The desert wind whipped sand against my face, mirroring the frantic dance of the gaffer tape holding the XA60 to the hastily-erected tripod. We were in the middle of nowhere, chasing the last light on a particularly stubborn sidewinder. It was a baptism by fire, this shoot. And the XA60? Well, it held its own.

My immediate impression? Compact. Surprisingly so, considering the 20x optical zoom lens. That’s a serious reach, especially when you’re tracking skittish reptiles across a vast expanse. Oversampling HD? Absolutely. The footage coming back was incredibly sharp, especially given the conditions. Crisp details; vibrant colors. Forget what you think you know about entry-level 4K. This camcorder delivers.

We’re talking about a prosumer camera here. It’s not a Cinema EOS, but it punches above its weight. The autofocus, a critical function, proved surprisingly adept. Even in the fading light, the dual-pixel CMOS system kept the snake – and our hopes – in focus. The audio capabilities are also worth mentioning. The XA60 has XLR inputs, a crucial feature for professional-grade sound capture. You won’t be stuck with the on-board mic unless you absolutely have to be.

Compared to, say, the older Canon XA55? The XA60 brings a noticeable upgrade in low-light performance, thanks to its improved sensor. It’s a subtle but significant difference that can be the difference between a usable shot and a grainy mess, especially when filming wildlife.

One minor, somewhat irritating, niggle: the touchscreen can be a bit sluggish in direct sunlight. A properly shielded LCD would be welcome. The workaround? Keep the sun off it, or use the electronic viewfinder, which is actually quite good. And honestly? It’s a small price to pay.

For whom is this camera really suited? If you’re a documentary filmmaker, a freelance videographer, or even a serious enthusiast who needs professional-quality results without breaking the bank? This is your workhorse. Buy it. Learn it. Then, go out and create something incredible.