Details have been released of Canon’s first RF mount Cinema EOS camera, the EOS C70, which features the same Super 35mm sensor as the Cinema EOS C300 Mark III in a more compact body.
The new Cinema EOS C70, shown with the RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM lens. (Source: Canon.)
Designed for professional videographers in the production, documentary, news/interview, corporate and events markets, it can also be used for productions that will be displayed via social media. The use of the RF mount has enabled Canon to design a camera body that is smaller and lighter than the current Cinema EOS models. The body of the Cinema EOS C70 is only 160 mm wide, 115.9 mm deep and 130.2 mm in height and weighs just 1100 grams with battery and two SDXC memory cards.
EOS iTR AF X works with conventional face detection to provide faster tracking, better tracking reliability and the ability to keep tracking even if the subject turns away. (Source: Canon.)
In addition to supporting Canon’s renowned Dual Pixel CMOS AF System, the C70 is the first Cinema EOS System camera to feature the revolutionary EOS iTR AF X (Intelligent Tracking and Recognition) system seen in the EOS R5. The system uses a face and head detection algorithm that works in conjunction with Face Detection AF to greatly improve the reliability of focusing on and tracking the subject. The EOS C70 also introduces Auto ISO to the Cinema EOS System range. The inclusion of a dedicated vertical shooting mode (another ‘first’) makes it easy to record social media content with high production values or capture content for digital signage
The two illustrations above show the differences in size between the new EOS C70 and the EOS C200 and EOS-1DXMark III camera bodies. (Source: Canon.)
The EOS C70’s 24.6 x 13.8 mm sensor offers DGO (Dual Gain Output) to generate HDR video by reading out each pixel with separate gains, combining shot with a saturation-prioritising amplifier for bright areas with a lower-noise noise-prioritising amplifier for darker areas to achieve HDR video with a dynamic range in excess of 16 stops. The sensor is paired with Canon’s powerful DIGIC DV 7 processor and the records in the proprietary XF-AVC format as well as the ‘universal’ MP4 with H.264 and H.265 compression options.
The C70 can record 4K video at up to 120 fps with 4:2:2 10-bit colour depth. (Source: Canon.)
A 12 pin connection between the camera and lens means communication at a higher speed with larger amounts of data transfer, enabling fast AF, high IS and image optimisation. High frame rate 4K video can be recorded at up to 120 fps with 4:2:2 10-bit colour depth. ALL-I and Long GOP codecs are available, along with a suite of standard Log gamma profiles. Custom Picture options support Canon Log 2 and Canon Log 3 gamma settings as well as PQ, HLG and BT.709 Wide DR settings and provide user adjustable gamma, colour space and colour matrix facilities.
This diagram shows the airflow systems in the C70 body that are designed to enable long recording times without potential for over-heating. (Source: Canon.)
Professional users who need a camera capable of prolonged recording times will benefit from the C70’s body design, which includes an internal fan and heat dispersing spaces that carry heat away from key electronic components such as the sensor and processor. A built-in motorised ND unit with a filter that is only 6 mm wide, provides up to 10-stops of ND filtration for flexible control over exposure and depth of field.
Combination IS (shown above) combines electronic IS in the camera with stabilisation in the attached RF lens to provide correction for pitch, yaw and roll motion on five axes. The enhanced communication capability between the lens and the camera also unlocks additional features such as the ability to display the object distance on the camera’s LCD monitor.
The body of the EOS C70 features a vari-angle 3.5-inch monitor with 2,760,000 dots and a touch panel overlay. A multi-functional hand grip ensures ease of operability, while 13 assignable buttons enable users to set the camera up for different shoots. The dual SAD slots are located on the right hand side panel, with a time code in/out terminal embedded in the lower section of the grip moulding.
A full array of professional input/output terminals including HDMI and 2x mini XLR terminals for audio can be found on the left hand side panel, as shown in the illustrations above.
This diagram shows the simultaneous recording options provided by the EOS C70. (Source: Canon.)
Users can take advantage of the ability to record different file formats simultaneously to the SD cards, shown in the diagram above. For example, they might choose to record 4K footage at 100 fps in 4:2:2 10-bit in XF-AVC (All-I or Long-GOP) on one card and MP4 in HEVC (H.265) or H.264 on the other. This setup provides filmmakers with the ability to meet diverse production requirements. The compact size of the camera allows it to be carried on a drone or gimbal for greater shooting versatility.
