Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount)
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- B&H # CAC300EF
- Mfr# 5779B002
Product Highlights
- Super 35mm-Size CMOS Sensor
- EF Lens Mount for Broad Compatibility
- Canon XF Codec - 4:2:2 50 Mb/s MPEG-2
- 1920 x 1080i60 & True 24p Recording
- Rotating 4", 1.23 Mp LCD Monitor
- HD-SDI Output, XLR Inputs
- Dual CF Card Slots
- Timecode I/O, Genlock In & Sync Out
- Canon Log Gamma
- Modular Design: Removable Grip & Monitor
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The Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount) takes what professionals love about DSLR filmmaking – access to a vast selection of widely available lenses, a large sensor that facilitates a shallow depth of field, and portable operation with a modular, compact camera – and addresses its shortcomings. That means that unlike DSLR cameras, this Cinema EOS camcorder is designed inside and out for professional cinematographers capturing motion pictures that will stand up to rigorous post-production processes.
The EOS C300 features an EF mount for compatibility not only with Canon's existing broad range of DSLR lenses, but also with the burgeoning line of EF Cinema Zoom and Prime lenses. These lenses are designed to match up perfectly with the 3-perf Super 35mm-size CMOS sensor that Canon developed for this camera. Like the camcorder, these lenses (sold separately) were developed specifically for digital cinema, with engraved markings on angled surfaces in meters and feet and uniform front diameters for easy lens switching without having to reconfigure a matte box or follow focus gearing.
The Canon Super 35mm sensor is paired with the Canon DIGIC III image processor, which uses an innovative method of breaking out red, green, and blue data to enable color performance on a level that would otherwise require three separate chips. Recording HD formats to CompactFlash cards as the XF codec – at the highest level a 50 Mb/s, 4:2:2 MPEG-2 format – the C300 records motion video that reduces the jagged edges and Moiré patterns that can plague video with 4:2:0 chroma subsampling and lead to post-production challenges.
Moreover, the files' MXF wrapper brings together video, audio, metadata, and timecode in a package that enjoys robust support from all professional NLE programs. The EOS C300 is designed to capture footage that thrives in the post-production suite. To that same end, the camera also offers Canon's Log gamma mode, which results in excellent tonal reproduction in the highlight and lowlight regions of an image, and a greatly expanded dynamic range.
The exterior of the camera is as unique as its innards. Featuring the expected HD-SDI output, timecode I/O, and genlock input BNCs, the body is a modular creature that can either be stripped down completely, or be built up to host the included handle, 4" rotating LCD unit with full controls, grip, and thumb rest. With accessible buttons and ridges dividing them, the C300 is physically designed not for still photography but for the craft of digital cinema.
- Canon Super 35mm CMOS Sensor
- Modeled on the Super 35mm 3-perf motion picture film standard, the Canon CMOS sensor has an active image size of 24.4 x 13.5mm. It uses 3840 x 2160 photosites to perform the crucial optoelectronic transformation of digital imaging. Each photosite is a generous 6.4 x 6.4 micrometers in area, and each has a microlens that ensures the highest efficiency in light transfer to the individual photodiode. Proprietary technologies within the photosite simultaneously lower the image sensor noise floor while enhancing the photon capacity of the photodiode – a combination that assures superb dynamic range. The image sensor employs an innovative readout technique that delivers full-bandwidth individual RGB video components without the need for any de-Bayering algorithms. Each of these components has a 1920 x 1080 sampling structure at up to 60 frames. From these original video components, a 1080-line 60i format or a 1280 x 720 at 60p HD format are selectively derived
- Wide Dynamic Range
- The EOS C300 incorporates the first Canon CMOS sensor designed specifically for high-frame-rate motion pictures, offering not only high resolution and shallow depth of field but also high sensitivity with low noise. Working together, Canon's Super 35mm sensor and DIGIC DV III Image Processor achieve a remarkably high signal-to-noise ratio that enables recordings with great detail and dynamic range even in minimal light
- Canon Log Gamma
- Shooting in Canon Log mode, cinematographers can set the camera exposure value using their customary light meter practices. Canon Log is a special nonlinear transfer function embodied within the DIGIC DV III RGB video processing system. This transfer function is specifically designed to facilitate the post-production of digital images originating in Cinema EOS in a manner similar to the post-production of images digitally transferred from motion picture film (the contemporary DI process). By managing the disposition of quantization bits, Canon Log ensures excellent tonal reproduction within both highlight and low-light regions of a given digital image, maintaining a total dynamic range of 800%. These sophisticated video grading processes restructure a new digital representation achieving a sought-after creative look on a quality reference display
- Lens Peripheral Illumination Correction
- When shooting with Canon EF optics that support Peripheral Illumination Correction, the EOS C300 can automatically compensate for the light fall-off or vignetting characteristics of each particular lens. Correction data specific to each lens model is loaded onto the camera's firmware, with future lens data added through firmware updates
- Low Light/High ISO Ability
- A dark and stormy night? With the EOS C300, it's no problem. The combination of sensor and image processor render an extraordinary signal-to-noise ratio and as such make shooting at high ISO (up to ISO 16000) a breeze
- Reduced Rolling Shutter & Moiré Artifacting
- The EOS C300 uses enhanced signal processing to minimize rolling shutter skews and to reduce moiré artifacts. A high-speed readout significantly reduces the subjective visibility of the vertical skewing on fast-moving horizontal subjects, a typical pitfall of the CMOS image sensor that's neutralized by Canon technology
- Canon DIGIC DV III Image Processor
- Designed and built by Canon for the highest HD RGB processing, the DIGIC DV III Image Processor uses proprietary circuits and architecture to deliver the highest image quality at the highest speeds, with low power consumption and minimal heat output. It processes the RGB representations that originate in the single CMOS sensor of the camera into three channels (Red, Blue and Green) to maintain the rich resolution and clean color fidelity formerly possible only in three-chip sensor designs
- XF Codec Image Quality
- To create digital files robust enough for major post-production, the EOS C300 delivers the highest image quality with its XF Codec - the same codec used by other Canon XF professional camcorders. With 4:2:2 color sampling, image files have double the vertical resolution of color components created with 4:2:0 color sampling, minimizing jagged edges between red and blue and ensuring ample quality for chroma key compositing with green screens. Thanks to the Canon XF Codec and the EOS C300's superior resolution, original color quality and cinematic look will hold up through post-production – with results that meet or exceed the filmmaker's expectations
- Canon EOS C300 with EF-Lens Mount
- To integrate easily into the working style and equipment array of film crews and production houses, the EOS C300 with a Canon EF-lens mount is completely compatible with all of Canon's EF lenses, including compact primes, super telephotos, specialty Tilt-Shift, Macro, and Fisheye lenses – over 60 in all
- EF and L-Series Lenses
- A unique combination of the world's most advanced optical, microelectronic, and precision manufacturing technologies, Canon's EF lenses, compatible with the EOS C300, are perfected in Canon's laboratories and proven in the field. Whatever the application, whatever the budget, there are Canon EF lenses perfect for nearly every scenario. Their compatibility not only affords the Cinema EOS access to some of the finest optics on the market, it opens up myriad possibilities with Canon's superlative specialty lenses, including a range of Tilt-Shift lenses, Close-up lenses and even Canon's amazing EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye Zoom (all lenses sold separately)
- Canon EF Cinema Lenses
- Canon EF Cinema lenses (sold separately) are designed and engineered to meet or exceed the exacting standards of working professionals. Every Canon EF Cinema lens is designed to fulfill contemporary 4K production standards, surpassing the performance requirements of any HD imaging system. Zoom lenses feature large aspherical lens elements to achieve sharp, consistent images in every shooting situation. Geared inner focusing minimizes focus-induced changes in the angle of view, rendering focus breathing virtually zero. The 11-blade aperture diaphragms ensure smooth out-of-focus areas and beautiful bokeh – and innovative glass construction counteracts barrel expansion and contraction to avoid temperature-induced marking discrepancies. EF Cinema lenses provide markings on angled surfaces on both sides of the barrel, making it easy to read focus and aperture settings from behind or either side of the camera. Focus markings can be switched from standard labeling to metric. Control rings are designed to maintain the proper amount of resistance with consistent operating torque. EF Cinema lenses share uniform gear position, diameter and rotation angle as well as front lens diameters, enabling the film crew to quickly change to another Canon zoom or prime lens or compatible third-party accessories like matte boxes and rods without adjustments
- Broad Compatibility with EOS Cameras
- The versatility of the Canon Cinema EOS approach also makes it compatible with more cinema optics than any other camera system. EF-mount EF Cinema Prime lenses (sold separately) are compatible with Canon EOS DSLRs – including full-frame models like the EOS-1D X and the EOS 5D Mark II as well as cameras like the EOS 7D and EOS 60D and their APS-C-sized sensors
