Cinema is an art. It's also a business. Profits. Budgets. Deadlines. Professionals want to know they're dealing with professionals – and with Canon, you can count on a proven creative partner. Our service is world-class. Our support programs are customized to your needs. And our educational commitment spans the range of live and
online resources.

Canon's customer service philosophy is simple: Providing industry-leading customer service is just as important as producing high-quality, easy-to-use products. In a time when most companies are outsourcing services and slashing customer service budgets, Canon is investing substantial resources to make service and support more local and personal, with industry-leading speed, quality and excellence.

• GENERAL

• What is the Cinema EOS System?

  More than just a camera, the Cinema EOS system represents a whole new direction for Canon. Bringing together a fully-integrated set of cameras, lenses, accessories; with service, support and education; and backed up by R&D facilities right in the heart of Hollywood, Cinema EOS is Canon's first step towards becoming the imaging company for the movie industry.

• What is the general concept behind the EOS C300 and EOS C300 PL cameras?

  Simple: Large sensor; compact body; industry-standard I/Os, lens mount and file format; at a compelling price point. A combination we believe will enable cinematographers of all walks to tell the stories they previously only imagined.

• I want one! When will the camera be available for purchase?

  The EOS C300 and EOS C300 PL will be available through select dealers beginning late January 2012. If you want to get your name on a waiting list, or contact one of our authorized dealers, fill out the online form.

• Can I rent this camera somewhere?

  We are working with leading rental houses to ensure they have inventory as soon as possible. Stay tuned or fill out the online form and clarify you are interested in renting.

• Why offer dedicated EF-mount and PL-mount versions of the camera instead of an interchangeable EF/PL mount?

  Our goal with this camera was to make it as easy as possible for any filmmaker to pick up the tool and start shooting. While a lot of people feel comfortable changing lens mounts, we think you would prefer to spend your time setting up shots and getting the results you envision. The EF-mount version also offers additional functions that would not apply to PL-mount lenses; such as electronic contacts that interact with Canon EF lenses, allowing you to adjust focus and iris remotely. For time-lapse, nature or reality TV programming this is a significant benefit.

• How does this camera stack up against the Canon EOS 5D Mk II?

  We expect a lot of comparison between the EOS C300/C300 PL and the EOS 5D Mk II, and rightfully so. The 5D started the HDSLR revolution, which in turn influenced Canon's decision to develop a dedicated camera for the movie and TV industry.

  At it's core, the EOS 5D Mk II is an industry-leading, 21 MP still camera with video capabilities. The full frame sensor, low light performance, choice of Canon lenses and video frame rate options; combined with the compact form factor, rugged design and affordable price make it the camera of choice for shooting indie films, or getting amazing B- and C-camera shots in action sequences.

  The EOS C300 is an entirely new camera, developed from the ground up for cinematography. Every detail has been thoroughly tested in real world environments so it works the way cinematographers expect it to work. 8.3 MP Super 35mm CMOS sensor. 4:2:2 50 Mbps MPEG-2 file recording, with full audio and metadata. 12 stops/800% dynamic range. Stunning low light performance, and very low noise at all ISOs all the way up to 20,000.

  Which one is better? It depends, on your budget, your application, your preference. We don't see it as an either/or - rather we expect to see a lot of EOS C300s and EOS 5D Mk IIs working side by side on sets across the world.

• CAMERA

• Why is the sensor not Full Frame (24 x 36 mm)?

  The EOS C300 conforms to the industry standard Super 35mm Motion Picture Film frame size. This evokes the shallow depth-of-field characteristics movie goers and cinematographers love, and allows legacy lenses to work well with the camera. Almost all PL Mount motion picture lenses tend to vignette heavily on Full Frame sensors since they are not designed to cover that frame size. The EOS C300 PL is compatible with all PL mount cinema lenses that were manufactured with Super 35mm or larger imaging formats in mind, allowing the cinematographer to match the same angle-of-view as when working with a motion picture film camera.

• Does the camera offer RAW output?

  The camera does not currently offer a RAW output. We opted to support the MPEG-2 Long GOP file format for speed and ease of transport and post-processing.

• Why did Canon decide to focus on 1080p rather than 2K or 4K?

  1080p is the most commonly used and sought after shooting and delivery size for productions today. Heavy adoption allows 1080p images to seamlessly integrate into various production pipelines without the hiccups and massive storage requirements of proprietary 4K solutions. This makes the EOS C300 ready for the widest range of productions today, with a simplified and accepted workflow.

• The camera uses an 8.3 Megapixel chip, but the maximum final output is 2.07 Megapixels
  (1920 x 1080 pixels). Where does the extra resolution go? Is the image down-rezd after it hits the CMOS sensor?

  Canon's all-new Super 35mm 8.3Mp CMOS sensor is at the heart of this camera's stunning image quality. Rather than using a Bayer pattern and debayering algorithms to extract Red, Blue and Green color data; plus luminance, the Canon sensor combines information from four actual pixels on the sensor (two green, one red, one blue) to produce final output for one Full HD pixel. The result? Accurate color rendition, 12 stops of dynamic range, low noise and fewer artifacts.

