A very interesting cinema camera has just been announced by Canon. Meet the new EOS C400 which features a 6K full-frame, back-illuminated CMOS sensor, with triple-base ISO to enhance dynamic range and AF capabilities. Read on.
Canon C400: A new EOS cinema camera
Canon has just introduced a new EOS Cinema titled C400. As stated by the press release: “Canon is pleased to announce the new Canon EOS C400 cinema camera, with a native RF-mount and full-frame, back-illuminated stacked CMOS sensor, designed with the film and live production markets in mind”.
Canon is proud to provide filmmakers and videographers with a variety of tools to capture high-quality and visually stunning images. The new camera and lens strengthen Canon’s already impressive lineup of cinema products.
Brian Mahar, senior vice president and general manager, Canon USA
Back-illuminated stacked CMOS: Enhanced DR and AF
For the first time in the cinema EOS system, the Canon EOS C400 camera features a newly developed 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 (DR is not specified in the press release). An additional benefit of the EOS C400 camera’s sensor is the support for the next generation of Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus, Dual Pixel AF II. The back-illuminated stacked positioning offers better light-capturing efficiency, which widens the area of the sensor that can be used for autofocusing. The sensor also empowers faster readout speed, as well as better 4K image quality from 6K oversampling.
Camera recording options
The EOS C400 camera records in 6K full frame up to 60p in 12-bit Cinema RAW Light. By changing the sensor mode, the camera can record 4K RAW up to 120fps and 2K RAW up to 180fps. This is all recorded in Canon’s latest iteration of Cinema RAW Light, which provides three different recording modes to choose from depending on your file size preference and workflow. Other recording options include the Canon-developed, industry-standard XF-AVC codec which can be recorded in 10-bit 4:2:2 with oversampling from the 6K sensor, helping to create rich detail and smooth imagery, at frame rates up to 120P, without the need for cropping the image from the sensor. Canon is also introducing two new recording codecs into the EOS C400 camera, XF-AVC S and XF-HEVC S. These formats feature an easy-to-manage naming system and folder structure while recording in the familiar MP4 format and preserving metadata. All of these options are recorded to the camera’s CFexpress slot with sub-recording and proxy options available to the SD Card slot, which allows for simultaneous recording even when shooting RAW.
Production capabilities
For live productions, the EOS C400 camera body features a dedicated 12-pin lens terminal for broadcast and cine-servo lenses, a variety of output and input interfaces including mini-XLR audio inputs, DIN connectors for time code, genlock and return video, 12G-SDI and 3G-SDI monitor outputs, a full-size HDMI output, built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, Ethernet and much more. The camera also features SRT protocol for IP streaming of video and audio. For shooting scenarios where the camera will be controlled remotely, you can use the Ethernet port or Wi-Fi connectivity to enable remote control, including support for the Canon Multi-Camera Control app, browser remotes, or the Canon RC-IP100 or RC-IP1000 controllers via the use of the included XC protocol. The EOS C400 camera can also provide frame-by-frame metadata in real-time and post-production to support virtual production workflows. Ready for 180-degree VR shooting, the EOS C400 camera has built-in compatibility with the Canon RF5.2mm F2.8 L dual fisheye lens.
Pricing and Availability
The Canon Cinema EOS C400 Full-Frame RF Mount Camera is scheduled to be available in September 2024 for an estimated retail price of $7,999 (the same as the C300 Mark III). Explore the Product Links at the end of the article (when available).
Initial thoughts
In my opinion, the C400 is one of the most interesting cameras in the Cinema EOS lineup. Unfortunately, in the ‘press release package,’ there was no sample footage. But I assume the footage will be released when the embargo is lifted or just after that (after publishing this article). It will be intriguing to reveal the dynamic range of the camera derived from the back-illuminated CMOS with the triple-base ISO capabilities. Interestingly, the dynamic range was not specified in the press release. Also, Canon claims improved readout speed, hence it will be nice to explore the readout speed and rolling shutter in various shooting modes. As for more specs, they were not included in the press release as well. However, the C400 seems like a nice refreshing breeze to the Cinema EOS lineup. I will definitely write more about it as more details will be exposed. What do you think about the Canon C400? Comment below.
Product List
Here are the products mentioned in the article, and the links to purchase them from authorized dealers.
- Canon EOS C400 6K Full-Frame Digital Cinema Camera
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