- Canon EF Cinema Zoom Lenses
- Canon's Cinema EF Zoom lenses (sold separately) offer unrivaled optical performance for demanding high-end productions, available in both EF- and PL-mount configurations. With fluorite, aspherical lens elements and advanced optical design, these unequalled Cinema EF Zoom lenses are capable of 4K-level image reproduction. The wide-angle CN-E14.5-60mm T2.6 L S/SP provides tremendous breadth of range; the telephoto CN-E30-300mm T2.95-3.7 L S/SP rivals best-in-class zoom magnification and telephoto focal length. Together these lenses cover the range most commonly used in cinema shooting
- Canon EF Cinema Prime Lenses
- The brilliant series of Cinema EF Prime lenses (sold separately) offers spectacular 4K-level image quality in lightweight, compact designs. Three models for EF mount cameras – CN-E24mm T1.5 L F, CN-E50mm T1.3 L F, and CN-E85mm T1.3 L F – offer consistent form factors and marking optimized for motion picture production. Whether you shoot with a Canon EOS C300 or EOS DSLR, the compact and consistent lens design makes for excellent handling. Audiences will also love the results from the 11-blade aperture diaphragms, fast T-stops, and proven Canon lens elements
- Designed with Filmmakers in Mind
- With everything a cinematographer needs, the EOS C300 comes ready to produce. A logical layout of buttons and dials make operation simple. A lock switch turns off all controls except the recording button and function buttons. Small ridges between the buttons help prevent activating functions by mistake. A backlit display panel is great for low-light viewing. A tally lamp is clearly visible from the side or behind the camera
- Compact & Modular Design
- The EOS C300 body is surprisingly small (5.24 x 7.0 x 6.7") and easily handheld at just over 3 lb. There is a bright 1.55 Mp electronic viewfinder, and the camera comes bundled with a removable combination 4", 1.23 Mp monitor and control panel. The camera also has a removable hand grip with a control dial and function buttons for handheld shooting in DSLR style. Or remove it and use the supplied thumb rest for completely stripped-down shooting. The EOS C300 has a manually operated built-in neutral density (ND) glass filter offering 1/4, 1/16, and 1/64th steps of filtering. Handheld or using a tripod, on location or in the studio, even on 3-D rigs, the EOS C300 fits shooting situations that are challenging for larger cameras
- Rugged, Durable & Quiet
- The EOS C300's dust-proof and splash-proof design includes sealing gaskets around the edges of all access covers, dials fitted with o-rings on the axis of rotation, and button key-tops sealed with rubber. The EOS C300 also features a built-in silent cooling system with a heat-dissipating duct in the center of the body, a graphite sheet that conducts sensor heat towards the heat sink, three ventilation holes and a cooling fan that pulls hot air out through an exhaust opening. All air is directed through a discrete pathway that keeps dust particles away from sensitive components. Your camera runs cool, quiet, and clean
- Comfortable Ergonomic Controls
- The moment you pick up the EOS C300, you'll feel right at home. The detachable grip rotates 360° in 15-degree increments so the start/stop, iris control and multi-controller buttons are always literally at your fingertips. Four separate start/stop buttons and 15 other customizable buttons distributed over the camera body mean quiet and intuitive access. Large dials positioned in two places can be customized for different functions and are easy to operate from all angles. The viewfinder tilts up to a convenient 60° angle. The 4" control panel and 1.23 megapixel monitor rotates 135° left/right or 270° down – and can be mounted directly on the camera body or the handle unit. Top, behind, from either side, on either shoulder: the EOS C300 operates from any angle
- Pre Rec for Shooting in a Single Take
- For situations where there is no second take and action shoots where things can happen with little warning, the EOS C300's Pre Rec feature continually records approximately three seconds of full-motion imaging to buffer memory. When you press the record button, these seconds are automatically added to the shot – and you'll have a welcome margin of insurance to capture the unexpected
- Ultra-High-Resolution EVF
- The EOS C300 features a 0.52", 1.55 Mp color EVF and approximately 100% field of view coverage for comfortable viewing and accurate judgment of composition, focus, and color. The angle of the viewfinder is adjustable for additional user comfort
- Rich Audio Controls
- When mounted to the EOS C300 camera, the included control unit provides two XLR audio inputs with +48V phantom power. A 3.5mm microphone terminal is also built in to the camera. Audio is recorded uncompressed in 16-bit PCM format at 48 kHz for high fidelity sound. Both XLR inputs, as well as the mic terminal have the option for automatic, as well as full manual gain control (-Infinity to +18dB). Additionally, a 3.5mm headphone terminal with 16 volume settings offers accurate audio monitoring
- Accommodating File-Based Production
- The Cinema EOS system creates files in the internationally standardized Material eXchange Format (MXF), wrapping video and audio with metadata in a single file that maintains access to critical information throughout the production process. The EOS C300 records to inexpensive and easy-to-find CF cards in dual card slots, giving you unlimited hot-swappable storage on reliable solid-state media. And for industry-standard peripherals, the EOS C300 has all the right terminals: remote (2.5mm), sync out (BNC), HDMI type A out, genlock (BNC), timecode (BNC), HD/SDI (BNC), headphone, SD card, DC input socket, plus mic and XLR connectors (CH1 & CH2) when using the included Canon monitor/controller unit. The camera also includes a dedicated connection port for the optional Canon Wireless File Transfer WFT-E6A unit (sold separately)
- Perfect for Mixed-Shoot Editing
- The tremendous dynamic range of the EOS C300 with Canon Log gamma can be easily converted to industry-standard 10-bit Cineon (.cin) Log format, which assures smooth integration with industry-standard post workflow and finishing. The EOS C300's 24.00p mode matches the exact frame rates of film cameras, so there's no need for time-consuming frame-rate conversion. And you'll have plug-ins for leading NLE systems from Adobe, Apple, Avid, and Grass Valley. Whether your entire production is digital or your EOS C300 is used as an A, B, or C camera on a primarily film-based shoot, the integrity of your image and sound is assured through the editing process – and beyond
- CF Memory Card Recording
- For versatility and reliability, the EOS C300's recording and terminal specifications are completely compatible with the prevailing industry standards. It records to CF cards through dual slots. From a cost and reliability standpoint, CF cards have no equal. Solid state, hot-swappable, and easy to find, two 32 GB CF cards can hold 2 hours of 4:2:2 50 Mb/s footage. It's even possible to record to two CF cards simultaneously, relay-record for uninterrupted shots, and copy from one card to another
- Custom Pictures
- To achieve the look and feel you want in less time during post-production, the EOS C300 has 26 different Custom Picture settings. Custom Pictures can include different image-quality adjustments, including gamma, knee, color matrix, sharpness, noise reduction, and more. Settings can be created in-camera and saved to the EOS C300 or to an SD card for transfer to other cameras. A number of natural color settings are included with the EOS C300; others include Cinema setting for post-production and EOS setting to match images captured by a Canon EOS DSLR
- Black Balance Adjustment
- In ambient conditions that cause the black in the video signal to shift out of alignment, the EOS C300's black balance can be easily adjusted to bring it back. A simple process with the lens cap on the camera, black balance adjustment is especially useful the first time you use the EOS C300, when your camera has been on the shelf for an extended period, when you'll be shooting in a wide range of temperatures, or when the ISO sensitivity or gain settings have been changed
- Multiple Recording Formats & Advanced Recording
- With the realities of production in mind, the EOS C300 can record in a number of different modes, resolutions and frame rates, delivering quality recordings perfect for any application. 24.00p mode matches the exact frame rates of film cameras, so there's no need for time-consuming frame-rate conversion. And the camera can shoot in both PAL and NTSC modes at 50 Mb/s (CBR), 35 Mb/s (VBR), and 25 Mb/s (CBR) with a range of settings for resolution, color, frame rate, and recording time. Whether shooting with the expectation of significant editing and post-production, recording for compatibility with HDV editing, or simply creating the longest possible HD video files, the EOS C300 camera will perform flawlessly
- High-Speed, Slow-Motion, Time-Lapse & Stop-Motion
- Beyond the advantages of file-based recording, the EOS C300 offers a number of creative possibilities in post-production. By capturing fewer frames per second, the camera can transform normal action into intense high-speed motion up to 60x. By capturing more frames per second, the camera can slow down motion to 1/2.5x at 720p. The EOS C300 can also be programmed to record a set number of frames at defined intervals for amazing time-lapse photography – and a frame-recording feature is perfect for stop-frame animation
- Connectivity
- To connect to external monitors, switchers, VTRs, and NLE systems with SDI inputs, the EOS C300 features industry-standard HD-SDI output, genlock, and timecode terminals, plus audio terminals with Linear PCM recording. Timecode and genlock enable synchronized multiple camera capture, perfect for multiple-camera shots, 3D acquisition, and more. The HD-SDI sync terminal can be switched to output to HD Sync, HD Y, Black Burst, and Composite
- Full Manual Control & Focusing Aids
