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| Image: Canon |
Canon has announced the EOS C80, a dedicated cinema camera in a mirrorless-style body. It’s built around a 26MP full-frame Stacked CMOS sensor and uses the RF lens mount. According to Canon, the C80’s internals closely resemble the Cinema EOS C400, its newest professional cinema camera, including an almost identical sensor, though it lacks some features found on the C400.
The C80 replaces the EOS C70, a camera that proved very popular with independent video producers and small production houses but which used a smaller Super 35mm sensor and included an EF-to-RF 0.71x optical adapter that essentially worked as a speed booster.
The EOS C80’s stacked CMOS sensor can capture video up to 6K resolution and features a triple-base ISO design, with bases at ISO 800, 3200, and 12,800. Dual gain systems work by switching between two different readout paths with different levels of capacitance, giving a tradeoff between a mode that can accommodate a large signal (higher peak dynamic range) and one with less tolerance for light but lower readout noise, better suited to shooting in low light. The implication is that Canon has a third readout option that takes this trade-off further. We’ve contacted Canon for further technical details and will follow up as we learn more.
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| Image: Canon |
In addition to triple-base ISO, the updated sensor supports the newest version of Canon’s dual-pixel autofocus, Dual Pixel AF II. It significantly enlarges the area of the sensor that can be used for autofocus and includes the same AF zones found on the Cinema EOS C400. The new system supports people and animal tracking, and the faster readout speed of the sensor allows the AF system to be quicker and more responsive.
The AF system also introduces a new feature intended to make it easier to rack between subjects. If the AF system is tracking a person, using the manual focus ring on the lens will take over focus control; when the AF system detects that it’s close to focusing on a different subject, it will identify and take over focus tracking on that new subject once the focus ring is released.
Other new features include 12G-SDI terminals to allow for output of uncompressed video signals, Canon’s multi-function shoe, a new lightweight handle accessory for attaching multi-function accessories, a third 1/4″-20 tripod thread on the base of the camera and another on top, and an ethernet terminal. Connections include full-sized HDMI-out, two mini XLR audio inputs, a 3.5mm microphone jack, 4-channel audio support, and a Time Code terminal. There are 13 custom buttons.
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| Image: Canon |
The camera includes the same ND filter system as the EOS C400, with five settings ranging from ND2 to ND10, and there’s a helpful tape measure hook on the top of the camera for planning focus and focus pulls.
The C80 supports three sets of video codecs, notably, the same ones found on the Cinema EOS C400 and the recently announced EOS R1 and EOS R5 II. This common use of codecs across all EOS models, including mirrorless and cinema products, suggests Canon is trying to better align video capabilities across the entire EOS line.
The C80 can capture up to 6K/30p video using the width of its sensor or up to 4K/60p using a Super 35mm crop when using Canon’s Cinema RAW LT (‘light’) codec. It doesn’t support Canon’s higher bit rate Cinema RAW formats, HQ and ST, which require write speeds beyond the ability of the C80’s dual-SD (UHS-II) memory cards.
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| Image: Canon |
The camera also supports compressed codecs, including Canon’s XF-AVC, XF-HEVC S, and XF-AVC S codecs, all of which support video capture up to 4K/60p (downsampled from 6K) in 4:2:2 10-bit color, using either All-I or Long-GOP formats. There’s also slow motion support for frame rates up to 4K/120p and 2K/180p, with autofocus support up to 120p. The camera includes both C-Log2 and C-Log3 gamma curves and supports proxy files.
In addition to standard video, the EOS C80 provides anamorphic lens support with 2.0x, 1.8x and 1.3x de-squeeze. A new vertical interface is available when shooting vertical video.
The C80 also supports two new batteries: the BP-A30N, which ships with the camera and provides up to 170 minutes of continuous recording, and the BP-A60N, which Canon says will provide up to 335 minutes of continuous recording. According to Canon, the previous non-N versions of these batteries will continue to work without any feature limitations but will provide shorter operating times.
Price and availability
The Canon EOS C80 has a suggested retail price of $5499. It will be available in November 2024.
Press release:
Canon Introduces the EOS C80 6K Full-Frame Cinema Camera
New EOS C80 RF-Mount Camera Features a 6K Full-Frame, Back-Illuminated Stacked CMOS
Sensor, Triple-Base ISO, Dual Pixel CMOS AF II and 12G-SDI
MELVILLE, N.Y., September 9, 2024 – Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is pleased to announce the new EOS C80 cinema camera, with a native RF-mount and full-frame, back- illuminated stacked CMOS sensor, designed for filmmakers that require a full-featured camera in a compact body.
6K Full-Frame Back-Illuminated Stacked CMOS Sensor
The Canon EOS C80 camera features a 6K full-frame, back-illuminated CMOS sensor, with triple-base ISO, allowing the camera to deliver stunning imagery in a wide range of lighting conditions. The base ISOs of 800, 3200, and 12,800 maximize the full dynamic range of the camera. The EOS C80 camera also features Canon’s latest Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus, Dual Pixel AF II. The back-illuminated stacked sensor’s positioning offers superb light-capturing efficiency, which widens the area of the sensor that can be used for autofocusing. The sensor also empowers fast readout speed, as well as amazing 4K image quality from 6K oversampling.
12-G SDI and a Variety of Interfaces
In addition to moving to a full-frame sensor, the EOS C80 camera has also stepped up from its predecessor by adding 12G-SDI output, which enables uncompressed transfer of your video signal with a secure cable connection. The camera’s design includes a variety of other interfaces including HDMI, mini-XLR audio inputs, time code, built-in Wi-Fi® connectivity, and Ethernet. This internet connectivity enables the camera to be controlled remotely via our IP-based XC Protocol using Canon’s Remote Camera Control Application (available for free on the Canon USA Website), or our Multi-Camera Control App for iPhone (available for free on the App Store).
Compact Design
The compact and lightweight EOS C80 camera is suitable on a drone, gimbal, tripod, or in any configuration where compact size and light weight are important. The camera is ergonomically designed with a new, lightweight handle assembly. The Multi-function Shoe is located just above the LCD screen and the joystick controller provides easy control and menu navigation.
Recording Options
The EOS C80 camera can record up to 6K 30P in Cinema RAW Light. Other recording options include our standard XF-AVC codec which can record in 10-bit 4:2:2 with oversampling from the 6K sensor, creating rich detail and smooth imagery without the need for cropping the image from the sensor. Furthermore, autofocus is enabled when recording in slow or fast motion at up to 4K 120P. Additionally, the EOS C80 camera has two more recording codecs, XF-AVC S and XF-HEVC S. These formats were first introduced with the EOS C400 camera and feature an easy-to-manage naming system and folder structure, while recording in the familiar MP4 format and preserving metadata.
Pricing and Availability
The Canon Cinema EOS C80 Full-Frame camera is scheduled to be available in November 2024 for an estimated retail price of $5,499.00. For more information, please visit www.usa.canon.com.
Canon Cinema EOS C80 specifications
| Price | |
|---|---|
| MSRP | 5,499 |
| Body type | |
| Body type | SLR-style mirrorless |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 6008 x 3170 |
| Effective pixels | 19 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 27 megapixels |
| Sensor size | Full frame (36 x 24 mm) |
| Sensor type | Stacked CMOS |
| Color space | Rec.709, BT.709 wide DR, HLG, PQ |
| Image | |
| Boosted ISO (minimum) | 1600 |
| Boosted ISO (maximum) | 102400 |
| White balance presets | 2 |
| Image stabilization | Digital only |
| File format |
|
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus |
|
| Lens mount | Canon RF |
| Screen / viewfinder | |
| Screen size | 3.5″ |
| Screen dots | 2,760,000 |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | None |
| Photography features | |
| Exposure modes |
|
| Built-in flash | No |
| External flash | No |
| Metering modes |
|
| Exposure compensation | ±2 (at 1/4 EV steps) |
| Videography features | |
| Format | XF-AVC, H.264, H.265 |
| Microphone | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | Dual SD card slots (UHS-II/V90) |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) |
| HDMI | Yes (Full-size) |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | Yes |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Remote control | Yes |
| Physical | |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | BP-A30N (included), BP-A60N, BP-A60, BP-A30 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 1310 g (2.89 lb / 46.21 oz) |
| Dimensions | 160 x 138 x 116 mm (6.3 x 5.43 x 4.57″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | Yes |
Author:
This article comes from DP Review and can be read on the original site.
