Canon Announces Cinema EOS C500 Mk. II at DVinfo.net

Chris Hurd · September 5th, 2019, 07:03 AM

Quote:

With its modular design, competitive price point and new features such as a 5.9K Full Frame CMOS sensor, user-changeable lens mounts, electronic image stabilization, internal cinema RAW light recording and the new DIGIC DV 7 Image Processor, the EOS C500 Mark II represents a bold leap forward for Canon’s Cinema EOS system line. The variety of assembly and lensing options help to make this camera ideal for a broad range of applications, from run-and-gun documentary shooting to live television broadcasts and big-budget films.

Full press release at Canon’s New EOS C500 Mark II 5.9K Full Frame Cinema Camera Delivers Versatile, Affordable Solutions at DV Info Net

Gary Huff · September 5th, 2019, 08:15 AM

I think this is a great C700 FF alternative for those who liked what that camera had to offer, but wanted a more compact form factor.

As for a C300 Mark II user like myself, I am troubled by the fact that it is primarily geared towards full frame. Oversampling is great, but only available in Full Frame, otherwise it's a Super35 crop. I have a whole host of lenses that I wouldn't be able to use with this camera to maximize what it's capable of, from the EF-S 17-55 all the way to the CN-E 18-80. Full Frame also gives no benefit to what I use this camera for day in and day out. I already have enough issues with shallow DOF on my C300 with a Sigma 18-35 or 50-100 or a prime, so I don't see what even more shallow DOF does to benefit me. On top of that, the 120fps mode is still a Super16 crop like the C300, so I don't know if that will be improved at all.

I have a C200B as my second camera, and I rarely ever use Cine Raw Light, only for the 12-bit color depth. I usually transcode it immediately to ProRes 4x4 for ease of use. I much prefer the 10-bit 4:2:2 XF-AVC of the C300 for the typical content I capture, it's robust enough for the kind of color correction I do, and I am working on a documentary right now in the 12-bit 444 XF-AVC capture of the C300 and it's terrific to work with. I would have loved to see a 12-bit 4K XF-AVC option in the C500 II, but it doesn't look like there are any 12-bit options save for Cine Raw Light, which is a shame.

I am also disappointed that the LCD is the same from the C200. I would love Canon to branch out with these displays and have a 7" option, especially a 1500 nit 7" option that uses the UN-5 cable. I do like the fact that you can pick between a rear EVF or the one with the C700.

September 5th, 2019, 08:15 AM	#2
Gary Huff Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,006	Re: Canon Announces Cinema EOS C500 Mk. II I think this is a great C700 FF alternative for those who liked what that camera had to offer, but wanted a more compact form factor. As for a C300 Mark II user like myself, I am troubled by the fact that it is primarily geared towards full frame. Oversampling is great, but only available in Full Frame, otherwise it's a Super35 crop. I have a whole host of lenses that I wouldn't be able to use with this camera to maximize what it's capable of, from the EF-S 17-55 all the way to the CN-E 18-80. Full Frame also gives no benefit to what I use this camera for day in and day out. I already have enough issues with shallow DOF on my C300 with a Sigma 18-35 or 50-100 or a prime, so I don't see what even more shallow DOF does to benefit me. On top of that, the 120fps mode is still a Super16 crop like the C300, so I don't know if that will be improved at all. I have a C200B as my second camera, and I rarely ever use Cine Raw Light, only for the 12-bit color depth. I usually transcode it immediately to ProRes 4x4 for ease of use. I much prefer the 10-bit 4:2:2 XF-AVC of the C300 for the typical content I capture, it's robust enough for the kind of color correction I do, and I am working on a documentary right now in the 12-bit 444 XF-AVC capture of the C300 and it's terrific to work with. I would have loved to see a 12-bit 4K XF-AVC option in the C500 II, but it doesn't look like there are any 12-bit options save for Cine Raw Light, which is a shame. I am also disappointed that the LCD is the same from the C200. I would love Canon to branch out with these displays and have a 7" option, especially a 1500 nit 7" option that uses the UN-5 cable. I do like the fact that you can pick between a rear EVF or the one with the C700.