Canon announces Cinema EOS C300 and C300 PL, new lenses
posted Thursday, November 3, 2011 at 6:49 PM EST
Canon Inc. has today announced the Cinema EOS C300, which takes the EOS series in a new direction with a design aimed specifically at filmmakers. Also revealed alongside the camera are five new lens models.
Introduced by company chairman Fujio Mitarai at an exclusive event on the Hollywood movie lot of Paramount Pictures, which also included a speech from special guest Martin Scorsese, the Canon EOS C300 builds on the popularity of the company's recent EOS digital SLRs. Models such as the EOS 5D Mark II--although primarily developed as still imaging devices--have nonetheless gained significant traction in both film and television production, thanks in part to their affordability and compact nature when compared to traditional movie cameras. The Canon EOS C300 will be available in two versions: the C300 with the company's own EF lens mount as found on EOS-series DSLRs, and the C300 PL with the Arri Positive Lock lens mount that's common in the film industry. A built-in, mechanical neutral density filter provides optional two, four, or six-stop control. Interestingly, the Canon EOS C300 features in-body lens peripheral illumination correction, allowing for vignetting correction during video capture when using Canon EF optics that can provide the necessary data to the camera body.
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Canon's 8.29 megapixel Super 35mm CMOS sensor. Image provided by Canon Inc. |
Sensor size. The EOS C300's 16:9 aspect Super 35mm sensor (red), compared to the active area of a 35mm full-frame (blue), APS-C (purple), and Four Thirds (yellow) sensor when being used for 16:9 capture (ie. not including the sensor area whose data is being discarded).
At the core of the EOS C300 is the pairing of a new 3,840 x 2,160 pixel (8.3 megapixel) Super 35mm CMOS image sensor, and a DIGIC DV III imaging processor. The image sensor has 6.4 micron square pixels, and is designed to offer low noise / high ISO characteristics, along with wide dynamic range. ISO sensitivity ranges from 320 to 20,000 equivalents. Data is clocked off the sensor at 120 frames per second, reducing rolling shutter, more commonly known as jello effect. Although Bayer-filtered, the sensor has sufficient resolution to provide a full 1,920 x 1,080 pixel image for both red and blue channels, and a 1,920 x 2,160 pixel image in the green channel.
The Canon EOS C300 includes dual CompactFlash slots for storage, allowing immediate backup of captured video on the secondary card, as well as relay-recording and in-camera copying. Video is stored at a resolution of either 1,920 x 1,080 or 1,280 x 720 pixels using constant bitrate 50Mbps 4:2:2 MPEG-4 compression in a Material eXchange Format (.MXF) container, what Canon refers to as 'XF codec', just as used in its professional camcorders, and the Canon EOS C300 also offers 35Mbps variable bitrate at these resolutions. In addition, a 25Mbps constant bitrate mode allows capture at 1,440 x 1,080 pixel resolution. The C300 complies with Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) HD standards. Available frame rates include 23.98p, 24.00p (50Mbps only), 25p, 29.97p, 50, and 59.94 (these last two being interlaced at all except 1,280 x 720 resolution). There are also both time-lapse and frame capture modes, making the C300 suitable for stop-motion animation. As well as video, the C300 can capture stills at 1,920 x 1,080 pixel resolution.
As a product aimed at professional use, there's no priority-mode or automatic exposure on offer, and nor is there any form of autofocus. Instead, the C300 offers only fully manual exposure and focus control. The EOS C300 includes no less than 26 different Custom Picture settings, such as gamma, knee, color matrix, sharpness, and noise reduction (off plus twelve-step control), and includes a setting that matches the look of images captured with a Canon EOS DSLR. Other features to aid the videographer include a tally light that's visible from beside or behind the camera, making it clear when recording is live, as well as a Waveform Monitor function to show overall scene brightness, and an RGB Parade Display that provides the same information in separate red, green and blue channels, plus a Spot Display for viewing luminance distribution in a specific, chosen area of the scene. There's also a real-time Vectorscope display that offers hue and saturation info, plus a magnified focus assist function and two focus peaking modes: Edge Monitor Focus Assist (a waveform representing overall degree of focus) and a red waveform representing focus in three specific areas of the image. In addition, a Pre Rec function can prepend video clips with three seconds of video from before the record button was pressed, ensuring that you don't miss the start of the action.
