Canon EOS-1D C DSLR for 4K video

Canon has announced a new full frame DSLR, the EOS-1D C, that can shoot 4K video (4,096 x 2,160 pixels) at 24 frames per second, or HD (1920 x 1080) at up to 60fps. It should ship in October with a list price of $15,000 or £10,000/€12,300 (including VAT).

Designed for movie and TV production, it is claimed to offer “advanced low light performance and film-like dynamic range”. In 4K, it records 4:2:2 colour sampling (compared to the 4:2:0 typical of DSLRs), but using only 8-bit Motion JPEG compression (the same as the widely praised C300 camcorder, but 10-bit would give better fidelity). For HD it records 4:2:0 internally.

The camera records internally to Compact Flash cards at all resolutions up to and including 4K, but video (excluding 4K) can also be output to an external recorder via HDMI for an uncompressed YCbCr 4:2:2 signal.

It also features Canon Log Gamma, which can allow users to maximise the exposure latitude and dynamic range – claimed to be comparable to film (which should mean about 13-14 stops dynamic range – similar to the Arri Alexa and one or two stops more than the C300).

“The EOS-1D C is a fantastic addition to the Cinema EOS System,” said Kieran Magee, Marketing Director, Professional Imaging, Canon Europe. “Since the introduction of Cinema EOS we’ve had an excellent response from professionals who are hugely excited by the image quality and creative freedom the system offers. The new EOS-1D C will expand those creative options further – it’s a unique camera, supporting 4K video recording in a highly compact body that can be used in a number of different ways. We’re very excited to see what the professional community can achieve with it.”

It uses an 18.1-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, although this is cropped to an area equivalent to an APS-H sensor (with a crop of 1.3x) for 4K work, so that there is no need to resize or scale the image, to ensure maximum image quality. For HD, it can use either the full 35mm frame for the shallowest possible depth of field or a Super 35mm (APS-C) crop – as used by almost all current digital cinema cameras.

Sensitivity of up to ISO 25,600 is on offer with “reduced noise in low-light situations”.

There is support for 24, 25, 30, 50 and 60p frame rates in HD, plus timecode, and a choice of compression methods to fit in with most post-production workflows. As a stills camera it can shoot 12fps (and there is a 14fps burst mode). It has a 61 point auto focus system, and uses dual DIGIC 5+ processors.

It has a built-in headphone jack for realtime audio monitoring, and the ability to view the camera’s 3.2-inch (8.1cm) LCD when the HDMI port is connected to an external monitor. It uses the same LP-E4N battery pack as the EOS-1D X (due to ship in mid June), and can also be powered by an optional AC adapter.

The EOS-1D C will come with software that allows 4K/Motion JPEG and 60p HD video to be output on an external monitor (via a PC equipped with an SDI port) with no loss of image quality. It also enables video shot with Canon Log Gamma to be output on a monitor with standard video gamma applied.

Additional applications include Picture Style Editor and EOS Utility, which enable adjustments to various camera settings to be conducted from a PC. Realtime procedures, such as the editing and registration of picture styles or checking results on a monitor, can be performed on-set using a PC or Mac.

The EOS-1D C is compatible with more than 60 EF lenses, with focal length options ranging from 8mm to 800mm. Over 70 million EF lenses have been manufactured since the EOS system launched in 1987. Canon has also introduced a range of 4K EF Cinema Lenses.

Related posts: New Sony NEX-FS700 4K camcorder; JVC HMQ10 handheld 4K camera; Canon EOS 5D Mark III launched + Canon EOS C500 4K camcorder launches
By David Fox