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Powering the Camera

When checking out the camera, you’re allowed two batteries.

The XA-70 can be powered by the batteries or by an external power source using the USB power adapter that comes in the camera bag.

Plug in the USB power adapter to the camera’s DC IN, and the AC cord to the power outlet.

If you’re recording continuously for long stretches, the AC power source is an ideal alternative to using batteries, assuming that you’re recording indoors with access to an outlet.

Attaching the battery

The battery compartment is at the rear of the camcorder. Insert the battery with the terminals facing up, and slide up. The battery should click in place.

To remove the battery, slide the BATTERY RELEASE, located on the underside of the camera, in the direction of the arrow and the battery should slip out.

NOTE: if the tripod plate attached to the bottom of the camera is covering the battery release, use a coin to unscrew the plate until it is loose. Then move the plate away from the battery release and tighten the screw once more.

Turning the Camcorder On and Off

The XA-70 has two operating modes: CAMERA and MEDIA. Use CAMERA for making recordings and MEDIA for playing back recordings.

• Turn the camcorder on by sliding the power switch either to CAMERA or MEDIA mode.

NOTE: When you power up the camera, the POWER/CHG indicator will light up green.

NOTE: MEDIA mode is highly useful in the field during the production shoot. For example, once you complete an interview, before you let the guest leave, check the media to make sure the recording looks and sounds good. Better yet, prior to the interview, do a test record and then switch over to MEDIA to spot check the clip you just recorded. Check for the quality of the visual and audio. When you're satisfied, then proceed to your next task. Being able to view your clips in the field can help alleviate some of your video production anxiety.

Charging the battery

• When plugged in to a wall outlet, the camera will charge the batteries!
• Attach the battery to the camera.
• Make sure the camera is switched OFF (you can't charge batteries and record footage off the AC socket at the same time).
• Plug the power cord into a wall outlet.
• Charging begins (as long as the camera is switched OFF). You will see the POWER/CHG (charge) indicator illuminate in red whilst the battery is charging. The battery is fully charged when the POWER/CHG indicator goes out. Then disconnect the power adapter from the camera and unplug the power cord.

Using the LCD Screen

The LCD screen is a panel that opens from the side of the camera and can be extended 90 degrees. You can then swivel the viewing angle, including turning the screen until it faces forward.

The LCD screen is also a touch panel display.

NOTE: When extended in the open position, the LCD screen is vulnerable to impacts, which could damage it severely. When you transport the camera, either by hand or in the camera bag, it is best practice to close the LCD panel first. Exercise some preventative maintenance to preserve the gear for others to use.

Using the Viewfinder

The viewfinder is the part of the camera you can put your eye against.

To adjust the angle, first pull out the viewfinder and then tilt the viewing angle.

The viewfinder is retracted.

To extend the viewfinder, pull it directly out and then angle it.

If you normally wear eyeglasses, then feel free to remove them so that you can use the dioptric adjustment lever (diopter), located on the underside of the viewfinder. The diopter lets you focus the viewfinder information to your eyesight. Then you can focus the lens.

NOTE: The LCD screen and the viewfinder cannot be used simultaneously. To use the viewfinder, the LCD panel must first be closed.

Keep the eye cup attached when using the camcorder. But if you wear eyeglasses, you might find it easier to flip back the outer edge of the eye cup toward the camcorder body.

Using the Menus

The setup menus can be accessed by pressing the MENU button, or by tapping the on-screen FUNC button.

Use the joystick/SET button (above the MENU button) to make a menu selection. Push the joystick to move the orange selection frame in the menu, then press SET in the joystick to select an item.

NOTE: Most of the vital menu items that you need will be set prior to you checking out the camera, such as movie formats and resolution, gain settings, etc. The only reason you might have to use the menu is when you need to initialise the SD card, although this user guide will cover other menu functions in depth.

FUNC Menu

The FUNC menu offers a quick way to control the various shooting functions such as white balance, exposure, shutter speed, focus, etc. (You must be in MANUAL mode to see these functions).

• Tap the FUNC menu button on the display screen
• Tap the desired icon on the left column. Use the up or down arrows to scroll up or down.

NOTE: The illustration to the right is visible only if the camera is set to M (Manual) mode.

Changing the XA-70’s Operating Mode

The camcorder uses two operating modes.

