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Canon XM2 Review

Blog Created: Tuesday, May 26, 2009 7:46:30 AM
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Inheriting many of the XL1Â´s features, CanonÂ´s DM-XM2 (known as the DM-GL2 in the US) has many followers among the pro and semi-pro fraternity.

Ever since the launch of its ground-breaking DM-XL1 DV camcorder early in 1999, CanonÂ´s prosumer DV camcorders havenÂ´t changed that much in terms of design style or feature set. In fact, in could be argued that additions to the range have served only to provide minor upgrades rather than anything radical. Where Canon does score, however, is in the quality of engineering to be found in this range; the XL1 found favour with professional movie makers wishing to print up their DV footage to 35mm, and this tradition has been continued with the superb (though now discontinued) Canon XL1S, launched in 2001 and the XL2. At the time of updating this review (August 2005) the XM2 is still available from Canon, so hereÂ´s our original review.

First impressions
The DM XM-2 (known as the GL-2 in North America) has a body styling that isnÂ´t dissimilar from the model it now supercedes. However, closer inspection reveals a slightly longer, slimmer profile that provides increased accessibility to most commonly used controls. The manufacturer has cleverly positioned Focus auto/manual switch, ND Filter on/off and Colour Bars on/off on the left side of the XM2Â´s body where they can be operated without disrupting recording. Audio level control is possible in either auto or manual modes, with the main switch and thumbwheel level adjusters positioned right at the back where they can be seen. Manual control over exposure and white balance are also provided where they can be easily adjusted during recording. The inclusion of a 2.5" colour LCD screen in addition to the 0.44" 180K colour viewfinder does, in some ways, make this a more functional camcorder to the XL1S. The main power on (Camera/Play VCR) switch is positioned on the upper left side of the body where it canÂ´t be missed. The onscreen data provided by XM2 battery in record mode is comprehensive, and provides all the information necessary without clogging up the screen. Notification of colour bars and ND filter usage is given, as is a stereo audio recording level meter - something that will be most welcome to all serious users.

Like its bigger cousin, the XL1S, the XM-2 also offers ClearScan - a utility contained in many professional camcorders which makes it easier for camera operators to include a computer screen in their shots without it flickering wildly. ClearScan can be set to synchronise with the monitorÂ´s scanning frequency and eliminate the effect, if not completely then at least to an acceptable degree. This model, like the others in the XL and XM range, also features 16:9 widescreen shooting mode. Interestingly, the onboard microphone can be preset to be compatible with widescreen shots. In practice, we didnÂ´t notice much of a difference, although there are tell-tale signs of a wider pickup field being employed. A third voice microphone setting is also offered in the onscreen menu system.

Audio monitoring is achieved by a digital linear meter at the bottom right of the viewfinder and LCD screen, in addition to a meter display on the left side of the body just ahead of the LCD screen. The LCD screen itself can be flipped over completely for frontal viewing as well as being able to be slotted back into its housing whilst displaying outwards.

Setting up
In addition to the physical buttons which provide access to the most commonly-used controls on the camcorder, the menu provides access to a wealth of other functions - ranging from camera setup modes to playback modes and even Memory Card functions too. The menu system is activated by a button which accompanies the thumbwheels at the back of the cam, with menu navigation being achieved by a dedicated thumbwheel. As with most thumbwheels, theyÂ´re a bit fiddly to use during recording (especially when the viewfinder is being used).

Optical qualities
As youÂ´d expect, the image capabilities of the XM2 are excellent. In common with other members of the XL and XM range, the professional L-Series Fluorite lens delivers pictures of stunning quality to the 3-CCD, 470,000 pixel imaging device. A large, rubber knurled focus ring provides dampened manual focus control, with a small thumbwheel like toggle-switch enabling manual adjustments of exposure to be made during recording. Rendition of images with the 20x (4.2-84mm) F1.6 optical zoom lens is very good indeed even in macro mode, with colour balance and contrast ratio being everything youÂ´d expect from a camcorder bearing the Canon marque. A 100x digital zoom mode is also provided, whose image quality fares reasonably well alongside some of the excessive ratios of competitorsÂ´ models. Sensitivity is very good, even in murky, low-light conditions and compares highly favourably against other comparable models - including the canon xm2 battery. In average quality external light conditions, the Canon renders impressive images; in conditions of bright weather the images are stunning, and more so when the ND (Neutral Density) filter is switched in to improve overall depth and balance. No manual control of zoom functions are provided, but the zoom toggle - positioned over the tape cassette compartment on the right side of the body - is fast and responsive where quick re-framing is required yet sensitive to touch where smooth ramping-up and down is required. Where the camcorder is being held by the distinctive carry-handle (and where shots are being monitored via the LCD screen) a smaller zoom toggle is provided to the rear of the intelligent accessory shoe, along with an additional record start/stop button. The carrying handle accomodates all the main VCR playback controls, which are housed underneath a flap on the upper surface.