- Providing cinematographers with everything they need in the palms of their hands, the EOS C300 comes ready to produce. The camera has a Waveform Monitor (WFM) function that shows the overall brightness of a scene, with RGB Parade Display to view red, green, and blue brightness or Spot Display to isolate the luminance distribution of a chosen area. The Vectorscope (VS) display shows real-time hue and saturation levels. For sharp focus, the EOS C300 camera has two peaking modes and a magnified focus assist function. An Edge Monitor Focus Assist provides both a waveform representing the overall degree of focus and a red waveform that represents focus in three specific areas displayed on the camera's 4" LCD monitor. To maintain proper highlight exposure, it offers a zebra bar feature as well. It's all in the camera
- WFT Wireless Remote Control over Wi-Fi
- Offering a new level of mobility, the Canon Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E6A (sold separately) opens up a world of wireless options to the EOS filmmaker. The EOS C300 camera comes preconfigured so that camera settings can be viewed and controlled on third-party devices with web browsers, including computers, smartphones and tablets without the need for additional in-camera software. With the WFT-E6A module, the camera can be controlled from up to 150' away over an 802.11a/b/g/n wireless network. The WFT-E6A enables superior camera control: users can start and stop recording; adjust focus, white balance, gain, and other parameters; and adjust the aperture of Canon EF lenses. This offers huge potential for specialty applications where cameras must be controlled remotely such as nature documentaries or reality TV. It also enables input marking for metadata and offers a live view of the composition. It supports incorporating GPS information into the file metadata, which is useful for general cinematic applications and essential for expedition filmmakers. A basic window mode even enables use with the Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad, as well as with handheld devices employing the Android operating system
| Image Sensor |
1x CMOS sensor, equivalent to 3-perf Super 35mm 24.6 x 13.8mm effective size (6.4 x 6.4µm pixel pitch) |
| Effective Pixels | Approx. 8.29 Mp (3840 x 2160) |
| Total Pixels | Approx. 9.84 Mp (4206 x 2340) |
| Scanning System | Progressive |
| Filter | RGB primary color filter (Bayer array) |
| DSP | DIGIC DV III |
| Lens Mount | EF |
| LCD Screen |
4" diagonal, 1.23 megapixel color 16:9 rotatable LCD 100% field of view Adjust brightness, contrast, color, sharpness, and backlight (normal or bright) A total of 27 display functions can be turned on and off |
| Viewfinder |
0.52" diagonal, color 16:9 LCD, 1,555,000 dots +2.0 to -5.5 diopter eye adjustment 100% field of view Viewing angle can be adjusted up and down 60° A total of 27 display functions can be turned on and off |
| Signal System | NTSC/PAL |
| Compression | 8-bit MPEG-2 Long GOP (Canon XF codec) |
| Color Space | 4:2:2 at 50 Mb/s recording |
| File Format | MXF (OP-1a) |
| Recording Formats |
50 Mb/s (CBR) 4:2:2 422P@HL 1920 x 1080: 59.94i/29.97p/23.98p; 50i/25p; true 24p (24.00) 1280 x 720: 59.94p/29.97p/23.98p; 50p/25p; true 24p (24.00)
35 Mb/s (VBR) 4:2:0 MP@HL
25 Mb/s (CBR) 4:2:0 MP@H14 |
| Recording Media |
CF Card (Type 1 Only): 2x slots (Movie files); UDMA supported SD Card: 1x slot: still images, custom picture data, clip metadata, and menu settings 1 Please Note:Custom picture data and settings are not compatible with data from other Canon models close |
| Recording Time |
With 64 GB CompactFlash (CF) card (greater capacity is possible when both card slots are used):
25 Mb/s: 310 min |
| Audio Recording | Linear PCM; 2-channel; 16-bit; 48 kHz |
| Built-In Microphone | None |
| Audio Inputs |
2x XLR inputs (auto and manual level settings), switchable between mic/line -12, -6, 0, or +12 dB XLR trimming 1x 3.5mm microphone jack |
| Channel Selection | 2-channel recording |
| Recording Levels | -∞ to +18dB |
| Phantom Power | Available: +48V |
| Headphone Output Level | 16 settings; volume is muted at lowest setting |
| Tone | 1 KHz tone available; -12, -18, or -20 dB |
| Focusing System | Manual; autofocus system not available |
| Iris Control | Iris dial located on camera body for use with EOS EF lenses with electronic iris control |
| Exposure Modes | Manual |
| Gain | Manual: Normal setting -6 dB to 30 dB |
| Shutter Modes | OFF, Speed, Angle, Slow Shutter, Clear Scan |
| Shutter Speed |
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: 59.94-250.70 Hz 29.97p: 1/30 to 1/2000 in 1/4 or 1/3 stops; SLS: 1/4, 1/8, 1/15; CS: 29.97-250.70 Hz 23.98p/24p: 1/24 to 1/2000 in 1/4 or 1/3 stops; SLS: 1/3, 1/6, 1/12; CS: 23.97-250.70 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: 50.00-250.70 Hz 25p: 1/25 to 1/2000 in 1/4 or 1/3 stops; SLS: 1/3, 1/6, 1/12; CS: 25.00-250.70 Hz |
| Shutter Angle |
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 |
| ISO Range | 320 to 20,000, 1-stop or 1/3-stop |
| Built-in ND Filter | Mechanical ND filter system with option of clear or 2, 4, or 6 stops |
| White Balance | Auto, manual, 2 custom (2000-15,000K in 100K increments), daylight (5400K), tungsten (3200K) |
| Exposure & Focus Aids |
Peaking (2 types), Zebra Pattern, Magnify, Edge Monitor Focus Assist, Black and White Mode
2
Please Note:Zebra can be output via the SDI or HDMI jack (HD only) close |
| Playback |
Index Displays: Index Display, Normal, "OK Mark" Index, "Check Mark" Index, "Shot Mark" Index, Expand Index, Photo Index Clip Playback: Forward Search (5x, 15x, 60x), Reverse Search (5x, 15x, 60x), 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 |
| Frame Rates |
50 Mb/s: 1920 x 1080 Record Rate: 1-30 fps (Playback Rate: 29.97p/23.98p/24.00p) Record Rate: 1-25 fps (Playback Rate: 50i/25p) 50 Mb/s: 1280 x 720 Record Rate: 1-60 fps (Playback Rate: 59.94p/29.97p/23.98p/24.00p) Record Rate: 1-50 fps (Playback Rate:50p/25p) 35 Mb/s: 1920 x 1080 Record Rate: 1-30 fps (Playback Rate: 29.97p/23.98p/24.00p) Record Rate: 1-25 fps (Playback Rate: 50i/25p) 35 Mb/s: 1280 x 720 Record Rate: 1-60 fps (Playback Rate: 59.94p/29.97p/23.98p/24.00p) Record Rate: 1-50 fps (Playback Rate:50p/25p) 25 Mb/s: 1440 x 1080 Record Rate: 1-30 fps (Playback Rate: 29.97p/23.98p) |
| Interval Recording |
Interval can be set in 25 levels ranging from 1 second to 10 minutes (1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/15/20/30/40/50 sec; 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10 min)
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 |
| Frame Record |
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 |
| Pre-Record Buffer | 3 sec cache (video & audio) |
| Still Capture | 1920 x 1080 images captured to SD card |
| Custom Picture |
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 |
| Custom Function | 9 total functions available |
| Assignable Buttons | 15; can be assigned from among 30 functions |
| Color Bars | Color bars compliant with SMPTE, EBU, or ARIB standards can be selected |
| Dynamic Range | Up to 800% with Canon Log gamma and ISO 850 (+2.5 dB) and above |
| Minimum Illumination | Full Auto Mode: Not specified by manufacturer Manual Mode: Not specified by manufacturer |
| Illumination Correction | Compensates for each light fall-off of each lens. Lens-specific data stored in firmware |
| Video Outputs |
HD/SD-SDI: 1x BNC (output only), 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 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
Composite: 1x BNC (same as above) HDMI: 1x Type A |
| Headphone Connector | 3.5mm stereo mini-jack |
| Genlock |
BNC (input only) Adjustment Range: -1023 to +1023 |
| Timecode |
BNC (input/output) Drop Frame (DF) and Non-Drop Frame (NDF) Time Code Modes: Regen, Record Run, Free Run, and External Source 3 Please Note:Drop Frame works with NTSC modes only and is not available in 24p close |
| Sync |
BNC connector (output) HD tri-level signal (HD Sync) HD-Y signals (HD-Y) Black Burst signal Composite |
| Remote | 2.5mm LANC-compatible terminal |
| Wi-Fi | WFT terminal for compatible Wi-Fi accessory |
| Power Supply | 7.4V DC (battery pack), 8.4V DC (DC input) |
| Operating Temperature |
Performance: 32 to 104°F (0 to 40°C), 85% relative humidity Operation: 23 to 113°F (-5 to 45°C), 60% relative humidity |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) |
EOS C300 + Thumb Rest: 5.2 x 7.0 x 6.7" (133 x 179 x 171mm) EOS C300 + Grip: 6.9 x 7.0 x 6.7" (174 x 179 x 171mm) Camera + Monitor: 7.3 x 9.8 x 7.4" (185 x 249 x 187mm) Camera + Handle + Monitor: 7.3 x 11.2 x 11.9" (185 x 284 x 301mm) 4 Please Note:Not including lens hood, eyecup, or grip belt close |
| Weight (without Lens) |
EOS C300: 3.2 lb (1.43 kg) Grip: 8.1 oz (230 g) Monitor Unit: 1.4 lb (620 g) Handle Unit: 6.3 oz (180 g) Thumb Rest: 0.35 oz (10 g) BP-955 Battery: 7.8 oz (220 g) Attachment Fitting: 0.32 oz (9 g) 2x CF Cards (not included): 0.63 oz (18 g) Measure Hook: 0.11 oz (3 g) Body Cap, Camera Cover (either type): 0.63 oz (18 g) EOS C300 with Grip, Monitor, BP-955 & 2x CF Cards: 5.6 lb (2.52 kg) EOS C300 with Grip, Monitor, Handle, BP-955 & 2x CF Cards: 6.0 lb (2.70 kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 20 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to use (16)
- Good in low light (15)
- Great picture quality (14)
- Large clear LCD (10)
- Great sound (4)
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries (16)
- Low light (13)
- HD shooting (12)
- Movies/short films (12)
- Weddings (6)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Pro videographer (15)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (19)
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 20 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-20
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
I can't say enough. This has changed my world. This thing is ergonomical and has fantastic features that have amazing results. The ONLY thing lacking is extreme slow motion.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
I was directing a commercial recently and we had 2 x Alexas and 1 x C300. It was the fist time I'd used a C300, we were using it as a small hand held camera. I originally wanted to use an LAexa M (i.e. the small hand held one) but it was unavailable, so we went for the C300 instead. Wow! Good call!
