The Canon XA55 Professional UHD 4K Camcorder is a compact, lightweight camera featuring UHD 4K capture, a 1" CMOS sensor, two XLR audio inputs, and one mini-HDMI, and one BNC 3G-SDI output which fits right into the ENG category for documentary or journalism-style productions.

The XA55's optics include an integrated 15x HD optical zoom and a nine-bladed circular iris for more natural highlights, and wide DR gamma support for low-light recording. The camera's pro-style features include Dual Pixel and Contrast autofocus, fast- and slow-motion recording, full manual control, optical and electronic image stabilization, a 3" touchscreen LCD, user-assignable buttons, infrared mode, and a DIG!C DV 6 image processor with high sensitivity and low noise. The XA55 also has display monitoring features such as zebra, color bars, and test tone and a built-in neutral density filter mechanism offering ND4, ND16, and ND64 options.

The camera records UHD 4K30 and Full HD 1080p60 captured to dual SD card slots, and outputs to mini-HDMI and 3G-SDI ports. The dual SD card slots allow for automatic switching from one card to another, as well as simultaneous recording to both. The camera can output up to 1920 x 1080p 10-bit 4:2:2 video at 59.94 fps via its mini-HDMI and 3G-SDI outputs. On the audio side, the XA55 features up to four channels of LPCM audio with manual/automatic recording levels, two XLR inputs with phantom power, and a 3.5mm stereo mini input. It features a built-in stereo microphone as well as a headphone jack. The camera's functions can also be controlled by the separately available RC-V100 remote control.