Canon XA25 Tutorial - Best Settings - How to setup camera

How to setup and use the Canon XA25 or XA20 video camera for shooting news. Ryan Jackson, videographer at the Edmonton Journal gives tips for how to setup a Canon XA25 and explains the different settings and options on the camera.

[@darkstardan3309]

This is the best, most useful tutorial I have seen yet. What unhappy people in life would choose "thumbs down" to dislike this video? Seriously, what else will they complain against? A sunny day? A good meal?

[@zoexudm]

I can't help watching it again and leave a second message - the tutorial is awesome and it covers not only all settings of the cam, but also some essential videography skills that I paid hundred dollars to learn.

[@enigmaticnomadics]

Dude! Finally, somebody who doesn't assume the viewer knows ANYTHING about a product they are looking for instructions on. Well done!

[@63rml]

I have learned more about camcorders, menu setup, exposure and shooting video in your video than 100 others I have watched! Well done Sir!

[@eddeig]

I started using a Canon XA35, but you're video got me started faster then the manual. Many Thanks!!!

[@brookbowen3152]

I have an AX40 and the controls/settings and menu are very similar and this helped out a lot. This is an excellent tutorial.

[@volvosweden]

Just got a Canon G40 for a VERY good price. Your video helped me so much understand my new camcorder. Thank you for your time and effort posting this. Hello from Winnipeg MB.

[@timgwilliams]

Thank you so much for this. I got an XA20 and have been trying to read the instruction manual from Canon and its difficult to follow. You are very clear and have the perfect camera angle to show the screen. I also appreciated you explaining general camera terms and the functions of the various settings. I figure most people look for a video like this because they are just learning and do need to hear the basics. The only thing you didn't cover is the play back operations. But that seems simple enough. Thanks again.

[@WasefAlHakim]

The Best Tutorial on XA25 so Far, and I have seen many! GREAT WORK BR Wasif AlHakem

[@darrylgibb2693]

Hi Ryan just revisited my xa20 brushed the cobwebs of got your amazingly clear vid and I'm ready to go again. Big thanks if you're still around after 6 years.

[@vahpr]

I still use this camera but infrequently so this is a great refresher, thank you!!

[@joevaccone5494]

Awesome Ryan! Total Beginner to Intermediate Film maker in 29:12 mins Thanks again

[@ksmackvolleyball]

This was very well done, and helpful. I've owned this camera for a year now and its fantastic. I'm happy I own it. Your comments made me aware of a few features I didn't know about. I will add one "however". I tend to use the Cinema Mode quite often for what I refer to as "regular" video. I use Cinema Mode at 30 fps for public events, concerts, etc. I use Manual Mode for sports where I use the 60 fps to get the crisper imagine. So instead of having to change settings for different types of events, its just one click from Manual to Cinema (or back) and you're instantly ready to capture a totally different type/style of video. There's a lot more to Cinema Mode than just using those silly filters, for that reason I wouldn't just tape over the switch. Of course the bottom line is that it is a great camcorder and you can do a lot with it.

[@richardkaulfers9850]

I started shooting with a HPX-370 a huge shoulder camera that is all manual. Now I've been using the XA25 for almost two years. I still miss manual controls and the lens but the end result hasn't changed. This camera is great for many situations in news shooting. Pick up a few 58mm ND filters if you want to have some control over depth of field. This camera is also way less intimidating compared to a huge shoulder mount. Resulting in getting subjects to not focus on the camera.

[@krippy69]

Thank you, Ryan. I just bought XA20 and it helps me a lot by watching you video.

[@BoxwoodCurrents]

Thank you so much Ryan! I got put on camera duty for my workplace and I'm trying to cram a bunch of know-how in a week or so, and this tutorial really helped me a lot. I feel a lot more confident on how to navigate the XA25 all thanks to your video :)

[@accordion-hitvocals3374]

jUST WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR A CLEARLY DESCRIBED TUTORIAL - FOR A NOVICE. - THANK YOU, rYAN.

[@Nantawat_Kittiwarakul]

I do have HF G30 - the "consumer" version of this very same camcorder (minus the XLR handle and infrared mode, all else the same). This tutorial did save me TONS of time trying to figure out each and every function of this little monster. Big thanks to you. PS although relatively old model with just Full HD res, this thing still gives you really,really decent images. Love it!