• POST-PRODUCTION

• Where do I get the plug-in for my NLE application?

  Software updates, plugins, technical specs and more can all be found on the Canon USA website at pro.usa.canon.com/c300. Note some NLE plug-ins e.g. Final Cut Pro X, are still under development.

• Do I have to purchase a NLE system to process the files off the camera?

  No you do not! The video is saved as industry standard MPEG-2 Long GOP files which can be played back immediately on almost any device. You can use the included Canon Easy Browser Software to do basic file editing and management functions. To get the most from your recorded footage you should use a professional NLE system, especially when recording in Canon Log Gamma mode.

• LENSES

• Why no remote focus and iris control on the PL lenses?

  Most PL lenses in the industry are fully manual. Our PL lenses follow industry standards, so they will feel very familiar to any camera crew. Just like any other PL lens, you can use electromechanical focus followers and iris control gear to give you remote capability. (Note: third party focus/iris gear can not currently be operated via the EOS C300/EOS C300 PL Remote Control UI).

• Can I use Canon PL lenses with other PL-mount cameras?

  Absolutely! These lenses are designed to work with any PL-mount camera; and they are all 4K ready so you can rest assured your investment in Canon is scalable into the future, as long as the image circle size of your camera is the same or smaller than the image circle size of the lenses.

• Are there any technical difference between the Canon PL-mount and EF-mount cine zooms?

  Other than the mount, these lenses are identical.

• How do the Canon EF Cinema prime lenses (24mm, 50mm and 85mm) differ from the existing EF-mount prime lenses used for still photography?

  Our cine primes have been designed from the inside out to excel in motion picture and TV applications. Key features include the 11 blade aperture diaphragm for beautiful out-of-focus areas; consistent external form factor so they are easy to use interchangeably with common cinema accessories, such as rail systems, matte boxes and follow-focus gear; and large rotation angles and accurate barrel markings for smooth, consistent focus pulling. Additionally, focus breathing has been virtually eliminated.

• Is Canon bringing out any other cine primes in the near future? Any PL mount?

  We don't usually comment on future product releases, but we can confirm we are working on a broad range of lenses for the cinematography market!

• What are the advantages of using Canon EF lenses with the EOS C300?

  Using the EF mount version of the EOS C300 opens up a world of options for cinematographers. Their creative vision can be effectively and affordably unleashed by selecting from over 60 Canon EF-mount lenses, from fast compact primes to super telephotos, and specialty lenses such as fisheye, tilt-shift and macros. Also, when using the EF mount version of the EOS C300, lens data is communicated to the camera body and recorded to the metadata of the shot clip. This information can also be used by the camera's peripheral illumination correction system.

• ACCESSORIES

• What third-party party accessories are compatible with the Cinema EOS system?

  The Cinema EOS system works with industry standard matte boxes, tripods, rails, flags, follow-focus rigs, marking disks, base plates. We have used gear from a range of vendors when shooting our own footage, including O'Connor, Red Rock, ARRI, and more.

• Should I plan to use an external monitor, or is the supplied Canon monitor good enough?

  The supplied Canon monitor is better than "good enough;" it's great! This 1.23 Megapixel unit can be arranged in a variety of positions for optimal viewing, and offers a variety of graphical tools to gauge exposure, focus and other settings. If you prefer to use a Marshall or other external monitor, go ahead – all the connections are built in to the camera!

• Does the camera use standard Canon batteries?

  Yes, it uses the existing BP-900 series batteries.

• What about third party batteries?

  Canon recommends that, for best performance, only Canon batteries be used.

• What devices and browsers can I use to access the camera via the optional Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E6A?

  Remote Access UI has been tested with leading browsers including Internet Explorer, Safari and Firefox; as well as browsers on popular Android and Apple smartphones and tablets.

• SERVICE & SUPPORT

• Will Canon offer on-set support for the Cinema EOS system?

  Canon is planning to offer optional, customized service and support programs designed for cinematographers with mission critical needs. These programs will include the availability of loaner equipment while your unit is being repaired, and also pickup/delivery service in the Hollywood and New York City markets (limited area). The details of these service programs will be announced in January 2012. Please check back in January for more information, or call (855) CINE-EOS.

• Canon recently announced they are opening an office in Hollywood. Can I drop by and check out the Cinema EOS system?

  This office has been set up to provide service and support to the professional cine market. The only walk-up service is for repairs. If you would like to set up an appointment to see the Cinema EOS system please contact your local Canon sales representative or fill out the online form.

• I am on location/not based in LA. Where do I go to get service and support?

  We are currently researching the viability of opening other offices in key markets including the greater NYC area. For service and support please contact either our Jamesburg, NJ or Irvine, CA facilities.

• Where can I get more technical information, specs and white papers on the Cinema EOS system?

  The best sources for technical information are:
  ●       Canon USA website
  ●       Canon Digital Learning Center