• AUTOMATIC mode: when this switch is set to AUTO the camcorder will take care of all the settings (exposure, shutter speeds, gain, etc.) so that you can concentrate on the recording aesthetics (composition and depth).
• M (Manual) mode: In this mode, you can take creative control back from the camera with full access to the advanced functions.

The switch is located on top of the camera next to the zoom rocker.

The XA-70 has two SD card slots, allowing you to record on two cards simultaneously or to automatically switch from one slot to the other when the SD card in use is full.

To change the operating modes, go into the MENU to Recording Setup (see the menu icons on the top of the page, and select page 2, then select Dual/Relay Recording.

• Dual Recording: this function records the same clip simultaneously to both cards, which is a convenient way to make a back-up copy of your recordings whilst you’re recording.
• Relay Recording: This function lets you continue recording on the other card without interruption when the card you are using fills up.
• Standard Recording: selecting this will mean that you’re not using either Dual or Relay recording.

NOTE: To record 4K footage you will need a card rated with a UHS speed class of U3. Otherwise, make sure you’re using a Class 6 or higher card with a processing speed of 90 MB/s or higher (the card pictured here is a Class 10).

Remember: recording 4K footage requires 4 times as much card space, so you will need a big card size and fast processing speed if you intend to go this route.

Inserting and Removing SD Cards

NOTE: It’s important to turn off the camcorder before inserting or removing cards. Removing a card when the camcorder is on may result in permanent data loss. Also, SD cards have front and back sides that are not interchangeable. If you insert a card facing the wrong direction, then it can cause a malfunction of the camcorder. Don't try to force a card to insert.

• Turn off the camcorder.
• Open the card compartment cover by sliding the SD CARD switch.
• Insert the card straight with the label facing the grip belt side of the camcorder all the way until it clicks.
• Close the compartment cover (do not force it closed if the card isn’t inserted correctly).

NOTE: this illustration on the right shows a card that is partially inserted just as a reference. But if you insert a card and it doesn't go in easily, don't force it. Make sure the label side faces the grip handle.

Initialising an SD Card

You need to initialise the SD card so that the camcorder’s firmware can communicate efficiently with the card. When you initialise a card, all of the data it contains will be erased permanently.

BEST PRACTICE: Before recording on a SD card that contains footage shot previously, make sure that its contents are copied to a portable hard drive (inside a project folder). A portable hard drive is highly recommended when doing video production work. Canon XA-70 User Guide: Paul Daugherty Sandbox 3 https://canvas.colorado.edu/courses/82048/pages/canon-xa-70-user-guide

• In the MENU, scroll to Recording Setup, page 2.
• Then scroll to Initialize
• Select slot A or B.
• Click Initialize and YES to the confirmation message that appears.

It usually takes only seconds for the card to be initialised.

Recording Video and Photos

When using AUTO mode to shoot video and photos the camcorder will automatically adjust the settings for you. In M (MANUAL) mode, you can adjust the focus, exposure and other settings according to your creative needs. AN EDUCATIONAL NOTE: If you want to learn how to operate a camera well, then you need to get practice using it in MANUAL mode. Think of it this way – if you only rely on AUTO then it’s the camera that makes the creative decisions for you. To take back creative control, use MANUAL, which is why it’s important to learn how manual works in a camera.

To record video

• Make sure the power switch is set to CAMERA. The POWER/CHG indicator will illuminate green.
• Press the REC button to begin recording. During recording a red dot will appear on the screen. Also, the tally lamp on the camcorder will illuminate.
• Press the REC button again to stop recording. You will then see a white square appear in the display screen.

NOTE: To review the latest clip recorded, press the 4 button ion the left side of the camera. You can then review the last four seconds of the last clip recorded without switching to MEDIA mode. Whilst reviewing the clip there will be no sound from the built-in speaker.

The camera must be in standby mode (you’re not recording video).

• Tap the PHOTO button on the display screen. The picture is taken and can be found on the SD card as a JPEG file.

NOTE: When you finish using the camera for recordings, then close the lens barrier by flipping the switch to CLOSED. Set the power switch to OFF. Close the LCD panel and return the viewfinder to its retracted position.

To manually adjust the focus, use the focus/zoom ring.

