Canon intros EOS C300 Mark II Camera; new 4K Camcorder; and 4K Display

Canon U.S.A. today has introduced three new products: the EOS C300 Mark II Digital Cinema Camera; the XC10 4K camcorder; and the DP-V2410 4K Reference Display.

To engineer the next evolutionary step up from the EOS C300 Cinema Camera, Canon has developed a new Super 35mm CMOS sensor that supports high-image-quality internal video recording from Full HD (1920×1080) and 2K DCI (2048×1080) to 4K UHD (3840×2160) and 4K DCI (4096×2160), utilizing Canon’s proprietary Over Sampling HD Processing to help meet the needs of multi-purpose productions. The new imaging sensor maximizes the amount of light that falls on each photosite through a wider pixel pitch, enhancing the EOS C300 Mark II camera’s sensitivity, while minimizing noise and supporting ISOs up to 102,400. The new sensor is also capable of twice the readout speed compared to the original, which in turn significantly reduces the occurrence of rolling shutter distortion.

The EOS C300 Mark II also uses Canon’s new XF-AVC codec that compresses the camera’s 4K image data at a high level of quality for internal recording using CFast 2.0 memory cards. The EOS C300 Mark II can also output its signal simultaneously through built-in 3G-SDI ports for full uncompressed RAW recording to an external recorder.

The Dual DIGIC DV 5 processors on the EOS C300 Mark II camera work hand-in-hand with the new Super 35 Canon CMOS sensor to enable a wide variety of image quality and feature improvements including 15 stops of dynamic range, bit rates up to 410 Mbps, Canon Log Gamma 2, XF-AVC Codec, Dual Pixel CMOS AF, simultaneous 4K and HD Proxy recording and 2K/FHD frame rates up to 120 frames per second. 10-bit recording with 4:2:2 color sampling is available at all resolution settings, but the 2K and Full HD resolutions also support 12-bit recording at 4:4:4 color sampling for maximum color fidelity.

In response to feedback provided by current EOS C300 Cinema Camera users, the EOS C300 Mark II builds on the innovative and efficient ergonomic design of the original camera by adding several redesigned features to help maximize shooting comfort and improve usability.  For example, the new camera features a built-in microphone for scratch audio as well as dual CFast2.0 card slots for MXF recording and an SD card slot for 8-bit 4:2:0 Full HD proxy recordings.

The Canon EOS C300 Mark II Digital Cinema Camera is expected to be available in September 2015 for an estimated retail price of $20,000.00, and will be available with either EF or PL mount.

The new 4K reference monitor, meanwhile, is designed to help professionals confirm focus and AOV (angle of view); perform on-set color grading and detail adjustments; and support the entire cinema/4K UHD production workflow from capture through post.

“We continue to forge forward in the development of 4K reference display technology. This new display will immediately find a very important place in the Canon cinema ecosystem as a key component, supporting the entire 4K workflow process,” says Yuichi Ishizuka, President and COO, Canon USA. “This display is a result of implementing crucial feedback from our customers, and we feel they will value and appreciate the new features as well as the reduced size, weight and cost.”

Canon says the display’s 17:9 10-bit IPS (In-Plane Switching) panel features outstanding sharpness and deep and accurate black reproduction that provides a 2000:1 contrast ratio. A special anti-glare coating helps ensure faithful image reproduction within challenging environments often encountered on-set and a Canon-designed RGB LED backlight system and specially developed high-bit depth image processing engine helps ensure highly uniform brightness and accurate DCI-P3 color reproduction. In addition, the internal debayering facilitates direct live viewing of the uncompressed RAW 4K/2K outputs of the EOS C500 and EOS C300 Mark II cameras.

Central to the DP-V2410 imagery is the IPS liquid crystal panel augmented by the RGB LED backlight system specially optimized for the panel. Proprietary image processing compensates any Luma or Chroma unevenness and helps ensure high-accuracy uniformity and the 10-bit panel supports accurate tonal reproduction, allowing precise portrayal of broadcast standards ITU-R BT.709, EBU and SMPTE C, and also near complete portrayal of the DCI-P3 digital cinema standard.