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The Canon EOS C300 comes bundled with a removable control unit that includes a four-inch LCD panel. Image provided by Canon Inc. |
An included control unit provides two XLR audio inputs with +48V phantom power, and the camera body itself has a built-in 3.5mm microphone jack. Audio capture with the EOS C300 is uncompressed 16-bit PCM at 48KHz, with automatic or manual gain control regardless of input (-infinity to +18dB). There's also a 3.5mm headphone jack with 16 volume settings, for audio monitoring. Other connectivity includes a 2.5mm remote jack, Type-A HDMI video output, DC input, plus BNC sync out, timecode, genlock and HD/SDI.
With the optional WFT-E6A Wireless File Transmitter, the EOS C300 can be controlled remotely using common web browsers on computers, tablets and smartphones from a distance of up to 150 feet, over an 802.11b/g/n wireless network. This includes not only settings changes such as adjustments to focus, white balance and gain: the EOS C300 even lets you start or stop recording remotely, view a live view stream, add metadata input marks or GPS information, or adjust EF lens aperture.
Fully sealed. In this diagram, the red areas indicate locations of gaskets, o-rings and other seals.
The Canon EOS C300 camera body is fully sealed against dust and splashes, with gaskets around all access covers, o-rings on dials, and sealed rubber tops for buttons. Cooling is provided for with a sealed, central heat-dissipating duct, a graphite sheet to conduct heat away from the sensor towards a heat sink, and a silent cooling fan that draws air in through three ventilation holes (one on the left, and two on the right), and out an exhaust vent on the camera's top.
The EOS C300 has a modular design, with removable grip, screen and handle, and the detachable grip rotates 360 degrees in 15-degree increments, while keeping the start/stop, iris control and multicontroller buttons at your fingertips. Body-only dimensions are 5.24" x 6.73" x 7.05", and weight is just over three pounds. The body itself includes a 0.55-inch, 16:9 aspect color electronic viewfinder with 1,555,000 dot resolution (approx. 518,000 pixels), 100% coverage, and +2.0 to -5.5 EV diopter correction, which can be adjusted upwards or downwards by some 60 degrees. The previously mentioned control unit also includes a four-inch, 16:9 aspect color LCD monitor with a slightly lower resolution of 1,230,000 dots (410,000 pixels), which swivels 135-degrees on either side of the centered position, and tilts 270 degrees. The control unit can be mounted on either the camera body, or on the handle unit.
Alongside the EOS C300 body, Canon further announced five new lenses--three primes, and two zooms--as well as recapping its recently-established Canon Hollywood Professional Technology and Support Center in Los Angeles, intended to cater for the company's film and television production clients. The zoom lenses are to be available in both PL-mount and EF-mount variants, and include the CN-E14.5–60mm T2.6 L S/SP, and the CN-E30–300mm T2.95–3.7 L S/SP, each featuring fluorite, aspherical lens elements meriting Canon's 'L' designation. The primes will ship only in EF-mount variants, and again all carry the L badge: the CN-E24mm T1.5 L F, CN-E50mm T1.3 L F, and CN-E85mm T1.3 L F. These lenses will also work with Canon's EOS DSLRs, not just with the new Cinema EOS C300. Canon's new Cinema lenses all bear a red ring above the lens mount at their base, clearly differentiating them from existing EF-mount glass. The new Cinema lenses, are designed to yield sufficient resolution for 4K video. More info on these can be found in their press release.
Canon has also revealed that it is developed a 35mm full-frame DSLR model capable of 4K video. That announcement is covered in a separate article.
Pricing for the Canon Cinema EOS C300 body is set at around US$20,000, with availability from late January 2012 for the EF-mount version, and the 14.5-60mm lens should ship in both EF- and PL-mount form at the same time. The EOS C300 body in PL-mount trim and the 30-300mm lens in both mounts will follow from late March 2012. The 24mm and 50mm primes will be next to ship in late July 2012, with the 85mm prime rounding out the group in late August 2012. Canon has not yet announced pricing for the new lenses.
