Canon

Canon 2218C002 XA11 Professional Camcorder Full HD

4.5 (283 reviews)
1920x1080

The Canon XA11 professional camcorder pairs a 20x optical zoom with an advanced HD CMOS Pro sensor for broadcast-ready Full HD recording.

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Overview

The Canon XA11 Professional Camcorder is built for videographers who need consistent, high-quality Full HD footage in a portable form factor. At its core is an advanced HD CMOS Pro image sensor paired with Canon's DIGIC DV 4 image processor, a combination that delivers sharp 1920x1080 video with improved low-light sensitivity. The genuine Canon 20x High Definition optical zoom lens spans 26.8mm to 576mm, providing the reach to capture everything from wide establishing shots to tight close-ups without changing lenses. Wide DR Gamma mode preserves detail in both highlights and shadows, while Highlight Priority mode produces natural, true-to-life color rendition in bright scenes.

Professional-grade audio is handled by dual XLR terminals that record on two independent channels, accommodating external microphones for interviews, events, and field recording. The 3.0-inch capacitive touchscreen LCD and tiltable electronic viewfinder give you flexible monitoring options in varying light conditions, and the 5-axis image stabilization system compensates for camera shake across multiple planes for smooth handheld operation. The XA11 records in both AVCHD and MP4 formats using H.264 compression, allowing you to choose between maximum quality archival footage and lightweight files for fast turnaround. With a maximum aperture of f/1.8, this camcorder handles dimly lit venues like conference rooms and houses of worship with confidence, making it a versatile tool for professional video production.

Key Features

Genuine Canon 20x High Definition Optical Zoom Lens

New, Advanced HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor with Improved Low-light Performance

Full HD 1920x1080 Recording Capabilities

3.0-inch LCD Capacitive Touchscreen with Tilt able Electronic Viewfinder

Video Recording System:Compression: MPEG-4 AVC/H.26.Television System:NTSC

Specifications

Brand
Canon
Model
2218C002
Lens
Canon 20x HD Optical Zoom (26.8–576mm)
Maximum Aperture
f/1.8
Sensor
Advanced HD CMOS Pro
Image Processor
DIGIC DV 4
Recording Resolution
Full HD 1920x1080
Video Compression
MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
Video Formats
AVCHD, MP4
Television System
NTSC
Display
3.0-inch LCD Capacitive Touchscreen
Viewfinder
Tiltable Electronic Viewfinder
Image Stabilization
5-axis
Audio
Dual XLR terminals
Flash Memory
Memory Stick, Memory Stick Duo
Color
Black

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Genuine Canon 20x optical zoom lens covers an impressive 26.8–576mm range for versatile framing
  • Dual XLR audio terminals enable professional two-channel audio recording
  • 5-axis image stabilization delivers smooth handheld footage without a rig
  • Advanced HD CMOS Pro sensor with DIGIC DV 4 processor provides improved low-light performance
  • Wide DR Gamma and Highlight Priority modes help retain natural tones in challenging lighting

👎 Cons

  • Maximum recording resolution is Full HD 1080p with no 4K option
  • NTSC television system only, which limits use in PAL regions without a separate model
  • Capacitive touchscreen can be difficult to operate with gloves or in wet conditions
  • No built-in ND filters mentioned, which may require external filtration for bright outdoor shoots

Frequently Asked Questions

The XA11 records in AVCHD format for high-quality footage and web-ready MP4 format for quick sharing, both using MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 compression.
Yes, the XA11 features dual XLR terminals that allow you to record two separate audio channels with professional microphones, providing broadcast-quality sound.
The genuine Canon 20x High Definition optical zoom lens covers a focal length range of 26.8mm to 576mm, giving you extensive reach from wide-angle to tight telephoto framing.
Yes, it includes a 5-axis image stabilization system designed to keep handheld footage steady across a wide range of shooting situations.
The XA11 accepts Memory Stick and Memory Stick Duo flash memory cards for recording storage.