Canon XF300 VS. C200 at DVinfo.net

Bob Safay · July 7th, 2018, 04:36 PM

This may be a dumb question, but I currently use the Canon XF300 and love it, I love the color and the overall quality of the video that I shoot. However I have been considering upgrading to the C200. I wonder if anyone has ever had the opportunity to compare the overall video quality of the XF300's 50 mbps 4:2:2: to the C200's 35 mbps 4:2:0? I am NOT interested in shooting RAW at this time, and I do not want the C100 II due to the XLR's being on the handle. Also, I shoot primarily wildlife and nature video and post on Vimeo and UTube. Bob

Gary Huff · July 8th, 2018, 07:13 AM

This is one of this instances where the numbers don't tell the whole story because you are comparing MPEG-2 50Mbps to MPEG-4 35Mbps. You won't be able to tell any difference, because the whole image from the C200 will be so radically different you won't even be able to compare. With the larger sensor on the C200, you'll see more detail and have a more cinematic looking shallow depth of field. On top of that, borrow or rent a CFast card and you'll have full DCI 4K 12-bit/10-bit Cine Raw Light, but even then you might not be able to tell a difference just by looking at it.

Bob Safay · July 11th, 2018, 05:15 AM

Gary, So other than DOF and more detail I really won't see that much difference between the XF300 and the C200? CFast cards are out of the question, as are Sony SxS cards because when I travel I generally shoot 6-8 hours of video.

Nate Haustein · July 11th, 2018, 07:58 AM

If it’s space you’re worried about, and the expense of cards, I came across this life changing little device a few weeks ago. Works with anything. I plug in my Atomos SSD drive and it copies right over. Western Digital Passport Wireless Pro: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...2855/KBID/3801

Gary Huff · July 11th, 2018, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Safay

Gary, So other than DOF and more detail I really won't see that much difference between the XF300 and the C200?

No, you will see an incredible amount of difference in favor of the C200.

Bob Safay · July 12th, 2018, 08:01 AM

Gary, thank you for the clarification. I am considering renting a C200 for a three day weekend to really test it. Thanks again. Bob

Bob Safay · July 12th, 2018, 08:02 AM

Nate, thank you. Do you plug the C200 into the passport or just the card reader? Bob

Nate Haustein · July 12th, 2018, 01:21 PM

Hi Bob. While I haven’t tried the WD Passport with a C200 card myself, I would assume you would just plug in the USB card reader. That’s how it works with the SSDs and USB sticks I’ve copied over at least.

Steven Davis · July 12th, 2018, 08:03 PM

I have both and continue to use both the C200 and XF300. I upgraded to my C200 because I wanted to stop using on-camera lighting. I've always had a fit with the XF300 and low light. And since you can't adjust the XF300 gain on the fly, it became really tiresome to have grainy footage all the time.

The best thing about the Canon C200 over the XF300 is the low light capability. I'm shooting low lit scenes in 5000k ISO comfortably. An insane thought to try with my XF300.

Don't get me wrong, I love my XF300s, They are my workhorses, and given the right amount of light, they produce beautiful images. The auto focus on them is great.

I currently use both cameras for like a ceremony, my XF300 is my zoomer up and down the aisle, and my C200 runs in 4k so I can have wide shots and crop in.

I was going to fly my C200 on my Steadicam scout, but it's just as heavy as the XF300, so I've been using a monopod with my C200, and that makes me happy.

One of my main issues with the C200 is it devours batteries. Even if I'm in manual focus, I get about an hour on the small batteries, and the huge batter about 2.5 times that. Of all my cameras, the C200 drains batteries the fasted.

I spent three months of research and tested out a C200 before I bought one. I'm very happy I did.

Bob Safay · July 15th, 2018, 08:09 AM

Steven, thanks for the information. I will be taking two major trips in the coming months. Kenya in August for the migration and then Argentina and Chili in November/December. I thing I'll hold off getting any new equipment until after that. The XF300 has served me well and have taken it on many trips. The truth is, the C200, do I really need it? NO. Do I really want it? YES. So I guess I stay with what I have since after 6 years, I have finally figured out all the bells and whistles on it. And as you said, it really does produce great images. Bob

