Canon Cinema EOS

The Canon Cinema EOS (Cinema Electro-Optical System) autofocus digital photographic and cinematographic SLR and mirrorless interchangeable lens camera system was introduced in late 2011 with the Canon EOS C300 and followed by the Canon EOS C500 and Canon EOS 1D C in early 2012.

History

Cinema EOS is a branch off from the existing EOS line of cameras that date back to 1987 with the introduction of the analog Canon EOS 650. With many Canon DSLRs adding motion video capabilities starting with the Canon EOS 5D Mark II in 2008, Canon decided to focus on making cameras specially designed for motion video instead of just producing still video cameras with some motion video capabilities.

The Cinema EOS line launched in late 2011, with a multi-day gala event held at Paramount Studios. Director Martin Scorsese spoke and four films (directed by Sam Nicholson, ASC; Vincent LaForet, Richard Crudo, ASC and Felix Alcala ASC/Larry Carroll) shot with the new Canon C300MkI as well as accompanying Behind the Scenes films were presented. Products introduced included the C300 and new CN-E lenses (with both Canon EF and Arri PL mounts).

In early 2012, Canon began to expand the Cinema EOS line with the C500, which added 4K/QHD recording and RAW capture to the existing features of the C300. The new C500 would be the first camera to offer uncompressed raw motion video recording.

Canon also announced a variant of the Canon EOS-1D X, called the Canon EOS-1D C, which featured 4K (but not raw) recording on the same sensor. The new split in the Canon EOS 1D series follows its recent reunification of the high resolution line (1D S) and high speed line (1D) in 2011.

Additional announcements included an upcoming Canon camera that would feature 4K motion video capabilities in a DSLR body. The demonstration of a prototype device from Canon was a rarity and was seen as a sign of their intent to enter the new still and motion camera market.

Cameras

Mirrorless

Super 35 mm

• Canon EOS C100 - 2012
• Canon EOS C100 Mark 2 - 2014

• Canon EOS C200 - 2017 - Internal 4K RAW
• Canon EOS C200B - 2017 - Internal 4K RAW

• Canon EOS C300 - 2011 - 2K/HD MPEG recording
• Canon EOS C300 Mark 2 - 2015
• Canon EOS C300 Mark 3 - 2020 - 4K/UHD

• Canon EOS C500 - 2012 - 4K/QHD and 2K/HD RAW recording
• Canon EOS C500 Mark 2 - 2019 - 5.9K/4K/UHD

• Canon EOS C700 - 2016 - 4.5K CMOS sensor

Mirrored

Full 35 mm

• Canon EOS 1D C - 2012 - 4K/QHD and 2K/HD MJPEG (output cropped from full sensor and taken from Super 35 mm sized sensor)

Lenses

Canon has released a series of cinema-specific lenses using the CN-E designation. All non-full frame lenses announced so far come in both Canon EF and Arri PL mounts.

Nomenclature

• CN-E - Cinema EOS
• S - Super 35 mm
• F - Full 35 mm
• P - PL mount
• _ - EF mount
• L - (Luxury)

Full 35 mm

Canon EF Mount

Prime lenses

• CN-E14mm T3.1 L F (2013)
• CN-E 24mm T1.5 L F (2011)
• CN-E 50mm T1.3 L F (2011)
• CN-E 85mm T1.3 L F (2011)
• CN-E135mm T2.2 L F (2013)

Zoom lenses

None yet.

Super 35 mm

Canon EF Mount

Prime lenses

14MM 24MM 35MM 50MM 85MM 135MM

Zoom lenses

• CN-E 14.5-60mm T2.6 L S (2011)
• CN-E 30-300mm T2.95-3.7 L S (2011)
• CN-E 15.5-47mm T2.8 L S (2012)
• CN-E 30-105mm T2.8 L S (2012)

While the first two and second two sets of zoom lenses announced by Canon cover similar ranges, the latter are significantly smaller in size than the former.

Canon PL Mount

Prime lenses

None yet.

Zoom lenses

• CN-E 14.5-60mm T2.6 L S P (2011)
• CN-E 30-300mm T2.95-3.7 L S P (2011)
• CN-E 15.5-47mm T2.8 L S P (2012)
• CN-E 30-105mm T2.8 L S P (2012)

While the first two and second two sets of zoom lenses announced by Canon cover similar ranges, the latter are significantly smaller in size than the former.

External links

• Cinema EOS Camera Systems homepage at Canon.com