This is not a full review of the Canon XA10. At a recent mini-launch  I only managed to get a play with the test unit for a period of around 20 minutes, and then only in low light, with no manual and no real opportunity to explore. Indeed, in the light available it took me 5 minutes to work out how to turn the thing on!

This isn’t because Canon has placed the on-off switch in a silly position, but more a) an unfamiliarity of the camera as this is a new type altogether, and secondly, the body is festooned with all manner of switches and buttons to make lovers of the same dribble and drool.

Next, it is SMALL. For a full blast pro camera to contain all the gubbins and electronics of its much bigger brothers shows a mastery of design and implementation. The XA10 is also beautifully balanced, has a proper handle, focus ring and the low light capability is breath-taking.

In the time allowed, all I could shoot was a pair of ‘fire dancers’ – you know, the type that writhe and squirm to beating music, laser lights all the while twirling blazing sticks at almost impossible speeds and in improbable directions. In the dark.

On playback, the footage was exceptional, either on the flip out LCD or through a projector the next day. And to prove it isn’t a one trick pony, but probably a whole field of ponies, footage shot the next day while hot air ballooning (which I missed), faithfully recorded all the vibrancy of the colours that the sport is renowned for.

At this stage, I am quite prepared to go out on a limb and say unless something else very special comes along, the XA10 is a very strong contender for Camcorder Of The Year.

Did I mention the price? $2499. Yes, you read right.

Canon has promised me a full unit within weeks. I am hoping to get it in time for the V8 Supercar round in Western Australia as that is always a good test. Sadly, the one we had to play with for such a short time was the only one in the country at the time. I am more than betting there were more than a few attempts to hijack it!

By David Hague

David is the owner and publisher of AusCam Online. He has a background in media dating back to 1979 when he first got involved with photojournalism in motorsport, and went from there into technology via a 5 year stint with Tandy Computers. Following that, he ran a software distribution company on the Gold Coast and was one of the first to recognise the potential of Microsoft Windows.

Moving back to WA, David wrote scripts for Computer Television for video training for the just released Windows and Office 95 among others, and was then lured to Sydney to create web sites for the newly commercial Internet in 1995, building hundreds of sites under contract to OzEmail including Coates Hire, Hertz Queensland, John Williamson, the NSW Board of Studies and many, many more.

He went back into full time journalism as the Managing Editor for Channel 7's 'Gadget Guy', Peter Blasina's publications VideoCamera and Pixelmag, before starting Australasian Camcorder magazine when these publications were shelved. He lives at Sydney's Avalon Beaches nearly on the ocean front with dog Budweiser and in his spare time is a nut for motor sport, road safety, fishing, science fiction - especially Dr Who - and technology.

David can be contacted via david@auscamonline.com