Canon C300 (EOS Mount)

The Canon C300 comes in 2 flavours.  The EOS version and PL only version, featuring an 8.3MP Super 35mm-equivalent CMOS sensor developed specially for the system.  A variety of  non manufacturer-specific lens adapters permit various types of prime and zoom lenses to be fitted.

Whilst this full HD camcorder has the form factor of a supersized DSLR, it is designed and dedicated for digital cinematography, so use this camera if you want to take moving images or the 5D range of DSLR cameras if you want to take stills images.  Also presently there is a total absence of AF and AE functionality. This means that even when using a Canon EF lens on the C300 EF you won’t get the benefit of the lens’ auto focus capabilities!

Contrary to expectation the C300 is a Full HD 1080p camcorder rather than being a 4K device even though its CMOS sensor is actually natively 4K resolution (This pitches it head to head with the Sony PMW-F3)

Rather than the moire-pattern inducing line skipping method employed in the EOS 5D Mark II, the C300 uses a far more video-friendly down-sampling method whereby a group of 4 pixels are sampled and then mapped to each final output pixel.

Interestingly, where the Sony F3L’s S-Log option offers the ability to obtain dual-link 4:4:4 output for the ultimate in recording quality, the C300 has built in log capability but only provides a single 8-bit 4:2:2 output via a single HD-SDI connector.

Whilst the C300 is the first Canon EOS badged camcorder, it shares many features with the XF305 camcorder:

• 50Mb/s 4:2:2 recording
• The use the same BP-975 batteries & chargers
• Compact flash media cards

This is designed to be a low cost digital film capture device offering universal compatibility of film and DSLR lenses across both camera models and operation is deceptively simple as well – so much so, that you will feel comfortable after just a few minutes of operation.  It is also reliable with a tried and tested menu and operational structure of the well established Canon XF-305, just with a Super-35 sensor.

Don’t be deceived that quality is compromised too much though – several Dramas have successfully intercut C300s with Alexas as a 3rd unit device and many budget features have shot using exclusively C300s on their own as well!

Post is very easy too – the MPEG-2 codec is an internationally recognized standard compatible with major NLE applications including FCP, AVID etc while additional features such as Canon Log ensure seamless integration with existing production workflows, making post-production easy. If you want to increase quality capture still further, consider using in conjunction with external recorders such as PIX240  etc.

Essential Accessory

Why not upgrade to include a full ARRI Cage kit with additional mounting points, secure handle and large ‘coffin case’ to allow a fully assembled camera to be transported.

If you work handheld, then consider the ARRI HGA-1 Handgrip adapter which allows the side camera handle to be attached at the end of Blue Mod bars, ARRI cage or suitable moose bars by means of the rosette mount.

Compatible Memory Cards

• Sandisk 128GB Compact Flash CF Memory Card 160/150MB/s

VMI C300 Packages

VMI supply the EOS C300 camera in either EOS mount or with a high quality EOS to PL mount.

The camera is supplied with 2 x 32GB CF cards with the following storage capability:

25Mbps: 310 minutes
35Mbps: 225 minutes
50Mbps: 160 minutes