Canon has unveiled the EOS R5C, a new addition to its cinema camera line that also looks like a good choice for stills. It strongly resembles Canon’s EOS R5 mirrorless camera but has a large hump on the back to house an active cooling system. As such, it offers most of the benefits of the EOS R5 without the overheating issues of recording 8K or 4K high frame rate video.
On the video side, the EOS R5C can shoot 8K at up to 60fps in Canon’s 12-bit RAW LT format using the full width of the sensor, a big step up from the 8K 30p RAW available on the R5 is. Better still, it can work “indefinitely” with this setting, while the R5 is limited to just 20 minutes at 8K 30p due to overheating issues. It can also handle RAW 5.9K/60p with Super 35mm crop, 2.9K/120p with Super 16 crop, and 4K at up to 120 fps with no crop and full AF capability.
Gallery: Press images of the Canon EOS R5C cinema camera | 20 photos
Gallery: Press images of the Canon EOS R5C cinema camera | 20 photos
It also supports ProRes RAW output to an external recorder via the HDMI port at up to 8K/30P. “Proxy data can also be simultaneously recorded to an in-camera SD card, which contributes to efficient post-production,” Canon said. Unfortunately, it uses micro-HDMI instead of a full-size connector – not ideal for a dedicated cinema camera.
Unlike the R5, however, the R5C doesn’t have in-body stabilization – so optical shake reduction for stills or video is only available through supported lenses. However, optical lens stabilization can work alongside Canon’s electronic stabilization, with a 1.1x crop.
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There is another notable caveat. Because the EOS R5C uses the same LP-E6NH batteries as the R5, it doesn’t have enough power to power the lens mount in certain video modes (8K and 5.9K over 30p and 2.9K Super 16 over 60fps). That means you’ll only lose autofocus at these settings on battery power, although you can restore it by using external power via Canon’s PD-E1 USB power adapter or the new DC coupler.
On the photo side, the 45-megapixel full-frame sensor is a big plus, as is the 20fps capture speed in the electronic shutter mode (12fps with the mechanical shutter). It uses Canon’s Dual Pixel autofocus system for both stills and video, as well as eye/face detection and subject tracking, so it should offer the same excellent AF performance as the R5. When you switch the camera to photo mode, all menus and button settings change accordingly.
It features a 3.2-inch vari-angle, fold-out LCD monitor and a 5.76 million-dot viewfinder, just like the EOS R5. While you get Canon Log 3 for improved dynamic range, the superior Log 2 option you’ll find on other Canon cinema cameras isn’t available. Other features include two card slots (one CFexpress and one SD UHS-II), animal eye detection (cats, dogs, or birds), vehicle detection, a multi-shoe for microphones and other accessories, a timecode terminal for multi-camera recording, and a DC coupler for Provision of continuous current.
The EOS R5C will be available in March for $4,499, a $600 premium over the R5. It’s quite an interesting model as it can do more than some Canon cinema camera models for a lot less money and it’s a lot smaller too. At the same time, hybrid photo/video shooters could seriously pause if they want to buy Sonys $6,500 A1 Hybrid.
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