Digital stills
In keeping with modern trends, the XM2 now features an Multimedia Card slot complete with 8Mb SD flash memory card. Depending upon the mode chosen, 1.7 megapixel images can be saved to the SD card in three resolutions, with provision for picture adjustment and the use of custom presets. For download of images to a USB-equipped Mac, Canon includes a Digital Video Solution disk, which contains the DVC Storage Driver together with ImageBrowser 2.3.5 and PhotoStitch 3.1 image manipulation software.

Sounds dodgy
Canon has received criticism of late for the high level of audible motor noise in recent camcorders, and sadly the XM2 doesnÂ´t escape this problem. Even outdoors, the so-called Direction Accurate stereo microphone picks up the camcorder motor noise very clearly. Indoors, the intrusion verges on the unacceptable - and certainly not worthy of a camcorder of this pedigree. To confirm this, we connected a Sennheiser MKE300 shoe-mounted microphone and monitored audio via Sony MDR-V300 headphones which then produced acceptable results. The built-in microphone is also prone to pick up camcorder handling noise - something its bigger sibling the XL1S suffers from too. This is a problem that Canon must address soon.

Conclusion
With its comprehensive digital and analogue video and audio inputs, together with its professional-standard features, the DM-XM2 is a worthy successor to the XM-1. Image quality is superb, as is its range of operating features. ItÂ´s designed with the serious user in mind and itÂ´s a joy to use. On-screen menu options provide useful functions rather than the overwhelming gimmickry of competitorsÂ´ products, and controls are exactly where youÂ´d expect them to be. If Canon can do something about the motor noise problem, theyÂ´ll have a camcorder thatÂ´s nothing short of exceptional.

When you take the canon XM2 camcorder battery out of its box, it hits you as something that is going to be a bit special. A quick look around the body and straight away youÂ´ll see the thought that has gone into the design. First Impression is the XM2 is a very stable and solid camera. There is downfall on the LCD screen though. It feels a bit flimsy, and a heavy handed person might soon knock it off its hinges, I`m not going to try it knock it off though to prove a point though, just in case.

The XM2 body is similar to the XM1 except it is slightly longer with all the main controls situated in various positions around the body.

Price

The DM XM2 came onto the market at Â£2000, but it didn`t take long for competitive pricing to set in, and you can now get one for around Â£1650 on the internet or from a supplier in one of the magazines. So, the big question is on a lot of peoples lips is â€œis it worth Â£1650?â€. the answer is quite simply, â€œYou bet it is !â€

First Impressions

The styling of this camera is similar from the model it supercedes. It is slightly longer and slimmer and has many easily accessible controls. Canon have certainly put a lot of thought into where to place various control buttons around the camera. The Record button is in the usual place, on the right had side pressed by the use of your thumb. The main menu can be accessed by the press of a button at the back of the camera and can be seen through the 2.5" colour LCD screen or the 0.44" 180K colour viewfinder. You toggle through the menu with a thumb toggle switch at the back and make your choice by pressing in the toggle switch. The audio level can be changed either manually or automatically. Two thumbwheels can be found at the rear of the camera with the level of audio input shown on a digital display at the side of the camera and on the monitoring screen. Manual control over exposure and white balance are also provided where they can be easily adjusted during recording.

A very useful feature is the ClearScan function. This is a utility that you will find on many professional camcorders which makes it easier to include a computer screen in your shots without it flickering . ClearScan can be set to synchronize with the monitorÂ´s scanning frequency and eliminate the flicker effect.

As well as the normal selection, there is a 16:9 wide screen shooting mode for playback on wide screen TVs. There is also the choice of having 16:9 guidelines on the normal shooting mode to ensure that anyone who plays your masterpiece on the wide screen instead of a normal TV, wont miss out any good bits of action.

The Zebra Pattern is a series of diagonal stripes that appear in the viewfinder to highlight areas of overexposure. It can be used to set the aperture and shutter speed. The pattern appearance level can also be set to your own preference.

A very interesting facility on the canon XM2 battery is the ability to output AND input analogue video signals via the cables provided in the box, subject to your video players requirements. You might have some old VHS or 8mm footage you want to add to your digital film. Using this facility makes it dead easy to do.

Picture Quality

The professional L-Series Fluorite lens delivers pictures of stunning quality to the 3-CCD, 470,000 pixel imaging device. In bright conditions or the correct use of lighting, the DM XM2 gives you pin sharp, broadcast quality pictures. In low light conditions, the results are very good compared to other cameras in the same price bracket. Colour balance and Contrast is excellent. The Picture quality is excellent in close up macro mode or zoomed in from a distance. The Digital Zoom goes up to 100x, and although not picture quality perfect, it is acceptable. There is no manual zoom, but the controls on top of the camera are very responsive and quick. The focus can be set on auto or manually. In the manual setting, the focus can be changed manually by a large rubber knurled wheel.

