Canon EOS C50 Review: Almost the Perfect 7K Cinema Rig

[Canon Rumors]

The EOS C50 is Canon’s next great step in its cinema camera development, combining a top of the line image sensor with useful ergonomics and a stellar XLR top handle, albeit with a few key compromises. I’m going to be honest with you, this was a hard review to write. I’ve had the Cinema EOS […]

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[mimbu]

[…] combining a top of the line image sensor […]

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What, exactly, is "top of the line" about an FSI sensor with poor DR due to having the readout clocks cranked up too high?

The C50 has many interesting features and should push Sony to add more to the FX3 II, but come on...there is absolutely nothing "top of the line" about the sensor.

 

[josephandrews222]

From the piece (emphasis added):

"The EOS M6 Mark II (oh man, remember those days?) had a genius implementation of an optional EVF attachment."

I do remember those days, especially when traveling with two of them.

Well-written review; nice contribution to CR.

 

[neuroanatomist]

What, exactly, is "top of the line" about an FSI sensor with poor DR due to having the readout clocks cranked up too high?

If someone with credibility made that comment, maybe it would be taken seriously. But when someone who lies repeatedly makes a claim, it should be taken with the mountain of salt it deserves.

Sony still sells more MILCs than Canon does.

Still no data to support your lie? Yeah, not surprised.

 

[Canon Rumors]

"Top of the line" can be somewhat subjective, not everyone reads lab test results. It is a better sensor than like 90% of the sensors ever put into a digital camera. No, it's not a C80 or C400, but those cost a bit more. It looks like he was able to make some content that looks good.

Real world reviews are opinion and you try and provide decision points without telling someone what to spend their money on.

 

[GirlsAreBeautiful]

I will maybe be able to do a comparison of a R5II and BMPCC 6k in the following days. The C50 images looks very similar to the R52 from what I can see, but I am curious to how it compares to blackmagic. Form factor seems to be the most relevant difference when comparing Canon.

 

[eero]

"The EOS M6 Mark II (oh man, remember those days?) had a genius implementation of an optional EVF attachment."

I do remember those days, especially when traveling with two of them.

Same here. Actually I shot with M6ii just yesterday, for old times sake. What a great camera it is!

 

[cpats]

Thanks for this. I own a C50 and have no regrets about buying it. I find the image noticeably better than the R5c--perhaps mostly because of Clog2. I actually really love the images I've been getting. I find its low-light performance to be significantly better than the R5c, even though various tests online (like CineD) show little to no difference. Shooting inlow light at ISO's below base really helps with shadows.

But the lack of EVF was almost a deal breaker, but I own a Kinefinity EVF so I made the plunge.

The screen is simply ridiculous and nearly useless and I would be unable to use this camera without my external EVF.

The AF is amazing in many ways, and has changed how I film birds, but also frustrating for one main reason: if shooting in continuous AF there is no temporary override that allows MF without the AF frames jumping all over the place in situations where there are multiple possible targets (like shooting birds). maybe a firmware upgrade can fix.

The other huge frustration: Canon seems to have made it difficult for 3rd party monitor companies to have proper wired control of the camera (similarly to the challenges with monitor-based control of the R5c.) Portkeys is developing wi-fi based control, but that is inferior to wired and it can't use the C50's full range of AF features like AF tracking. So it's a hampered camera for now in that regard.

With a real EVF/screen and proper communication protocols with external monitors this camera would be almost perfect for my needs.

 

[mariaeero]

Yes, I regards of 3rd party camera controls - Canon needs to do better. For now I am still not sure whether to give the C50 a chance or not. My R5C is still my number one tool for weddings.

 

[av7]

Yes, I regards of 3rd party camera controls - Canon needs to do better. For now I am still not sure whether to give the C50 a chance or not. My R5C is still my number one tool for weddings.

I’ve used both and while the C50 is amazing, if I were shooting weddings I’d rather have the form factor and EVF + better/bigger screen of the R5C. I’d also trust the weather sealing more.

You’re not missing anything sticking with the R5C, and being able to lean in and see the image through the viewfinder is essential for critical moments like at weddings.

 

[zackmorrison]

I will maybe be able to do a comparison of a R5II and BMPCC 6k in the following days. The C50 images looks very similar to the R52 from what I can see, but I am curious to how it compares to blackmagic. Form factor seems to be the most relevant difference when comparing Canon.

I've used a variety of Blackmagics over the years. Under controlled conditions, with good lighting, they make a very nice image. I personally find their form factor though to be less-than-desirable for most field situations, and in uncontrolled settings the image can sometimes be not great.

 

[GirlsAreBeautiful]

I've used a variety of Blackmagics over the years. Under controlled conditions, with good lighting, they make a very nice image. I personally find their form factor though to be less-than-desirable for most field situations, and in uncontrolled settings the image can sometimes be not great.

I did some testing. I will post the review soon