Canon XM2 Review
First impressions
The DM XM-2 (known as the GL-2 in North America) has a body styling that isn´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 XM2´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 can´t be missed. The onscreen data provided by XM2 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 monitor´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 didn´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, they´re a bit fiddly to use during recording (especially when the viewfinder is being used).
Optical qualities
As you´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 you´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 competitors´ models. Sensitivity is very good, even in murky, low-light conditions and compares highly favourably against other comparable models – including the VX2000. 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 doesn´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. It´s designed with the serious user in mind and it´s a joy to use. On-screen menu options provide useful functions rather than the overwhelming gimmickry of competitors´ products, and controls are exactly where you´d expect them to be. If Canon can do something about the motor noise problem, they´ll have a camcorder that´s nothing short of exceptional.
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