Canon C300 Mark II Meets EBU HD and UHD Classification

Canon C300 Mark II camcorder

Canon EOS C300 Mark II meets EBU HD and UHD classification

United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, 18th February 2016 – Canon today announces that the EOS C300 Mark II digital cinema camera has been independently tested in accordance with European Broadcast Union (EBU) recommendations for both HD and UHD content acquisition¹. The report recognises image capture of up to 15 stops of dynamic range using Canon Log2 and qualifies the EOS C300 Mark II for R.118 Tier 1 in HD and Tier 2 in UHD².

The new gamma Canon Log2 has been designed specifically for the C300 Mark II’s new 8.85MP Super 35mm CMOS sensor. Having access to this high dynamic range gives users the creative freedom to produce more compelling visuals. Combined with the EOS C300 Mark II’s built-in noise reduction functionality, filmmakers have the ability to shoot almost anywhere, capturing low-noise footage in many challenging shooting scenarios.

The EBU exists to serve 73 broadcasters across 56 countries in understanding which technology is best suited to certain tasks. The UK’s Digital Production Partnership (DPP) broadcasters use these recommendations to ensure their content meets a minimum threshold. This is especially important when a compressed image needs to survive editing, grading, encoding and transmission before it reaches audiences in its final pictures.

“Testing our cameras using the European Broadcast Union’s methodology is a very important step for us,” said Austin Freshwater, Director, Professional Imaging at Canon UK. “With the EOS C300 Mark II, we aimed to design a camera that lets both filmmakers and broadcast producers realise their creative vision. It’s because of this commitment that the EOS C300 Mark II offers users the very best image quality and we’re incredibly pleased that these test results back that up.”

The EOS C300 Mark II follows Canon’s XC10 video camera that also qualifies for R.118 Tier 1 HD as tested in September last year. Alongside this, the EOS C300 Mark II joins several of Canon’s high-end professional broadcast cameras that meet the criteria defined by the EBU, including its predecessor the Canon EOS C300, the Canon XF305 and the Canon EOS-1D C.

To download the full report please visit : https://tech.ebu.ch/docs/tech/tech3335_s18.pdf

For more information on the Canon EOS C300 Mark II please visit : http://www.canon.co.uk/for_home/product_finder/digital_cinema/cinema_eos_cameras/eos_c300_mark_ii/

¹ EBU Tech 3335: Methods of measuring the imaging performance of television cameras for the purposes of characterisation and setting (http://tech.ebu.ch/docs/tech/tech3335.pdf)
² EBU Recommendation R.118: Tiering of High Definition Cameras (http://tech.ebu.ch/docs/r/r118.pdf)

Canon Addresses CinemaEOS C300 Mk II Skipped Frame Issue

Canon CinemaEOS C300 Mark II camcorder

* * *  Canon has added lens mount updates to the C300 Mark II camera  * * *

Canon is addressing the issue regarding the phenomenon of Skipped Frames in footage recorded in Slow Motion on some EOS C300 Mark II Cinema Cameras. For a Canon USA White Paper on this camcorder, click here.

Thank you for using Canon products. We have become aware that there may be cases of skipped frames in footage recorded in slow motion on the EOS C300 Mark II Digital Cinema Camera. Customer support for this phenomenon is described below.

We would like to offer our sincere apologies to users for the inconvenience caused by this phenomenon. Going forward, we will spare no effort in our quality management to make sure our customers can use our products with confidence.

Phenomenon

Except as provided below, footage recorded in slow motion in Slow & Fast Motion Recording Mode, in 4K and 2K/HD, and at all frame rates, may have skipped frames.

This phenomenon does not occur for slow motion recording at the following settings: 2K/HD recording at 59.94P & 50.00P frame rates.

Affected Product

EOS C300 Mark II Digital Cinema Camera. Cameras with firmware version 1.0.0.1.00 are affected.

The camera’s firmware version can be checked from [System Setup] on the menu.

Press the MENU button, then select [System Setup] > [Firmware] > [Camera].

Support

We are planning to release new firmware that incorporates a fix for this phenomenon in early November.

