The Canon EOS C300 PL Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (PL Lens Mount) takes what professionals love about DSLR filmmaking – access to a vast selection of widely available lenses, a large sensor that facilitates a shallow depth of field, and portable operation with a modular, compact camera – and addresses its shortcomings. That means that unlike DSLR cameras, this Cinema EOS camcorder is designed both inside and out for professional cinematographers capturing motion pictures that will stand up to rigorous post-production processes.
As its name suggests, the EOS C300 PL features a PL mount for compatibility not only with a broad range of compatible cine lenses from manufacturers like Angenieux and Zeiss, but also with Canon's burgeoning line of EF Cinema lenses for PL mount. These lenses are designed to match up perfectly with the 3-perf Super 35mm-size CMOS sensor that Canon developed for this camera. Like the camcorder, these lenses (sold separately) were developed specifically for digital cinema, with engraved markings on angled surfaces in meters and feet and uniform front diameters for easy lens switching without having to reconfigure a matte box or follow focus gearing.
The Canon Super 35mm sensor is paired with the Canon DIGIC III image processor, which uses an innovative method of breaking out red, green, and blue data to enable color performance on a level that would otherwise require three separate chips. Recording HD formats to CompactFlash cards as Canon's XF codec – at the highest level a 50 Mb/s, 4:2:2 MPEG-2 format – the C300 PL records motion video that reduces the jagged edges and Moiré patterns that can plague video with 4:2:0 chroma subsampling and lead to post-production challenges.
Moreover, the files' MXF file wrapper brings together video, audio, metadata, and timecode in a package that enjoys robust support from all professional NLE programs. The EOS C300 PL is designed to capture footage that thrives in the post-production suite. To that same end, the camera also offers Canon's Log gamma mode, which results in excellent tonal reproduction in the highlight and lowlight regions of an image, and a greatly expanded dynamic range.
The exterior of the camera is as unique as its innards. Featuring the expected HD-SDI output, timecode I/O, and genlock input BNCs, the body is a modular creature that can either be stripped down completely, or be built up to host the included handle, 4" rotating LCD unit with full controls, grip, and thumb rest. With accessible, assignable buttons laid out in an ergonomic fashion, the C300 PL is physically designed not for still photography but for the craft of digital cinema.
Definition | High Definition |
Power Supply (rated) | 7.4V DC (battery pack), 8.4V DC (DC-IN) |
Recording/Codec | Signal System: NTSC and PAL Compression: 8 Bit MPEG-2 Long GOP Color Space: 4:2:2 at 50Mbps recording Maximum Bit Rate: 50Mbps (CBR) Canon Log Gamma: Available File Format: MXF (OP-1a) |
Recording Options | 50Mbps (CBR) 4:2:2 422P@HL 1920x1080: 59.94i/29.97p/23.98p; 50i/25p; True 24 (24.00) 1280x720: 59.94i/29.97p/23.98p; 50p/25p; True 24 (24.00) 35Mbps (VBR) 4:2:0 MP@HL 1920x1080: 59.94i/29.97p/23.98p; 50i/25p 1280x720: 59.94p/29.97p/23.98p; 50p/25p 25Mbps (CBR) 4:2:0 MP@H14 1440x1080: 59.94i/29.97p/23.98p; 50i/25p |
