1 7IntroductionAbout this ManualThank you for purchasing the Canon XA55 / XA50. Please read this manual carefully before you use thecamcorder and retain it for future reference. Should the camcorder fail to operate correctly, refer toTroubleshooting (A 123).Conventions Used in this Manual• IMPORTANT: Precautions related to the camcorder’s operation.• NOTES: Additional topics that complement the basic operating procedures.• A: Reference page number within this manual.• u: Text and/or illustrations that apply only to the model indicated in the icon.• The following terms are used in this manual:“Screen” refers to the LCD screen and the viewfinder screen.“Card” refers to an SD, SDHC or SDXC card.“Clip” refers to a single movie unit recorded with a single recording operation (for example, from the point whenthe REC button is pressed to start recording until it is pressed again to stop).• Photographs in the manual are simulated pictures taken with a still camera. Unless indicated otherwise,illustrations refer to the u.• Some screenshots in this manual have been simplified to make them easier to read.• Operating mode icons: A shaded icon (like ) indicates that the function described can be used in theoperating mode or video format shown; a non-shaded icon (like ) indicates that the function cannot beused.Operating modes:Position of the power switch: shooting (CAMERA) or playback (MEDIA) mode.For details, refer to Turning the Camcorder On and Off (A 25).Position of the mode switch. For details refer toChanging the Camcorder's Operating Mode (A 26).Video format (MP4 or XF-AVC). For details,refer to Selecting the Video Format (A 44).