Once the new firmware is ready, we will make an announcement on our website. If you wish to use the slow motion recording function before that time, please contact the Canon Service Center.

This information is for residents of the United States and Puerto Rico only. If you do not reside in the USA or Puerto Rico, please contact the Canon Customer Support Center in your region.

If you have not already done so, please register your Canon C300 Mark II Digital Cinema Camera. By registering, we will be able to notify you via email about future service upgrades.

Canon USA White Papers on EOS C300 Mk II camcorder

Canon CinemaEOS C300 Mk II camcorder

* * *  Canon CinemaEOS C300 Mk II camcorders are here  * * *

Canon announced the C300 Mk II in April of 2015. The C300 Mk II camcorder is a professional camcorder with 4K capability. Below are two comprehensive video look of the camera.  

Larry Thorpe, Senior Fellow from the Professional Engineering & Solutions Division of Canon USA, has put out a series of detailed white papers on the EOS C300 Mk II. It will be most useful for those planning to buy or use this camcorder in the very near future. Click on the papers below to down them in PDF format.

Image Performance Enhancements

The new camera is intended to significantly extend the overall image performance of HD beyond that of the C300 while further supporting the alternative 2K cinema format. A 15-stop dynamic range is provided by a new photodiode design that simultaneously lowers the noise floor while elevating the saturation level – offering excellent HDR functionality and much more.

Extended Recording Capabilities

The new C300 Mark II camcorder offers significantly elevated video performance and expanded operational capabilities. Unlike its predecessor, the C300 Mark II offers a choice of 2K or HD. Most important, it greatly extends on-board recording capabilities by deploying a new codec based upon the more advanced MPEG-4 H.264 Advanced Video Coding (AVC) compression algorithm.

Ergonomic and Operational Enhancements

From the extraordinary diversity of productions done with a large body of C300 camcorders around the globe for the ensuing four years a great deal of commentary and suggestions based upon those shooting experiences were gathered, the new EOS C300 Mark II embodies many of these suggestions while also incorporating innovative enhancements to both imaging and recording capabilities. On-set systemization has been greatly enhanced by a coordinated design with a new on-set 4K reference display.

What Constitutes a High Performance 4K Lens?

A 4K lens must anticipated a wide range of productions – including theatrical motion pictures, major television dramas and episodics, commercials, and a diverse range of non-entertainment origination. So what are the performance parameters that collectively define 4K optical performance? The following paper will enumerate these parameters and discuss user expectations.

Personality of the Canon Cinema EOS Lens - Design Strategies

The newer generation of Cinema EOS lenses came from multiple optical design resources within Canon, such as our EF Lens and Broadcast Lens designs.

Personality of the Canon Cinema EOS Lens - Image Sharpness

A design goal with the Cinema zoom lenses was to achieve an overall optical performance that would equate with the best of contemporary prime lenses over their respective focal lengths. Learn more about how these Cinema zoom lenses maintain their sharpness in a close-up or while zoomed out.

Personality of the Canon Cinema EOS Lens - Color Reproduction

The new generation of Canon Cinema lenses paid high attention to optimizing color reproduction of the lens-camera system, such as how it reproduces skin tones of various ethnicities.

The Promise of 4K Video

The advent of 4K cinema brings about changes to cameras, lenses, post-production and the home viewing experience. Explore each implication in-depth and see what this digital image format offers.

EOS C300 Best Practices Guide

More of a handy reference PDF than a technical White Paper, this practical guide offers straightforward tips, how-to, and best practices for preparing the EOS C300 for shooting.

Canon Announced CJ12ex4.3B 4K Zoom Lens

Canon CJ12ex4.3B 4K zoom lens

London, UK, 25 August 2015 – Canon today unveils the CJ12ex4.3B, a new 2/3” portable 4K zoom lens with the world’s widest focal length – an incredible 4.3mm, designed for professionals shooting interviews or live broadcast, including sport and news. Canon also today announces that it is developing a new compact 2/3” 4K all-purpose-zoom lens. Further bolstering Canon’s 4K broadcast lens range for cameras employing 2/3” sensors, the versatile new lens will be optimised for both indoor and outdoor shooting, across a variety of applications including, sporting events, live broadcasts, as well as television dramas and commercials.

