Integrated Codex Workflow Enables 4K Raw Recording at Up to 120fps, or 2K ProRes at 240fps

Canon today revealed the Cinema EOS C700, the latest in its line of cinema cameras, built around a Super-35 format 4.5K sensor with wide dynamic range — and a global-shutter option. Built to accommodate on-the-shoulder operation, the C700 is clearly meant to compete with cameras like the ARRI Amira and the Sony F55.

Further, through a partnership with Codex, the camera will also offer fully integrated recording options. With the Codex CDX-36150 unit attached, the camera will record 4.5K raw at up to 100fps, 4K raw at up to 120fps, 4K ProRes at up to 50fps, 2K ProRes at up to 240fps, and XF-AVC at up to 60fps, Canon said. When shooting at 240fps, the camera is in "crop" mode, Canon said, meaning that only a portion of the full 4.5K sensor is used to generate the image. (This effectively reduces the field of view provided by any given lens.)

Codex has already been working closely with Canon — its Onboard S Recorder, introduced in 2012, supported C500 workflow on the International Space Station for the Imax movie A Beautiful Planet, as chronicled here at StudioDaily. The new Canon-and-Codex configuration will be demonstrated at Canon's exhibit (Hall 12, Stand D60) during IBC 2016, which begins next week. 

C700 bodies will be convertible between EF and PL mounts, as well as between standard and global-shutter CMOS sensors, at Canon service facilites. The EF mount allows use of Canon's Dual Pixel auto-focus technology, while the PL version of the camera recognizes metadata from Cooke /i lenses.

Canon is also positioning the C700 for HDR capture, citing its 15 stops of latitude with the standard CMOS or 14 stops with the global-shutter sensor in place.

The C700 models will also be the first in Canon's Cinema EOS line to automatically unsqueeze anamorphic 2.39:1 images for proper monitoring.

New accessories include the EVF-V70 1920×1080 OLED viewfinder; the OU-700 detachable remote control, which can operate the camera via cable over distances of up to 10m; and the SU-15 shoulder-mount grip unit.

The EOS C700 (EF-mount) and C700 PL (MSRP $35,000) are set to ship in December, Canon said, with the EOS C700 GS PL version (MSRP $38,000) to follow in January. Update 03/07/17: Canon now has the EOS C700 GS PL scheduled to ship in July. The MSRP has not changed. 

Many of the recording modes enabled by the Codex recorder, including the highest frame rates at 2K, 4K and 4.5K, will not be available until a scheduled March update. Meanwhile, what of the EOS C500? Well, you can get a good deal on it at retail right now, as some vendors have begun offering it at a discount. Canon's website shows the C500 as out of stock, but a Canon representative tells us the C700 "is not replacing" the C500.

Canon also announced new displays with 6G-SDI inputs today, including the DP-V2420 24-inch 4K (4096×2160) HDR display, due in November ($32,900), and the DP-V1710 17-inch UHD (3840×2160) display coming in February ($13,500).

And finally, a little farther down the food chain sits the new Canon XC15 4K UHD digital camcorder, an enhancement of last year's XC10 with the addition of an XLR input and selectable "looks" designed for easier matching as a B camera to other Canon cameras. It's set to ship this month for a list price of $3,000.