Melville, N.Y. — Canon USA introduced Tuesday the Canon EOS C100 Mark II to its Cinema EOS line of professional and semi-pro Super 35mm 8.3-megapixel CMOS cameras.
The camera giant also added a second-generation version of its EOS C100 digital video camera.
Canon said the cameras are targeted at filmmakers working on economical film and video productions such as documentary and remote broadcast crews, wedding and event coverage, and indie film productions. They are also well-suited to film schools and business and government users.
The EOS C100 Mark II features advanced image processing, AVCHD and MP4 1,920 by 1,080/60p recording, uncompressed YCbCr output from HDMI, and other new and enhanced capabilities for improved picture quality, operability and convenient handling.
The camera is said to deliver a cinematic look with shallow depth of field and high sensitivity in low-light environments. It weighs 2.5 pounds and is compatible with more than 103 Canon EF-series lenses, including STM models optimized for silent operation.
“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, Canon USA president and COO. “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 — 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.”
Other features include a mobile core design enabling multiple shooting styles. A large-size detachable eyecup has been added to accommodate the camera’s large 68-degree tilting 0.45-inch 1.23 megapixel color EVF (electronic viewfinder).
Clearly marked red trigger buttons on the camera body, top handle, grip and a built-in mono microphone on the camera body — for times when the top handle is not attached — can be used to capture basic sound for audio notation or as an aid to audio syncing during post.
Also added is a hinged 3.5-inch 1.23 megapixel OLED display panel, with 100 percent field-of-view coverage, wide color range support, and improved viewing even in bright sunshine.
The new hinge design folds the panel shut when stowed to protect the OLED surface, and opens 180 degrees to reveal function keys and a joystick.
The camera body includes 17 assignable recessed function buttons, dual SD card slots with a transparent cover, and a simplified battery insertion and removal release.
Previously available only as an optional upgrade for earlier Cinema EOS models, Dual Pixel CMOS AF is a standard feature on the new EOS C100 Mark II, providing enhanced autofocusing capability.
The Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology helps provide smooth and consistent autofocus, so that focus transitions are natural looking and subjects remain in focus even as they move off center. Canon said its compatible Dual Pixel CMOS AF with Canon EF autofocus lenses combines optical tools with a wide range of creative options for shooting sports, weddings and other events.
Also added for the first time in the Cinema EOS series is face-detection AF, which utilizes contrast detection AF to maintain focus across most of the image plane, to maximize one-person ENG situations.
Canon includes its DIGIC DV4 image processor, which separates the RGB output from the camera’s 8.3-megapixel CMOS imager into three individual 8-megapixel signals.
The Canon DIGIC DV4 processor also enables FullHD recording in both high- AVCHD or MP4 formats at a variety of bit rates (up to 28Mbps and 35Mbps, respectively), resolutions and frame rates (up to the smooth look of 59.94p).
Users can choose from multiple formats that support MP4 or AVCHD to suit a wide variety of production, post and output needs.
The Canon EOS C100 Mark II is scheduled to be available at the end of December 2014 for an estimated retail of $5,499.