Audio | Linear PCM; 2-Channel; 16-Bit; 48kHz Built-in Microphone: None External Audio Inputs: 2 - XLR inputs (Auto and Manual level settings) Recording Channel Selection: Two channel recording XLR Mic Trimming: Available; -12dB, -6 dB, 0dB or +12dB Recording Level Adjustment Range: - Infinity to +18dB Phantom Power: Available: +48V Headphone Adjustment: 16 Settings; Volume is muted at lowest setting 1KHz Tone: Available: -12, -18 or -20 dB |
Image Sensor | Sensor Type: CMOS sensor (single-panel), equivalent to Super 35mm Sensor Size: 24.6 x 13.8mm effective screen size (6.4 x 6.4 micrometer pixel pitch) Scanning System: Progressive Number of Sensors: 1 Filter: RGB Primary Color Filter (Bayer Array) Imaging Processor: DIGIC DV III |
Effective Pixels | Approx. 8.29 megapixels (3840 x 2160) |
Total Pixels | Approx. 9.84 megapixels (4206 x 2340) |
Max. Movie Recording Time | 64GB Compact Flash (CF) card Greater capacity is possible when both are used. 25Mbps: 310 minutes 35Mbps: 225 minutes 50Mbps: 160 minutes |
Lens | Interchangeable: PL mount |
Focusing System | Manual; Autofocus system not available |
Max. Shutter Speed | 1/2000 sec |
ISO Range | 320 to 20,000, 1-stop or 1/3-stop |
ND Filter Settings | Mechanical ND filter system with option of clear, 2 stops, 4 stops, and 6 stops |
White Balance | Auto, Manual, 2 Custom (2000K - 150,00K in 100K increments), Daylight, Tungsten |
Frame Rate | NTSC: 59.94P, 59.94i, 29.97P, 23.98P PAL: 50P, 50i, 25P Film: 24P |
Minimum Illumination | Full AUTO mode: TBA lux Manual mode: TBA lux |
Illumination Correction | Compensates for each lens' light fall-off. Lens specific data stored in firmware |
Genlock Terminal | BNC (input only) |
HD/SD-SDI Terminal | BNC (output only), with embedded audio |
Timecode Terminals | BNC (input/output), Sync Out (BNC) |
Viewfinder | 0.52-inch diagonal, color 16:9 rotatable LCD +2.0 to -5.5 diopter eye adjustment |
LCD Screen (Monitor Unit) | 4-inch diagonal, 1.23 megapixel color 16:9 rotatable LCD 100% field of view adj. brightness, contrast, color, sharpness and backlight |
Microphone | None built-in |
Recording Media | CF Card (Type 1 Only): 2 slots (Movie files); UDMA supported SD Card: 1 slot: Still images, Custom Picture Data, Clip Metadata and menu settings (Custom Picture Data and settings are not compatible with data from other Canon models) |
USB Terminal | N/A |
Video Terminal | Same as HD/SD-SDI Terminal |
Audio Terminal | XLR 3-pin jack (2), Switchable between MIC/LINE |
HDMI Terminal | Yes (Type A), output only |
AV Mini-terminal/Headphone Terminal | 3.5mm stereo mini-jack |
WFT Terminal | For compatible Wi-Fi Accessory |
Operating Temperature Range | Performance: 32°-104°F / 0°-40°C, 85% (relative humidity) Operation: 23°-113°F / -5°-45°C, 60% (relative humidity) |
Dimensions (W x H x D) | EOS C300 PL + Thumb Rest: 5.2 x 7.0 x 7.0 in / 133 x 179 x 177mm EOS C300 PL + Grip: 6.9 x 7.0 x 7.0 in / 174 x 179 x 177mm Camera + Monitor: 7.3 x 9.8 x 7.4 in / 185 x 249 x 187mm Camera + Handle + Monitor: 7.3 x 11.2 x 11.9 in / 185 x 284 x 301mm (not including lens hood, eyecup, grip belt) |
Weight (not including lens) | 3.6 lb / 1630g |
Components Weight | Grip: 8.1 oz / 230g Monitor Unit: 1.4 lb / 620g Handle Unit: 6.3 oz / 180g Thumb Rest: 0.35 oz / 10g BP-955 Battery: 7.8 oz / 220g Attachment fitting: 0.32 oz / 9g CF Cards x 2: 0.63 oz / 18g Measure hook: 0.11 oz / 3g Body Cap, Camera Cover (either type): 0.63 oz / 18g |
Total Camera Weight | With Grip, Monitor, BP-955, 2@CF: 6.0 lb / 2720g With Grip, Monitor, Handle, BP-955, 2@CF: 6.4 lb / 2900g |
Reviews Canon EOS C300 PL Cinema EOS Camcorder Body (PL Lens Mount) (Canon Malaysia) (1+1 Year Warranty)