Although it looks a little different, sees Blues a bit different to the Alexa, it still cut really well in the final grade. I found myself looking at the footage and honestly a few times I thought the Alexa was the c300 and visa versa.
When the job was over I bought a C300, as I was that impressed.
I did notice a tiny bit of moire on one shot but only for a split second. On jobs where an Lexa cant be justified the c300 is going to be perfect. For my own short films it will be great. And for pick up shots (like the one I have to shoot next week) again tick, perfect.
I cant recommend this camera enough. hd-sdi output as well as hmdi. And that nice thick codec, yet recorded onboard! What's not to like?!!!!!
I thought of getting a c100 briefly, but all the things I like about the c300 are not on the c100, like the thick codec and the useable eyepiece.
I've been in this game a while, shooting for years on film etc. But for me the c300 is the best bang for buck out there.
Reliable workhorse and stunning IQ. Great ergonomics. Its so nice to hand hold after using 5d mk111s etc.
Also the degree of rolling shutter is completely acceptable. We were shooting car stunts etc and it was just fine. I was working with a DP who shot movies like Skyfall etc and we were both blown away by this camera.
Felt a bit guilty forking out this much for my own personal camera, but all that went away the day it turned up :)
One downer is there's a long wait on back ups batteries out of Canon at the mo, which took them 3 weeks to even own up to. But I bought some patent batteries and they are doing fine as a stop gap.
You gotta love Canon ;)
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
- Kind Of Pricey
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
I have been very happy with the quality that this camera has produced. Combined with good glass, it's the best I've used. It's not a point-and-shoot, that's for sure. But the creative possibilities are endless. Get good lenses for it, though.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
Pros:-light weight-works with all my various canon lenses-images are very strong-good dynamic range-xlr inputs-peaking, focus assist-evf is good-c-log dynamic range is niceCons:-Monitor color and exposure representations are way off-Out of the box, the footage has a green tint to it. I suggest downloading and installing the TruCine, TruLog, TruVid and AbelCine picture profiles. -monitor and xlr's are married to each other. Huge inconvenience. -shotgun mic holder feels/looks super flimsy, allows shotgun mic to bounce around creating unwanted noise. -to switch from regular motion to fast/slow motion requires 3 separate menu adjustments. So dumb. -the white balance is way off, 5600k will leave your footage blue at any time of day, you need to be up around 6300-7500k. - slow mo is 720p-no removable lens mount. EF is stuck at EF, PL is stuck at PL-for this cost:, most of these Cons should not exist. Overall:Great camera for many applications, but if you don't need to work with canon lenses with auto iris + image stabilization like I do, then save your money, get a used Sony F3 for 5-6k less.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
I purchased this camera to launch my production company into gear. I currently co-own a lighting rental company in Los Angeles, Arclite Rentals LLC. This camera is THE camera to cover the 1080p standard. No more will I ever think about going the RED route. This camera is ideal for independent films from low budget to the big screen. The low light capabilities are what you need in a camera without looking like a DSLR. Shooting at 20,000 ISO looks like a super 16mm film grain. All the operator controls you need are setup perfectly on the smart side of camera, I've only had it for a week and i'm already getting comfortable with the layout. Having the ability to scroll between ND's on the fly makes this a documentary dream. The color you get out of this camera and the color you can pull in color correction from canon log is unbelievable. The only thing we all are hoping for is a firmware update from canon to shoot 60fps, 120fps, and 240fps in 1080p. This update would literally kill all other competition and solidify sales for Canon! There is a small timecode issue when shooting in 60fps that I know can be fixed with an update. I purchased the EF version because I wanted the ability to use tilt shift lenses and super wides that I can't get in PL land. I am super excited to use the Cine zooms and primes and know that glass will continue to blow my mind on what this camera can do.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
This cameras low light abilities and cine log feature are an amazing combination that allows you to get amazing results in any situation. I've been using the c300 for about 3 months now and am confident in its abilities. Only drawback so far is that the button layout is not great for quick operation, and viewfinder could be much better. All of these this fall away though when you're in a naturally lit room following action and you're able to crank the iso up and get a great exposure with great latitude.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
I heard how great this camera was in low light but it is even better than what I thought it would be. The C300 is not just a little better than the competition in low light, it is several steps past everyone. Great form factor, the viewfinder and monitor are very bright and clear. Recording to $89.00 CF cards is nice!We do not want 2k, 4k, we spend enough money on storage as it is since we keep everything we shoot in our archives, and usually get one day to edit. 1080p is already way more resolution than what my clients require (web, DVD)The image is fantastic, love using my Canon glass.I shoot corporate videos, one man band. Perfect tool for this type of work.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
We have 7 HDSLRs and 15 EF lenses all used for film. This is the BEST investment for our company hands down. All the cards and lenses work with this body and the footage is easy to match in post production.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Canon Log
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
- Connectors From Monitor
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
As an early adopter of Canon HD-DSLRS, I was always impressed with the amazing images and color reproduction that came out of those cameras, but they also had major flaws. Moire and audio issues always plagued us for documentary work, and while we worked around those issues, it was never ideal. We also jumped over to Sony's FS offerings at one point, but the color would never match up with the Canon DSLRS. Eventually Canon released the C300, and I finally had a camera to move up to. Within 30 minutes of taking it out of the box, I had it up and running. Its honestly a very simple camera to use and the ergonomics are great! I was even shooting a bit of handheld with it, which is nearly impossible for DSLRS. Beyond the ergonomics is the incredibly lovely image. Its sharp, detailed, and the shadow/highlight detail in Canon Log is exactly what I wanted. You can set it up to have a view assist on log whilst recording so you can see a nearly graded image for exposure/focus. Its basically everything that Cinestyle should have been on DSLRs. Coupled with the insane lowlight abilities, your getting a camera this very scalable depending on the situation (a must for doc work). I also have to mention that the battery life is incredible on the larger battery. 300 minutes is amazing and you can easily see remaining battery levels on top of the battery without having to plug it in. Audio feeds directly into the camera via two XLRS on the monitor unit. Its great to finally have a professional solution on camera and not separately. It makes things much easier in post as you can avoid syncing. Overall I feel this camera is well worth the expense. The only con I have really experienced so far are the connectors that lead from the monitor/XLR to the camera body itself. They seem very prone to being damaged and are quite a pain to take off. For storage, this is an issue. Only time will tell on how they hold up, but for now I am very pleased.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
Just used it on a green screen shoot. The green keyed out beautifully.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
The C300 has replaced my 5D. The picture is Amazing, WorkFlow is so easy, I don't have to worry in having to convert and syncing, No more Dual Recording, this has save hours/days of computer crunching. Yes, it's expensive, however, It'll earn many times the price you paid, in time and money. I've had different shoots for 9 days straight right out of the box! There are so many cameras out there, you just have to go with what you can afford.
