In Canon's acclaimed Cinema EOS camera range, the EOS C70, EOS C80 and EOS C400 are three cutting-edge RF mount cinema cameras, each providing a unique offering for professional content creation.
The EOS C70 has an innovative DGO (Dual Gain Output) sensor and professional video features in the most compact body of the three. The EOS C400 is a professional workhorse, with a next-generation full frame BSI sensor, modular design and uncompromised connectivity. The EOS C80 shares characteristics with both the other two models, with the full frame 6K BSI sensor of the EOS C400 and expanded connectivity in the compact and lightweight design of the EOS C70.
All three cameras feature Canon's advanced RF mount technology and intelligent autofocus, but which is right for your production needs? Let's look at a range of shooting scenarios, with expert insights from Aron Randhawa, Senior Product Specialist at Canon Europe.
Canon EOS C70 vs EOS C80 vs EOS C400: which is right for you?
We look at different shooting scenarios and compare three cutting-edge RF mount Cinema EOS cameras to help you choose which is best for your shooting style.
Cinematographer Carolina Nunes shot with the Canon EOS C80 across a number of projects, including a documentary and a short film. She particularly appreciated its Triple Base ISO capability, which she found enhanced performance in low-light conditions and minimised noise.
1. Filming for cinema
When you're recording a cinematic production, image quality a first consideration. The same applies in related fields such as TV drama, documentary, commercial and corporate video.
For cinema, the affordable EOS C70 is a great option: its Dual Gain Output (DGO) sensor technology reads out the image with two different amplification levels – one optimised for shadow detail and reduced noise, the other for detail in bright areas – and combines these two signals to deliver a higher dynamic range of more than 16 stops in Canon Log 2.
"This is ideal for cinematic shooting, particularly where high-contrast scenes are involved," says Aron.
The EOS C400 and EOS C80 will also serve you well with their full frame 6K BSI CMOS sensors. "The BSI (Back-Side-Illuminated) sensor design increases the light gathering efficiency of the sensor to deliver higher sensitivity, with 16 stops of dynamic range, less noise, and reduced rolling shutter," Aron explains. Plus, the full frame sensor gives you the characteristic cinematic look from your lenses, with an expansive field of view and shallow depth of field.
On both the EOS C400 and EOS C80, 4K footage is oversampled from the 6K sensor, delivering superior quality compared to native 4K. All three cameras offer a range of professional recording formats, including 12-bit Cinema RAW Light. "This means they provide full colour and pixel information to give you maximum flexibility in post-production," Aron says.
All three cameras have Canon's advanced RF mount, enabling the use of the growing range of high-quality RF lenses, including the Canon CN-R Primes. The EOS C400 and EOS C80 also support PL mount lenses (including anamorphic lenses and Canon's acclaimed Sumire Primes) via a PL-RF Mount Adapter, expanding the range of compatible cinema lenses and giving you maximum scope to incorporate these cameras into your existing production kit.
Aron concludes that the EOS C70's DGO sensor is best for cinematic shooting in controlled lighting, because it provides the greatest dynamic range, while the EOS C80 takes this concept a step further with improved low-light performance and connectivity. Finally, the EOS C400 is the most versatile thanks to its form factor, with a modular design adaptable to different shooting styes, maximum recording quality with high bitrate options, and extensive professional connectivity built in.
Do you own Canon kit?
Register your kit to access expert advice, equipment servicing, inspirational events and exclusive special offers with Canon Professional Services.