July 7th, 2018, 04:36 PM	#1
Bob Safay Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,558	Canon XF300 VS. C200 This may be a dumb question, but I currently use the Canon XF300 and love it, I love the color and the overall quality of the video that I shoot. However I have been considering upgrading to the C200. I wonder if anyone has ever had the opportunity to compare the overall video quality of the XF300's 50 mbps 4:2:2: to the C200's 35 mbps 4:2:0? I am NOT interested in shooting RAW at this time, and I do not want the C100 II due to the XLR's being on the handle. Also, I shoot primarily wildlife and nature video and post on Vimeo and UTube. Bob

July 8th, 2018, 07:13 AM	#2
Gary Huff Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,006	Re: Canon XF300 VS. C200 This is one of this instances where the numbers don't tell the whole story because you are comparing MPEG-2 50Mbps to MPEG-4 35Mbps. You won't be able to tell any difference, because the whole image from the C200 will be so radically different you won't even be able to compare. With the larger sensor on the C200, you'll see more detail and have a more cinematic looking shallow depth of field. On top of that, borrow or rent a CFast card and you'll have full DCI 4K 12-bit/10-bit Cine Raw Light, but even then you might not be able to tell a difference just by looking at it.

July 11th, 2018, 05:15 AM	#3
Bob Safay Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,558	Re: Canon XF300 VS. C200 Gary, So other than DOF and more detail I really won't see that much difference between the XF300 and the C200? CFast cards are out of the question, as are Sony SxS cards because when I travel I generally shoot 6-8 hours of video.

July 11th, 2018, 07:58 AM	#4
Nate Haustein Trustee Join Date: May 2007 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 1,313	Re: Canon XF300 VS. C200 If it’s space you’re worried about, and the expense of cards, I came across this life changing little device a few weeks ago. Works with anything. I plug in my Atomos SSD drive and it copies right over. Western Digital Passport Wireless Pro: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...2855/KBID/3801 __________________ Nate Haustein PXW-FX9 / FCPX www.flightcreativemedia.com

July 12th, 2018, 08:01 AM	#6
Bob Safay Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,558	Re: Canon XF300 VS. C200 Gary, thank you for the clarification. I am considering renting a C200 for a three day weekend to really test it. Thanks again. Bob

July 12th, 2018, 08:02 AM	#7
Bob Safay Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,558	Re: Canon XF300 VS. C200 Nate, thank you. Do you plug the C200 into the passport or just the card reader? Bob

July 12th, 2018, 01:21 PM	#8
Nate Haustein Trustee Join Date: May 2007 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 1,313	Re: Canon XF300 VS. C200 Hi Bob. While I haven’t tried the WD Passport with a C200 card myself, I would assume you would just plug in the USB card reader. That’s how it works with the SSDs and USB sticks I’ve copied over at least. __________________ Nate Haustein PXW-FX9 / FCPX www.flightcreativemedia.com

July 12th, 2018, 08:03 PM	#9
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	Re: Canon XF300 VS. C200 I have both and continue to use both the C200 and XF300. I upgraded to my C200 because I wanted to stop using on-camera lighting. I've always had a fit with the XF300 and low light. And since you can't adjust the XF300 gain on the fly, it became really tiresome to have grainy footage all the time. The best thing about the Canon C200 over the XF300 is the low light capability. I'm shooting low lit scenes in 5000k ISO comfortably. An insane thought to try with my XF300. Don't get me wrong, I love my XF300s, They are my workhorses, and given the right amount of light, they produce beautiful images. The auto focus on them is great. I currently use both cameras for like a ceremony, my XF300 is my zoomer up and down the aisle, and my C200 runs in 4k so I can have wide shots and crop in. I was going to fly my C200 on my Steadicam scout, but it's just as heavy as the XF300, so I've been using a monopod with my C200, and that makes me happy. One of my main issues with the C200 is it devours batteries. Even if I'm in manual focus, I get about an hour on the small batteries, and the huge batter about 2.5 times that. Of all my cameras, the C200 drains batteries the fasted. I spent three months of research and tested out a C200 before I bought one. I'm very happy I did. Attached Thumbnails __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button?

July 15th, 2018, 08:09 AM	#10
Bob Safay Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,558	Re: Canon XF300 VS. C200 Steven, thanks for the information. I will be taking two major trips in the coming months. Kenya in August for the migration and then Argentina and Chili in November/December. I thing I'll hold off getting any new equipment until after that. The XF300 has served me well and have taken it on many trips. The truth is, the C200, do I really need it? NO. Do I really want it? YES. So I guess I stay with what I have since after 6 years, I have finally figured out all the bells and whistles on it. And as you said, it really does produce great images. Bob