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Canon Cinema EOS C500 camera hands-on (video)
The familiar EOS-1D C isn't the only Canon camera to make its public debut ahead of NAB. The Cinema EOS series welcomes a third model to the collection this week, with looks that nearly match last year's C300. Unlike that model, which you can already pick up through e-tailers and at specialty shops, the C500 has a long way to go before it gets a shipping nod -- it may not even make it to market in 2012. The $30,000 price tag may pose an even greater barrier to entry than its to-be-announced availability date, however, and may in need of some tweaking before it's ready to compete with already established models, like the much less expensive RED Scarlet. Like the 1D C, the C500 can shoot 4K video -- the most apparent upgrade from the $16,000 C300. To that end, boosting its price tag may be the only way for Canon to avoid cannibalizing that less-abled flavor, since many cinematographers would otherwise pay little attention to the C300, due in part to its 1080p-limited shooting capabilities.It's been a few months since we've last seen Canon's first Cinema EOS model, but the C500 has a look and feel that seems to be only subtly different from the C300. It is noticeably heavier, likely due to the additional cooling gear on board to accommodate 4K shooting. Both flavors include dual CF card slots, which you'll only be able to use for snapping 1080p video -- 4K is fed to an external recorder through the dual 3G-SDI ports, which for obvious reasons you won't find on the C300. There's also a larger grip on board, now a permanent fixture on the C500, which should aid with bare-bones handheld shoots -- but if you're dropping 30 grand on a digital body, some sticks and a dolly shouldn't be far behind. Like its sibling, this year's model ships with either a Canon EOS or industry standard PL mount, so if you have a need for both, you'll need two cameras. Overall, you're looking at the same sleek, albeit slightly unconventional body design, with a price tag that's likely to make amateurs weep and pros run for the rental house. As always, there's a hands-on video waiting just past the break.
Canon Cinema EOS-1D C 4K camera hands-on (video)
It's been but half a year since Canon first entered the motion picture market, and the company is already back with its second and third professional video rigs. The Cinema EOS-1D C marks the most drastic departure from the C300, which launched last November at an elaborate Hollywood event at Paramount Studios. It was at this spectacle that we were first introduced to the 1D C, which was then but a glass-protected prototype. Now, far sooner than expected, the (relatively) compact camera is making its return to the spotlight, in more polished form. Like the 1D series bodies that bear similar monikers and appearances, including the yet-to-ship EOS- 1D X, the C model is a very capable still shooter, offering the same core functionality of the $6,800 X. It also brings 4K capture to the table, however, prompting Canon to price the camera far above its less-abled counterpart. At $15,000, we don't expect to see red C logos popping up in many a photojournalist's gear bag, but for deep-pocketed professionals with a need to capture 4K clips, this may be a worthwhile acquisition.We took a closer look at the 1D C at Canon's pre-NAB event in Las Vegas. As the pictures and spec sheet imply, it's the 1D X's clone in nearly every way. In fact, beyond the headphone jack and C logo, there's not much distinguishing the pair externally. You'll need to hop into the menu before you'll really notice a difference, in the form of several unique 4K shooting modes, including 8-bit 4:2:2 24fps captures to a CF card or 8-bit 4:2:2 clips in an uncompressed format over HDMI. Otherwise, the C looks and feels just like the X -- a model pro snapper that we've already managed to fondle on three continents under Canon's watchful eye, but still has yet to ship. Both cameras are gorgeous externally, with slight design tweaks yet no drastic overhaul, dating back to the very first EOS-1D. If you haven't had a chance to gawk at either model, you'll at very least be able to check out the 1D C at Canon's booth this week at NAB . We're hoping to see both cameras hit the market sometime in 2012, and who knows -- this Cinema EOS could even be the first next-gen 1D to ship. Take a closer look in the gallery below, and in our hands-on video after the break.
Sony to launch NEX-FS700E 4K cinema camera for $9,000 at NAB?
What would you pay for the ability to capture cinema quality 4K video? $36,000? $18,000? Try $9,000. That's the expected price of Sony's rumored NEX-FS700E, which could launch at NAB next month with a June ship date. EOSHD reports that the camera will pipe 4K video to a dedicated external recorder over 3G HD-SDI. It will reportedly use the same NEX E-mount as its predecessor, the FS100, and may include a trio of neutral density filters to increase versatility. We haven't been able to track down an image of the rumored cinema cam (the model in that image above looks identical to the FS100), but we wouldn't be surprised to see another detail or two leak out before the broadcast community's annual Vegas gathering kicks off in a little over two weeks. For its part, Canon is also expected to announce a 4K EOS-format DSLR at NAB, as a less-expensive alternative to the $16,000 C300, while RED's Scarlet already has 4K capabilities, and a $9,000 price tag.[Thanks, Andrew]
Canon teases 'exclusive screening' in Las Vegas, new Cinema EOS products coming at NAB?
