Thoughts on the Canon C300

By David Jeffries
DP/Technical Specialist
Ohio HD Video & Cine Rental

This year Canon released their new line of Cinema EOS cameras with the release of the C300.  After extensive use with the camera we have been very impressed with its capabilities. The camera truly excels in several areas including low light, lensing, and form factor.

The C300 has an ISO range of 320 - 20000.  While every camera has its extremes, this camera produces excellent pictures with ISO much higher than most professional digital cameras currently available.  There is very little amount of grain in the image all the way up to 8000 ISO.  At 10000 and 12800 ISO there is noise, especially in the blacks.  At 16000 and 20000 ISO there is significant noise in the image, but unlike other cameras, they are still arguably acceptable amounts of noise.

While the camera is offered in both the PL mount version as well as the Canon EF mount, Ohio HD has chosen to only pursue the EF version.  What makes the camera a strong solution for a renter is the ability to use any EF mounted glass that is already on the market.  All of your old DSLR lenses and L-Series glass will fit and still produce great quality pictures.  With lensing that includes lens data, it will pass through to the camera to be stored in metadata and displayed on the monitor for the operator's reference.

Another great function of the camera is its ability to be configured for a full cinema rig or just as small as a DSLR.  The body has a removable LCD screen, top handle, and side handle.  Even with all of them removed, the camera retains nearly all of its functionality (without the LCD there is no XLR input).

No camera is perfect (though the Arri Alexa is close), and like any camera the C300 has its downsides.  One of the biggest flaws we have seen is the limiting color space available.  While the camera works great when staying in the REC709 color space, the Canon Log seems to be limiting in expanding out the dynamic range later as it would cause banding.  Wile other cameras offer larger bandwidth outputs, the C300's outboard ports offer the same as its internal.

Another slight downside is the lack of mounting points throughout the unit.  Many cameras offer 1/4" 20 and 3/16" mount points, this only offers one in the cold shoe mount that is used to attach the top handle. While most systems Ohio HD would offer as a full cinema rig would be able to mount an external monitor.  At the base unit, it would be difficult to add this functionality.

As a final thought, when the camera first arrived we were skeptical at best.  After having multiple in stock for a few months and having the chance to work with them it has been quite the surprise.  We highly recommend this camera, especially when working in low light or with limited resources.

For more information about the Canon C300 or to inquire about a rental please contact Ohio HD Video & Cine Rental.