The EOS C70 shown with the new EF-EOS R 0.71x Mount Adapter that enables EF lenses to be used on the new camera’s body. (Source: Canon.)
Also announced today is the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R 0.71x, an EF Lens to RF Mount adapter, which allows EF lenses to be used on the C70 body. A key feature of the new adapter is its ability to capture the Full Frame angle of view of the lens when it is used with the Super 35mm sensor. The 0.71x crop factor also provides an increased light transmission of approximately 1-stop. The adapter enables full communication between three EF lenses and the camera body: the- EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM, EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM, and EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM. Autofocus, peripheral illumination and chromatic aberration correction, and the transfer of lens metadata are also fully supported with these lenses. Canon plans to gradually expand the list of compatible lenses by providing free-of-charge firmware updates in 2021.
This illustration shows the accessories supplied with the EOS C70 camera. (Source: Canon.)
The EOS C70 and Mount Adapter EF-EOS R 0.71x will be available from authorised local dealers from November 2020. Pricing will be set at dealer discretion but is expected to substantially less than the SC300 III. Click here for more information. https://www.canon.com.au/cameras/eos-c70
Canon Australia has provided us with the following links to video recordings made with the new camera: CINC Video: https://youtu.be/Y7NFSQdZtTs; BTS Video: https://youtu.be/q428s3vW410; Live Music Video: https://youtu.be/BcJW_Hu81dA
SPECS
Lens mount: Canon RF (EF lenses via EF-EOS R 0.71x mount adapter)
Image sensor: Super 35mm equivalent CMOS (single chip)
Effective resolution: 4096 x 2160 pixels
ISO range: 160-25600 with extensions to ISO 100 and ISO 102400; Base ISO 400 (Wide DR) or 800 (Canon Log 2/Canon Log 3)
ND filter: Motorised variable ND filter (2/4/6/8/10 stops)
White balance: AWB, Sunlight. Light bulb, set (A/B). Kelvin setting (2000-15000K)
Gamma: Canon Log 2/Canon Log 3, PQ/HLG, BT.709 Wide DR
Dynamic range: 16+ stops
Autofocus: Dual Pixel CMOS AF
Stabilisation: Electronic IS, Super 16 IS
Recording format (video): XF-AVC Intra, XF-AVC Long GOP, MP4 (HEVC/H.264)
Recording frame rates: XF-AVC Intra 4K/29.95p/25p; XF-AVC Intra 2K/59.95p/50p; XF-AVC Long GOP 4K/59.95p/50p; XF-AVC HFR Long GOP 4K/119.88p/120p; XF-AVC HFR Long GOP 2K/179.82p/180p; MP4 H.265 Long GOP 4K/59.94p/50p; MP4 H.265 Long GOP 2K/59.94p/50p; MP4 HFR H.265 Long GOP 4K/119.88p/120p; MP4 HFR H.265 Long GOP 2K/179.82p/180p; MP4 H.264 Long GOP 4K/119.88p/120p; MP4 H.264 Long GOP 2K/179.82p/180p
Recording format (audio): Linear PCM 24-bit 48kHz 4ch (XF-AVC) MPEG-2 Aac LC 16-bit 48kHz 2ch (MP4)
Recording media: Dual slots for SD cards (UHS-11 compatible)
LCD screen: Vari-angle 3.5-inch monitor with 2,760,000 dots (1280 x 720 x RGB), touch panel overlay
Viewfinder: No
Wi-Fi: Supported via commercially available adapter
Input/output terminals: HDMI out Type A, 2x Mini XLR 3Pin 3.5 mm stereo mini jacks for microphone and headphones, BNC timecode terminal (in/out), 2.5 mm stereo mini jack for remote control, USB Type C (Ethernet), 3.4 mm DC-IN jack
Dimensions (wxhxd): Approx. 160 x 130 x 116 mm
Mass (body only): Approx. 1170 grams
Power requirements: Battery terminal (DC 14.4V); DC in terminal (DC24V)
Operating temperature: Approx 0oC to 40oC at 85% relative humidity; approx -5 oC to 45 oC at 60% relative humidity