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Canon Cinema EOS C300 / C300 PL
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 EF-mount version |
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 PL-mount version |
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IMAGING SENSOR
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Effective Pixels:
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3840 x 2160 pixels; Approx. 8.29 megapixels
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Total Pixels:
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4206 x 2340 pixels; Approx. 9.84 megapixels
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Sensor Type:
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CMOS (single-panel), equivalent to Super 35mm
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Sensor Size:
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24.6 x 13.8 mm effective screen size (6.4 x 6.4 μm pixel pitch)
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Scanning System:
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Progressive
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Number of Sensors:
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1
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Filter:
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RGB Primary Color Filter (Bayer Array)
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Imaging Processor:
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DIGIC DV III
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LENS SYSTEM
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Interchangeable Lens System:
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Choice of PL or EF mount camera bodies for compatibility with a wide variety of lens systems.
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ND Filter:
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Mechanical ND filter system with option of clear, 2 stops, 4 stops, and 6 stops
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Iris Ring:
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Iris Dial located on camera body for use with EOS EF Lenses with electronic Iris control
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Peripheral Illumination Correction:
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Available on EOS C300 (EF Mount only)
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EXPOSURE AND METERING
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Exposure Modes:
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Manual
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Manual Gain:
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Normal Setting -6dB to 30dB
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ISO:
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320 to 20000
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Shutter Modes:
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OFF; Speed; Angle; Slow Shutter; Clear Scan
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Shutter Speed Range:
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59.94i/59.94p: 1/60 to 1/2000 in 1/4 or 1/3 stops; SLS: 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30; CS: 59.94 Hz – 250.70 Hz
29.97p: 1/30 to 1/2000 in 1/4 or 1/3 stops; SLS: 1/4, 1/8, 1/15; CS: 29.97 Hz –250.70 Hz 23.98p/24p: 1/24 to 1/2000 in 1/4or 1/3 stops; SLS: 1/3, 1/6, 1/12; CS: 23.97Hz – 250.70 Hz 50i/50p: 1/50 to 1/2000 in 1/4 or 1/3 stops; SLS: 1/3, 1/6, 1/12 1/25; CS:50.00 Hz – 250.70 Hz 25p: 1/25 to 1/2000 in 1/4 or 1/3 stops; SLS: 1/3, 1/6, 1/12; CS: 25.00 Hz –250.70 Hz |
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Shutter Angle Settings:
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59.94i/59.94p: 360, 240, 216, 180, 120, 90, 60, 45, 30, 22.5, 15, 11.25
29.97p: 360, 240, 216, 180, 120, 108, 90, 60, 45, 30, 22.5, 15, 11.25 23.98p/24p: 360, 345.6, 288, 240, 180, 172.8, 144, 120, 90, 86.4, 72, 60, 45, 30, 22.5, 15, 11.25 50i/50p: 360, 300, 240, 180, 150, 120, 90, 60, 45, 30, 22.50, 15, 11.25 25p: 360, 300, 240, 180, 150, 120, 90, 75, 60, 45, 30, 22.50, 15, 11.25 |
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FOCUS
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Focus System:
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Manual
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Autofocus System:
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Not Available
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RECORDING/CODEC
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Signal System:
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NTSC and PAL
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Compression:
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8 Bit MPEG-2 Long GOP
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Color Space:
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4:2:2 at 50Mbps recording
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Maximum Bit Rate:
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50Mbps (CBR)
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Canon Log Gamma:
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Available
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Recording Options:
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Mode / Resolution / Frame Rate
50Mbps (CBR) 4:2:2 422P@HL 1920 x 1080 59.94i/29.97p/23.98p 50i/25p True 24 (24.00) 1280 x 720 59.94p/29.97p/23.98p 50p/25p True 24 (24.00) 35Mbps (VBR) 4:2:0 MP@HL 1920 x 1080 59.94i/29.97p/23.98p 50i/25p 1280 x 720 59.94p/29.97p/23.98p 50p/25p) 25Mbps (CBR) 4:2:0 MP@H14 1440 x 1080 59.94i/29.97p/23.98p 50i/25p |
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Recording Time:
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Card / Capacity / Bit Rate
