Canon U.S.A. Announces New Canon EOS C200 and EOS C200B Digital Cinema Cameras Set to Debut at 2017 Cine Gear
Canon U.S.A., Inc., just announced the Canon EOS C200 and Canon EOS C200B Digital Cinema Cameras, the latest additions to its Cinema EOS line of professional cinema cameras. According to company executives, the new Canon cinema offerings will combine the ease of use of entry level cinema cameras with new, high-end features that are ideal for cinema, documentary, wildlife, wedding and events productions. 

The Canon EOS C200 and Canon EOS C200B Digital Cinema Cameras will feature the latest in Canon technologies and offer two 4K video formats, Canon’s new Cinema RAW Light and MP4, optimized for those interested in recording HDR video. Alongside a newly developed dual DIGIC DV6 image processing system, Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF system and improved operability for professionals, these new products C200B are capable of capturing 4K video across a variety of production applications. 

“Building upon the success of our Cinema EOS system and taking into account feedback from users in the field, the new Canon EOS C200 and EOS C200B Digital Cinema Cameras provide powerful and versatile solutions for production users eager to expand their creativity and explore the possibilities of HDR cinematography,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO of Canon U.S.A., Inc. “With innovative new file formats available, alongside improved operability that professionals need, the new generation of Cinema EOS cameras are poised to become the camera of choice for many in the filmmaker community.” 

Canons new offerings will be available in two configurations while retaining the same core technologies within. The Canon EOS C200 Digital Cinema Camera is a production-ready solution that can be used right out of the box, accompanied by an LCD Monitor, LCD Attachment, Camera Grip and Handle Unit. The camera also features a 1.77 million dot OLED Electronic View Finder (EVF). For users who want more versatility and the ability to craft custom setups tailored to their subject or environment, the Canon EOS C200B Digital Cinema Camera offers cinematographers the same camera without these accessories and the EVF to optimize shooting using a gimbal, drone or a variety of other configurations. 

New Features and Benefits 
The Canon EOS C200 and Canon EOS C200B Digital Cinema Cameras sport the same 8.85MP CMOS sensor, that combines with a newly developed dual DIGIC DV6 image processing system to help process high-resolution image data and record video from Full HD (1920x1080) and 2K (2048x1080) to 4K UHD (3840x2160) and 4K DCI (4096x2160). A core staple of the third generation Cinema EOS System, this new processing platform offers wide-ranging expressive capabilities and improved operation when capturing high-quality HDR video. 

The combination of sensor and newly developed processing system also allows for the support for two new 4K file formats designed to help optimize workflow and make 4K and HDR recording more accessible to filmmakers. Cinema RAW Light, available in 4K 60p/50p at 10 bit and 30p/25p/24p at 12 bit, allows users to record data internally to a CFastTM card by cutting data size to about one-third to one-fifth of a Cinema RAW file, without losing grading flexibility. Due to the reduced file size, users will appreciate rich dynamic range and easier post processing without sacrificing true 4K quality. Alongside recording to a CFASTTM card, proxy data (MP4) can also be simultaneously recorded to an SD card for use in offline editing. 

Additionally, filmmakers will also be able to export 4K in MP4 format on SD media cards at 60/50/30/25/24P at 8 bit. Support for UHD recording allows for use in cinema and broadcasting applications or scenarios where long recording times are needed while still maintaining top image quality. The digital cinema cameras also offer slow motion Full HD recording support at up to 120fps. 

The Canon EOS C200and Canon EOS C200B Digital Cinema Cameras will also feature Innovative Focus Control that helps assist with 4K shooting that demands precise focusing, whether from single or remote operation. Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology helps to expand the distance of the subject area to enable faster focus during 4K video recording. This also allows for highly accurate continuous AF and face detection AF when using EF lenses. For 4K video opportunities that call for precise focus accuracy that can’t be checked on an HD monitor, users can also take advantage of the LCD Monitor LM-V1 (supplied with the EOS C200 camera), which provides intuitive touch focusing support to help filmmakers achieve sophisticated focusing even as a single operator. 

In addition to these features, the Canon EOS C200 and Canon EOS C200B Digital Cinema Cameras offer: 

• Over Sampling HD Processing*: enhances sensitivity and helps minimize noise 
• Wide DR Gamma: helps reduce overexposure by retaining continuity with a gamma curve 
• ISO 100-102400 and 54db gain: high quality in both low sensitivity and low-light environments 
• In-Camera ND Filter: Internal ND unit allows cleaning of glass for easier maintenance 
• ACESproxy Support: Delivers standardized color space in images, helping to improve efficiency 
• Two SD card and one CFast™ card slots for internal recording 
• Improved grip and Cinema EOS System compatible attachment method 
• Support for Canon CINE-SERVO and EF Cinema Lenses 

Cinema RAW Light Compatibility 
Editing and grading of Cinema RAW Light video format will be supported in DaVinci Resolve of Blackmagic Design. Editing will also be possible in Media Composer® from Avid Technology®, using Canon RAW Plugin for Avid Media Access®.*1 This format can also be processed using a Canon application, Cinema RAW Development.*2 Demonstrations using these software programs will be given at the 2017 Cine Gear Expo June 1st-4th in Hollywood, CA. 

Furthermore, Premiere Pro CC of Adobe® Systems will support this format until the end of 2017. Editing will also be possible in Final Cut Pro® X from Apple®, using Canon RAW Plugin for Final Cut Pro X®.*3 after the second half of this year. 

Pricing and Availability 
The Canon EOS C200 and EOS C200B Digital Cinema Cameras are scheduled to be available in August 2017 for estimated retail prices of $7,499** and $5,999** respectively. The EOS C200 comes equipped with additional accessories including the LM-V1 LCD Monitor, LA-V1 LCD Attachment, GR-V1 Camera Grip and HDU-2 Handle Unit. These accessories will also be sold separately and available in September 2017. 

A New Camera Dynamic? Some Analysis. 
Well if I was starting a documentary tomorrow, the C200 would have to be in the running. I think a lot of shooters are going to appreciate the many upgrades and new features that will be available on the C200. Thought it was smart of Canon to keep the look and feel of the C200 the same as in with the C300. With 10 stops of ND 14 stops of dynamic range and in camera RAW (light) this will no doubt attract shooters who want as many opens as possible. The ability to record on either CFast or SD cards is a real plus. For me I would lean to the C200 for starters because it does come with the EVF and other accessories that make it worth the price difference versus the C200B. But those are my thoughts on the subject, It might be different for others who are good with the C200B as a drone camera. No doubt that Canon has fired the first shot in what I believe to be the coming of a new camera dynamic that is sure to heat up the cinema camera market. A small to mid range sized camera that will be a logical stepping stone to bigger and better shoots. The real test will be to get the C200 in the field and see what happens under real world shooting conditions. Can’t wait. 

Mark Foley is an award winning Producer and Director and the Technology Editor at ProductionHUB. Do you have an interesting production story to share? email Mark. mfoley@productionhub.com