Canon tempts video pros with 4K-equipped Cinema EOS C700, XC15 camcorders, UHD reference displays
posted Friday, September 2, 2016 at 3:30 PM EDT
If you're a professional videographer, Canon has plenty of news for you today. The company has taken the wraps off six new ultra high-definition products, including three new joint flagships for its Cinema EOS camera line, a new compact camcorder and two new reference displays.
We'll start things off gently with the most affordable product of the bunch, the Canon XC15 4K UHD Video Camcorder. Priced at US$3,000 and available from September 2016, the XC15 follows on from last year's XC10, but with a restyled -- yet very familiar -- body. Features of the Canon XC15 include a 12-megapixel, one-inch CMOS image sensor, DIGIC DV 5 image processor, built-in 10x optical zoom lens, XLR audio input and a selection of "Look" modes that allow its visual style to be matched to those of other Canon pro cameras for seamless B-camera usage. Dimensions are 5.0 x 4.1 x 4.8 inches, and weight is around 2.1 pounds. The product bundle includes an MA-400 microphone adapter, the same model used with the EOS C300 Mark II. More details can be found on Canon's website.
Next up, we have three closely-related new flagships for the Cinema EOS camera lineup, the EOS C700, EOS C700 PL and EOS C700 GS PL. The trio differ predominantly in their choice of camera mount -- either Canon EF or Arri PL-compatible -- and their image sensor. The EOS C700 and C700 PL share a Super 35mm format 4.5K sensor, while the C700 GS PL opts instead for a Super 35mm 4K sensor with a global shutter to prevent rolling shutter distortion with moving subjects. Both the lens mount and sensor type can be converted at Canon service facilities, should your needs change post-purchase.
The trio share a new, customizable design, anamorphic shooting "de-squeeze" support, 240 frames-per-second capture at HD resolution, and new compatibility with Apple ProRes capture. The C700 and C700 PL have 15-stop HDR capture capability, as well as support for Canon Log, Log2 and Log3 gamma. Courtesy of an optional Codex CDX-36150 recorder, 4.5K raw capture is possible at up to 100 fps, 4K raw capture at 120 fps, 4K ProRes at 60 fps, 2K ProRes at 240 fps, and XF-AVC capture at 60 fps.
The EOS C700 and C700 PL will go on sale from December 2016, priced at US$35,000 for either model. The global shutter-equipped C700 GS PL will follow from January 2017, priced at US$38,000. More details can be found on Canon's website.
And finally, we come to the ultra high-def reference displays. Here, there are two new models. The Canon DP-V1710 is the more affordable of the pair, priced at US$13,500 with availability from February 2017. It's a 17-inch 4K / UHD display, and the first of its size to offer 3,840 x 2,160-pixel resolution. It's rack-mountable in 19-inch racks, and is said to be compact enough for use in broadcasting vans or on location. The Canon DP-V2420, meanwhile, is priced at US$33,000 or thereabouts, and has a 24-inch diagonal, ITU-R BT.2100-0-compliant HDR support and Dolby Vision mastering monitor certification. It will ship from November 2016. More details on the DP-V1710 can be found here, and more on the DP-V2420 can be found here.