Canon has released two videos that were shot on its upcoming Cinema EOS 8K camera. The videos demonstrate and showcase the performance of those cameras regarding 8K imagery capabilities. The Cinema EOS 8K camera is supposed to be launched as the new flagship in 2021. 

Canon Cinema EOS 8K

Canon 8K camera prototype was demonstrated back in September 2015. Fast forward 5 years, and still, we don’t have any official announcement on the horizon, although there were launched a couple of Cinema EOS cameras (from 4K to 5.9K). Nowadays, the C500 Mark II is defined as EOS Cinema full-frame flagship. Moreover, Canon hasn’t abandoned the 8K dream, and the newly announced EOS R5 is proof of that. But what is the developing status of the EOS Cinema 8K camera? Well, all over the net it’s truly clear that an 8K Cinema EOS beast will be presented in 2021.

Canon publishes 8K demonstrations

A year ago, Canon declared that the company has been successfully testing 8K live-video transmission, and published a case study which is an 8K film by using Canon 8K cameras. Canon claimed the those Cinema EOS have the ability to record 8K RAW. Those tested 8K cameras were equipped with a Canon-developed 8K image sensor that features an ultra-high resolution of 8192 x 4320 pixels, high-precision HDR, and a wide color gamut. Furthermore, Canon claimed that there is a full lineup of 8K equipment spanning input to output already developed, including cameras, lenses, and displays. These are fully operational products (beyond production models) and are in the last testing cycle before marketing to the crowd.

Mac Pro at WWDC

During the WWDC as a part of the Mac Pro hands-on demo, an unreleased 8K Canon video camera was used to capture high-resolution footage to demonstrate the quality of the new Pro Display XDR together with the new Mac Pro.  The video camera was mounted on a robotic arm and was feeding the Apple display with 4:4:4 ProRes 8K RAW. Although there was no formal statement by Canon, it appeared that the EOS 8K was spotted in that demonstration.

The incredibly precise details made possible by the high definition of 8K video, as well as the high dynamic range and wide color reproduction gamut of Canon’s 8K camera, are leveraged to great effect.

Canon

Recent proofs to the upcoming EOS 8K

Two days ago, Canon has released videos in ultra-high-resolution 8K that features the Villages on Hisaka Island and Egami Village of Narushima Island. According to Canon, the video content was captured using Canon’s 8K camera and a rich lineup of EF Cinema lenses that span from wide-angle to telephoto. As stated by Canon: “The incredibly precise details made possible by the high definition of 8K video, as well as the high dynamic range and wide color reproduction gamut of Canon’s 8K camera are leveraged to great effect”. Together with the videos, Canon has published pictures showing the camera that shot the videos (check them out above). It’s hard to determine the camera model, however, it’s not the EOS R5, but definitely a new Cinema EOS 8K.

Using our proprietary optical and image-processing technologies, we are working to develop a wide selection of 8K equipment, including cameras, lenses, and displays, that ranges from input to output.

Canon

Canon’s approach to 8K

Here’s a statement from Canon regarding its approach to 8K imagery: “Using our proprietary optical and image-processing technologies, we are working to develop a wide selection of 8K equipment, including cameras, lenses, and displays, that ranges from input to output. The 8K camera used to capture this footage employs an 8K sensor developed in-house and achieves a resolution of 8192 x 4320 pixels—four times that of 4K and sixteen times that of 2K—to realize ultra-high-resolution, high dynamic range, and a wide color gamut that make possible visuals with substance, ambiance and immersion that feels like viewers are actually there. In addition to equipment, we are also developing such technologies as the Free Viewpoint Video Solution, which realizes a truly immersive and realistic experience”.

Conclusion

There is a very good chance that we’re witnessing the born of the Cinema EOS 8K camera. After 5 years of development, there is a high probability that the announcement will be made in 2021. We’re going to stay with our hands-on pulse on this one, so stay tuned.