Works great with my Nikon (only no camera aperture control with the Nikon) and Canon lenses and the images are clean and crisp, LESS color correction- More control in POST for my work flow.
With 2 32 Gb Cards you can record 162 min! And the Batteries goes for hours.
My only con. . . would be the little eye piece viewfinder, wish there was something the size of the 5D. And in the large Viewfinder, it's difficult to see in bright light/sunshine.
I can shoot with confidence that the picture will be beautiful and I have the latitude in post. Awesome.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
- Limited Zoom
- No image stabilization
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
There's no doubt this camera has excellent performance. I've been trying to make it screw up footage in low light and I tell you, this camera is far better than my own eyes in terms of detail in low light. I've been very impressed and had it not been for the competition from Sony with FS100 and now FS700, I would have given this camera 5 stars. Unfortunately, Canon miscalculated and has a camera that's overpriced for what Sony's FS700 can do (IMHO, it can do more than C300... certainly more pound per pound given the price difference!)
Sony will win the this price war if Canon doesn't wake up and smell the coffee.
Anyway. This camera has a great form factor, however, that is much better than any other high end camera out there. And that E-mount is handy in using all my prime lenses. So, I recommend this to a pro if the form factor is your priority; otherwise, there are less expense cameras out there that can nearly do as well as this camera. Paying twice the price tag of an FS700 may not be worth it to many people. You'll have to research this more. Of course, the image resolution is amazing and the Canon C-Log is a pleasure to work it. This is my two cents! :) Oh, and I've always owned DSLRs. The C-300 is so intuitive that I took it out of the box and within an hour I had the whole thing covered without taking a single look at the Owner's Manual! Very intuitive and easy to use. Lastly, one other negative is that the XLR input is not on the camera body and you have to add the whole control unit to get XLR sound. It does have a Mic connection on but then again... it's not XLR.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
Spent some time in 112 degree, sunny conditions and the camera performed as expected. 5 stars if it shot 1080 60p.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Handheld Ergonomics
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- Indoors/Low Light
- Travel
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
I have used everything from the Alexa to Red Epic and Scarlet to the 5d, and hands down this is the best documentary camera on the market. For commercials and indie film I still recommend the Alexa and for special effects green screen Red. But for docs, portability/workflow and it's amazing performance in low light c300 is the clear winner. have used on over 10 shoots since we bought it, the image quality is amazing. unlike some here i think the ergonomics of the camera are great. not perfect... the mike placement is awkward and i think they should have intergrated the xlrs to camera. but otherwise it's modularity have been really useful.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
It's all the image beauty of shooting Canon DSLR's, at awesome compression and color data, with XLR support, AND and actual motion video workflow. Really nice rig. Be sure to buy the right batteries for it though, I bought Pearstone (as recommended by BH initially, but the voltage was 7.2 - not the 7.4 Canon recommends. BH did an easy swap out though!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
When Canon announced the C300, I'll admit I was on the fence, debating between this and a Scarlet. On paper, the Scarlet is the clear winner. Then in February I was invited by Canon to go to a C300 showcase they were having here in MN, and wow! After seeing four short films that were shot on the camera, I was sold. On the big screen they looked incredible, and when you factor in the amazing low light capabilities of the camera, it really knocks everything's else out of the ring. I got my first one two weeks ago now, and I love it! If you have any doubts, just go for it. You won't be let down.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Improves Performance
- Lightweight
- Professional Quality
Cons
- Balance
- Lacks function switches
Best Uses
- Commercials
- Corporate video
- Documentaries
- Independent Films
- Music videos
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
This camera lives up to the hype. I've used it on 3 doc shoots so far and a day of lit interviews, and the images it puts out have been awesome. I've pushed the ISO to 5000 without seeing obvious detriments. 10,000 may be as far as I'm comfortable, I feel anything higher is for emergencies only. The 24-105mm IS lens covers action fine running and gunning, and the 70-200mm is great for interviews. Color and contrast reproduction are very accurate and forgiving of slightly mixed color temps. Canon Log indeed allows for impressive dynamic range, and can be corrected with FCP filters if you don't have time to take it into Color. The 50Mbps compression actually looked slightly cleaner in tests than ProRes recorded to an external recorder, which suggests to me a great internal processor. Don't think that this is a noise-free camera. It's not noise-free, but it is true that the noise is fine and granular, and (like film grain) is much more pleasing to the eye than what we're used to from video cameras. Plus there are none of the blocky compression artifacts. I saw no moire/aliasing in any of my shoots, which was great. There is still some jello wobble when the cam is in motion, but not as bad as the 5DMII.
A few small negatives: balance was not fully thought out because when you put a shotgun in the mic holder, the camera tips over (when a Manfrotto plate is on the cam and you put it down). Also, you have to enter the menu to route mic inputs to channels - on many cameras that is quickly and easily done via external switches. And lastly, the control dial on the body is tied to the control dial on the handgrip. Were they separately programmable, you could control iris with one and ISO with the other. Something to work into a firmware upgrade, Canon.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact Design
- Easy To Use
- Improves Performance
- Lightweight
- Professional Quality
Cons
- No 444 10 bit
Best Uses
- Complex Projects
- Independent Films
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
Overall I was more impressed with this camera than I thought I would be. I went into it thinking "why not 4k?" But some of my favorite cinema camera's on the market are 2k or below (arri alexa, Sony F3). The menu's are going to be really familiar to those who have used canon's xf camcorders. Within 10 minutes I knew everything needed on how to control it.The iso performance on this guy is a beast I don't think there is even the closest competition at the moment. Comparing it to the F3, C300 is significantly lighter than the F3 for portability and hand held.My only complaint about this unit is the fact that at [$] I would love 10bit 4:4:4. I recommend this camera to those looking for cinema quality and performance under the $18k price tag.And for those ready to compare this to the scarlet feel free to do so.....when you get it two years from now.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by Matt
In the studio
(14 of 17 customers found this review helpful)
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Pros
- Easy To Use
- Professional Quality
- Workflow
Cons
- Pricey / Poor Value
Best Uses
- Docs Indy projects
- Independent Films
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
I'm a Red lover, but let's be fair here.
The Scarlet doesn't record at 5K - only a 12 frame burst for photographic possibilities. It does shoot 4K, but only up to 30 frames.
This camera has 48 bit to 8 bit conversion which still looks very good.
Noise level is exceptional. While it is only 1080P, for most tv doc guys etc., it'll be quite nice. The editing workflow of this camera works just as well as the previous XF series which it is was based on.
They both share the same lens system, but enough said.
While I don't agree with the price point of this camera (it should have been closer to $12,000), this seems like a nice camera system and I will use it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- 24-70 canon zoom, 70-200 canon zoom
Pros
- Accurate colors
- Amazingly sharp HD image
- Extra Long battery life
- Great form factor
- High dynamic range
- Lightweight
- Solid and ergonomic build
Cons
- expensive for features
- No 10 bit HDSDI out
- No 60p at 1920x1080
Best Uses
- Cinematic documentaries
- Feature Films
- Run and Gun
- Sports Cinematography
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
We had the opportunity to recieve a pre-production model from Canon of the C300 digital cinema camera to test out. Although we only had a few days with it, we were able to jump right in & run it through all the tests that we had in mind.
ISO PERFORMACE
The ISO performance is what really sets this camera apart. It was at first something I underestimated, then I began to pull the images I shot into the computer. 5000 ISO... wow, clean image and almost no grain. 8000 ISO, still a clean and clear image and the grain that was there looked wonderful. At 16000 & 20000 ISO the image definitely had lots and lots of grain, but it was something I could see myself using and being happy about. The C300 at 850 ISO is cleaner than 320 on the 5D. Amazing.
DYNAMIC RANGE
The extra dynamic range in the C300 compared to the 5d is great. The images come out clean and you can definitely see a noticeable increase in the highlights. When I put the 5D and C300 right next to each other you could see a definite clear difference in DR. However, overall I wasn't as impressed with it as I thought (and hoped I would be). The downfall I found with the image was that when something clips, it clips. The harsh cliping takes a bit of time to work around as well. The key I found was to underexpose when in LOG mode, because it was much easier to bring up the mids and darks than it was to recover or roll off the highlights. Overall, with the C300 I noticed that if you dont actively underexpose your image, you can easily clip to absolute white.