You can also adjust the focus by touching a subject on the display screen (Touch Focus). The camera will focus automatically and then return to manual focus mode.

• Press the AF/MF button so that only MF appears on the screen.
• Turn the focus ring to the desired focus (the approximate focussing distance appears on the left of the screen whilst you operate the focus/zoom ring).

• Open the focus screen by tapping FUNC and then Focus
• Touch the desired subject in the display. You will see a frame that flashes on the desired subject. The camcorder will focus automatically and then return to manual focus.

• In the MENU under Camera Setup, the Focus Guide should be set to ON.
• The focus guide should appear when the camera is in MANUAL focus mode, or MF.
• If necessary, touch the main subject on the screen if you need to move the focus guide frame.
• Turn the focus/zoom ring to focus. The subject is in focus when the focus guide frame turns green.

• Tap FUNC, then Focus
• Select the desired options. For the black & white setting, select OFF or ON. For the peaking colour, select RED, BLUE, or YELLOW.
• Select PEAK and then X. Peak should appear in the left side of the display. Touch PEAK again to turn off the peaking effect.

NOTE: In the illustration to the right, peaking is visible in the car grill where it's emphasised in red. When you see the peaking lines, then the subject is in focus.

• Press the MAGN. Button. Alternatively, press FUNC and then MAGN, and OK.
• MAGN appears at the lower right of the screen and the centre of the screen is magnified 2 times.
• The magnification frame appears in the lower right corner of the screen. If necessary, you can tap this frame and move it to other parts of the image.
• Tap MAGN. or select X (in the upper right of the screen) to cancel the magnification.

NOTE: In this illustration MAGN. appears in the lower right of the image. This should tell you that magnification is engaged and should be turned off before you frame the shot.

• Set the focus/zoom ring to FO����������S
• Press the AF/MF button to activate the autofocus (AF will appear on the screen).
• Set the AF frame size to Large or Small (by default the camera focuses on a subject at the centre of the screen and no AF frame is displayed. You can select an AF frame and change its size and position to focus on a specific area or subject).
• Select AF Mode (MENU > Camera Setup > AF Mode
• Select BOOST (AF-Boosted MF) and then select X.
• When the focus is in the manual adjustment range, the focus frame will appear yellow.
• Turn the focus ring to adjust the focus. This brings the subject closer into focus. When the focus enters the automatic adjustment range, the focus frame will turn white and the camcorder will then finish focussing automatically.

In the illustration on the left, the AF frame is visible over the main subject as a white frame. If the AF frame remains white, then the camera will automatically set the focus. However, if it's yellow, then turn the focus ring until the AF frame is white and the camera will do the rest.

While the focus stays within the automatic adjustment range, the camcorder will keep the subject in focus
automatically.

• Press the AF/MF button to active the autofocus. AF will appear on the left of the screen.
• Set the AF frame size to Large or Small.
• Select the AF Mode (MENU > Camera Setup > AF Mode. !"Select Continuous and then select X.

• MENU > Camera Setup > Face Detection & Tracking > ON > X
• Point the camcorder at the subject. When there are multiple people in the shot, then all detected faces will have a face detection frame (white in AF mode, grey in MF mode). But the main subject will be indicated with a face detection frame that has small arrows.

If necessary, tap the desired subject on screen to select a different main subject. To select a different person, touch a face with a grey frame. The face detection will change to a double- frame and the camcorder will track the subject as it moves. In AF mode only, you can track other moving subjects such as a pet.

To remove the frame and cancel the tracking, tap the OFF in the lower part of the screen (right next to PHOTO as seen in this illustration).

• Set the focus/zoom ring to ZOOM.
• Turn the focus/zoom ring slowly for a slow zoom, faster for faster zooms.

• The zoom rocker is located on the grip. There is also a zoom rocker located on the handle.
• Move it toward W for wide angle (zooming out), or toward T for telephoto to zoom in.
• The harder you press, the faster the zoom.

To set an overall zoom speed level no matter how hard you press, go to...

MENU > Camera Setup > Zoom Speed Level > Desired zoom speed level.

To access these modes, you need to be in M (Manual) mode. Then tap the M on the screen (upper left) to display the shooting modes.

The modes pictured below are called Special Scene Modes.

These shooting modes offer preset combinations of settings optimized for specific situations.

