Vol.02 Canon "XF605" developer interview.Realizes 4K60p, focuses on small and lightweight and auto function [XF605 SCENES] --PRONEWS: Digital video production Web magazine

The Canon commercial video camera "XF605" scheduled to be released in late October 2021 is a hot topic.4K60p is lightweight and equipped with pupil detection and head detection, and can record 4K60P/4: 2: 2/10bit/HDR video on the SD card.Indeed, attention has been focused on the specifications that just said, "I wanted this."

So, I would like to introduce Canon about the birth secret story and the new functions that were able to achieve the small and lightweight of XF605.

XF605 was born in response to the needs of miniaturization

――Kiyanon supports video production from a multifaceted camera category, such as the “EOS” series of mirrorless cameras, the cinema camera “Cinema EOS System”, and the “X” series of commercial video cameras.Please tell us about the standing position of the commercial video camera and the launch of the XF605.

Tanaka:

Last year (2020), we launched many new cameras such as EOS C300 Mark III, EOS C70, and EOS R5.Among them, the EOS C70 was released as a characteristic of mobility, but I think that run & gun shooting is an area that requires a business video camera.The commercial video camera has been working on the XF305 for a long time, including the XF305 released in 2010, and the XF705 was released as a flagship machine in 2018.After the release of the XF705, I heard many voices, and I received many strong requests to make it smaller.So, based on the challenge of how small it can be reduced, we planned the XF605 this time.

――Kiyanon's commercial video camera has a lineup of one -ring XA series and three -ring XF series, but please tell us about the recent trends.

Tanaka:

The XF series will be discontinued in the XF705, XF405, and XF400 in Japan, but we continue to sell XF705 overseas.The XF605 has been added here.In December 2020, the XA series released a firmware update that provides XA55 and XA40 to provide "Custom Picture" functions.The XA40 was a model with MP4 as the main video format, but also supports XF-AVC recording mode.In addition, the custom picture function was only for the top models of the XF series, but we also focus on commercial video cameras, such as developing the XA series.

Almost equipped with the keys and terminals that the XF705 had while minimizing the body

――If you look at the specifications of the XF605, it looks like the flagship model XF705 and the common.Why isn't the XF605 a flagship model?

Tanaka:

The XF605 has been mounted on the existing functions, so I think it looks like a flagship machine.However, the XF705 was released as a video camera that supports the H.265-based next-generation format "XF-HEVC".It is still a feature of XF705.On the other hand, if it is said that all the workflows of the broadcasting station will change to H.265, it is the same as if all broadcasting stations will move to 4K immediately, so there is still a transition period, so H.264.We also received a request of 4K60p.Therefore, the XF605 was planned as a H.264 MXF compatible video camera.

――Please tell us the challenge in developing XF605.

Tanaka:

After all the best challenge was smaller.I think that this size is hard to see with a 4K 4: 2: 2 10bit 60P video camera with an independent three ring.

Hirai:

The small size that I was talking about was certainly a challenge.Despite being small, almost all of the key and XLR terminals equipped with the XF705 are installed, and almost all terminals such as SDI and Remote A/Remote B are also installed.It is easier to operate while pushing the XF705 element without leaving the XF605.

Hirai:

The keys on the body are simply arranged and cannot be done.The protrusions that can be touched by touching with the fingertips are attached to the button, and the key arrangement surface is uneven, so that it can be operated without looking at it.It is difficult to place keys and terminals in a form that does not impair the operation feeling.

Hirai:

There are three main reasons why they were small.The first is a decrease in power consumption.Since the power consumption has been lowered from the XF705, the heat dissipation structure has been reviewed accordingly.The air intake of the cooling fan is sucked from the front and puts it out from the back, but in the case of XF705, it was also equipped with an intake port in the lower part of the main unit in consideration of heat.With the benefits of reducing power consumption by DIGIC DV7, the XF605 can abolish the lower intake and one fans who used two.

The second is that the zoom locker has been reviewed from Ichi this time.The operation keys are created with the aim of reducing the internal structure without any loss as much as possible.The third is how to open the LCD panel.The XF705 can be opened on both the left and right, but it becomes a little thicker as much as the upper and lower sandwiches.The height of the XF605 can be reduced by changing the structure.These three elements have realized miniaturization.

Achieves a device that is less tired by approaching the grip to the center of gravity

―― Have you ever improved in terms of operability?

Hirai

The center of gravity was at the center of the main unit, and the challenge was how to reach the grip part.The weight of the hand is not simply determined by the body weight.Even with the same weight, it is heavier to hold it far from the center of gravity, and it will feel lighter by holding it in a position close to the center of gravity.The XF605 has reviewed the exhausting structure of the grip part in addition to the review of the zoom locker mentioned earlier in order to reach the grip part.When the grip part is approached, it will approach the heat source, so we will review the exhaust heat structure and consider it will not get hot even if you hold it by hand.

Tanaka:

The direct touch control of the touch panel mounted on the EOS C70 was also followed on the XF605 so that the right hand grip can be operated with the left hand.By touch operation, it is possible to change the color temperature, F value, ND system operation and record setting system.Of course, you can do everything with a mechanical key.AF function is also a point that has been enhanced.For the first time, Hit Eye Examination AF was installed as our commercial video camera.I think that you can use it in both manuals and auto.

――Is the SDI of the external output the same 12G SDI as the XF705?

Tanaka:

SDI is 12G.In addition to 12G-SDI, there are all taters required for business use, such as Genlock terminals, Time Code terminals, Remote A/Remote B terminals for remote operation, and Ethernet terminals.

