution: 1000 TV lines or more (1920 x 1080i mode)

Lens
Zoom ratio: 18x
Focal length: 4.1 - 73.8mm (35mm equivalent: 29.3 - 527.4mm)
Minimum focus distance: 1m; 20mm (MACRO)
ND filter: 3 glass filters - 1/4, 1/16, 1/64
Zoom control:Ring, Rocker or Handle
Zoom speed:
- Zoom Rocker - Variable speed/Fixed speed (16 speed level settings available); Handle zoom: Fixed speed (16 speed level settings available)
- Focus control - Manual ring or automatic (Instant AF, TV AF or Face Detection AF)
Iris control: Manual ring; Full Auto; Push Auto Iris
Aperture range: f1.6 - f22
Filter diameter: 82mm
Lens elements/groups: 17/14
Image stabilization system: Optical lens shift system (angle & vector movement detection); 3 modes: Dynamic, Standard, Powered
Digital zoom: 1.5X

Image Processor: DIGIC DV III

Recording

Video storage media: Type 1 Compact Flash memory cards (2 card slots)
Type: UDMA4, 30MB/s or faster (40MB/s or faster for Fast/Slow recording)
Recording time: 32GB CF card: Up to 80mins (1080/50i @ 50 Mbps)
Recording file format: Material eXchange Format (MXF)
Recording formats:
- MPEG-2 Long GOP
- 50Mbps CBR (4:2:2) MPEG-2 422@HL;
- 35Mbps VBR (4:2:0) MPEG-2 MP@HL;
- 25Mbps CBR (4:2:0) MPEG-2 MP@H14
Recording frame rate:
- 50Mbps: 1920 x 1080/50i, 25p; 1280 x 720/50p, 25p;
- 35Mbps: 1920 x 1080/50i, 25p; 1280 x 720/50p, 25p;
- 25Mbps: 1440 x 1080/50i, 25p
Slow/Fast motion:
- 720p: 12, 15, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 32, 34, 37, 42, 45, 48, 50fps
- 1080p: 12, 15, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25fps
Interval Record: 2, 6 or 12 frames, 25 time intervals
Frame Record: 2, 6 or 12 frames
Pre Record (cache record): 3 seconds
Scan Reverse: Up/down, left/right image inversion
Photo storage media: SD/SDHC memory card
Still quality:
- During video recording: 1920 x 1080;
- During playback: 1920x1080, 1280 x 720

System

LCD
Size: 10.1 cm (4")
Dots: 1.23 million
Image quality adjustments: Brightness, contrast, colour, sharpness, backlight, black & white
Adjustable: Left/right switchable
Waveform Monitor: Waveform Monitor and Vectorscope
Focus Assist: Peaking; Magnifying; Edge Monitor (using waveform display)
Peaking: Peaking 1, Peaking 2 (Colour, Gain, Frequency customisable for each)
Zebra: Level 1; Level 2; Both; Output via HD-SDI or HDMI
Markers: On/Off (Aspect ratio, Aspect marker, Select area, Safe area, Grid, Horizontal, Centre)

Viewfinder
Size: 1.3cm (0.52")
Dots: 1.55 million
Image quality adjustments: Brightness, contrast, colour, sharpness, backlight, black & white
Adjustable: Vertical tilt
Correction lens: + 2.0 to -5.5 diopters

Inputs/Outputs
Audio in: XLR inputs with 48V phantom power x 2
Headphone output: 3.5mm stereo jack
Video monitor output: BNC, composite Standard Definition video, output only
HDMI: Type A, output only
IEEE 1394 (Firewire): NO
USB: Mini-B, USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, output only
HD/SD-SDI output: NO
Time code: NO
Genlock: NO
Component out: D connector, output only
AV terminal: 3.5mm mini jack (output only for video and audio)
DC input: YES
Remote Control Terminal: 2.5mm mini jack
Colour Bars: Type 1/Type 2

Misc
Tally lamp: YES (x2)
Accessory shoe: Hot shoe, EOS Flash units supported
Custom key: 13 assignable buttons; select from 30 functions

Shooting functions

Exposure
Exposure metering: Standard (centre weighted), Spotlight, Backlight
Exposure range: 50 - 100,000 lux
Exposure compensation: -2 to +2 EV (14 steps)
Auto Exposure mode: Full Auto
Push Auto Iris: YES
Auto Gain Control setting: Full Auto / AGC On / Manual
Auto Gain Control limit: 3dB; 6dB; 9dB; 12dB; 15dB; 18dB; (OFF/21 dB)
Gain setting: Assignable L, M, H switch positions (-6dB / -3dB / 0dB/ 3dB / 6dB/ 12dB / 18dB / 21dB / 33dB / TUNE (0.5 dB increments from 0 to 21 dB))

Shutter speed
Control Modes: 3 position switch: OFF (Full Auto) / ON / SEL (Auto; Speed; Angle; Clear Scan (CS); Slow Shutter (SLS))
Shutter speed: 1/18 to 1/2000 depending on frame rate
Shutter Angle: 11.25o to 360o depending on frame rate
Slow Shutter (SLS): 1/3, 1/6, 1/12, 1/25
Clear Scan:
- 50i/p: 50 to 251.15Hz;
- 25p: 25 to 251.15Hz

Custom picture
Stored Configurations: 9
Storage Medium: SD/SDHC memory card (all customisation data and metadata)
Gamma: 6 profiles
Master Pedestal: -50 to +50
Master Black: -50 to +50 for each of R,G,B
Black Gamma: Adjustable height width and apex
Low Key Saturation: -50 to +50 adjusts colour saturation in low brightness area
Knee: Adjusts over exposure characteristic, start, slope, saturation
Sharpness: Adjustment for Detail level, Detail frequency, Coring, HV balance, Detail limit, Detail select, Knee aperture and Level dependent sharpness
Noise reduction: Off, Automatic, On (1 to 8)
Skin detail: Off, Low, Middle, High / Hue, Chroma, Brightness
Selective Noise Reduction: Off, Low, Middle, High / Hue, Chroma, Brightness
Colour matrix: -50 to +50 hue and gain R,G,B, in tandem with Gamma selection
White balance: -50 to +50 white balance offset for R,G,B
Colour correction: Area selection / area revision of two areas
Setup level: -50 to +50 On/Off
Clip 100% IRE: Limits output to 100% after setup adjustment

White balance
Auto: YES
Preset: A, B, Preset (Daylight, Tungsten)

Time code
Countup system: Regen, RecRun, FreeRun, External, Hold
Start value setting: "00:00:00:00", Set/Reset selectable

Audio
Recording: 16-bit 2ch (48 kHz) linear PCM
Control: Independent limiters and auto/manual settings
Microphone attenuation: YES
Microphone level meter: YES

Physical

Dimensions: Approx 180 x 192 x 394 mm
Weight (camera only): Approx 2700g
Operating Temperature range: -5oC to +45oC, 60% relative humidity

Component cable DTC-1000
Battery pack BP-955
DC lead DC-930
Compact power adapter CA-930
Wireless controller WL-D6000
XF Utility and NLE Plug-ins
Shoulder strap
Eyecup
Canon XF300 user's manual