Canon Goes Full Frame: Canon EOS C700 FF 5.9K Announced

News

by Yossy MendelovichMarch 28^th, 2018

The Canon EOS C700 FF was just announced. Now Canon also goes full frame with this new flagship camera that sits at the top of the powerful Cinema EOS range. It uses a next generation full frame 38.1 x 20.1mm CMOS sensor which, according to Canon, can record 5.9K with up to 15-stops of dynamic range.

Three sensor modes

One main difference and advantage of this new C700 model is that the EOS C700 FF has a brand new, cutting edge, high-resolution full frame sensor (38.1 x 20.1mm) with three sensor modes – full frame, Super 35mm (crop) and Super 16mm (crop) – to offer high quality and versatility while shooting, which makes this camera suitable for large range of productions and operators (DPs, freelancers and broadcasters). 

Canon C700 FF – Canon goes Full Frame with their new flagship camera.

5.9K RAW footage at 60 fps

The EOS C700 FF can capture 5.9K RAW footage at 60 fps, 4K (crop) at 72fps and at high speed, up to 168fps (2K crop), and records 5.9K RAW files, or 4K ProRes files, with an optional CODEX CDX-36150 recorder. Furthermore, there are options to record 4K internally to ProRes or XF-AVC formats to dual CFast 2.0 cards. These multiple recording formats allow for a very diverse workflow with this camera, and it makes it a very flexible tool. 

Canon is a bit vague about whether there will be different versions of the camera with PL and EF mounts. It will probably be interchangeable, but only through a service center, like it is already the case with the original C700. 

Dual Pixel AF technology

The Canon EOS C700 FF uses the really superior Dual Pixel AF technology – which is probably the best video autofocus in the industry, so I’m sure it will be just as good in this model. 

Canon EOS C700 Full Frame Cinema Camera (Cinema Locking EF-Mount)

Canon EOS C700 FF Key features

• 5.9K full frame CMOS sensor
• 15-stops dynamic range
• Canon picture science
• Broad range of lens options
• Various sensor modes including full frame, Super 35mm and Super 16mm
• Accurate and reliable Dual Pixel CMOS AF system with Canon EF mount
• Supports multiple recording formats including Canon Cinema RAW, ProRes and XF-AVC
• Built-in ND filters, IP streaming capability and optional accessories for camera control for flexible camera operation

Canon EOS C700 FF Full Frame camera with the Codex recorder at the back.

With the release of the EOS C700 FF – will any other Canon products be discontinued?

According to Canon the answer is: No. As stated by Canon:

The EOS C700 FF is the latest addition to Canon’s EOS Cinema range, sitting above the EOS C700. No other Canon cameras will be discontinued because of its launch into the market.

Price and availability

The price of the C700 FF will be :  $33,000 or €27,999, and will be available in August 2018. 

Canon CN-E 20mm T1.5 L F Cinema Prime Lens

In addition, Canon has just announced a new fast 20mm Cinema Prime T1.5 lens. It fits right into their existing line-up.

• Covers Full Frame and Super 35 sensors
• 11-blade iris
• Focus breathing minimized to virtually zero
• Markings on both sides of the barrel
• Rear markings on an angled surface
• Smooth, stepless 300° focus ring
• Geared manual iris ring
• Shares 114mm front barrel diameter, focus rotation, 36° iris rotation, and focus and iris gear positions with the rest of the CN-E line-up
• Glass construction counteracts temperature induced marking discrepancies
• Dust and water-resistant housing
• Focus markings can be switched to metric labeling if you send the lens to Canon for modification

Clearly, the main deal of the C700 FF is the 5.9K full frame sensor, which will allow to generate a new visual look, a shallower depth of field and a wide field of view. Canon clearly has just made a significant step forward by upgrading its cinema line. They now have a comparable product to the Sony VENICE, ARRI ALEXA LF and the RED Monstro sensor.

Could the EOS C700 FF compete with RED, Sony and ARRI? Let us know what you think in the comments!