Canon has today announced a new additional to its professional camcorder range, the XF205. Boasting a compact, lightweight body design, the XF205 has advanced operability and expanded network connectivity, satisfying a wide range of professional shooting demands, from the production of broadcasting content such as news and documentaries, to wedding and other event videos. The XF205 features a wide-angle 26.8mm (35mm film equivalent) 20x optical zoom lens incorporating Hi-UD (Hi Index Ultra Low Dispersion) glass lens elements that make reduced chromatic aberrations possible. Additionally, the lens is equipped with an eight-bladed circular aperture that employs the same EMD (Electro Magnetic Diaphragm) technology used in Canon EF lenses and creates natural, attractive blur characteristics. The XF205 supports two recording formats—MXF, the standard file format used by broadcast stations, and MP4, which offers high versatility through its compatibility with various devices. Furthermore, the new camcorder achieves a compact, lightweight body with approximately 58% of the mass and volume of the XF305/XF300 models. In addition to its compact size, the XF205, like the XF305/XF300, includes three separate lens rings and is equipped with a handgrip that realises a 120º angle of rotation for outstanding operability to facilitate shooting in a variety of situations and from most any angle. Incorporating an Ethernet LAN terminal that makes possible a reliable wired connection in addition to supporting wireless LAN connectivity, the new Canon camcorder allows users to select the network connection method that best suits their needs. The XF205’s enhanced network functionality provides users with increased shooting freedom and realises increased efficiency during electronic news gathering and other shooting situations in which speed plays a crucial role. Canon’s CameraAccess plus app enables live viewing and remote operation using a smartphone or tablet device, as well as the real-time transfer of proxy data.* The Canon XF205 professional camcorder will go on sale in Australia in mid July 2014