CF Card 50 Mbps 35 Mbps 25 Mbps 2 GB 5 Minutes 5 Minutes 10 Minutes 4 GB 10 Minutes 10 Minutes 20 Minutes 8 GB 20 Minutes 25 Minutes 40 Minutes 16 GB 40 Minutes 55 Minutes 80 Minutes 32 GB 80 Minutes 110 Minutes 155 Minutes 64 GB 160 Minutes 225 Minutes 310 Minutes |
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Recording Media:
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CF Card (Type 1 Only); 2 Slots (Movie Files); UDMA supported
SD Card (Still Images, Custom Picture Data*, Clip Metadata, and menu settings); SD/SDHC/SDXC Supported; MMC Cards are not supported * Custom Picture Data and settings is not compatible with data from others Canon models |
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File Format:
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MXF (OP-1a)
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Maximum Clip Number:
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999 (per media)
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AUDIO
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Recording Format:
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Linear PCM; 2-Channel; 16-Bit; 48 kHz
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Built-in Microphone:
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None
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External Audio Inputs:
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2 – XLR inputs (Auto and Manual level settings)
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Recording Channel Selection:
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Two Channel Recording
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XLR Mic Trimming:
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Available; -12dB, -6 dB, 0dB or +12dB
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Recording Level Adjustment Range:
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- Infinity to +18dB
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Phantom Power:
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Available; +48V
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Headphone Adjustment:
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16 Settings; Volume is muted at lowest setting
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1KHz Tone:
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Available; -12, -18, or -20dB
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FEATURES AND PERFORMANCE
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Playback:
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Index Displays: Index Display, Normal, "OK Mark" Index, "Check Mark" Index, "Shot Mark" Index, Expand Index, Photo Index
Clip Playback: Forward Search (x5, x15, x60), Reverse Search (x5, x15, x60), Forward frame Advance, Reverse Frame Advance, Record Review, Clip Jump (Forward and Backward), Skip Playback Playback Functions: Inter-media Copy (Single Clip, All Clips, Last Clip); Clip Delete (Single Clip, All Clips, Last Clip) Still Image Playback: index, single playback, erasure, protect |
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Slow and Fast Motion Recording:
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50 Mbps - 1920 x 1080 (Playback Rate: 29.97p/23.98p/24.00p)
Record Rate: 1-30 (Playback Rate: 50i/25p) Record Rate: 1-25 50 Mbps - 1280 x 720 (Playback Rate: 59.94p/29.97p/23.98p/24.00p) Record Rate: 1-60 (Playback Rate:50p/25p) Record Rate: 1-50 35 Mbps - 1920 x 1080 (Playback Rate: 29.97p/23.98p/24.00p) Record Rate: 1-30 (Playback Rate: 50i/25p) Record Rate: 1-25 35 Mbps - 1280 x 720 (Playback Rate: 59.94p/29.97p/23.98p/24.00p) Record Rate: 1-60(Playback Rate:50p/25p) Record Rate: 1-50 25 Mbps - 1440 x 1080 (Playback Rate: 29.97p/23.98p) Record Rate: 1-30 |
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Special Recording Functions:
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Relay Recording*; Double-Slot Recording**; Copying between Media |
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Photo Recording:
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Available; Images captured to SD Card (1920 x 1080)
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Waveform Monitor:
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Available
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Vectorscope:
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Available
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Exposure / Focus Aids:
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Peaking (2 types), Zebra Pattern*, Magnify, Edge Monitor Focus Assist, Black and White Mode
* Can be output via the SDI or HDMI Jack (HD Only) |
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Interval Record:
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Available; Interval can be set in 25 levels ranging from 1 second to 10 minutes. (1s / 2s / 3s / 4s / 5s / 6s / 7s / 8s / 9s / 10s / 15s / 20s / 30s / 40s / 50s / 1m / 2m / 3m / 4m / 5m / 6m / 7m / 8m / 9m / 10m)
NTSC 59.94i/29.97p/23.98p/24.00p: Selectable between 1, 3, 6, 9 frames NTSC 59.94p: Selectable between 2, 6, 12 frames PAL 50i/25p/50p: Selectable between 2, 6, 12 frames |
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Frame Record:
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NTSC 59.94i/23.98p/24.00p: Selectable between 1, 3, 6, 9 frames
NTSC 59.94p: Selectable between 2, 6, 12 frames PAL 50i/25p/50p: Selectable between 2, 6, 12 frames |
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Pre-Record:
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Yes, 3 seconds cache (Audio and Video)
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Scan Reverse:
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When using a Depth of Field Converter or other lens adapters it flips or reverses the image automatically so it is recorded correctly.