[@mrjon54]

Just got an XA30. This info is very helpful !

[@ShelitaRN]

This was excellent! Thank you so much for taking out the time!

[@psbmotion4044]

This is a really strong, and simple, video instruction. Nicely done! Thanks, Ryan.

[@AllanKlo63]

I work as a video journalist and can highly recommend turning zebra's on. Two other very useful tips was how to change the speed on the manual focus ring behind the lens, and how to set high speed function on the small zoom button on top of the XA 25. Thanks for a very useful video Ryan!

[@ChristinaAsher]

You are a genius, gentleman and scholar. Many thanks for helping me find my way around this camera that I bought for short studio auditions and on location documentary pick ups. I now know how to use it better. cheers

[@sterlingteaches]

Wonderful tutorial on camera settings. I will use this to show my high school students how to change settings on the camera. Thank you for taking time to record it.

[@mariom512]

Great tutorial ... I just started at a job where we use these cameras. And while we used larger JVC cameras at my last job, it's been a bit of a learning curve. Now I can confidently use this camera out in the field.

[@didgeproject]

Best info I've seen on this camera. You saved me a ton of reading and struggle. Thank you so much!

[@crooker2]

This was really great... Thank you so much. I just purchased 3 of these cameras for an in-studio type application (need the HD-SDI outputs). I continually refer to your tutorial and learn more every time I watch it., Thanks so much Ryan! (Fellow Albertan here...!) :)

[@shnarobe2]

Very clear and concise!.Just bought the XA30..Love it!

[@alwayschasing]

Very informative. Love the energy.

[@donalm7874]

Thanks for such a great tutorial, I have just got the hf g40 and the menu is very similar and this video has helped me so much.

[@rb5235]

Good job on setting up the XA20.

[@rajaitwal7602]

Thanks for the quick tutorial Ryan.

[@wbocxe]

Finally a GREAT video on the XA20. Thanks. Awesome.

[@stableofspeed1217]

Bravo Ryan. Great tutorial. I am a total novice but you make it sound easier than I thought. I just bought an XA30 and I found there are a few differences in the slow & fast motion and the frame rate in the menu, but none the less I hope to work it out. Many thanks.

[@lifeguardlloyd]

Thank you. Very helpful for someone who just graduated from an hv30.

[@FatHeadMovie]

Thank you very much, Ryan. That was a concise and informative intro.

[@ASTRIDALLISON]

Couldn't agree more. Thank you also.

[@selcukbirdal]

Thank you Ryan. It is very helpful.🙋🏻‍♂

[@blancosuperfuegodiego544]

Thank you awesome tutorial. I was looking info for a g60 but there is not much right now . hope this info helps on my new baby. Thanks.

[@AccessFortWayne]

Hi Ryan. I work for Access Fort Wayne, in Indiana. We are a Cable Access Station and provide use of the Canon XA25 free of charge to our Community Producers. We have found your tutorial very useful in training our Producers how to use the camera. We also carry the XA35. We would like to know if we could post your video on our on demand service for Producers who use our facility. Thanks very much.

[@zoexudm]

Thank you so much for all the tips!! I feel like this video was designed and tailor-made to me because I've also got the same sennheiser mic for my Canon xa20.

[@Alphyddan]

Here´s another happy viewer. Big THANK YOU for this brilliant "go through"! :)

[@kandikatlajaswin9637]

This video really helpful 👍 well explanation sir

[@HockeyXtraShow]

Great tutorial!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to do such a detailed video. This is now our GO-TO video for using our XA20!

[@ruannigrini2139]

Ryan, thank you, this was very helpful.

[@michaelzoran]

Ryan, you skipped an explanation of Time Code Mode, but that was very important to me. Could you please tell me if the Canon XA25, XA20 or HF G30 can place a display on the screen that records Hours Minutes and Seconds so that the Hours Minutes and Seconds are seen on the screen with the time and day? ... The reason I'm asking is because in order to Record in a Federal Courtroom, you need a camera capable of recording "Seconds" in addition to the Hours and Minutes. ... Do you know of any Digital Cameras that do record Seconds, and then Plays those same Time settings when transferred to another device? Price is not a problem.

[@petermartin1884]

Very helpful, thank you for posting this walkthrough of the camera settings

[@lifeguardlloyd]

Nicely done. Thank you! I did leave the camera in avchd as I do training videos and need the highest video quality. The explanation on slow mo was fantastic; I will use this for certain things.

