Canon announces major firmware updates to several of its Cinema EOS cameras and lenses

Canon Europe has announced a collection of firmware updates designed to bring new features and improvements to several of its Cinema EOS cameras and lenses.

As a result of direct feedback from Canon users, professionals will see updates to the EOS C70, EOS C500 Mark II and EOS C300 Mark III cameras, as well as the EF-EOS R 0.71x Mount Adapter. Following updates, two Compact-Servo cinema lenses – the CN-E18-80mm and CN-E70-200mm – will also be fully compatible with the mirrorless EOS R5, part of the EOS R System.

A total of 24 Cinema EOS firmware updates offer enhancements and new capabilities to the above products, bringing benefits to professionals using them across industries such as news broadcast, sports, cinema, corporate, live, and offline productions.

Increased cinematic creativity

The updated EOS C500 Mark II will now be able to record in 4:3 and 6:5 aspect ratio/resolution while the camera is in Full Frame sensor mode in Cinema RAW Light. Previously only able to offer 2x or 1.33x de-squeeze options, the EOS C500 Mark II and EOS C300 Mark III will now feature a 1.8x de-squeeze option, enabling users to choose from a wider range of anamorphic lenses. These updates provide extra opportunities for professionals in the cinema industry to advance their creativity, bringing a new anamorphic look to their productions, enhance their workflow when shooting in various anamorphic formats, and enable them to take full advantage of the EOS C500 Mark II’s wide, high-resolution sensor.

Enhanced live production capability

Updates to the EOS C500 Mark II and EOS C300 Mark III will also benefit those in live production environments. Support for Canon’s original IP-based XC Protocol for both cameras allows for remote control from Canon’s RC-IP100 remote controller. This feature also provides users in a remote set-up control of the cameras’ zoom, focus, iris, gain adjust and white balance and more for seamless integration of Cinema EOS cameras into live production workflows alongside Canon’s PTZ solutions. This update follows the launch of three new Canon PTZ cameras and the RC-IP100 earlier this year – created in response to the growing popularity of remote production.

More features to benefit a range of productions

In addition to existing viewing LUT support, the EOS C500 Mark II and EOS C300 Mark III now support Look File functionality. Look Files are 3D LUTs that can be imported into the camera for internal recording, providing unique colour/contrast characteristics without the need to colour grade. When updated, EOS C500 Mark II, EOS C300 Mark III and EOS C70 users will also see ITU BT.709 Standard Gamma option added, with the CP file ‘BT.709 Standard’ assigned to Custom Picture Profile.

New benefits for EOS C70 and EF-EOS R 0.71x users

Users updating the EOS C70 will have greater flexibility and creative control. Whole Area AF has now been added to existing ‘Large/Small’ frame size options, giving users increased AF control over a larger area. In addition to this, when using the Whole Area AF mode, Touch Tracking can be initiated by touching the LCD screen, as is Face Detection when touching the subjects’ face.

The EF-EOS R 0.71x Mount Adapter, when used with the EOS C70, will also see expanded lens support with seven new EF lenses[v], in addition to the three already supported. Fully supported lenses provide a list of benefits such as: optical correction (aberration correction and peripheral illumination correction), auto iris (AE), auto focus (AF) performance, and lens metadata (focal length and T/F number correction). Canon can also confirm that a future firmware update will see additional lenses added to the list of supported lenses with this Mount Adapter.

Compact-Servo cinema lenses now compatible with EOS R5

Those using Canon’s EOS R5 in cinema productions will now benefit from enhanced cine lens support. Both of Canon’s unique CN-E18-80mm and CN-E70-200mm. Compact-Servo cinema lenses are now supported via the EF to EOS R Mount Adapter, allowing users to achieve a high optical quality cinematic look and optimised operability for shooting video with the compact EOS R5.  This new feature will bring EOS R5 users control over the following functions: optical correction, lens metadata, lens grip and servo control support, auto focus, auto exposure, and Image Stabilisation (IS) operation.