Best Canon camcorders: which all-in-one video camera should you choose?

Canon's professional video cameras combine some of the best Canon video technology with a familiar, easy-to-use camcorder design. As dedicated all-in-one video cameras, they are easier to control than DSLR or mirrorless cameras, and their compact design makes them more portable than Cinema EOS cameras. This makes them an excellent standalone choice for fast-paced productions, from newsgathering and live events to documentaries and weddings. But which is the best Canon camcorder for you?

To help you choose the ideal video camera for your needs and budget, we've put together a guide to some of the best camcorders available today.

As the flagship camcorder in Canon's professional video camera range, the Canon XF705 offers a high-end specification and exceptional performance. With a large 1.0-type 4K UHD CMOS sensor, 15x zoom lens and a wealth of recording options, including HDR formats, it's a video camera that can take on a vast range of jobs, from cinematic documentaries to newsgathering and sports.

One of its standout features is its ability to record 4K UHD 50p in 4:2:2 10-bit at up to 160Mbps to dual SD cards using Canon's super-efficient XF-HEVC file format. "Being able to record this professional-quality 4K file internally gives users all the flexibility they need, as they don't have to worry about attaching external recorders to achieve the best quality possible," says Mehdia. High frame rate recording in Full HD at up to 120p is also possible in 4:2:2 10-bit, producing high-quality slow-motion sequences.

The wide dynamic range captured by the Canon X705 allows it to fit into a variety of HDR workflows. It's possible to record in either PQ or HLG HDR formats internally, alongside a comprehensive suite of HDR shooting and viewing assist functions, including simultaneous HDR/SDR recording.

"It is the first Canon professional video camera range to give you Canon Log 3 recording as well," adds Mehdia, "which allows you to capture the maximum dynamic range and have even more flexibility in an HDR post-production workflow."

Delivering many of the features of the Canon XF705 in a more compact body, the Canon XF405 (XF400 without SDI output) makes short work of demanding shoots. Just like the flagship XF camcorder, it comes with a 1.0-type 4K UHD CMOS sensor, 15x optical zoom lens with a 35mm equivalent focal length range of 25.5mm-382.5mm, and the option of recording XF-AVC or MP4 internally to dual SD card slots.

Choosing between the Canon XF405 and Canon XF705 mainly comes down to whether you need the flagship camcorder's 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording option, compared with the Canon XF405's 4:2:0 8-bit. "The XF405 does enable you to record 4:2:2 8-bit or 10-bit externally, depending on the resolution, but that requires getting additional equipment," explains Mehdia. "Canon Log 3 has also been added in a recent firmware update, which gives you maximum dynamic range straight out of the camera."

As well as two XLR terminals plus a built-in mic for four-channel audio, the Canon XF405 features a 3G-SDI output that supports Full HD. It boasts Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity for FTP transfer and IP streaming, and benefits from wireless control via a smartphone or tablet with Browser Remote. Factor in its fast and accurate Dual Pixel CMOS AF and built-in ND filters, and you've got a robust camcorder that offers all the professional controls newsgatherers need.

The Canon XA55 is the premium camcorder in the compact XA professional video camera range. If you don't require the 3G-SDI support of the XA55, then the Canon XA50 gives you an identical feature set, minus the additional interface.

Taking some of the best features of the Canon XF405 – large 1.0-type sensor, versatile 15x optical zoom lens and Dual Pixel CMOS AF – and packing them into an even more lightweight body, the Canon XA55 is an easy camera to work with on long shoots.

The Canon XA55's diminutive dimensions and standalone weight of approximately 970g means that it's a great option for discreet journalism. "Cameras in the XA range can be used as professional camcorders, but if you remove the handles with the XLRs then you're basically down to a compact camcorder that's easy to go travelling with," says Mehdia.

In addition to recording 4K UHD in XF-AVC and MP4, the Canon XA55 features Over Sampling HD Processing for incredible Full HD image quality. It also boasts a useful infrared mode that is an advantage for some low-light newsgathering and documentary filming.

If you're looking for an entry-level 4K camcorder with professional video and audio features, then the Canon XA40 should be on your shortlist. This palm-sized pro camera uses a 1/2.3-inch type CMOS sensor and DIGIC DV6 processor to deliver exceptional 4K images, in addition to superior Full HD images via Over Sampling HD Processing. The Canon XA40 supports 4K UHD 25p recording in MP4 at 150Mbps, and Full HD 50p at 35Mbps. XF-AVC recording has also been made available in a recent firmware update.

The camera's 4K CMOS sensor is smaller than the 1.0-type sensor offered by the other Canon 4K professional camcorders in this selection, but it's twinned with a longer 20x wide-angle zoom that delivers an equivalent reach of 29.3-601mm. A 5-axis optical image stabiliser helps to cut through camera shake when shooting at telephoto focal lengths too.

"It's the perfect video camera for covering corporate events and creating online content," explains Mehdia. "The price reflects the smaller sensor size, but you still have all the professional controls, dual card slots and XLR inputs."

For filmmakers and videographers whose resolution requirements don't extend beyond Full HD, the compact Canon XA15 and Canon XA11 are versatile options for news, weddings, corporate and online production. Both camcorders share the same professional specification, with the Canon XA15 adding an HD/SD-SDI terminal that enables it to transmit uncompressed 4:2:2 video.

At the heart of the Canon XA15 is an advanced HD CMOS Pro sensor and DIGIC DV4 image processor, delivering high-quality Full HD 50p video in AVCHD and MP4. A Canon high-definition 20x optical zoom lens gives the 35mm equivalent range of 26.8-576mm, with its 8-bladed aperture ensuring beautiful background blur.

"Probably the easiest way of thinking about the Canon XA15 is that it's pretty much the Full HD version of the XA40," says Mehdia. "And the Canon XA11 in particular has been a popular model for users who've been streaming during the lockdowns."

Although the Canon LEGRIA GX10 is considered an enthusiast or semi-pro camcorder, it includes many of the features that you would expect to find on a Canon professional video camera. These include 4K recording up to 50p, a large 1.0-inch sensor for excellent low-light performance and depth of field control, plus Dual Pixel CMOS AF.

"If XLR audio inputs are not an essential requirement, the Canon LEGRIA GX10 would be one of the camcorders I would recommend," says Mehdia. "In terms of specification it probably shares about 70% of what the Canon XF405 offers. So you have Full HD high frame rate recording up to 100fps, Wide DR, a 5-axis optical Image Stabilizer, built-in Wi-Fi and dual SD card slots.

"The main difference is that the Canon LEGRIA GX10 can only record in MP4, so it doesn't have the XF-AVC option which some people might require. But for online content, MP4 is the main format that you're going to need."

Mehdia suggests that as well as online content creators, the Canon LEGRIA GX10 is a great video camera for events, corporate work and education. "For documentaries and newsgathering, the XA and XF series camcorders, with their professional audio options, may be the better choice, but the Canon LEGRIA GX10 still gives you all the manual controls that you need."