Canon EOS R5 C Mark II, Will We See It?

Perhaps Canon will just keep going after wedding, documentary, ENG, and corporate video markets. I’m guessing Powershot is responsible for creators and influencers. It may be too difficult for Canon to compete against Sony and Arri in the narrative video space. Of course, I’m not sure what Canon can aspire for besides use in narrative films

I love the concept of the Cinema EOS C70 and C80 for solo, uncontrolled work and Cinema EOS C400 for more controlled environments with a body style suited for crews. Besides implementing global shutter, where do they go from here though? Can they can chase after the Sony FX and Panasonic S1 series’ video users with the promise of internal ND? It’s hard to compete without third party lens support
 
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I absolutely love my R5 C ... especially with the LP-E6P batteries and the 24-105 + 70-200 "Z" lenses. Being able to travel light with just one body that can do almost anything at a high level is fantastic. I really hope there is a successor at a similar or even higher level. The C80 of course has the benefit of the internal NDs ... but then lacks the stills functionality and an EVF. In particular, the lack of an EVF (even an external one which could attach via the hot shoe) really leaves that body design in no-man's land – from my pov, it is awkward when rigged but would be great hand-held up to the face (eye looking through an evf) like a stills camera.

I think there could be an interesting argument to be made for an R3 Mark II C along these lines:
  • Global shutter, allowing for internal ND system (in place of the mechanical shutter mechanism)
  • Separate Photo & Cinema OS
  • Larger integrated grip style body would also be necessary for internal ND and would also allow for better power + cooling + I/O vs the R5 C
With the mature R1 and R5 II, Canon probably has some room to once again use the R3 line for experimentation ... especially for release of a Global Electronic Shutter based camera. While a GES sensor will most likely have tradeoffs vs its Mechanical Shutter peers, given its pronounced advantages in video capture (as well as the space for an internal ND mechanism afforded by the removal of the mechanical shutter), I think leaning into the video sides as a true hybrid like the R5 C could make such a camera much more attractive than if it was just a stills-first camera like the existing R3.
 
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I absolutely love my R5 C ... especially with the LP-E6P batteries and the 24-105 + 70-200 "Z" lenses. Being able to travel light with just one body that can do almost anything at a high level is fantastic. I really hope there is a successor at a similar or even higher level. The C80 of course has the benefit of the internal NDs ... but then lacks the stills functionality and an EVF. In particular, the lack of an EVF (even an external one which could attach via the hot shoe) really leaves that body design in no-man's land – from my pov, it is awkward when rigged but would be great hand-held up to the face (eye looking through an evf) like a stills camera.

I think there could be an interesting argument to be made for an R3 Mark II C along these lines:
  • Global shutter, allowing for internal ND system (in place of the mechanical shutter mechanism)
  • Separate Photo & Cinema OS
  • Larger integrated grip style body would also be necessary for internal ND and would also allow for better power + cooling + I/O vs the R5 C
With the mature R1 and R5 II, Canon probably has some room to once again use the R3 line for experimentation ... especially for release of a Global Electronic Shutter based camera. While a GES sensor will most likely have tradeoffs vs its Mechanical Shutter peers, given its pronounced advantages in video capture (as well as the space for an internal ND mechanism afforded by the removal of the mechanical shutter), I think leaning into the video sides as a true hybrid like the R5 C could make such a camera much more attractive than if it was just a stills-first camera like the existing R3.
Taking out the mechanical shutter to make room for an internal ND is genius.
 
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The main problem with C70/C80/C400 is the lack of an EVF, which is the reason my C70 sees less work than the sensor would warrant, and that I skipped the C80/C400 in favor of another BMPCC6k PRO. Also, being a hybrid the R5C covers two chairs at once. The absence of internal ND is covered with the drop-in filter slot mount converter.

The biggest problem of the R5C is that instead of a barrel plug type for external power the USB-C is blocked for power and cannot be used to control the camera via gimbal connector. