That is a piece of great news for C200 owners/shooters. We have got a precise answer from Netflix confirmed that the “Canon C200 meets Netflix capture spec when doing RAW capture”. However, there are some things to take into consideration. Read below.
Netflix and Canon cinema cameras
The most recent cameras RED Dragon-X and RED Ranger were accepted readily. Netflix approved all entire RED family with no brainer.
As for the Canon cinema cameras, only the C300 Mk II, Canon C500, Canon C700, and Canon C700 FF were accepted. There was (and still is) no mention of the Canon C200, which owns the same sensor as the C700 and C300. Also, the C200 has RAW capabilities (Cinema RAW light). So what is the reason for Netflix not to accept the C200?
Netflix does not publish disqualifications and does not publicly share information on what cameras have been tested
The C200 Netflix dilemma
Not surprisingly, a lot of discussions were raised on the question of the ‘right’ interpretation of why the C200 is not in the list of Netflix camera requirements and image captures. Netflix does not publish disqualifications and does not publicly share information on what cameras have been tested.
I found some useful discussion led by Mitch Gross (Cinema Product Manager at Panasonic), just after the EVA-1 was accepted to Netflix. According to Mitch: “Netflix has a rigorous testing process; it’s not just based on a spec list. Part of the qualification is that the approved mode for shooting on the camera must be a practical one. Perhaps – and this is purely speculation – Netflix did not consider shooting a production for the service in Canon RAW Light was a practical concept for their producers…It’s possible that the lack of proper timecode or some other factor contributed to the decision. Again, it is a rigorous testing process with actual test shoots and posts work with the camera”.
Netflix has a rigorous testing process; it’s not just based on a spec list. Part of the qualification is that the approved mode for shooting on the camera must be a practical one.
Mitch Gross – Cinema Product Manager at Panasonic
Netflix’s answer: C200 lack of timecode input
Timecode Input allows accurate timecode sync that makes it a breeze to sync up your clips during editing. With a Timecode Input, you can plug a Timecode generator into the camera that allows writing the metadata into each video file and significantly simplifies the post process. Without Timecode Input, the camera suffers from a severe drawback to the workflow of even mid-sized productions. The Canon C200 doesn’t own a Timecode Input, and according to Netflix, that’s the reason for not being accepted (formally) to the list.
As stated from Netflix’s Partner Support answer: “C200 can be accepted on a case-by-case basis only if doing RAW capture. The C200 meets our capture spec only when doing RAW capture. It is not on our list of approved cameras due to its lack of a timecode input.”
C200 can be accepted on a case-by-case basis only if doing RAW capture. The C200 meets our capture spec only when doing RAW capture. It is not on our list of approved cameras due to its lack of a timecode input.
Netflix
Cinema RAW Light: OK for Netflix
Many of the C200 owners believed that the reason for not accepting the C200 is the Cinema RAW Light, which is not a real RAW. However, according to Netflix, the C200 RAW option is good enough and meet their camera image capture requirements.
Conclusions
Netflix confirmed that the C200 might be accepted a case-by-case basis only when shooting in Cinema RAW Light format. According to Netflix, if Canon wants the C200 being part of the list formally, a Timecode Input should be implemented. However, let’s not jump to any conclusions since this is just an assumption. Nevertheless, it doesn’t have to stop you from shooting your Netflix project on your Canon C200, since the C200 image capture might be good enough for Netflix.
Update from Netflix:
We got some updates from Netflix to shed some lights regarding the C200 being used in their productions.
According to Netflix: The C200 is not an approved as a primary camera for Netflix 4K Originals. However, it can be used, but it depends on multiple variables that come into play, like the type of production and how it is being managed (originally produced, acquisition, distribution, licensed).
[…] READ SOURCE […]
So nice to be quoted, thank you. But I must point out that I feel it is misleading to post an image showing the Netflix logo, the C200 and a large check mark. The implication is that people can go ahead and shoot with the camera for a Netflix project and it will be accepted. This is absolutely NOT the case. Pre-approval for the use must be sought for any camera not on the approved list. Under certain circumstances many cameras will be allowed by Netflix, but filmmakers will need to argue their case for the use of the camera first. Don’t expect “because I own one” or “I like the look” to be reason enough. You would need to explain why in a specific situation a particular non-approved camera would be more appropriate than an approved one.
Hi Mitch,
So happy you commenting on the post. I absolutely agree with you. The image is only a featured image… an illustration. That’s why are article describes this complex situation further based on Netflix clarifications and answers. Take a look at the update at the end of the article :”The C200 is not an approved as a primary camera for Netflix 4K Originals. However, it can be used, but it depends on multiple variables that come into play, like the type of production and how it is being managed (originally produced, acquisition, distribution, licensed)” Also the article emphasizes that is only a “Case by Case” basis. However, in my opinion the article demonstrates that the C200 can be accepted (under some circumstances) to Netflix and that means a lot for C200 owners which thought that there is no chance that the C200 can shoot a Netflix project.
Personally, I hope that there will a clarification on Netflix Camera and Image Capture page regarding the C200 and other popular cinema cameras that are not in the list for now.
Thx,
Yossy
Saying that Cinema RAW Light “is not a real RAW” is wrong. It is a real RAW: 100% RAW, but compressed in a lossless way, so no infoes are miss in the process.
I know that a lot of “videomakers” are not technically skilled, that’s why you need to not share their wrong considerations 😉
There are a number of issues with Canon RAW Light and they are often discussed within the cinema production community. All you have to do is follow the threads in CML where well known directors like Geoff Boyle NSC FBKS discuss the problems they are encountering with out-of-gamut colors with negative values creating artifacts when viewed through the output transforms. The Canon C700 has true RAW. The C200 and BM’s BRAW are not full RAW.
As Colin Elves says” This is why I think the C200 is such a weird camera. If it was really ‘Raw’ surely changing gamut in camera shouldn’t make such a huge difference to the noise profile?
I don’t get why they don’t just call it a 12 bit 444 camera and stop pretending it’s Raw.
That and I don’t get why anyone would use a camera professionally that won’t let you monitor in the gamma it’s Shooting in. Why no Clog2 monitoring?!”
This last sentence in the above paragraph is a comment I heard from a number of people. No Clog2 monitoring.
https://cml.news/g/cml-post-vfx-aces/topic/red_noise_in_canons_worse_in/14295219?p=,,,20,0,0,0::recentpostdate%2Fsticky,,,20,1,0,14295219
Please, don’t take a single sentence from an user doing a supposition and think it’s a fact. He’s wrong, it’s a RAW with no data loss, it’s been demonstrated. What that guy said is stupid because a 12bit 444 will be larger than a RAW 😉
There’s no problem when changing gamut with proper softwares… but if you deal with Resolve, then everything changes because ot seems they are using a demosaicing on their own and not the Canon one.
Maybe Netflix can explain how they left off the camera that shot the new Blade Runner and is the staple of tv commercials around the world.
Alexa/Alexa Mini is not 4K native, that’s what they said.
[…] with Netflix requirements, but the Mini LF does). So, it’s not the end of the world. We wrote an article about the Canon C200 that can be used on Netflix productions (under some circumstances). By the […]
It’s 2023 now…. Canon C200B is on SALE!!! I am buying one next week, my first cinema camera for only $2500. I can use all 15 of my Canon EF/EF-S lenses natively, internal NDs, 10/12bit Cinema Raw Light in camera, full size XLR inputs! Lovin it!