Dan Chung speaks to Canon's Chuck Westfall about 4K Cinema EOS cameras

DSLRnewsshooter's Dan Chung has been speaking to Canon USA Technical Advisor Chuck Westfall for more details about the company's 4K Cinema EOS offerings. Both the 500C and 1D C are skewed towards cinema and high-end television production, rather than documentary and news work, Westfall says, but hints that 'peaking' and 'zebra' focusing and exposure aids could be added to the 1D C if the market demands it.

For those people still trying to work out why Canon is so interested in 4K video and who it thinks is going to be buying its kit, this nine-minute video is well worth watching.

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Blackmagic Designs announces Blackmagic Cinema Camera

NAB 2012, Las Vegas, USA - April 16, 2012 - Blackmagic Design today announced Blackmagic Cinema Camera, a revolutionary digital cinema camera design that includes powerful features such as super wide 13 stops of dynamic range, high resolution 2.5K sensor, built in high bandwidth SSD recorder, open file format support, color correction with full version of DaVinci Resolve and a built in LCD with metadata entry, all in an attractive compact design for only US$2,995.

Blackmagic Cinema Camera will be demonstrated on the Blackmagic Design NAB 2012 booth at #SL220.

Many current generation video cameras suffer from a "video look" due to a limited contrast range, a maximum HD resolution sensor, poor quality optics and lenses, the use of heavy video compression for file recording and poor integration with NLE software metadata management. With these limitations, they cannot be used for high end work or feature films.

Blackmagic Cinema Camera has been designed to eliminate these problems so customers get a true feature film look, and at an affordable cost can shoot high end television commercials, episodic television programming and feature films.

Blackmagic Cinema Camera

Blackmagic Cinema Camera includes a super wide 13 stops of dynamic range, large 2.5K sensor, a built in SSD recorder that has the bandwidth to capture open standard CinemaDNG RAW, ProRes and DNxHD files, a built in capacitive touch screen LCD for direct metadata entry, standard jack audio connections, built in high-speed Thunderbolt connection, 3 Gb/s SDI output, a refrigerated sensor for low noise, and is fully compatible with extremely high quality Canon EF and Zeiss ZF mount lenses.

Blackmagic Cinema Camera also includes a full copy of DaVinci Resolve for color correction and Blackmagic UltraScope software for waveform monitoring. UltraScope can be run on a laptop connected to the camera via a Thunderbolt connection.

One of the most important features of the camera is its super wide dynamic range of 13 stops, allowing feature film quality images. Commonly people focus on more pixels, however often this just creates a higher resolution, but still "video" looking images that suffer from highlight and black clipping that limits details. Blackmagic Cinema Camera's wide dynamic range eliminates this problem and provides film quality with dramatically more detail retained in black and whites in the image. Once the shoot is complete, the included DaVinci Resolve color correction software can be used to adjust images and take advantage of this extra range in the images. The high quality EF and ZF lens compatibility also helps create sharp and cinematic images that look incredible.

To eliminate the damage that low bit depth and high compression video storage creates, Blackmagic Cinema Camera includes a fast SSD recorder. The built in SSD recorder can record on fast solid state disks the full sensor detail in 12 bit Log RAW files in the open standard CinemaDNG format. These files can be read by all high end video software. The full 2.5K sensor data is stored in the files completely uncompressed because the SSD has the speed to store video data at the required rate. Then this high quality file can be color corrected on DaVinci Resolve for the same high quality result currently only possible on cameras costing tens of thousands of dollars.

Blackmagic Cinema Camera has been designed as the perfect companion to Final Cut Pro X and Avid Media Composer NLE software. Unlike other cameras, which require the use of custom video file formats that are not compatible with popular NLE software, often making the post production process a nightmare, the Blackmagic Cinema Camera includes absolutely no custom video file formats, and every file type included is open standard. It records into CinemaDNG format for RAW files, ProRes and DNxHD for HD resolution files compatible with Final Cut Pro X and Avid Media Composer.

