I've been waiting for this camera for a LOOOONG time. Canon got so many things right with this entry-level pro camcorder.
The menus work so much better than the XA10. Just the look and feel of the body speaks quality.
I love the built-in lens cap. And the Wifi is a dream come true. I'm a one-man band, shooting solo on a lot of three-camera events. Now, instead of locking down two cameras and operating the third, I can turn two of the cameras into a wifi hotspot and operate all three cameras from one location using my iPad and iPhone. I just wish the zooming function over wifi was continuous. Unfortunately, if you hold down the zoom for more than one second, the iPad thinks the zoom button is an image you want to copy and a popup interrupts your zoom control, breaking the flow of what could (should) be continuous zoom motion.
Oh, well. Next version, maybe?
Apart from that, I am thrilled with this new Canon camera. I was going to buy three XA20's and save the extra $500/camera by not purchasing the SDI out feature. Fortunately, a videomaker friend talked me into the idea of the XA25s, to afford myself the option of shooting live events (I shoot a lot of live events, and with the SDI/BNC port, you can hookup to a broadcast truck, or a switcher). I compromised... I purchased two new XA25's ($1000 more than I budgeted), but saved $1000 by purchasing an XA10 for my third camera. True, the XA10 does NOT offer the wifi feature, so I lose remote operation capability. But most of the live events I shoot require an anchor (fixed) camera angle. The XA10 is perfect for this. I set it on a nice, wide establishing shot, operate one of the XA25s manually, and remote-operate the other XA25 with my iPad. I also invested in a pan/tilt tripod head, which I can also operate remotely (cable, not wireless), and I have full control of that remote cam. Plus, I still have the ability to go two cameras with SDI outs for live events. All without spending one dime more than I budgeted for three XA20s!
Ideal setup for a live shooter!
When I can afford it, I'll purchase a third XA25 and use the XA10 as my backup camera.
Thanks, Canon! You have a hit on your hands with the XA25/20. Now, if you can fix the wifi continuous zoom issue, this camera will be a perfect 10!
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