Canon EOS C50 Camera Discussed – Compact Body with Open Gate Recording

by Alexandra ThompsonSeptember 12^th, 2025

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Here on the floor at IBC 2025, Johnnie spoke with Aaron from Canon about the newly released EOS C50. It is Canon’s smallest and lightest cinema camera so far, and Aaron said the response from the industry has been “incredibly positive,” as many see it as a versatile tool that shares many key features with higher-end models like the C400.

We already covered the announcement of the EOS C50 a few days ago, where we looked at the key specifications and first impressions. Johnnie also published a hands-on review, including a sample video that shows how the camera performs in real-world conditions. If you missed those pieces, they give a useful background before diving into the details from our IBC conversation.

Design and portability

The camera’s compact body was designed with portability in mind. A modular handle adds connectivity and tactile controls, while a full-size HDMI port supports external EVFs or monitors. The LCD includes a luminance boost function for outdoor use. Canon left out a built-in EVF to keep the body small, expecting most users to rely on external monitors or EVFs via HDMI, especially since the camera will often be used on gimbals and rigs.

Open gate and zoom rocker

What sets the C50 apart is that it is the first Canon Cinema EOS body with open gate recording, giving options for anamorphic, vertical, or horizontal work. Canon also introduced a zoom rocker for the first time in this line, which not only works with the PZ 2 power zoom adapter but also allows digital zoom with prime lenses, useful for journalists and live event shooters.

Canon is also investigating whether open gate can be brought to other models, such as the C70 and C8, via firmware. While there are technical hurdles with SD card recording, he said it is under consideration for future updates.

Stabilization choices

When asked about stabilization, Aaron pointed out that Canon chose a five-axis electronic system working together with the optical IS of RF lenses. This approach avoids some of the artifacts associated with sensor-shift IBIS in video and integrates better with gimbals. The tradeoff is a roughly 10% crop when digital stabilization is active, but Aaron noted that many professionals prefer this solution because it fits how they already stabilize their shots in the field.

LUTs and your workflow

Canon is also releasing new LUTs designed specifically for the C50. These include not only the standard Canon Log conversions but also stylized looks such as day-for-night options, intended as quick grading starting points. The camera records in Cinema RAW Light, and while DaVinci Resolve already supports the files, and Adobe Premiere will add support later this year or early next.

Price and availability

The Canon EOS C50 will be priced at approximately $3,750 (around €3,500) and is expected to ship in the coming months. For more information, please visit the Canon website.

At around €3,500, would you go for the C50, or stick with the C70 or C400 for bigger jobs? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!