New Firmware Coming This Spring/Summer Will Update Product Range From EOS Cameras to Displays

In advance of NAB, Canon announced a new lightweight 4K-ready 18-80mm zoom. It's the first in a new class of Compact-Servo lenses designed as a stepping stone between EF still-photography lenses and CN-E cinema-style lenses for cameras with large Super 35 sensors, such as the Canon EOS C100 Mark II and C300 Mark II. 

The CN-E18-80mm T4.4L IS KAS S Compact-Servo 18-80mm Zoom Lens ($5,500) incorporates a new servo drive unit that can be switched between servo an manual modes, as well as the optical image-stabilization and auto-focus technology commonly found in Canon's still lenses. An optional handgrip, the ZSG-C10 ($499), has been specially designed for the new lens.

"This new lens provides videographers with an affordabe and versatile option when stepping up from EF lenses," said Canon USA President and CEO Yuichi Ishizuka in a prepared statement. "We are excited about the new form factor this lens takes on and can't wait to see how the imaging community utilizes it." More lenses in the Compact-Servo line will be announced "in the near future," Canon said.

Canon ME200S-SH

Also being announced for NAB is the ME200S-SH HD modular camera, a Super 35 EF-mount compact box camera with infrared capabilities and a high ISO of 204,800. It has 1080p output (via HDMI and 3G-SDI) at 50p and 60p and Canon's Dual Pixel CMOS auto-focus technology, and it can be controlled with Canon's RC-V100 controller ($2,999). The ME200S-SH is scheduled to ship in August 2016 for a list price of $5,999.

And Canon announced a slew of firmware updates for a broad range of products coming between May and July. Release notes follow below; for full info, visit Canon's NAB 2016 Firmware web page.

Canon NAB 2016 Firmware Release Notes

• The EOS C300 Mark II Digital Cinema Camera updates will allow various functions such as shooting in new Canon Log3, viewfinder magnification during recording, focus guide with EF Cinema Prime lenses, Push Auto Iris and Zoom function on the grip joystick with New COMPACT-SERVO and CINE-SERVO series lenses, Canon Dual Pixel CMOS AF (DAF) with COMPACT-SERVO 18-80mm and CINE-SERVO 17-120mm lenses, ACES 1.0 output, peripheral illumination correction updates and overall image improvements such as noise level reduction in low-light for Canon Log2.
• The EOS C100 Mark II Digital Cinema Camera update will allow various functions such as Push Auto Iris and Zoom function on the grip joystick with the new COMPACT-SERVO and CINE-SERVO series lenses,  Canon DAF with COMPACT-SERVO 18-80mm and CINE-SERVO 17-120mm lenses, and peripheral illumination correction updates and selectable disabling of the microphone.
• The DP-V2410 4K Reference Display firmware will be updated to support ARRI Log C and ARRI metadata; improve display contrast and dynamic range; add support for Canon Log3 and Hybrid Log Gamma; and display of SMPTE 2084 input signal on the waveform monitor.
• The DP-V3010 4K Reference Display firmware will be updated to improve display contrast and dynamic range; add support for Canon Log3 and Hybrid Log Gamma; and display of SMPTE 2084 input signal on the waveform monitor.
• The CINE-SERVO 17-120mm Lens will be updated to be compatible with Canon’s DAF function in the EOS C300 Mark II and EOS C100 Mark II Cameras.
• The update for the ME20F-SH Camera will include lens support for an additional 19 EF and CINE lenses allowing for more creative choices in a wider variety of shooting applications including television and film production.
• The XA35 and XA30 Professional Camcorders and VIXIA HF G40 Camcorder updates include a new file format making it easier to integrate into third party software systems that are used for athletic coaching applications.
• The firmware updates for the XF305 and XF300 Professional Camcorders include new shooting modes allowing for greater creative flexibility, Wide DR Gamma (600 percent) Mode, Highlight Priority Mode, and Signal/Noise priority mode.   
• The XC10 4K Camcorder firmware will be updated to include a new file format MP4 in HD mode (35 Mbps only), improved AF speed, and shutter speed options for flicker reduction.

Source: Canon USA