The built in large LCD display makes focus easy, and allows playback of captured files. Blackmagic Cinema Camera includes a built in microphone, as well as external jack based mic/line level balanced audio connections. When playing back recorded clips, a speaker is built in, and there is an included headphone socket, as well as embedded audio on the SDI output and Thunderbolt connection. The SDI output includes all camera data such as timecode, transport control, shutter angle, color temperature setting and ASA information overlaid in attractive anti aliased fonts.

For easy metadata entry, the built in LCD features fast and responsive capacitive touch screen technology. When the user taps the display with a finger, a data entry window called the "slate" appears. This lets the user enter shot information just like typing on a smart phone. This data is then stored in the files so can be accessed by NLE software when editing content later. Metadata is compatible with popular software such as Final Cut Pro X and DaVinci Resolve. All camera settings can be changed on this touch LCD, such as frame rate, shutter angle, color temperature, dynamic range, focus assist settings and more.

Blackmagic Cinema Camera includes an innovative industrial design built from solid machined aluminum metal which results in an attractive but rugged design. All of the camera, recorder and display have been shrunk down into a lightweight design thats very portable.

"This is one of the most exciting products we have ever created and its been a work in progress for a very long time," said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. "Ever since I was a telecine engineer back in the 1990's I have wished that video cameras would include features that allowed them to perform creatively similar to film. However current digital cameras are too heavy, way too expensive and need costly accessories to work. We felt there was a need for a camera that delivered these features in a design that's optimized for professional video shoots, as well as being a compact, elegant design that's easily affordable. We think we have achieved that!"

Blackmagic Cinema Camera Key Features

High resolution 2.5K sensor allows improved anti aliasing and reframing shots.
Super wide 13 stops of dynamic range allows capture of increased details for feature film look.
Built in SSD allows high bandwidth recording of RAW video and long duration compressed video.
Open file formats compatible with popular NLE software such as CinemaDNG 12 bit RAW, Apple ProRes and Avid DNxHD. No custom file formats.
Includes no custom connections. Standard jack mic/line audio in, BNC 3 Gb/s SDI out, headphone, high-speed Thunderbolt I/O technology, LANC remote control and standard DC 12-30V power connection.
Capacitive touch screen LCD for camera settings and slate metadata entry.
Compatible with extremely high quality Canon EF and Zeiss ZF lenses.
Supports 2.5K and 1080HD resolution capture in 24, 25, 29.97 and 30 fps.
Thunderbolt connection allows direct camera capture via included Media Express software and supports live waveform monitoring via the included Blackmagic UltraScope software.
Includes a full copy of DaVinci Resolve 9.0 color grading software.
Availability and Price

Blackmagic Cinema Camera will be available July 2012 for US$2,995 from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.

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Dan Chung asks Canon about EOS-1D C at 4K launch

At its NAB product presentation, Canon tonight gave technical information about the EOS-1D C (and C500 Cinema EOS) cameras and showed footage from the preproduction cameras to a select crowd on a big screen at a Las Vegas cinema. The most impressive thing to me was a short film shot on the EOS-1D C by Hollywood Director of Photography Shane Hurlbut that showed that in the right hands this new DSLR really is capable of amazing 4K imagery.

Hurlbut, who recently filmed Hollywood blockbuster 'Act of Valor' on Canon DSLRs, likened the 4K image from the EOS-1D C to that produced by traditional Kodak 35mm cine film. He also noted that the camera’s form factor allowed for the same remarkably versatile shooting style which professionals found so attractive about Canon's original video-enabled DSLR, the EOS 5D MkII. Having seen the images for myself I have to say I agree with him.


