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Canon XA11 Professional Full HD Camcorder | Reviews

January 4, 2021 by  
Filed under Digital Camcorders, Featured Camcorder

Canon XA11 Professional Full HD Camcorder

Canon VIXIA XA11 Pro Flash Memory HD Camcorder (with lens hood)

Rated 4.6 Stars

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The Canon Pro XA11 is Canon’s compact professional Full HD camcorder. The XA11 has a sensor with Wide Dynamic Range Gamma and improved low light performance. Records video in full 1920 x 1080 Full HD (1080p). Records to SDHC/SDXC memory cards (camcorder has two memory card slots) The 20x zoom HD Video Lens delivers excellent image quality and low light performance even at full zoom.

The Dynamic SuperRange optical image stabilization (keeps video sharp in low light, or when holding the camcorder without a tripod). The 3.0-inch LCD touchscreen has capacitive touch, for touch focus or menus. External Microphone Terminal with Manual Audio Level Control, Headphone Terminal, 3 megapixel photos and the Digital DV 4 image processor. Included are advanced features such as an updated large 1/2.84 inch HD CMOS Pro Imager (better for low light) provides a wide dynamic range. AVCHD H.264, and has a true 24p Cinema mode. (native 24p) a 30p mode, and a high 60p (60fps) mode. External Microphone Jack for better sound options. The XA11 Pro records at up to 28mbps (the AVHCD best bit rate), or 35mbps using the MP4 recording mode. At maximum quality , you can record about 2 hours and 55 minutes to a single 32GB flash card, or 5 hours 50 minutes if using both card slots. Canon’s Instant AF focusing system greatly enhances auto focus speed and accuracy and decreases the time to lock in focus (even in low light).


Full HDThe XA11 has an HDMI Mini Connector (output) for best quality when hooking this camcorder directly to an HDTV. Mini Advanced Accessory Shoe to add an external light or microphone. Dedicated manual focus ring. Built-in video light. Features a 3.0 inch LED screen (with 460,000 pixels). Also included is a high resolution 0.24-inch OLED color viewfinder (1,560,000 pixels). Remote Control Terminal (compatible with LANC protocol). Dolby Digital 2 channel (AC-3) stereo sound, or 5.1-channel (with optional Canon SM-V1 microphone). Cinema-Look Filter with 9 built-in filters. Slow and Fast Motion recording available. Mini Advanced accessory shoe for adding lights, microphones.


XA11 Professional Features: As a professional camcorder, this model has features not in the Prosumer G21 which shares the same body. This includes a Detachable Handle – to give expanded audio performance and added flexibility. Two built-in XLR audio input terminals with phantom power provide sound inputs. Zebra bars selectable between 70 and 100% to judge exposure. 2x magnification focus aid. This model also has Infrared Night Vision to see in the dark.


Canon XA11 Dimensions: 5.2″ x 7.1″ x 9.1″ (1.6 pounds w/ battery).
Full HD Recording Modes: 1080p @ 30fps, 1080p @ 24fps, 1080p @ 60fps, 24p, 30p, 60i, 60p
Camcorder 20x Lens: 35mm equivalent: 26.8mm-576mm f/1.8-2.8, filter 58mm


Best of 2020 AwardSmart-Review Commentary: Canon’s compact Professional Full HD Camcorder. Professional features include a Detachable handle with 2 XLR inputs, and infrared Night Vision. The XA11 features a new 1/2.84-inch HD CMOS Pro Image sensor for better low light performance and high dynamic range. The 8 blade iris provides smoother background images. A new improved detachable lens hood (which prevents light glare) is included as well as an improved larger eye cup, when using the camcorder’s EVF viewfinder. The viewfinder has 5x the resolution of most viewfinders with 1.56 million pixels. The Canon XA11 uses dual SDHC/SDXC memory card slots for long recording times. The lens on this camcorder offers a wider 26.8mm field of view to get more of the scene indoors, and scenery shots outside, and high zoom of 20x ( maintains f2.8 at full zoom). Double Slot Recording can record to two SD cards simultaneously as a safety backup. The Full HD CMOS Pro Imager uses fewer pixels, which are much larger and more light sensitive than the pixels of other camcorder sensors, which results in better video performance and dynamic range.

Canon XA11 Pro Side View

Canon XA11 Professional Side View (Click to Enlarge)

A color viewfinder (EVF) is included. Viewfinders are disappearing on camcorders, so this is a nice feature to see, which can be used in strong sunlight when it is harder to see the LCD screen. The Touch & Track system on this camcorder keeps focus and exposure on any subject, no matter where it moves. Just choose your subject on the 3.0-inch LED touchscreen. External Mic Jack for enhancing your sound options, and headphone jack to monitor sound. Professional-quality 16-bit PCM recording is available for best sound quality. The Instant AF focusing system offers a dramatic improvement in auto focus speed and accuracy. Great for sports. The Canon XA11 Pro is a not only a SmartReview Top Pick but has won our BEST of 2020 award for professional compact HD camcorders.

Canon XA11 Compact Professional Camcorder Canon Pro XA11
HD Camcorder
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HXR-NX80

4K Camcorder
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Canon Pro XA15
HD Camcorder
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    Canon XA11
    Top 17 Features

  1. *Professional Model
  2. Full HD Recording
  3. High Dynamic Range (HDR)
  4. 20x Optical Zoom
  5. Native 24p Mode
  6. 24p,30p,60p Progressive Mode
  7. HDMI Terminal for HDTV
  8. Dual SDHC Memory Card Slots
  9. Optical Image Stabilization
  10. Large 1/2.84 inch imager
  11. Color Viewfinder
  12. Included Lens Hood
  13. Infrared Night Vision
  14. Touch & Track Feature
  15. Linear PCM Audio
  16. Mic and Headphone Jacks
  17. 3.0-inch LED Screen

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Full HD
OIS Stabilization
– – –
1080p @ 60fps
Digic DV4
– – –
XLR Audio

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4K Ultra HD
Optical SteadyShot
S-Log2 and S-Log3
1080p @ 120fps
Bionz X Processor
– – –
XLR Audio

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Full HD
OIS Stabilization
– – –
1080p @ 60fps
Digic DV4
HD/SD-SDI Output
XLR Audio
Camcorder Bundle Deals Canon XA11 Pro
+ Accessory Kit
Canon XA11 Pro
+ Accessory Kit
Canon XA11 Pro
+ Accessory Kit
    Bundle Deals
    Canon Vixia
    XA11 Pro
    + Accessory Kits


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SmartReview.com previewed the XA11 and G21 Camcorders at CES


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