CANON EOS C100 MKII

Canon has just announced an upgraded version of its popular C100 cinema camera – the EOS C100 Mark II.

The second-generation C100 has a Super 35mm 8.3 megapixel CMOS sensor, and the company tell us it’s designed as an affordable solution for film schools, indie filmmakers, documentary filmmakers, remote broadcast news and videographers, with a number of new performance upgrades.

The Mkii will feature 1080/60p recording, Dual Pixel CMOS AF,uncompressed YCbCr output (from HDMI), Face-Detection Autofocus (AF), Redesigned Viewfinder and OLED Panel, Built-In Canon Log Look-Up Table, Wireless File Transfer and MP4/AVCHD recording. It has an EF mount and the camera’s body only weighs 2.5lbs/1.1kgs, making it a lot easier to lug around.

The Dual Pixel AF had been available on the original C100 has a purchasable upgrade, but is standard on the MkII. A first for any of the EOS range is the Face Detection which uses contrast detection AF to maintain focus across most of the image plane. Like the original CS100, the camera performs well in low-lighting and now also has a “cinematic look” with a shallow depth of field (depending on your lens).

It also uses Canon’s DIGIC DV4 image processor, which separates the RGB output from the camera’s CMOS imager into three individual 8 megapixel signals (as opposed to 2MB in the EOS C100). It also includes a new debayering algorithm to help minimize moiré and reduce video noise even at high ISO speeds (high-sensitivity recording on the camera ranges from ISO 320 to 80,000).

Recording in either AVCHD or MP4 formats will give bit rates of up to 28 Mbps and 35 Mbps, respectively, with MP4 recording at up to 1920×1080/60p. There’s also a new built-in LUT, allowing users to view the camera’s live video signal in Wide DR (dynamic range) or the BT.709 (TV standard) color space on the OLED or any external monitor (this feature can be turned off in the menu). Uncompressed video output (with time code data and 2:3 pulldown markers superimposed) can be output via the lockable HDMI to an external recorder.

There’s also an optional Canon GP-E2 EOS GPS Receiver which can be connected to the camera using a USB cable to record location and time information during shooting, a helpful feature for editing and archiving.

“Canon’s commitment to the advancement of tools for visual expression takes another major step forward with the introduction of the EOS C100 Mark II Digital Video Camera,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO of Canon U.S.A., Inc.

“Drawing on input from Canon’s global community of Cinema EOS camera users and from digital filmmakers using Canon EF lenses – 100 million of which have now been produced worldwide[i] – the Company has added new capabilities to the EOS C100 Mark II from its predecessor that powerfully leverage our considerable expertise in optics, imaging, and digital signal processing. The result is an improved, affordable Super 35mm CMOS digital camera that is designed to provide outstanding HD image quality, operational performance, ergonomics, and workflow convenience.”

FEATURES:

• Dual Pixel CMOS AF with Face-Detection.
• New large-size detachable eyecup for the camera’s 68-degree tilting 0.45-inch 1.23 megapixel color EVF (electronic viewfinder).
•  DIGIC DV4 image processor, with 3 x 8.3 Megapixel RGB streams.
• New red trigger marks on buttons, a top handle, grip, and a built-in mono microphone (for audio-syncing when handle is removed).
• Hinged 3.5″ OLED panel opens to 270º and delivers 100% field-of-view coverage. With 1.23 megapixels and function keys/joystick.
• 17 assignable recessed function buttons.
• ISO 320 to 80,000
• AVCHD or MP4 formats recording up to 1920×1080/60p,uncompressed YCbCr output (from HDMI).
• 2 x XLR inputs
• Dual SD card slots with a transparent cover.
• Dual WiFi of 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz frequencies.
• Remote control via compatible smartphones, tablets & notebooks, or via the Canon RC-V100.
• EF Mount with optional GP-E2 EOS GPS Receiver

Pricing and Availability

The Canon EOS C100 Mark II Digital Video Camera is scheduled to be available at the end of December 2014 for an estimated retail price of US$5,499.00.

Specs:

 Excerpts from Press Release