[@savantdipi]

Thank you Ryan for such a great tutorial!!!!

[@quoleo]

Thanks Ryan, just picked this up - the video was pretty awesome and learned a ton.

[@MegaKinetics]

Great tutorial!

[@TheSpotboyfilms]

Thank you. Very useful. Cheers!

[@TomasMichaud]

Really helpful. Thank you so much for making this video... I just got the Canon XA30, but the menu appears to be the same.

[@dglatz01]

This was enormously helpful. Thanks.

[@sebastianho4]

Great video mate! Super detailed.

[@cnrmoose]

very informative, thanks, just got the HF G30 and this helped me a ton. Any more tips and tricks will be greatly appreciated.

[@INTJs]

Thumbs up. Excellent tutorial. Thanks for uploading.

[@jc9240]

The ATT "Attenuater" feature does not ONLY lower high sound levels and keeps them down, it raises low sound levels too, an Attenuated Audio Signal to a Recording device balances the audio signals levels to a constant even level.....I would suggest you keep the ATT feature on if you are recording in a diversity of peak high and peak low set of audio captures, and sudden scene to scene or minute to minute audio changes.....PS: it's the Audio DB setiings...Example (-6db or -10db) that when set will consistently lower your recording through out your whole video session or capture.

[@cornerstoneproductio]

Great Job Ryan! Clear and Concise!!

[@Tobascus]

Thank you very much, you helped me a lot.

[@jimanderson9640]

Why can't Canon's instruction manual be this straight forward?

[@donalm7874]

Jim Anderson and

[@donalm7874]

Jim Anderson I'm

[@nekiawallace3878]

What is the best setting for shooting basketball?

[@MZANSI-SA-cf7on]

Please help me I'm using Canon XA11 firmware option is greyed out I cannot update it what must I turn off or do?

[@Carlitos-24-7]

Outstanding Video Thanks!

[@florin.filipescu]

Hello. If I connect one XLR mic on this camera, it records in one channel. What settings to use to record in both channels?

[@Zantor135]

thank you, I have an hg40 and this helps a lot

[@LifeBloodMarketing]

I've recorded thousands of hours video with this camera, wasn't a fan of it at first but it always got the job done.

[@sandadavis9890]

Hi Ryan, your tutorial is excellent. Thank you. Learning how to get better audio is a treat. My wish now is to get audio. I have a xa-11, and a comica ntg30-lite mike that gets plagued into the mike hole on the side near the headphone, it does not have an XLR cable. All tutorials present shotgun mics with XLR cable...making a point...that those might be better...but if that is what I have, a new comoca ... what difference does it make as far as working or not working at all. I tested it with the i-phone, it works. Kindly helps us all and me now that I am trying ... to understand what can I do, step by step to have audio. it doesn't show activity on the Input 1 on the LCD screen, no sound in the headphones, no audio ... I bought this camera new, 6 months ago, and I did not succeed in filming 1 minute with audio. It does show on the LCD screen that there is activity in the internal mic recording...but that is not enough to film a show with good audio. Thanks for reading this. Will you kindly help me t get the audio working. Thank you Ryan maybe a tutorial on how to get audio at all...and how to avoid problems with audio, and how to get out of trouble if you do have audio problems, would be successful and greatly needed by many.

[@SaadAlkhathamiCa]

Hi Ryan, I don't think so I am going to end up with a pleasing video if I would do a timelapse of the sunrise, dropping the shutter speed down to 1/6. What I am going to end up with instead is a blurry sun. Please correct me if i am woring!

[@Minnesota76]

Do you know how to set the moon clear ? I try zoom really closer it won’t clear it keep blurry do I need any moon filter lens I know when I zoom all the way 400x not blurry but on the moon it blurry

[@isabeltheoret155]

Thanks! This is very helpful!

[@amanullahhaniffa1511]

Hello. When I use this camera to record the tv screen all the Black letters are almost purple Whats the best setting to record a tv screen

[@RikkiTiki]

what is the exact sennheiser transmitter you are using. thank you. excellent video.