Outstanding 4K optical performance

Leveraging Canon’s renowned heritage in optical design and advanced technologies, the CJ12ex4.3B delivers outstanding 4K image quality throughout the entire 12x optical zoom range. Providing the freedom to quickly adapt to different shooting environments, the new lens enables shooters to swiftly move from an ultra-wide 4.3mm angle shot to close ups, whilst ensuring first-class image quality from the very centre to the edge. A built-in 2x extender also helps provides even greater focal reach, whilst still maintaining 4K optical performance.

To further provide sharp, high contrast images, the CJ12ex4.3B includes an increased use of fluorite and UD glass combined with Canon’s expert coatings, resulting in exceptional control over ghosting and flare. A new three group internal focus system also reduces focus breathing.

Exceptional portability and flexible operation

Boasting a brand new design, the CJ12ex4.3B is compact and lightweight, weighing just 2.1kg, making it similar in size and weight to a comparable 2/3” HD lens. Ideal for on-shoulder shooting traditionally adopted by news gatherers, the lens can easily be used on-the-go, and with an ergonomic design and grip, it is comfortable to hold for longer periods of time. The lens also incorporates three 20-pin connectors for easy integration with existing HD zoom/focus controllers and can be directly connected to an external virtual operation system at the same time.

Featuring a Digital Drive Unit, the CJ12ex4.3B offers advanced operability giving users the freedom to select repeatable zoom positions and speeds, in addition to focus and iris settings. A 16-bit absolute value encoder integrated into the Digital Drive Unit allows operators to start shooting with the camera’s aberration compensation function in an instant, without the need for any initialisation. This is perfect for news and wildlife environments where action can disappear as quickly as it started. A digital display, built into the Digital Drive Unit, also makes it easy to set, review and adjust vital functions in a way similar to 2/3” HD lenses.

Key features CJ12ex4.3B :

• 4K resolution 2/3” portable wide angle lens with 12x zoom
• Exceptional 4.3mm focal length at the wide end extends to 52mm (104mm using the built-in 2x extender)
• Stunning optical performance right to the edge of the image when paired with a 2/3” 4K compatible camera
• Combines 4K quality with lightweight design and compact size comparable to HD lenses for comfortable on-shoulder shooting
• Sustained 4K performance even when using the built-in 2x extender
• Proven, high-quality 16-bit encoder captures precise information on zoom, focus and iris and allows support for aberration correction immediately on start-up
• 3 20-pin connectors make for effortless use with existing Canon HD lens accessories and virtual systems

Canon Released White Paper on Cinema EOS C300 Mk II Camcorder

Canon Cinema EOS C300 Mk II camcorder

Canon announced the C300 Mk II at NAB in April of 2015. The Cinema EOS C300 Mk II camcorder is a professional camcorder with 4K capability. The first generation EOS C300 camcorder utilized a proprietary Super 35mm CMOS image sensor. It divides the signal into four parallel HD components. The summation of the two green components reduced aliasing that, in turn, supported a higher Luma MTF.

The new EOS C300 Mk II preserves these basic strategies but within a totally new 4K CMOS image sensor design. The new camera is intended to significantly extend the overall image performance of HD beyond that of the C300 while further supporting the alternative 2K cinema format. A 15-stop dynamic range is provided by a new photodiode design that simultaneously lowers the noise floor while elevating the saturation level – offering excellent HDR functionality.

The Cinema EOS C300 Mk II white paper from Canon USA provides all technical information you like to know before deciding on your purchase. You can see a hands on video and read the review here for the camera.

First Look - Canon EOS C300 Mk II 4K Video Camera

* * *  Read the latest Canon EOS C300 Mk II first look and review  * * * 

Canon announced the EOS C300 Mk II 4K video camera in April, 2015, with an expected delivery date of September, 2015. Below is a first look video of the camera.

EOS C300 Mark II key benefits :

• High bitrate internal 4K recording with external RAW
• High dynamic range files, ideal for post production
• Seamlessly integrate with professional workflows
• Automatic features make independent shooting easy
• Shoot with confidence in low light with low noise
• Dual CFast card slots