With both its 1D and 5D-series models already confirmed for 2012, today's Canon teaser hints at something slightly different -- and, according to our sources, a major announcement. The event is set for April 15th -- during the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) show in Las Vegas -- further confirming that whatever imaging device we'll see will likely be geared towards the motion picture and television communities. So, what could it be? A new Cinema EOS cam with a 1D form-factor? A lower-priced model poised to compete with the RED Scarlet? We have but a month to wait for confirmation, so if you haven't already placed your C300 order, it might not be a bad idea to hang tight until after Canon's Tax Day reveal.
Canon EOS C300 to hit Japanese stores on the 31st, PL version coming in March
Do you have deep pockets? And do those pockets happen to be located in Japan? Well if you're also in the market for Canon's EOS C300 cinema camera, you might be in luck. The company has confirmed that its motion-picture-shooting flagship will be available in Japanese retail stores by January 31st -- exactly one week from today. As the story goes with expensive electronics in Japan, pricing is "open" at this point, meaning you might have to hit up a retailer for an amount before making two dozen trips to the ATM. But if money's no object (just that pesky release date), you should be on your way to making Cinema EOS magic before the month is out. And if your kit is best suited for the PL-mount version, expect that to ship in late March, "open" pricing in tow.
Canon EOS C300 cinema cam gets pre-order status, ships at month's end for $16,000
Back in November we joined Martin Scorsese and other Hollywood luminaries at Paramount Studios for the unveiling of Canon's latest cinema video camera, which is now available for pre-order. The EOS C300, that aims to compete directly against the Reds of the world, carries a Super 35mm CMOS sensor capable of up to 4K resolution 1080p capture, and should be helped in large part by the company's top-shelf lenses; like the 14.5 - 60mm and 30 - 300mm. When we first met the C300 we told you it'd be priced at a hefty $20,000, but that's no longer the case, instead it'll cost a less painful $16,000 for the body only. The camera will begin shipping "after January 30th," and if it seems like a little too much for you, at least you can still watch our precious hands-on time with it. Update: We've updated to clarify that while the sensor is 4K the camera only captures in 1080p.
Red Epic-X gets disassembled, photographed by FCC
What do you find when you tear open (read: carefully disassemble) a Red Epic-X? Well, a whole lot of red, as it seems. Wireless Goodness has posted a hearty collection of teardown shots that it acquired from the FCC, revealing the camera's Mysterium-X sensor and Red 1242 processor. Sure, the Epic-X has been on the market for quite a few months now, but as you might imagine, those lucky enough to actually get their hands on the somewhat-elusive $34,500 rig probably don't list a warranty-crushing teardown at the top of their to-do lists. Ready to take a peek inside? Hit up the source link for 57 gloriously detailed shots from the other side.
Canon C300 cinema camera hands-on (video)
Man, is this thing ugly. But when it comes to cinema cameras, looks are the last thing on a cinematographer's mind -- performance is where it counts, and with the Canon C300, its compact size is an asset as well. We haven't had a chance to shoot with Canon's new flagship cinema cam, but we've heard from plenty of folks who have, including director Vincent Laforet. The C300's incredibly compact size allows cinematographers to work in environments that aren't typically accessible to big rigs -- you can shoot with this camera just as easily as you can with a DSLR, hand-holding it for quick shots, with a waist-mounted Steadicam system for walk-around shoots or even mounting it on a small remote-controlled helicopter, as Laforet did during his three-day Mobius shoot. The C300 will be more familiar to cinematographers -- photojournalists may have access to the cam, thanks to its $20,000 price tag (that's a relative bargain, believe it or not), but you can't pick this up and fire away without taking some time to learn the interface. It has quite the solid feel, as you'd expect from a camera in this price range, though it's not as heavy as it looks -- you won't want to hold it in your hand for a full day of filming, but quick shots probably won't be an issue. The system is modular, so you can add and remove components as you wish -- industry standard connectors let you hook up cinema gear, which is something you could never do with the 5D Mark II. The small form factor and price tag to match should help Canon gain some ground in Hollywood, but we'll wait for a chance to shoot some footage before drawing any firm conclusions. In the meantime, we'll have to take Laforet at his word -- which you'll find just past the break.%Gallery-138415%
Canon C300 makes an appearance in Vincent Laforet's Mobius, find the short and behind the scenes right here (video)