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Time Code:
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Drop Frame*(DF) and Non-Drop Frame (NDF)
*Drop Frame works with NTSC models only and is not available in 24P |
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Time Code Modes:
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Regen, Record Run, Free Run and External Source
Drop Frame and Non Drop Frame available |
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White Balance:
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Available; 2,000K to 15,000K in 100K increments
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White Balance Presets:
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Daylight (5,400K); Tungsten (3,200K); Kelvin White balance shift is available within Presets (-9 to +9)
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Custom Picture Settings:
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23 Custom Picture settings
A total of nine 9 Customized Pictures are available in the camera and up to 20 can be saved to an SD card Custom Pictures CP7, CP8 and CP9 ship with the following preset: C7: Video.C – Intended for recording media for playback on consumer TVs. The setting minimizes noise in the dark areas and improves contrast by tightening up on black. C8: Cine.V – Suited for giving recorded media a film tone. C9: Cine.F – Used for when recorded media will be transferred to film. |
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Custom Functions:
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Available, 9 total functions
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Custom Display:
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Yes; LCD panel and EVF information display can be customized. Total of 27 display options can be turned on and off |
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Assign Buttons:
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15; Can be assigned functions as desired (30 functions Available)
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Color Bars:
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Color bars compliant with SMPTE, EBU, or ARIB standards can be selected.
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Dynamic Range:
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up to 800% with Canon Log Gamma and ISO 850 (+2.5dB) and above
*ISO 850 or above – gain 2.5dB or above |
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EVF
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Type:
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0.52-inch Color (1,555,000 dots)
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Aspect Ratio:
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16:9
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Viewing Angle Adjustment:
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Available; Viewing Angle can be adjusted up and down 60°
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Diopter Adjustment Range:
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+2.0 to -5.5
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Field of View Coverage:
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100%
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EVF Adjustments:
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Brightness, Contrast, Color, and Backlight
(Normal or Bright) |
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DISPLAY
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Type:
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Rotating 4-inch Wide Screen Color LCD Display (1,230,000 dots) on detachable controller
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Aspect Ratio:
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16:9
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Field of View Coverage:
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100%
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Display Adjustments:
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Brightness, Contrast, Color, Sharpness, and Backlight (Normal or Bright)
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INPUT/OUTPUT
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HD/SD SDI:
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Yes (with embedded audio);
HD 4:2:2(YCbCr) 1920 x 1080: 60i/50i, 1280 x 720: 60p/50p; SD 4:2:2 (YCbCr) 640 x 480: 60i/50i BNC Connector, output only NTSC 480i/PAL 576i: Compliant with SMTPE 259M Embedded Audio: Compliant with SMTPE 272M Time Code Standard: (VITC/LTC) SMTPE 12M HD-SDI: (Compliant with SMTPE 292M) 1080i/720p: Compliant with SMTPE 292M Embedded Audio: Compliant with SMTPE 299M Time Code Standard: (VITC/LTC) SMTPE 12M |
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Time code In/Out:
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Yes; BNC Connector (Input and Output)
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Genlock:
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Yes; BNC Connector
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Adjustment range:
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-1023 to +1023
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Synch Out:
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Yes, BNC Connector
HD tri-level signal (HD Sync) HD-Y signals (HD-Y) Black Burst signal Composite |
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HDMI:
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Yes (Type A)
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Audio Input Terminal:
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2 – Balanced 3-pin XLR (Mic Level, Mic Level with phantom power and Line Level)
3.5mm Microphone terminal |
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Headphone Jack:
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Available; 3.5mm stereo mini-jack
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Remote Terminal:
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Available (Fully LANC Compatible)
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POWER
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Power Terminal:
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DC in on camera (no need for "Dummy Battery")
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Battery:
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BP-9 Series
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Compact Power Adapter:
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CA-940
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ACCESSORIES
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Tripod Adapter:
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Canon TA-100
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Tripod Adapter Base:
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Canon TB-1
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Wi-Fi Adapter:
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Canon WFT-E6A
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OTHER
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Dimensions(W x H x D):
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EOS C300 (Body plus Thumb Rest):
Approx. 5.2 x 7.0 x 6.7 in (133 x 179 x 171mm) EOS C300 (Body plus Grip): Approx. 6.9 x 7.0 x 6.7 in. (174 x 179 x 171mm) EOS C300 PL (Body plus Thumb Rest): Approx. 5.2 x 7.0 x 7.0 in. (133 x 179 x 177mm) EOS C300 PL (Body plus Grip): Approx. 6.9 x 7.0 x 7.0 in. (174 x 179 x 177mm) The following is the same for both models: EOS C300 + Monitor Unit: Approx. 7.3 x 9.8 x 7.4 in. (185 x 249 x 187mm) EOS C300 + Handle Unit + Monitor Unit: Approx. 7.3 x 11.2 x 11.9 in. (185 x 284 x 301mm) |
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Main Unit Weight:
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EOS C300 Body: Approx. 3.2 lb. (1430g)
EOS C300 PL Body: Approx. 3.6 lb. (1630g) Grip: Approx. 8.1 oz. (230 g) Handle Unit: Approx. 6.3 oz. (180g) |
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Total Equipped Weight:
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EOS C300: Approx. 5.6 lb. (2520g)*
EOS C300 PL: Approx 6.0 lb. (2720g)* EOS C300: Approx. 6.0 lb. (2700g)** EOS C300 PL: Approx 6.4 lb. (2900g)** * Weights for both models include the grip, monitor unit, BP-955, 2x CF cards. ** Weights for both models include the grip, monitor unit, Handle Unit, BP-955, 2x CF cards. |
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Temperature and Humidity:
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Performance requirements: 0˚C to 40˚C, 85% (relative humidity)
Operating requirements: -5˚C to 45˚C, 60% (relative humidity) |
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Language Support:
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English, Japanese, Chinese, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Polish, Russian
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Time and Date:
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Automatic Calendar range January 1st, 2010 through December 31, 2031 selectable in American, Japanese and European Date formats.
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World Clock:
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World Clock support – UTC time setting: Setting range from +14:00 to -12:00
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Press Release
A Star Is Born: Canon Launches New Digital Cinema Camera For High-Resolution Motion Picture Production
HOLLYWOOD, California, November 3, 2011/TOKYO, November 4, 2011 – Canon Inc. and Canon U.S.A., Inc. today raised the curtain on an all-new interchangeable-lens digital cinema camera that combines exceptional imaging performance with outstanding mobility and expandability to meet the demanding production needs of today's motion picture industry. The camera, which features a newly developed Super 35 mm-equivalent approximately 8.29-megapixel CMOS sensor, will be available in two models: the EOS C300 Digital Cinema Camera*, equipped with an EF lens mount for compatibility with Canon's current diverse lineup of interchangeable EF lenses for EOS single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras and new EF Cinema Lens lineup; and the EOS C300 PL Digital Cinema Camera*, with a PL lens mount for use with industry-standard PL lenses.
The introduction of the EOS C300/C300 PL coincides with the launch of the Cinema EOS System, marking Canon's full-fledged entry into the digital high-resolution production industry. The new professional digital cinematography system spans the lens, digital cinema camera and digital SLR camera product categories.
Star-Studded Supporting Cast
Equipped with an EF lens mount, the EOS C300 is supported by an all-star cast of high-performance EF lenses, not only the wide array of interchangeable EF lenses for EOS SLR cameras that have earned the trust and respect of photographers around the world, but also the EF cinema lenses in the newly announced Cinema EOS System. When outfitted with a Canon EF lens, the C300's peripheral illumination correction automatically corrects for vignetting in accordance with each lens's optical characteristics, and enables iris control from the camera. Canon EF lenses also enable the recording of such metadata as the name of the lens used, aperture setting and shutter speed.i
Show-Stopping High-Resolution Full-HD Performance
The Canon EOS C300/C300 PL's newly developed Super 35 mm-equivalent CMOS sensor incorporates approximately 8.29 million effective pixels and has a pixel size that is larger than that for conventional professional camcorders, enabling greater light-gathering capabilities for enhanced sensitivity and reduced noise. The sensor reads Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) video signals for each of the three RGB primary colors, decreasing the incidence of moiré while realizing high resolution with 1,000 horizontal TV lines.
Supported by a heightened signal read-out speed, the CMOS sensor reduces rolling shutter skews, a phenomenon prevalent with CMOS sensors in which fast-moving subjects may appear diagonally distorted. Additionally, the powerful combination of the sensor with Canon's high-performance DIGIC DV III image processor facilitates high-precision gamma processing and smooth gradation expression.