The 4096 x 2160 display pixel structure and 17:9 aspect ratio displays all broadcast and cinema digital sampling standards on a precise dot-by-dot basis while the contrast ratio of 2000:1 complies with DCI specifications. The DP-V2410 can also accept wide color gamuts like the ITU-R BT.2020 UHD gamut using a specially developed gamut mapping technology to optimally display color data outside of the native panel color gamut.

The DP-V2410’s 8 LUTs can be configured for each picture mode, allowing the user to freely switch LUTs within the same picture mode, making it easy to compare the display’s false color function allowing different colors to be displayed based on differences in brightness. This assists in camera exposure adjustment and visually monitoring the exposure status. The zoom function can be used in one of two ways ─ cinema professionals can zoom in on the center of the screen or expand a selected portion of the screen from a four-screen layout. This zoom feature can be extremely beneficial when confirming focus in a scene. In addition, the display’s Capture Function can capture screen shots of images that are currently displayed on the screen and save them as an image file, as well as 4K waveform monitor, vector scope, peaking, audio level meter and Area Markers.

The Canon DP-V2410 4K Reference Display is scheduled to be available November 2015 for a Suggested List price of $18,000.00. In addition, a new firmware update for the Canon DP-V3010 is scheduled to be available November 2015 and the DP-V3010 display’s direct sales price is now $24,999.

Canon says the third introduction, the XC10, is designed to deliver stunning 4K and Full HD video as well as compelling 12-Megapixel still images. The camcorder also has a built-in function to extract eight megapixel still images from recorded 4K video, making it one of Canon’s most convenient multimedia tools to date.

In addition to the camcorder’s 4K and Full HD video capture capabilities, the XC10 camcorder includes a one-inch 12-megapixel CMOS sensor, with a 10x Wide-Angle Zoom Lens with a 2x Digital Teleconverter and Optical Image Stabilization allowing for rock-steady video and still image shooting. This new digital camcorder is ideal for creative individuals and professionals who are interested in cost effective 4K video production, as well as multimedia journalists and news agencies looking to easily expand into 4K Electronic News Gathering (ENG) coverage.

“With the introduction of the XC10 4K digital camcorder, we are looking to deliver a robust new camcorder that will allow for an ever expanding creative expression,” says Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon USA. “Enabling the virtually seamless capture of stunning 4K video with the added convenience of still image capture and 4K frame extraction, XC10 users are empowered with multiple ways to share their artistic visions.”

The camcorder’s 10x Wide-Angle Zoom Lens offers a 35mm-equivalent zoom ratio of 24.1-241mm for still photos and 27.3-273mm for movies while remaining compact as a result of the use of two UD lens elements, two Hi-UD lens elements, and two three-sided aspherical lens elements.

The XC10 camcorder also has dedicated microphone and headphone jacks along with a built-in microphone for professional sound monitoring. A Vari-Angle LCD monitor features a capacitive touch-panel for simple intuitive control paired with a rotating hand grip to maximize users’ ability to shoot both movies and still images from virtually any angle.

The XC10 camcorder also incorporates built-in dual-band 5GHz and 2.4 GHz wireless networks to provide remote camcorder operability through a web browser, a compatible smartphone or a tablet. The wireless function also provides browser previewing of recorded images without the need to remove media from the camcorder. For added convenience, the XC10 can be used hand-held or with camera-support accessories, such as ultra-low-angle car mounts or even drones.

Offering slow- and fast-motion recording, multiple picture settings with a variety of looks, and interval shooting for time-lapse still photography, the Canon XC10 4K Digital Camcorder records cinematic H.264 4:2:2/8-bit MXF 4K (UHD) 3840 x 2160 movies to an internal CFast card or Full HD 1920 x 1080 video to an SD card at multiple frame rates up to a maximum of 305Mbps/29.97P in 4K and 50Mbps/59.94P in Full HD.  The XC10 also offers 12-stop dynamic range Canon Log recording and 4K 30p movie playback via its HDMI 1.4 output port to further support many different workflow options.