Canon's Tim Smith talked Dan Chung through the company's 4K cameras
I asked Canon’s Tim Smith who the 1D-C is aimed at. He told me that although the EOS-1D C can be used for many different applications it is primarily aimed at the 'cinema' market. This is a conscious decision on Canon’s part to segment the high end stills camera market from the needs of video professionals. According to Smith, because of its relatively small size and the option to shoot 4K video to a card it could be a perfect 'B' camera to something like the larger C500 - a camera that you'd be able to place in hard to access places. But the image quality is so good it could also be used as a main camera for productions that need 4K on a lower budget.


Smith also claimed that the EOS-1D C is the 'best still camera in the world' giving the same still image quality as the 1D X and offering all the same features (with the exception of a flash PC sync socket which makes way for a headphone jack) and adding 4K video. Autofocus in stills mode is the same as the 1D X. Stills shooters who also need 4K video are well served by this camera - Smith suggested that the some military, press and sports shooters may fall into this category.


The EOS-1D C shoots 4K at an APS-H crop or Full HD at two other crops.
Unlike the C300 and C500, the 1D C does not offer focus peaking or magnification of the image during shooting, which Smith said is because the camera is built on the 1D X chassis. Apart from the addition of the higher-resolution video, the camera's function set is otherwise unchanged. Phase detection AF is unavailable in video mode, too, for the same reason.


Canon demonstrates how its 4K models fit into its Cinema EOS lineup
One thing that professional videographers might have spotted is that the 1D C only shoots 4K images at cinema standard 24P frame rate, not 25P as is commonly used in European and Asian TV broadcast. When I asked about this Smith said that this was an issue that 'might have to be looked at'.


Canon demonstrated how the 1D C's output fits into a series of post-production workflows
Asked as to why the the 1D C features are not simply part of standard 1D X spec Smith claimed it had different engineering and is therefore more costly. Most pro stills shooters will be happy with the 1D X HD video capability, but the 1D C provides a solution for those who think they need 4K.

Smith could also see news and sports shooter using the 4K video mode to pull 8 megapixel stills out of the footage. The possible scenarios would be finish line shots at sporting events or other hard to catch action. This will be helped by the Mjpeg compression system which encodes each video frame separately and not as group of frames like Mpeg.

In short - unless you have an interest in or need for 4K video then there is no need to look at the 1D C over the less costly 1D X.

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Canon working on Cinema EOS C500 4K professional rig

London, UK, 12 April 2012 – Canon today announces the development of a new digital cinema camera capable of recording 4K-resolution (4,096 x 2,160 pixels) video. Targeting both the motion picture and high resolution digital production industries, the EOS C500 will offer 4K RAW output and will be available with Canon’s EF mount and the industry-standard PL mount.

In November 2011 Canon announced the EOS C300 – the first camera in the Cinema EOS System, marking the company’s entry into the motion-picture and digital production market. Highly acclaimed by video professionals since launch, the EOS C300 offers exceptional video quality performance, outstanding mobility, durability and expandability, thanks to its modular design and its compatibility with Canon’s range of EF and EF Cinema Lenses. The EOS C500/EOS C500 PL will be based on the same advanced platform, adding support for 4K RAW video capture, and 4:4:4 sampling during 2K capture.

Supporting next-generation 4K-resolution video capture and RAW data output, the EOS C500/EOS C500 PL will achieve exceptional video results without any loss in quality. The camera’s uncompressed 4K output will unleash the full potential of Canon’s premium range of EF Cinema Lenses, combining with Canon Log Gamma, which delivers the high-quality video and wide exposure latitude required by digital cinematographers.

Furthermore, 12-bit RGB 4:4:4 signal during 2K (2,048 x 1,080 pixels) video output will deliver rich colour and high compatibility with image processes such as chroma key compositing. Support for frame rates up to 120p in both 4K and 2K resolution will provide enhanced creative flexibility, enabling high-speed (slow motion) video capture in high resolution.

A development prototype of the EOS C500 digital cinema camera will be on display at NAB 2012, one of the world’s largest events for the video, broadcasting equipment and digital media industries. NAB 2012 will take place from April 16-19 in Las Vegas, USA.

