Bridging Canon's Cinema EOS and EOS R System camera lines with a completely new design, the Canon EOS C70 is the next-generation Cinema EOS camera for professional filmmakers and content creators. It's the smallest and lightest body in the Cinema EOS system, but a true heavyweight when it comes to features and performance.
Building on the technical innovations of the Canon EOS C300 Mark III and Canon EOS R5, the Canon EOS C70 combines groundbreaking 4K sensor design, high-performance in-body Image Stabilization and intelligent autofocus in a body that's smaller than the Canon EOS C200.
The Canon EOS C70 introduces a number of Canon technology innovations to the Cinema EOS range, including the revolutionary RF lens mount. Originally introduced in the EOS R, the RF mount's unique attributes have enabled the development of some equally unique lenses.
The innovative RF mount
The RF mount adds 12-pin communication for high-speed data transfer between the camera and the lens, which enables faster autofocus and the addition of a new Combination IS system. In this Combination IS system, the electronic IS of the camera and the optical IS of an RF lens work co-operatively to give a greater level of image stabilisation.
RF lenses share the same large 54mm internal diameter as EF lenses, but at just 20mm, the flange distance from the mount to the camera sensor is less than half the distance required by the EF mount. Being able to position the rear element closer to the sensor brings an exceptional level of corner-to-corner sharpness with minimal light falloff. The combination of a large diameter and short flange distance also permits the design of faster, brighter lenses with larger maximum apertures.
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One of the advantages of the RF mount is the high-speed communication afforded by the 12-pin connection. This enables the Canon EOS C70 to offer an enhanced level of Image Stabilization; the camera's electronic IS works in a co-ordinated way with the optical IS system of an RF lens to suppress a wider range of vibrations.
© Fergus Kennedy
Another benefit of the RF mount is that, due to the short flange back, the camera can be made more compact. The Canon EOS C70 is the lightest Cinema EOS camera available, making it easy to work handheld for long periods – especially with the stability offered by the high-performance Combination IS. The camera's small form factor makes it easy to integrate into a range of rigs, including cranes and drones, as well as handheld gimbals when you need additional support.
Despite the reduced size of the body, the EOS C70 has an advanced level of functionality and operability that makes it a complete solution for single shooters. The camera features an extensive array of easy-to-use controls, including 13 customisable buttons. An ergonomic multifunction grip houses three dials and a multi-directional joystick, providing assured handling and fingertip adjustment of controls. There’s also a fully articulated screen with a refreshed direct touch user interface that allows settings to be quickly changed and the focus point to be selected while holding the camera.
16+ stops of dynamic range
At the heart of the Canon EOS C70 is the same Dual Gain Output (DGO) Super 35mm 4K sensor as in the Canon EOS C300 Mark III. This produces two separate images at different amplification levels to increase details in both the shadows and highlights, while significantly diminishing noise.
The two images are combined to produce exceptionally clean footage with a high dynamic range of more than 16 stops. In addition to DGO, the Canon EOS C70 shares the same sensor and DIGIC DV7 processor as the Canon EOS C300 Mark III, and both contribute to the outstanding IQ.
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Auto ISO makes its Cinema EOS debut in the Canon EOS C70, enabling the camera to automatically adjust the sensitivity as lighting conditions change. A new built-in ND filter unit that's smaller and thinner than that found on either the Canon EOS C500 Mark II or Canon EOS C300 Mark III offers additional exposure control in bright light.
The Canon EOS C70 blends the image quality, colour science and specialised video features of a Cinema EOS camera with the smaller, more ergonomic frame of an EOS mirrorless camera. It's the most compact and lightweight Cinema EOS camera yet.
© Fergus Kennedy
The Canon EOS C70 also brings a breakthrough in autofocus performance. It’s the first Cinema EOS camera to use Canon's EOS iTR AF X, an advanced new tracking and recognition system driven by 'deep-learning' artificial intelligence. The technology can detect human heads and faces with precision and keep them in focus even when the person turns and moves away from the camera. When combined with the highly accurate Dual Pixel CMOS AF and touchscreen control, it delivers a rapid and reliable way for single operators to maintain sharp focus.
Dual Pixel CMOS AF is fully supported when shooting at high frame rates. The Canon EOS C70 can record 4K up to 120fps at 4:2:2 10-bit for smooth slow-motion playback, complete with simultaneous audio recording in a separate file, and the top speed can be boosted to 180fps in 2K crop mode.
Professional features and accessories
The Canon EOS C70 has been designed to meet the diverse recording requirements of a wide range of users, so it offers XF-AVC Intra and Long GOP or MP4 (HEVC) recording. All formats can be recorded internally to an SD card, with the camera's dual SD card slots enabling a versatile range of recording modes. You can choose to record proxy files at the same time for example, or simultaneously record in different file formats, resolutions or codecs. Back-up and relay recording options are also available.
A full suite of professional interfaces is also built into the body. Despite the Canon EOS C70's small proportions, it offers two mini XLR terminals, a microphone terminal, a headphone terminal and full-size HDMI supporting 4K 10-bit output. A USB Type-C connecter can be used for wired or wireless transfer of video data for IP streaming and FTP transfer via a third-party adapter.
With its metal mounts and weather sealing, the Canon MOUNT ADAPTER EF-EOS R 0.71x lens mount adapter is built to the same robust standard as the Canon EOS C70 and it enables the use of a wide range of full-frame lenses.
© Fergus Kennedy
The Canon CJ20ex5B IASE S is a versatile broadcast zoom lens that's capable of delivering 4K resolution across the entire image and meeting the requirements for Wide Colour Gamut and HDR productions.
New lens and adapter launched
A new lens mount adapter is being released at the same time as the Canon EOS C70. The Canon MOUNT ADAPTER EF-EOS R 0.71x allows a wide range of full-frame Canon EF lenses to be mounted on the EOS C70, and it enhances their performance in a variety of ways. For example, the adapter incorporates a 0.71x wide optical converter, so that the lens' full-frame angle of view is maintained on the EOS C70’s Super 35mm sensor. Light transmission is also increased, with the f-number being approximately one stop brighter than normal – so it can effectively turn an F4 lens into an F2.8 lens.
Also being introduced alongside the Canon EOS C70 is a new Canon CJ20ex5B IASE S 4K broadcast lens featuring a class-leading 5-100mm 20x optical zoom. Using the built-in 2x extender, the focal length can be increased to 200mm, making it a versatile choice for a variety of situations, including live sports, news gathering and studio-based production.
The Canon CJ20ex5B IASE S offers exceptional image quality and is capable of delivering true 4K resolution from the centre of the image to its edges. Advanced lens elements such as fluorite and S-UD glass have been employed in the optical design in order to dramatically reduce chromatic aberration, while Canon's unique lens coatings suppress ghosting and flare, and ensure that the dynamic range required for HDR productions is maintained.
Written by Marcus Hawkins
Read More: https://www.canon.ie/pro/stories/introducing-eos-c70/