SHOOTING LOG
LOG mode and CINEMA Lock are great features if you are shooting multicam film style set up and want all your cameras to match in terms of gamma & color space. A few things to think about when shooting in LOG mode are that what you see through the viewfinder or LCD does not really represent what your footage will look like, its close, but not 100%. Just keep that in mind. Its not like the 5D/7D/MkIV where what you see is pretty much what you get.
Overall LOG is great. Its a huge improvement over the faux-log CineStyle that many of us put on our 5D's in hopes of spectacular results. Not to say that CineStyle is bad, but I got my hopes WAY up when this was annouced and tend to use it rarely.
PROs
I like to think of LOG as the closest thing you can get to RAW when your camera cant shoot RAW. It helps preserve highlight information as well as color depth and fidelity. The LOG mode on the C300 looks great right out of the box and it isnt something to fear if you've never worked with it before. After a few hours in Final Cut/Premier/After Effects LOG becomes something you'll begin to love.
CONs
Something to keep in mind when shooting in LOG mode is setting the white balance. Not that it's hard to physically custom set on the camera, but rather it tends to be hard to get an image that your used to looking at. When setting Kelvin temp in LOG mode I found it tricky to get it right & one thing that really got to me was the difference in Kelvin temperatures when comparing the C300 to the 5D. While 5600K might look great and match EXT daylight on the 5D I found 7000K on the C300 to be where daylight looked similar to the 5D's LCD. The C300 does have someting called "ViewAssit" mode where it adds contrast and saturation to the LOG image, but it was still equally tricky to work with when trying to nail the Kelvin temp using your LCD or viewfinder.
I say this as a CON on the C300 because, for example, the ARRI ALEXA utilizes two output options, you can select what image you SEE in the viewfinder AND what image you record to your media. Something that is INCREDIBLY helpful when you want to shoot in any type of LOG mode.
FORM FACTOR / ERGONOMICS / HANDLING
When I first slipped my hand into the C300 hand-grip I felt right at home. Overall the camera is incredibly light and the hand-grip is really something. It's not like the plasticy ones on other cameras, and since it screws in, it creates a solid lock to the body of the camera. The only disappointment was the inability to customize the scroll wheel button for my finger - in fact, none of the scroll wheel buttons on the camera are customizable -- this is one thing that I hope gets either changed or updated once the camera hits the shelves.
LCD / EVF
I was highly surprised by the electronic view finder on the camera. I was never in situation while shooting where I missed focus because of the clarity of the view finder. It was tack sharp and I really enjoyed using it.
POWER
Another thing that I think is often overlooked with the C300 is the outstanding battery life. I mean, WOW... I was highly impressed. We shot all day long for two days with the camera almost always on, either we had the record button rolling, or we were just checkin out all the menus, functions, and buttons and never once did we have to worry that we didnt have enough batteries to get us through the day. I had a total of three batteries and I never had to put any on the charge and reuse them.
WORKFLOW & POST-PRODUCTION
Workflow wise, the camera is a breeze. You download the EX plugin from Canon's website, install it in Final Cut and your ready to rock. The camera shoots native .MXF and the plugin converts the footage to .MOV pretty quickly. You can also shoot to CF cards in continuous mode or dual recrod to keep a backup copy of your footage. This is something I havent seen in alot of other cameras and its something I really commend Canon for putting into this camera. I will definitely utilize this mode on any commercial, narritive, documentary work. Without question, its always great to have a backup.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Pros/
So the question is... where does the C300 fit, what kind of camera is it? What will it become and what kinds of things will be shot on it? I can say with certainty that the 1920 x 1080 image out of it is amazing for HD. It's sharp, it can have audio & timecode attached to it ( something that DSLR users never had the possibility of ) . And it's free of almost everything that makes it look "digital" while it may not be as filmic as ALEXA or as resolution heavy as Epic - it is THE best 1920x1080 HD image out there on the market for the price.
Cons/
One of the main points that kept coming up over and over again is that the that the C300 represents Canon's latest & greatest at this very moment. So when you are comparing it with the 5D, Sony F3, Sony FS100, RED Epic and the ARRI ALEXA, you are comparing it to cameras that are at minimum older than a year and a half. That is something to think about.
This leads to two very important things for the owner/operator to think about. --- Is the C300 representative of forward future thinking technology? And is your investment in it going to pay off? Personally, I think that its a camera that is well overdue and will suit my needs in UPGRADING my DSLR lineup.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by MINDCASTLE - Casey
Canon C300 on Steadicam Flyer LE
(27 of 27 customers found this review helpful)
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REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 20 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to use (16)
- Good in low light (15)
- Great picture quality (14)
- Large clear LCD (10)
- Great sound (4)
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries (16)
- Low light (13)
- HD shooting (12)
- Movies/short films (12)
- Weddings (6)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Pro videographer (15)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (19)
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 20 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-20
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
I can't say enough. This has changed my world. This thing is ergonomical and has fantastic features that have amazing results. The ONLY thing lacking is extreme slow motion.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
I was directing a commercial recently and we had 2 x Alexas and 1 x C300. It was the fist time I'd used a C300, we were using it as a small hand held camera. I originally wanted to use an LAexa M (i.e. the small hand held one) but it was unavailable, so we went for the C300 instead. Wow! Good call!
Although it looks a little different, sees Blues a bit different to the Alexa, it still cut really well in the final grade. I found myself looking at the footage and honestly a few times I thought the Alexa was the c300 and visa versa.
When the job was over I bought a C300, as I was that impressed.
I did notice a tiny bit of moire on one shot but only for a split second. On jobs where an Lexa cant be justified the c300 is going to be perfect. For my own short films it will be great. And for pick up shots (like the one I have to shoot next week) again tick, perfect.
I cant recommend this camera enough. hd-sdi output as well as hmdi. And that nice thick codec, yet recorded onboard! What's not to like?!!!!!
I thought of getting a c100 briefly, but all the things I like about the c300 are not on the c100, like the thick codec and the useable eyepiece.
I've been in this game a while, shooting for years on film etc. But for me the c300 is the best bang for buck out there.
Reliable workhorse and stunning IQ. Great ergonomics. Its so nice to hand hold after using 5d mk111s etc.
Also the degree of rolling shutter is completely acceptable. We were shooting car stunts etc and it was just fine. I was working with a DP who shot movies like Skyfall etc and we were both blown away by this camera.
Felt a bit guilty forking out this much for my own personal camera, but all that went away the day it turned up :)
One downer is there's a long wait on back ups batteries out of Canon at the mo, which took them 3 weeks to even own up to. But I bought some patent batteries and they are doing fine as a stop gap.