A New York Times photojournalist turned Hollywood director, Vincent Laforet has become synonymous with DSLR video, after his short film Reverie helped catapult Canon's 5D Mark II into the world of digital filmmaking. And after playing such a significant role in launching that camera, we certainly weren't surprised to see Laforet make an appearance at today's Canon Cinema event, with his short film Mobius getting some time on the big screen. The film follows a photojournalist who stumbles upon a Cartel execution, but it also tells the story of Canon's tightly-veiled C300 cinema camera, which the company launched just moments ago. Laforet used a pre-production C300 (note the green tape button labels) to shoot Mobius in the Mojave Desert under a variety of harsh conditions, including powerful sunlight and near-darkness, in both extremely hot and chilly temperatures -- the camera appears to have performed extremely well, given both the remote shooting environment and tight production schedule. Canon has yet to reveal the C300's price tag, which we expect to far undercut the $120,000 Arri Alexa kit, but its sheer portability makes it a more appealing option for filmmakers -- especially those with limited time and other resources. Laforet was able to shoot his film with a very small crew, since the C300 can be operated by just one photographer. The director used the camera mounted on a tripod, tethered to a variety of helicopters, sitting on the road and even hand-held, like a camcorder or DSLR. Laforet shot with Canon's new FK30-300 telephoto cine zoom PL-mount lens, along with a variety of EOS mount lenses, and notes that the camera's form factor makes it even easier to shoot with than a DSLR like the 5D Mark II. Its cost -- somewhere in the range of $20,000 -- should also put it within reach of not only Hollywood cinematographers, but also television directors and even documentary filmmakers and news photojournalists. We won't see the C300 hit the market until late January 2012, so jump past the break for a sneak peak at Mobius to see Canon's new cinema flagship, along with a rather comprehensive behind-the-scenes video.%Gallery-138348%
Canon launches C300 cinema camera, prepares to take on Red Scarlet and Arri Alexa
Well, we have to hand it to Canon -- this was one tight-lipped product launch. The imaging company just unveiled its C300 cinema camera at Hollywood's Paramount Studios, in front of a crowd of hundreds of journalists and film industry elite, including Martin Scorsese. Canon is no stranger to the professional photography community, but it has yet to make a name for itself in Hollywood, where cameras such as the Arri Alexa and RED EPIC dominate the digital filmmaking world. The C300 may not appear to be overwhelmingly powerful on paper -- stock features include an EF or PL mount (not both), 1080p capture, a pair of CF card slots, timecode and HD-SDI output -- but judging by the sample films we saw today, its incredibly powerful sensor and versatile form factor are likely to play a more significant role in making this camera a success. Canon has a new 'EOS Movies' DSLR on the way too: 4K video, 35mm full frame sensor Canon C300 makes an appearance in Vincent Laforet's Mobius, find the short and behind the scenes right here (video) Canon C300 cinema camera hands-on (video)Fujio Mitarai is saying that the camera is especially well-suited to accurate color reproduction, particularly skin tones. We're also receiving word that the C300 will cost somewhere in the range of $20,000 -- how's that for affordable? It contains a Super 35mm CMOS sensor and delivers up to 4K resolution with the outfit's new "top-end" EF zoom lenses, which come in four flavors: two 14.5-60mm lenses and two 30-300mm. And the lenses keep on coming, with three EF prime lenses in 24mm, 50mm, and 85mm variations. That CMOS sensor offers 1920 x 1080 pixels for the reds and blues and 1920 x 2160 for greens. Like we said before, list price for the C300 will be $20,000 when it hits stores in late January 2012. And that appears to be it for this very long announcement, but we'll have our first impressions soon. Full PR awaits you after the break.%Gallery-138391%%Gallery-138405%Christopher Trout contributed to this post
The Canon Hollywood event liveblog!
Lights, check! Camera? Well, it soon might be a Canon. We're live from the red carpet at Canon's Hollywood launch event, where we're expecting the company to reveal its first cinema camera. We'll be watching the action live as it hits the silver screen in SoCal, but you can catch it all from home right here! Things get started at 3PM local time, translated into times for your locales below. Psst... and toss your own time zone / day in comments below! 12:00PM - Hawaii (November 3rd) 03:00PM - Pacific (November 3rd) 04:00PM - Mountain (November 3rd) 05:00PM - Central (November 3rd) 06:00PM - Eastern (November 3rd) 10:00PM - London (November 3rd) 11:00PM - Paris (November 3rd) 02:00AM - Moscow (November 4th) 07:00AM - Tokyo (November 4th) Photos by Zach Honig.
The Canon Hollywood event is tomorrow -- get your liveblog here at 6PM ET!
Canon has been incredibly tight-lipped about its upcoming announcement, with only a few vague details leaking out since the event was announced in September. What we do know is that the imaging company plans to unveil a product that represents a "commitment to play a larger role in the film and television community," and that Martin Scorsese will be on hand -- and we assume he's not there to announce that Sinatra will be shot exclusively with the 5D Mark II. Curiously, Red has scheduled an event for tomorrow evening as well, just a few blocks away from the Canon venue. We'll be coming to you live from Hollywood tomorrow evening, and if the hype is any indication, legacy cinema camera manufacturers have but a few hours left of industry domination. The curtain comes up at 3PM local time, and we've included a handy list of round-the-world start times below. Bookmark this page right here and find out as it happens. Psst... and toss your own time zone / day in comments below! 12:00PM - Hawaii (November 3rd) 03:00PM - Pacific (November 3rd) 04:00PM - Mountain (November 3rd) 05:00PM - Central (November 3rd) 06:00PM - Eastern (November 3rd) 10:00PM - London (November 3rd) 11:00PM - Paris (November 3rd) 02:00AM - Moscow (November 4th) 07:00AM - Tokyo (November 4th)