Mr. Watanabe:

It is possible to record content with different resolutions for different SD cards, for example, 4K and 2K.In addition, we are also improving usability for SDI/HDMI external output.During the 4K record, the same resolution is of course the same resolution for SDI and HDMI, so that Menu can be selected.4K from SDI, 2k from HDMI, and of course FHD interless can be selected from Menu.Users can select output according to monitors and external output devices connected to the XF605 without relying on the record resolution.

――There are plenty of functions, but among them, I think that the same multi -accessories shoe and pupil detection as EOS R3 are especially highlight.Please tell me the points of adopting functions around that.

Tanaka:

For example, pupil detection is a convenient function for interviewing with a small number of people, and I think it is a function that is useful not only for mirrorless cameras but also for commercial cameras.The functions that I think would be better for such a commercial video camera have been actively installed.In addition, the XF605 is equipped with EOS ITR AF X, which performs head detection in addition to pupil detection.This is also originally from a single -lens mirrorless.If you use a head detection, you will be able to follow the AF even if the subject turns your face sideways.In the case of interview shooting, in terms of AF reliability, I think that adding a head detection can be used more safely.The functions that are said to be popular by customers in the market are actively installed.

――What is the use of multi -accessory shoe?

Tanaka:

The XF605 has two XLRs on the main unit, but for example, there was a feedback that XLR may not be enough when two or three people are included with a shotgun microphone.If you add an XLR terminal to the main unit, it will be a barter for miniaturization, so I would like to use two XLR terminals as before, but if you need more, you should be able to handle with an external XLR adapter.The new multi -accessories shoe used in EOS R3 are installed in the XF605.I think that it is advantageous for customers to adopt the same multi -accessories shoe as EOS and share accessories.

Efficient workflow by collaboration between XF605 and iPhone

――It also supports USB-C, what exactly is possible?

Tanaka:

As we interviewed customers, it was found that the needs of immediate nature were increasing, especially for news and news customers.Until now, in the news work flow, I think that after shooting, returned to the headquarters, was inject, and edited, but the challenge was how to raise the immediate nature of the news from shooting to distribution.Therefore, this time, we developed the iPhone application "Content Transfer Mobile" (CTM) so that we can download a proxy video taken with a video camera into the iPhone.

Tanaka:

This application was developed based on the idea of ​​improving the immediate nature of the news by transferring the video taken with the camera to the iPhone. The video recorded on the camera body can be transferred to the iPhone by wired or wireless connection. If you select the content display in the camera, you can list the video currently in the SD card with the iPhone app. If you select a video from among them and execute the download, you can transfer it to the iPhone photo App or file App. At the news site, smartphones are the most connected devices, and major agencies and others are developing apps in -house. Considering the current situation of such a news site and the affinity with the video camera, if you download a video into your smartphone, you will be able to cooperate with various apps.

Kasai:

Normally, I think it will be exclusive to "shooting" and "when the transfer is stopped".The CTM is devised so that it can be transferred in a gap while recording it on the camera itself.

Watanabe

I think that it is better to continue shooting with the camera itself when transferring content with Wi-Fi or USB, so that the user usability will be improved, so even if you are recording, select and transfer the recorded file.Is possible.

――Is this is the original data of H.264?

Tanaka:

Transfer to the iPhone is not an original, but a proxy video.Original data can be transferred to the server specified by FTP via CTM.The XF605 is equipped with a dual SD card slot and can shoot the main video and proxy video at the same time, so I hope you can select it according to your workflow.In addition, the record of this dual SD card slot is also increasing variations.In addition to proxy videos, a new voice proxy is added, and the main video and audio file can be recorded simultaneously.If you want to put a subtitle or want to proceed in parallel, you can record the audio file at the same time, and the audio file can be downloaded to the iPhone with CTM.

Kasai:

I've been taking various challenges so that I can transfer FTP with Ethernet and USB-C on the camera for a long time.However, the customer received opinions, "No, that's not enough."In the world, 4G and 5G are becoming the mainstream world, and there is certainly a way to incorporate it into the camera.However, with the XF605, we arrived at the concept of connecting to the iPhone with USB-C and leaving the server to the iPhone.In addition, the CTM supports the simultaneous record of News Metadata so that file management can be done well after transferring.This time, the function of editing the tag and writing, and conversely, the function of sucking out is included.

In addition, there was a request to operate the camera body remotely, so we have renewed "Browser Remote".You can now control custom pictures and white balance remotely.In fact, I had a hard time developing parts that must be exclusively controlled by the movement of the main unit and the movement of Browser Remote.

――Finally, please appeal to Mr. Nakata and Mr. Tanaka, the product plan, and Mr. Hirai, the development leader.

Nakata:

It is honest that you want you to have it once and touch it.I am confident that you can immediately understand the upgraded parts, especially the size, weight and operability, from the functions of the current machine that has been well received by you.By all means, I hope you can touch it first.

Tanaka:

The XF605 is also a strength of low power consumption in addition to the characteristics of small and lightweight.I also think that 4K 4: 2: 2 10bit 60P can be recorded in a versatile media called SD card.Furthermore, utilizing the technology that Canon has, such as Dual Pixel CMOS AF, it includes AF functions such as advanced head detection and pupil detection, so it is easy to use as a commercial video camera.think.

Hirai:

This time, we have compiled everyone as the development chief of this product.At the time of the start, everyone thought, "I want to do this" and "I want to do it".For competitors, we are grateful to the officials who worked hard together in order to realize a product that can take a small image of high -quality images, with its size and weight, not high.It's full.I would like everyone to use it for work, taking advantage of the goodness of XF605.