You gotta love Canon ;)
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
- Kind Of Pricey
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
I have been very happy with the quality that this camera has produced. Combined with good glass, it's the best I've used. It's not a point-and-shoot, that's for sure. But the creative possibilities are endless. Get good lenses for it, though.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
Pros:-light weight-works with all my various canon lenses-images are very strong-good dynamic range-xlr inputs-peaking, focus assist-evf is good-c-log dynamic range is niceCons:-Monitor color and exposure representations are way off-Out of the box, the footage has a green tint to it. I suggest downloading and installing the TruCine, TruLog, TruVid and AbelCine picture profiles. -monitor and xlr's are married to each other. Huge inconvenience. -shotgun mic holder feels/looks super flimsy, allows shotgun mic to bounce around creating unwanted noise. -to switch from regular motion to fast/slow motion requires 3 separate menu adjustments. So dumb. -the white balance is way off, 5600k will leave your footage blue at any time of day, you need to be up around 6300-7500k. - slow mo is 720p-no removable lens mount. EF is stuck at EF, PL is stuck at PL-for this cost:, most of these Cons should not exist. Overall:Great camera for many applications, but if you don't need to work with canon lenses with auto iris + image stabilization like I do, then save your money, get a used Sony F3 for 5-6k less.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
I purchased this camera to launch my production company into gear. I currently co-own a lighting rental company in Los Angeles, Arclite Rentals LLC. This camera is THE camera to cover the 1080p standard. No more will I ever think about going the RED route. This camera is ideal for independent films from low budget to the big screen. The low light capabilities are what you need in a camera without looking like a DSLR. Shooting at 20,000 ISO looks like a super 16mm film grain. All the operator controls you need are setup perfectly on the smart side of camera, I've only had it for a week and i'm already getting comfortable with the layout. Having the ability to scroll between ND's on the fly makes this a documentary dream. The color you get out of this camera and the color you can pull in color correction from canon log is unbelievable. The only thing we all are hoping for is a firmware update from canon to shoot 60fps, 120fps, and 240fps in 1080p. This update would literally kill all other competition and solidify sales for Canon! There is a small timecode issue when shooting in 60fps that I know can be fixed with an update. I purchased the EF version because I wanted the ability to use tilt shift lenses and super wides that I can't get in PL land. I am super excited to use the Cine zooms and primes and know that glass will continue to blow my mind on what this camera can do.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
This cameras low light abilities and cine log feature are an amazing combination that allows you to get amazing results in any situation. I've been using the c300 for about 3 months now and am confident in its abilities. Only drawback so far is that the button layout is not great for quick operation, and viewfinder could be much better. All of these this fall away though when you're in a naturally lit room following action and you're able to crank the iso up and get a great exposure with great latitude.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
I heard how great this camera was in low light but it is even better than what I thought it would be. The C300 is not just a little better than the competition in low light, it is several steps past everyone. Great form factor, the viewfinder and monitor are very bright and clear. Recording to $89.00 CF cards is nice!We do not want 2k, 4k, we spend enough money on storage as it is since we keep everything we shoot in our archives, and usually get one day to edit. 1080p is already way more resolution than what my clients require (web, DVD)The image is fantastic, love using my Canon glass.I shoot corporate videos, one man band. Perfect tool for this type of work.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
We have 7 HDSLRs and 15 EF lenses all used for film. This is the BEST investment for our company hands down. All the cards and lenses work with this body and the footage is easy to match in post production.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Canon Log
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
- Connectors From Monitor
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
As an early adopter of Canon HD-DSLRS, I was always impressed with the amazing images and color reproduction that came out of those cameras, but they also had major flaws. Moire and audio issues always plagued us for documentary work, and while we worked around those issues, it was never ideal. We also jumped over to Sony's FS offerings at one point, but the color would never match up with the Canon DSLRS. Eventually Canon released the C300, and I finally had a camera to move up to. Within 30 minutes of taking it out of the box, I had it up and running. Its honestly a very simple camera to use and the ergonomics are great! I was even shooting a bit of handheld with it, which is nearly impossible for DSLRS. Beyond the ergonomics is the incredibly lovely image. Its sharp, detailed, and the shadow/highlight detail in Canon Log is exactly what I wanted. You can set it up to have a view assist on log whilst recording so you can see a nearly graded image for exposure/focus. Its basically everything that Cinestyle should have been on DSLRs. Coupled with the insane lowlight abilities, your getting a camera this very scalable depending on the situation (a must for doc work). I also have to mention that the battery life is incredible on the larger battery. 300 minutes is amazing and you can easily see remaining battery levels on top of the battery without having to plug it in. Audio feeds directly into the camera via two XLRS on the monitor unit. Its great to finally have a professional solution on camera and not separately. It makes things much easier in post as you can avoid syncing. Overall I feel this camera is well worth the expense. The only con I have really experienced so far are the connectors that lead from the monitor/XLR to the camera body itself. They seem very prone to being damaged and are quite a pain to take off. For storage, this is an issue. Only time will tell on how they hold up, but for now I am very pleased.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
Just used it on a green screen shoot. The green keyed out beautifully.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
The C300 has replaced my 5D. The picture is Amazing, WorkFlow is so easy, I don't have to worry in having to convert and syncing, No more Dual Recording, this has save hours/days of computer crunching. Yes, it's expensive, however, It'll earn many times the price you paid, in time and money. I've had different shoots for 9 days straight right out of the box! There are so many cameras out there, you just have to go with what you can afford.
Works great with my Nikon (only no camera aperture control with the Nikon) and Canon lenses and the images are clean and crisp, LESS color correction- More control in POST for my work flow.
With 2 32 Gb Cards you can record 162 min! And the Batteries goes for hours.
My only con. . . would be the little eye piece viewfinder, wish there was something the size of the 5D. And in the large Viewfinder, it's difficult to see in bright light/sunshine.
I can shoot with confidence that the picture will be beautiful and I have the latitude in post. Awesome.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Great Sound
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
- Limited Zoom
- No image stabilization
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
There's no doubt this camera has excellent performance. I've been trying to make it screw up footage in low light and I tell you, this camera is far better than my own eyes in terms of detail in low light. I've been very impressed and had it not been for the competition from Sony with FS100 and now FS700, I would have given this camera 5 stars. Unfortunately, Canon miscalculated and has a camera that's overpriced for what Sony's FS700 can do (IMHO, it can do more than C300... certainly more pound per pound given the price difference!)
Sony will win the this price war if Canon doesn't wake up and smell the coffee.
Anyway. This camera has a great form factor, however, that is much better than any other high end camera out there. And that E-mount is handy in using all my prime lenses. So, I recommend this to a pro if the form factor is your priority; otherwise, there are less expense cameras out there that can nearly do as well as this camera. Paying twice the price tag of an FS700 may not be worth it to many people. You'll have to research this more. Of course, the image resolution is amazing and the Canon C-Log is a pleasure to work it. This is my two cents! :) Oh, and I've always owned DSLRs. The C-300 is so intuitive that I took it out of the box and within an hour I had the whole thing covered without taking a single look at the Owner's Manual! Very intuitive and easy to use. Lastly, one other negative is that the XLR input is not on the camera body and you have to add the whole control unit to get XLR sound. It does have a Mic connection on but then again... it's not XLR.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
Spent some time in 112 degree, sunny conditions and the camera performed as expected. 5 stars if it shot 1080 60p.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Handheld Ergonomics
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- Indoors/Low Light
- Travel
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
I have used everything from the Alexa to Red Epic and Scarlet to the 5d, and hands down this is the best documentary camera on the market. For commercials and indie film I still recommend the Alexa and for special effects green screen Red. But for docs, portability/workflow and it's amazing performance in low light c300 is the clear winner. have used on over 10 shoots since we bought it, the image quality is amazing. unlike some here i think the ergonomics of the camera are great. not perfect... the mike placement is awkward and i think they should have intergrated the xlrs to camera. but otherwise it's modularity have been really useful.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
It's all the image beauty of shooting Canon DSLR's, at awesome compression and color data, with XLR support, AND and actual motion video workflow. Really nice rig. Be sure to buy the right batteries for it though, I bought Pearstone (as recommended by BH initially, but the voltage was 7.2 - not the 7.4 Canon recommends. BH did an easy swap out though!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
- Large Clear LCD
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
When Canon announced the C300, I'll admit I was on the fence, debating between this and a Scarlet. On paper, the Scarlet is the clear winner. Then in February I was invited by Canon to go to a C300 showcase they were having here in MN, and wow! After seeing four short films that were shot on the camera, I was sold. On the big screen they looked incredible, and when you factor in the amazing low light capabilities of the camera, it really knocks everything's else out of the ring. I got my first one two weeks ago now, and I love it! If you have any doubts, just go for it. You won't be let down.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Improves Performance
- Lightweight
- Professional Quality
Cons
- Balance
- Lacks function switches
Best Uses
- Commercials
- Corporate video
- Documentaries
- Independent Films
- Music videos
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
This camera lives up to the hype. I've used it on 3 doc shoots so far and a day of lit interviews, and the images it puts out have been awesome. I've pushed the ISO to 5000 without seeing obvious detriments. 10,000 may be as far as I'm comfortable, I feel anything higher is for emergencies only. The 24-105mm IS lens covers action fine running and gunning, and the 70-200mm is great for interviews. Color and contrast reproduction are very accurate and forgiving of slightly mixed color temps. Canon Log indeed allows for impressive dynamic range, and can be corrected with FCP filters if you don't have time to take it into Color. The 50Mbps compression actually looked slightly cleaner in tests than ProRes recorded to an external recorder, which suggests to me a great internal processor. Don't think that this is a noise-free camera. It's not noise-free, but it is true that the noise is fine and granular, and (like film grain) is much more pleasing to the eye than what we're used to from video cameras. Plus there are none of the blocky compression artifacts. I saw no moire/aliasing in any of my shoots, which was great. There is still some jello wobble when the cam is in motion, but not as bad as the 5DMII.