Sound
This is Canons downfall, the sound reproduction is okay(ish), but not perfect. They have had bad reviews on their sound systems before, but for some reason, they do not seemed to have sorted the problem. In quiet situations of filming, the motor can be heard quite clearly. Fixing an external mic on the hotshoe sorts the problem out, but this problem should be up to Canon to sort out, not the consumer. There is an external microphone made by canon which has its own specific input on the cameraâ€¦â€¦ maybe itâ€™s a way to get more money out of us !

Digital stills

The DM-XM2 features a Multimedia Card slot complete with 8Mb SD flash memory card. You can purchase more cards to increase on the cameras storability. Depending on the mode you have chosen, 1.7 megapixel images can be saved to the SD card in three resolutions, with provision for picture adjustment and the use of custom presets. Images can then be downloaded to a PC or MAC via a USB cable which is provided, along with the relevant software.

Verdict

This camera is the perfect camera for the serious user. The range or operating features are spot on and should keep everybody happy from the novice to the semi professional. The controls are where you would expect them to be, and that makes it even easier to get the hang of. The range of digital and analogue video and audio inputs are a nice touch to an already impressive camera.

It is such a shame that the microphone lets this camera down, as the DM-XM2 would probably get 100% from most reviews. But apart from the sound problem, I do not believe that any buyer of this camera would be disappointed, and would be quite happy with parting with their hard earned cashâ€¦.I know I was happy !

The Canon XM2 battery replacement encorporates a Canon Fluorite L series VAP Stabilised lens with 3CCDs to produce incredibly high resolution footage. Full manual control allowing a professional level of functionality. The XM2s design and build allows for different methods of shooting, this is evident when considering that the carry handle can be used for steadier shots thanks to the addtional zoom controls and record start/stop, the XM2 can also be operated in a more traditional hand held position. The XM2 will not disappoint those that need Broadcast Quality footage for a reasonable price.

Build Quality - 19
Image Quality - 19
Ease of use - 16
Features - 17
Value for Money - 18
Our rating (out of 100) - 89

Canon made quite an impression with the DM-XM1 three-CCD MiniDV camcorder, but can it do the same with its replacement, the XM2?

The DM-XM2, CanonÂ´s replacement for the DM-XM1 three-CCD MiniDV camcorder addresses a good deal of its forerunnerÂ´s shortcomings. The XM2 bears an uncanny resemblance to SonyÂ´s VX2000, making it considerably larger than the XM1. It has analogue inputs and outputs (S-video, composite video, L/R audio) - not just DV in/out - and adds a card slot (SD Memory Card or MultiMedia Card) for still-image storage, plus a mini USB socket for downloading stills to a PC - features that bring it in line with competitors such as SonyÂ´s TRV950. An 8MByte SD Memory Card is included in-pack.

The size of the imaging CCDs remains the same, at 0.25in, but the number of effective pixels is said to have been increased from 300,000 to 440,000. This is reckoned to deliver 540 lines resolution and a claimed improvement of 3dB in the signal-to-noise ratio - factors said to enhance colour reproduction, low-light performance, exposure range and resolution.

Manual control over audio levels was a glaring omission on the XM1 but the XM2 has left/right, non-directional microphones, adjustable via dials on the camcorder body. ThereÂ´s also an option to change the frequency response Ã± to normal, voice (for crisper speech) and wind screen (for reducing wind noise) settings - and prevent distortion or overloaded levels by turning on the mic attenuator.

Also new to the feature set are Clear Scan (for preventing flicker when filming a computer or TV screen); analogue-DV-analogue pass-through conversion; color-bars generation; and custom settings for video levels and picture sharpness.

Conclusion

The XM2 is a major improvement over the XM1 with the added bonus of manual audio controls and solid-state memory card capabilities for stills.
The lens produces excellent detail - helped by the optical image stabiliser - and feels good when focusing, although it does need end-stops. WeÂ´d like to see an iris ring, rather than an exposure dial, but using the dial isnÃt a big problem. Although the LCD screen is too small for serious monitoring, the colour viewfinder is good, and nearly compensates.

Having analogue in/outputs, FireWire and USB means thereÂ´s good connectivity, plus thereÂ´s effective analogue-DV-analogue pass-through. We were impressed with the stereo audio quality from the onboard microphone, and felt that the controls over the gain, sharpness, phase and black levels of the picture are professional features worth having.

But, from the samples weÂ´ve seen, we canÂ´t recommend the XM2 over SonyÂ´s TRV950. The Canon may have better audio, but colour reproduction is far less natural than that from the Sony, which also offers better still images (plus a built-in flash), and costs slightly less.

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