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Sony expands NXCAM line up with new Full-HD super slow motion camcorder

PARK RIDGE, N.J., April 2nd, 2012 – Sony is pushing the creative boundaries once more with the new NEX-FS700 Full-HD Super Slow Motion camcorder, the latest in Sony’s line-up of NXCAM interchangeable E-mount camcorders. The new Super 35mm model is designed for high-speed shooting and is capable of capturing footage at up to 960 frames per second. The camcorder also features a range of capabilities such as 3G HD-SDI output and built-in ND filters. Additionally, it also offers several creative options, shooting styles and enhanced ergonomics – all based on customer feedback – to deliver a flexible production tool that fits seamlessly into a variety of shooting applications.

“The NEX-FS700 opens the door to a new world of creative shooting,” said Bill Drummond, Strategic Marketing Manager, Sony Europe. “You can record beautiful high speed Full-HD movies with the freedom of choosing interchangeable lenses. The NEX-FS700, with its super slow motion mode, is ideal for pop promos, commercials and documentaries as well as sports and a variety of events productions.”

The camcorder delivers Full-HD quality images at 120 and 240 frames per second in an 8 or 16 seconds burst mode respectively. The NEX-FS700’s high sensitivity and low noise shooting capability makes super slow motion shooting more convenient without additional equipment. 480 fps and 960 fps rates at reduced resolution are available for faster frame rate recording.

The NEX-FS700 camcorder uses a new 4K “Exmor” Super 35 CMOS sensor (total 11.6 million pixels). This high-speed readout chip is optimised for motion picture shooting, giving high sensitivity, low noise and minimal aliasing.

The NXCAM’s E-Mount flexibility is designed to accept virtually all SLR and DSLR 35mm lenses, with the use of simple, inexpensive adapters without optical degradation. FS series owners can make use of their existing lenses and add more lenses without being forced on a brand or mount.

Users can capture high-quality still images with the NEX-FS700. The camcorder also includes face detection and auto focus to help ensure the subject is always kept in focus.

NEX-FS700 operators can take advantage of the camcorder’s built-in ND filters, with a newly designed wheel that rotates across the sensor like a turret. The wheel includes positions for Clear, 1/4 (2 Stop), 1/16 (4 Stop), and 1/64 (6 Stop).

The camcorder is 60/50Hz switchable to give people the freedom of working in any geographic region without being restricted to only PAL or NTSC recording.

The NEX-FS700’s 3GHD-SDI and HDMI connectors can output Full-HD 50p and 60p, in addition to standard HD 60i, 24p, 25p or 30p frame rates with embedded time code and audio. 3G HD-SDI can output native 23.98, 25, 29.97 progressive signals; users can choose to output PsF over the 3G HD-SDI. Thanks to flexibility of the digital ports virtually any external recorder can be connected.

Users can save up to 99 camcorder profile settings on a memory card and can copy the same setting to multiple units. Compatible media includes MS and SD memory cards and Sony’s HXR-FMU128 flash memory unit that attaches to the camcorder.

The NEX-FS700 features include a robust detachable top handle, secured by a pair of screws (a cold shoe, plus two sets of 1/4 and 3/8 inch holes) that allow heavy accessories to be mounted. The handle is attached with a rosette mount.

A key element of the handle is an “active grip” that features four buttons for commonly used functions – expanded focus, auto iris, still capture and Recording Start/Stop – so users can easily operate the camcorder while holding it. Function buttons are also enlarged to make operating easy, even while wearing gloves.

The camcorder’s enhanced durable design also includes anchor points for compatibility with third party accessories.

Sony is planning a future firmware upgrade that will enable the NEX-FS700 to output 4K bit-stream data over 3G HD-SDI when used with an optional Sony 4K recorder.

The NEX-FS700 is planned to be available in June 2012.

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