[@GeekBitz]

you should do a full tutorial on the audio side of things

[@jc9240]

The ATT "Attenuater" feature does not ONLY lower high sound levels and keeps them down, it raises low sound levels too, an Attenuated Audio Signal to a Recording device balances the audio signals levels to a constant even level.....I would suggest you keep the ATT feature on if you are recording in a diversity of peak high and peak low set of audio captures, and sudden scene to scene or minute to minute audio changes.....PS: it's the Audio DB setiings...Example (-6db or -10db) that when set will consistently lower your recording through out your whole video session or capture.

[@jc9240]

I differ! He's weak understanding the audio portion of audio, he is much stronger and accurate on the capturing and technical aspects of proper camera capturing technics

[@leoniereynolds5]

Thanks, great tutorial!

[@lagloriadedios_intl]

Why is there a time limit when recording on this camera? I have an SanDisk Ultra Plus 64GB sd card and I thought this would help but it still stops and continues at 30mins. Any reason why that would be?

[@ContentedBrands]

thanks for this its really good. I have the XA 20 but I can't get the slow motion to operate. The words 'slow motion' are faded out. Do you know why this would be. Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me.

[@drewpii]

Great tutorial thank you

[@manisepierre3802]

Ryan, I love the tutorial. it's seems that for me the MP4 mode is not setup the same as yours. I have to convert that from the A to B media SD card. Do you know another way to play back on the computer without having to make a conversion? thanks for your help

[@randychapman5884]

how do you preform a time lapse with canon xa30

[@hcattelevision3674]

Any Help for listening to audio when a 'Line' piece of equipment is plugged into Audio input. I can't hear nor see any audio on the camera monitor or hear through the headphones. I am using a 2channel field mixer FMX-20 to put 'line' in via and xlr cable.

[@OnlyMartine]

This is great - but it seems my 'Frame rate' option is disabled - why is this happening? The camcorder is on Manual, I am in 'P' recording mode..

[@UhOhHereWeGo]

I'm using this camera for a mixture of stop motion and live action. Can I take still images with it?

[@christofferstergaard8274]

Hallo Ryan. Great video. Helped me a lot with my setup. You have rode mic and clip mic in your setup. How do make sure to have the best sound for an interview with these to mics?

[@chartrechant]

I have a xa30 and my frame rate option is grayed out. I have it in manual mode and have MP4 recording format and I have it set on 24Mbps recording mode. Any suggestions as to why I have no choice of frame rate?

[@JamesOGormanMediaOps]

great overview, thanks 😊

[@jz1414]

Thank you!!!

[@Vanessa-mp5ql]

Awesome tutorial Ryan, thanks so much :) Vanessa, Peace River Alberta

[@clarence667]

Great vid! Any plans to do Episode 2?

[@mj268364]

I need some help. I just bought a brand-new Canon XA11 here in America. But the frame rates are preset to 50 fps or 25fps as they are in new England not America. What I need is the standard American 24, 30, 60. However this camera is giving me no way to change this. Is it possible this camera is only meant to be used in a foreign country? Can anyone help me?.

[@kenathenak7548]

Great tutorial Ryan, I really appreciate the insights. I have a question. When I use Channel one audio for a handheld and channel two for a headset, for livestreaming, only one is recorded on the sd card. How do I get both to record?

[@DaneTygheletsdrive]

Very helpful thank you.

[@shelleypaulsonphotography]

Super helpful - thank you!

[@pbppg]

Hello...how do you remove the time and date stamp from videos I shoot? Thanks for the information . I have the XA10. I just bought it used to take fishing videos , etc

[@alanhebron921]

Hello Ryan excellent video very well detailed. Have you done a similar video on the XA 30. I assume all set up details will be the same for the XA 30 and XA 25 ?

[@carrietan5401]

Does this have clean hdmi output?

[@dmvprofessor]

Hi Ryan and all. Does anyone know how to make it so the time code resets for each video you record? When we are out in the field it is very annoying to not be able to just look at the screen and see how long a take has been.

[@joemahoney1221]

Great vid for another newspaperman. What is the model number of the RODE shotgun you have mounted? Thanks-Mahoney/ The Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch.

[@erwinsateler4419]

How can you set a Mic Low Cut for a Mic in INPUT 1

[@zhenyajiang299]

Great job! I am a little confused about the ND Filter setting. Does it mean the camera has an internal ND filter so I don't need to put an external one?

[@karthikasajai4037]

How to increse brightness of screen