The ND stands for Neutral Density, and it’s a type of filter that reduces the intensity of bright light, allowing you to open up the aperture to obtain a shallower depth of field (where only a limited area is in focus). The ND filter also helps you avoid the soft focus caused by diffraction when using wide apertures.

In the illustration on the right, the ND filter appears on the left side of the screen. This filter has a density level 1/4, which is explained below.

The ND filter consists of two buttons, + and -, located on the side of the camera behind the lens.

The + button lets you cycle through 3 ND filter density levels in the following order:

• ND 1⁄4
• ND 1/16
• ND 1/64

These density levels can be compared to the strength of the filter, where 1/64 is stronger than 1⁄4. In other words, use ND 1⁄4 on a cloudy day when the sunlight is low, but use 1/16 on a sunny day, and 1/64 when it’s a very bright sunny day.

When ND doesn’t appear in the on-screen display, then the filter is switched off.

• Set the shooting mode to M. The aperture value, shutter speed, and gain value will appear on the screen.
• Open the aperture, shutter speed or gain adjustment screen by tapping FUNC > Iris (aperture), SHTR (shutter) or GAIN. When you tap on any of these functions, an adjustment dial will appear on the screen.
• Drag your finger along the dial at the bottom of the screen to set the desired value.
• Repeat these steps to adjust other exposure elements to the desired level.
• Select X to return to the main display.

Alternatively, you can also change the Iris, Shutter, or Gain by highlighting each of these functions on the screen using the ����������STOM button.

Press ����������STOM. When a function is highlighted, then turn the knob below the ����������STOM button to change its value.

There is a default shutter speed that we like to use: 1/60th of a second. To our eyes, the motion we see at this shutter speed looks normal. But less than 1/60th and motion blur becomes noticeable. Faster than 1/60th and we start to see more detail in subjects that are moving fast.

However, the faster your shutter speed the less light can enter the lens. That’s because the shutter gate is closed as often as it is open. To compensate, you would need to open the aperture wider to let in more light. But first, adjust the shutter speed to its default value at 1/60th.

The aperture is thought of as the hole in the lens that lets in light. We can change how much light enters the aperture by adjusting the iris, which is a diaphragm. We often use the words Iris and Aperture somewhat interchangeably to represent the same function.

When you zoom in all the way on a subject, you’re actually reducing the amount of light that enters the lens. If you set the lens to its widest aperture, try zooming in and you’ll see the f-stop number get bigger.

Zooming in narrows the field of view so less light enters the lens.

The maximum aperture of a lens is often expressed as two f-stops: the lowest possible f-stop number is when the lens is zoomed out all the way (wide angle), and the higher f-stop number when the lens is zoomed in all the way (narrowest angle).

The lens on the XA-70 has a maximum aperture of f/2.8 when zoomed out. But this lens stops down to f/4.5 when zoomed in to its narrowest angle.

You can display a zebra pattern to identify areas that might be overexposed so that you can then correct the exposure. The zebra pattern does not get recorded into the shot.

To display the zebra pattern, open the aperture, shutter speed, gain or exposure screen, and then tap the icon seen in the illustration to the right.

The camcorder offers two zebra pattern levels: 100% only highlights areas that will lose detail if they’re overexposed, and 70%, which identifies areas that are dangerously close to losing detail.

NOTE: The loss of detail in an overexposed shot will appear as a bright blob of light or glare. An overexposed sky might lose detail that shows clouds, or even the colour blue. Or an overexposed face might lose fine lines that add texture and character. If the area is so overexposed that most of this detail is lost, then no amount of post-production fixes will correct it. You will have to reshoot, especially if it’s an interview shot.

• You must be in M mode, or when using P, Tv, or Av shooting modes.
• Tap FUNC > AWB (Automatic White Balance) – this is the default option.
• Select the desired option: K (Colour Temperature), Set 1, or Set 2. If you happen to be using a light meter and can measure the colour temperature within the environment, then try using the K setting where you can dial in the colour temperature. Otherwise, use Set 1 or Set 2 to make a custom adjustment.

• Point the camera at a white card or even a white object. Zoom in so the white fills the frame.
• Then select either Set 1 or Set 2.

• Then tap the set button, seen here on the right.
• When the icon in the frame stops flashing, the white balance is complete. This setting is retained even when you turn off the camcorder.