Canon is targeting movie making and high-resolution production with its upcoming EOS C500 4k digital cinema camera, which will be available in both EF- and PL-mount versions.
The 4096×2160-pixel Super 35mm-sized 8.85-megapixel CMOS sensor can output 10-bit uncompressed RAW data via two 3G-SDI ports for external recording at the highest quality. It can also output quad full-HD (3840×2160), 2K (2048×1080), full HD (1920×1080), and other options.
Its 4K and 2K formats can operate from one to 60fps. When shooting in 2k, the new camera can output a 12-bit RGB 4:4:4 signal. It can also record 2k or 4k at up to 120fps using a 10-bit YCrCb 4:2:2 mode.
In addition to recording externally, the C500 can simultaneously record 8-bit 4:2:2 internally at 50Mbps in HD to one or two Compact Flash cards, which can be used as a proxy for offline editing or for broadcast HD.
The C500 and C500 PL will cost about $30,000 when they ship next month and join the new entry-level C100, the popular C300, and the EOS-1D C 4k DSLR camera in Canon’s Cinema EOS range. – David Fox
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