The Canon EOS C200 is the latest cinema camera in the Cinema EOS System. It is a balancing act between the entry-level C100 Mark II and the broadcast and cinema standard C300 Mark II. With a starting price of $5999 for the stripped-down C200B (body only) model, the C200 becomes the cheapest 4K cinema camera option in Canon’s line.
In reality though, the Canon EOS C200 starts at $7499 with the standard grip, 4″ LCD and EVF. This is what would otherwise be the base model among the other Cinema EOS cameras in the product line. The C200B option seems to be marketed for its size and weight-saving with the intention of riding on a drone or gimbal.
Canon EOS C200 Key Features
- Super 35mm CMOS Sensor
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF Technology
- Dual DIGIC DV 6 Processors
- 4K DCI and UHD, 1920 x 1080
- 59.94p, 50p, 29.97p, 25p, 24p, 23.98p
- Canon RAW Light, MP4, MP4 Proxy
- Integrated EVF
- 2 x XLR Audio Inputs
- Rotating 4″ LCD Monitor
- 1 x CFast Card
- 2 x SD Card Slots
- 1 x SDI Output
- 1 x Ethernet Connector
Notably, the C200 can record Canon’s Cinema RAW Light in-camera to the single CFast card slot. Cinema RAW Light is available in 4K 60p/50p at 10 bit and 4K 30p/25p/24p at 12 bit. You can expect somewhere around 15 minutes of recording using a 128GB CFast card thanks to the reduced file sizes of the Cinema RAW Light codec. Additionally, the camera can also capture proxy MP4 files to SD cards for offline editing if you want.
The MP4 capture on SD cards is limited to 8-bit 4:2:0 color space at 150Mbps in 4K and 35Mbps in HD. While the low bit-rate for compressed footage is a little disappointing, the C200 has SDI that supports 4:2:2 output. In addition to standard frame rates, HD capture is available up to 120fps for smooth slow motion.
The C200 has a sensitivity range of ISO 100-102,400, which should continue Canon’s solid performance we’ve seen in low light among other Cinema EOS cameras.
Out of the gate, Cinema RAW Light is supported by DaVinci Resolve and via the Canon RAW Pluging for Avid Media Composer. Support for Premiere Pro CC and Final Cut Pro X should be coming soon.
Canon EOS C200B Back
The Canon EOS C200 and EOS C200B will be available in August 2017 for $7,499 and $5,999, respectively. The EOS C200 is also available in a kit that includes the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM lens for $8,399. Check it out here at B&H Photo.
The 1080p C100 was $7,999 in November 2012 so you get much better specs for less today. I am sure Sony and Panasonic will show some 4K cinema cameras in that price range at NAB.