Canon Unveils EOS C300 Super 35 Video Camera

November 4, 2011: Canon unveiled its latest professional video camera offerings at a special presentation in Hollywood, which was still in progress when we posted our first announcement.
UPDATE 4/11/2011; 4:40 pm: This afternoon Canon Australia has released the following information about the new cameras:
SYDNEY, November 4, 2011 / HOLLYWOOD, California, November 3, 2011 – Canon Inc. today announced Canon’s full-fledged entry into the motion picture production industry with the launch of the Cinema EOS System. Canon’s new professional digital cinematography system spans the lens, digital video camcorder and digital SLR camera product categories.

The Cinema EOS System targets a new area of imaging expression for Canon, building on the company’s 74-year history of innovation and expertise in the field of optical and imaging technology. The company has already earned accolades in the entertainment industry for the EOS 5D Mark II digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, launched in November 2008, which has been used in the production of blockbuster Hollywood motion pictures and hit television programs.

Canon’s new Cinema EOS System, which offers compatibility with Canon’s wide array of high-performance EF lenses, provides cinematographers with a range of unprecedented creative possibilities to ensure that no story is left untold.

“As a leading company in digital imaging, Canon’s debut in the film and TV production industry provides a tremendous opportunity to enter into a thriving market,” said Fujio Mitarai, Chairman and CEO, Canon Inc. “Reflecting upon the achievements that Canon EOS Digital SLRs have had in the industry thus far, we are confident the new Cinema EOS series products will bring that success to a whole new level.”

With the debut of the Cinema EOS System, Canon today introduced seven new 4K EF Cinema Lenses-four zoom lenses and three single-focal-length models-which complement the company’s current diverse lineup of interchangeable EF lenses for EOS SLR cameras. The company also announced the launch of the EOS C300/C300 PL interchangeable-lens digital video camcorder, equipped with a Super 35-mm-equivalent CMOS sensor, and a new digital SLR camera currently under development that features a 35 mm full-frame CMOS sensor supporting the recording of 4K video.

EOS C300/C300 PL Interchangeable-Lens Digital Video Camcorder
The Canon EOS C300/C300 PL is an all new digital video camcorder available in two models: the EOS C300, equipped with an EF lens mount for compatibility with the wide array of lenses that make up Canon’s current interchangeable EF lens lineup; and the EOS C300 PL, offering a PL lens mount for use with industry-standard PL lenses. The camcorder features a Super 35 mm-equivalent approximately 8.29-megapixel CMOS sensor ideally suited for digital cinematography.

Side view of the EOS C300 with EF lens mount. (Source: Canon.)

Side view of the EOS C300 with PL lens mount. (Source: Canon.)

Back view of the EOS C300. (Source: Canon.)

Front views of the EOS C300 with EF lens mount (left) and PL lens mount (right). (Source: Canon.)

4K Cinema Lens Lineup
Canon’s Cinema EOS System makes its Hollywood debut with an all-star cast featuring seven new 4K EF Cinema Lens models: four zoom lenses covering a wide zoom range from 14.5 mm to 300 mm-two models each for EF and PL lens mounts-and three single-focal-length lenses for EF mounts.

The new CN-E14.5-60mm T2.6 L S lens. (Source: Canon.)
All seven new lenses deliver exceptional 4K (4096 x 2160 pixels) optical performance and offer compatibility with Super 35 mm-equivalent sensors. Additionally, the three single focal length lenses can be used with cameras equipped with 35 mm full-frame sensors.

The three new prime lenses, from left, the CN-E24mm T1.5 L F, CN-E50mm T1.3 L F and
CN-E85mm T1.3 L F. (Source: Canon.)

New Digital SLR Camera with 4K Movie Function (Under Development)
Equipped with a 35 mm full-frame CMOS sensor and supporting the recording of 4K video* (at a frame rate of 24P, with Motion-JPEG compression), the next-generation digital SLR camera currently under development will enable exceptional image quality for the creation of innovative and expressive images. Additional details, including the product name, specifications and scheduled launch date, have yet to be decided.
* Cropped to APS-H-equivalent size (dimensions measuring approximately 80% vertically and horizontally of a 35 mm full-frame sensor) when recording in 4K.

Sample movies from the new cameras can be viewed at http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/samples/cinemaeos/.

For more information, visit http://www.canon.com.au/en-AU/Professional/Cinema-EOS.