A few small negatives: balance was not fully thought out because when you put a shotgun in the mic holder, the camera tips over (when a Manfrotto plate is on the cam and you put it down). Also, you have to enter the menu to route mic inputs to channels - on many cameras that is quickly and easily done via external switches. And lastly, the control dial on the body is tied to the control dial on the handgrip. Were they separately programmable, you could control iris with one and ISO with the other. Something to work into a firmware upgrade, Canon.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact Design
- Easy To Use
- Improves Performance
- Lightweight
- Professional Quality
Cons
- No 444 10 bit
Best Uses
- Complex Projects
- Independent Films
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
Overall I was more impressed with this camera than I thought I would be. I went into it thinking "why not 4k?" But some of my favorite cinema camera's on the market are 2k or below (arri alexa, Sony F3). The menu's are going to be really familiar to those who have used canon's xf camcorders. Within 10 minutes I knew everything needed on how to control it.The iso performance on this guy is a beast I don't think there is even the closest competition at the moment. Comparing it to the F3, C300 is significantly lighter than the F3 for portability and hand held.My only complaint about this unit is the fact that at [$] I would love 10bit 4:4:4. I recommend this camera to those looking for cinema quality and performance under the $18k price tag.And for those ready to compare this to the scarlet feel free to do so.....when you get it two years from now.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by Matt
In the studio
(14 of 17 customers found this review helpful)
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Pros
- Easy To Use
- Professional Quality
- Workflow
Cons
- Pricey / Poor Value
Best Uses
- Docs Indy projects
- Independent Films
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
I'm a Red lover, but let's be fair here.
The Scarlet doesn't record at 5K - only a 12 frame burst for photographic possibilities. It does shoot 4K, but only up to 30 frames.
This camera has 48 bit to 8 bit conversion which still looks very good.
Noise level is exceptional. While it is only 1080P, for most tv doc guys etc., it'll be quite nice. The editing workflow of this camera works just as well as the previous XF series which it is was based on.
They both share the same lens system, but enough said.
While I don't agree with the price point of this camera (it should have been closer to $12,000), this seems like a nice camera system and I will use it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Recommended:
- 24-70 canon zoom, 70-200 canon zoom
Pros
- Accurate colors
- Amazingly sharp HD image
- Extra Long battery life
- Great form factor
- High dynamic range
- Lightweight
- Solid and ergonomic build
Cons
- expensive for features
- No 10 bit HDSDI out
- No 60p at 1920x1080
Best Uses
- Cinematic documentaries
- Feature Films
- Run and Gun
- Sports Cinematography
Comments about Canon EOS C300 Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (EF Lens Mount):
We had the opportunity to recieve a pre-production model from Canon of the C300 digital cinema camera to test out. Although we only had a few days with it, we were able to jump right in & run it through all the tests that we had in mind.
ISO PERFORMACE
The ISO performance is what really sets this camera apart. It was at first something I underestimated, then I began to pull the images I shot into the computer. 5000 ISO... wow, clean image and almost no grain. 8000 ISO, still a clean and clear image and the grain that was there looked wonderful. At 16000 & 20000 ISO the image definitely had lots and lots of grain, but it was something I could see myself using and being happy about. The C300 at 850 ISO is cleaner than 320 on the 5D. Amazing.
DYNAMIC RANGE
The extra dynamic range in the C300 compared to the 5d is great. The images come out clean and you can definitely see a noticeable increase in the highlights. When I put the 5D and C300 right next to each other you could see a definite clear difference in DR. However, overall I wasn't as impressed with it as I thought (and hoped I would be). The downfall I found with the image was that when something clips, it clips. The harsh cliping takes a bit of time to work around as well. The key I found was to underexpose when in LOG mode, because it was much easier to bring up the mids and darks than it was to recover or roll off the highlights. Overall, with the C300 I noticed that if you dont actively underexpose your image, you can easily clip to absolute white.
SHOOTING LOG
LOG mode and CINEMA Lock are great features if you are shooting multicam film style set up and want all your cameras to match in terms of gamma & color space. A few things to think about when shooting in LOG mode are that what you see through the viewfinder or LCD does not really represent what your footage will look like, its close, but not 100%. Just keep that in mind. Its not like the 5D/7D/MkIV where what you see is pretty much what you get.
Overall LOG is great. Its a huge improvement over the faux-log CineStyle that many of us put on our 5D's in hopes of spectacular results. Not to say that CineStyle is bad, but I got my hopes WAY up when this was annouced and tend to use it rarely.
PROs
I like to think of LOG as the closest thing you can get to RAW when your camera cant shoot RAW. It helps preserve highlight information as well as color depth and fidelity. The LOG mode on the C300 looks great right out of the box and it isnt something to fear if you've never worked with it before. After a few hours in Final Cut/Premier/After Effects LOG becomes something you'll begin to love.
CONs
Something to keep in mind when shooting in LOG mode is setting the white balance. Not that it's hard to physically custom set on the camera, but rather it tends to be hard to get an image that your used to looking at. When setting Kelvin temp in LOG mode I found it tricky to get it right & one thing that really got to me was the difference in Kelvin temperatures when comparing the C300 to the 5D. While 5600K might look great and match EXT daylight on the 5D I found 7000K on the C300 to be where daylight looked similar to the 5D's LCD. The C300 does have someting called "ViewAssit" mode where it adds contrast and saturation to the LOG image, but it was still equally tricky to work with when trying to nail the Kelvin temp using your LCD or viewfinder.
I say this as a CON on the C300 because, for example, the ARRI ALEXA utilizes two output options, you can select what image you SEE in the viewfinder AND what image you record to your media. Something that is INCREDIBLY helpful when you want to shoot in any type of LOG mode.
FORM FACTOR / ERGONOMICS / HANDLING
When I first slipped my hand into the C300 hand-grip I felt right at home. Overall the camera is incredibly light and the hand-grip is really something. It's not like the plasticy ones on other cameras, and since it screws in, it creates a solid lock to the body of the camera. The only disappointment was the inability to customize the scroll wheel button for my finger - in fact, none of the scroll wheel buttons on the camera are customizable -- this is one thing that I hope gets either changed or updated once the camera hits the shelves.
LCD / EVF
I was highly surprised by the electronic view finder on the camera. I was never in situation while shooting where I missed focus because of the clarity of the view finder. It was tack sharp and I really enjoyed using it.
POWER
Another thing that I think is often overlooked with the C300 is the outstanding battery life. I mean, WOW... I was highly impressed. We shot all day long for two days with the camera almost always on, either we had the record button rolling, or we were just checkin out all the menus, functions, and buttons and never once did we have to worry that we didnt have enough batteries to get us through the day. I had a total of three batteries and I never had to put any on the charge and reuse them.
WORKFLOW & POST-PRODUCTION
Workflow wise, the camera is a breeze. You download the EX plugin from Canon's website, install it in Final Cut and your ready to rock. The camera shoots native .MXF and the plugin converts the footage to .MOV pretty quickly. You can also shoot to CF cards in continuous mode or dual recrod to keep a backup copy of your footage. This is something I havent seen in alot of other cameras and its something I really commend Canon for putting into this camera. I will definitely utilize this mode on any commercial, narritive, documentary work. Without question, its always great to have a backup.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Pros/
So the question is... where does the C300 fit, what kind of camera is it? What will it become and what kinds of things will be shot on it? I can say with certainty that the 1920 x 1080 image out of it is amazing for HD. It's sharp, it can have audio & timecode attached to it ( something that DSLR users never had the possibility of ) . And it's free of almost everything that makes it look "digital" while it may not be as filmic as ALEXA or as resolution heavy as Epic - it is THE best 1920x1080 HD image out there on the market for the price.
Cons/
One of the main points that kept coming up over and over again is that the that the C300 represents Canon's latest & greatest at this very moment. So when you are comparing it with the 5D, Sony F3, Sony FS100, RED Epic and the ARRI ALEXA, you are comparing it to cameras that are at minimum older than a year and a half. That is something to think about.
This leads to two very important things for the owner/operator to think about. --- Is the C300 representative of forward future thinking technology? And is your investment in it going to pay off? Personally, I think that its a camera that is well overdue and will suit my needs in UPGRADING my DSLR lineup.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by MINDCASTLE - Casey
Canon C300 on Steadicam Flyer LE
(27 of 27 customers found this review helpful)
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Media
Show more >Required item: Recording media is not included. A memory card is required to record your footage.
- Price: $79.99
Lenses & Lens Adapters
Show more >Required item: A lens is not included, and is required to use this camcorder.
Batteries & Power Adapters
Show more >Always keep a spare battery handy so you won't get caught without power.
- Price: $141.99
Compatible with the cameras intelligent system, but because of this batteries size, you will not be able to close the battery compartment cover.
Microphones & Audio Adapters
Show more >Focus your sound with a high-quality microphone. Audio quality can make or break your video.
- Price: $129.00
Bags & Cases
Show more >Carry, organize and protect your investment with quick access to your gear.
- Price: $74.95
Tripod, Sliders, Dollies, & Cranes
Show more >Stabilize the your footage and eliminate handheld fatigue with the support you need.
- Price: $149.95
LCD Hoods & Protective Coverings
Show more >Shield your camcorder from unwanted glare and wet/extreme conditions.
- Price: $164.05
Underwater & Night Vision
Capture great-looking footage underwater or in the dark.
- Price: $550.00
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