In addition to MPEG-2 Full HD (MPEG2 422@HL compliant) compression, the EOS C300/C300 PL employs 4:2:2 color sampling for high-resolution performance that minimizes the appearance of "jaggies" at chroma edges. Additionally, with a maximum recording rate of 50 Mbps, the camera supports the recording of high-quality video.
The camera's video and audio recording file format adopts the industry-standard MXF (Material eXchange Format), an open source file format ideally suited for non-linear editing systems. Recording to versatile, readily available CF cards, the EOS C300/C300 PL realizes high cost-performance and, equipped with two CF card slots, makes possible the simultaneous recording of video data to two CF cards.
Ready for Action
With a compact body design measuring 5.2 (w) x 7.0 (h) x 6.7 (d) inches, the Canon EOS C300/C300 PL delivers exceptional maneuverability, enabling shooting from vantage points all but inaccessible to large cinema cameras, such as close to the ground for high-impact low-angle shots, and alongside walls. In accordance with on-location shooting needs, the camera can be outfitted with a handle, grip, thumb rest and monitor unit, and offers an array of industry-standard terminals, including HD/SD-SDI video output for the external recording of high-quality video content. When using a WFT-E6B wireless file transmitter for EOS digital SLR cameras (sold separately), the EOS C300/C300 PL can be controlled remotely by means of such common devices as smartphones or tablet PCs.
The camera is equipped with four start/stop buttons positioned at various locations to satisfy any preferred camera-holding style, and can be outfitted with a variety of third-party accessories, including matte boxes, follow focuses and external video and audio recorders. The unit also achieves seamless integration with third-party editing systems and provides added peace of mind through its dust-proof, drip-proof construction and built-in cooling system.
The new camera allows users to adjust image quality to match that of professional camcorders and EOS-series digital SLR cameras, and offers Canon Log Gamma, enabling flat image quality with subdued contrast and sharpness for maximum freedom in post-production editing and processing. In addition to frame rates of 59.41i, 50.00i, 29.97P, 25.00P and 23.98P, the EOS C300/C300 PL features a 24.00p mode, matching the 24 frame-per-second frame rate of film cameras for high compatibility with common film-production workflows.
Other features include fast-motion shooting, achieved by capturing fewer frames per second to create action up to 60x normal speed, and slow-motion down to 1/2.5xii made possible by capturing more frames per second. Frame rates between 1 and 60 frames per second (fps)iii can be adjusted in increments of 1 fps. Additionally, a selection of Custom Pictures lets users freely adjust image quality for greater control over how content looks.
Pricing and availability
The Canon EOS C300 (EF mount) digital cinema camera is scheduled to be available in late January 2012 for an estimated list price of $20,000. The Canon EOS C300 PL (PL mount) digital cinema camera is scheduled to be available in late March 2012 for an estimated list price of $20,000.
For more information and to view online demonstration footage of the new products please visit: www.canoncinemaeos.com
About Canon Inc.
Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leader in the fields of professional and consumer imaging equipment and information systems. Canon's extensive range of products includes copying machines, inkjet and laser printers, cameras, video equipment, medical equipment and semiconductor-manufacturing equipment. Originally established in 1937 as Precision Optical Industry, Co., Ltd., a camera manufacturer, Canon has successfully diversified and globalized to become a worldwide industry leader in professional and consumer imaging systems and solutions. With over 195,000 employees worldwide, Canon has manufacturing and marketing subsidiaries in Japan, the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania; and a global R&D network with companies based in the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia. Canon's consolidated net sales for fiscal 2010 (ended December 31, 2010) totalled $45.8 billion (at an exchange rate of ¥81 = US$1). Visit the Canon Inc. website at: www.canon.com
About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. With more than $45 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), ranks fourth overall in patent holdings in the U.S. in 2010†, and is one of Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies in 2011. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss.
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* This device has not been authorized as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission. This device is not, and may not be offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased, until authorization is obtained.
† Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Specifications, price and availability are subject to change without notice. Actual prices are set by authorized dealers and may vary.
All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.
i Compatible features differ depending on the EF Cinema Lens used.
ii 1/2.5x possible only when recording in 720p mode.
iii When 59.41i frame rate is selected.