Canon reports that the BBC has added the XF305 and XF300 HD camcorders to it’s list of approved cameras. The broadcaster has bought the XF305, and took delivery of units last December. Both units are now approved to produce entire programs for the BBC’s HD channels. It had been approved previously for use by independent filmmakers .

The XF305 is a fixed lens 3xCMOS sensor camera capable of capturing 4:2:2 50mbps MPEG2 1080p video directly onto standard high speed compact flash cards.

Broadcaster adds Canon’s XF305 and XF300 to list of camcorders approved for both internal and external HD production.

United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, 10th January 2011 – Canon confirms that its XF305 and XF300 Full HD camcorders have now been added to the BBC list of approved HD cameras, allowing them to be used to produce an entire HD program for broadcast on the corporation’s HD channels.

Both camcorders were initially approved in June 2010 for use by independent productions, but have now also been accepted for internal BBC production use. Following recent testing, the broadcaster has opted to buy XF305 camcorders, the first of which were delivered in December 2010.

Kieran Magee, Director of Professional Marketing at Canon Europe Ltd, added:

“The XF300-series was specifically designed to offer exceptional image quality and seamless workflow compatibility for all sorts of professional uses. Canon worked with many broadcasters during development of these camcorders, and the adoption of these cameras by the BBC reflects our commitment to imaging excellence and meeting our customers’ needs.”

About the XF305 and XF300

XF305 and XF305 were launched in April 2010 at the NAB show in Las Vegas. They are the first hand-held, file-based video cameras to use a new MPEG-2 Full HD (4:2:2) recording codec, with data transfer rates of up to 50Mbps.

These two revolutionary cameras also offer a unique Canon L-series HD Video Lens, highly advanced DIGIC DV III processing and an ergonomic design that delivers advanced mobility and versatility. The featured 1/3-type Canon 3CMOS sensor system offers exceptional colour accuracy, wide-dynamic range and low noise.

Recording to CompactFlash Memory card, these models offer a huge range of features including slow and fast motion, and extensive image and operational customization options.

The full list for all approved HD cameras and settings can be found on the BBC website.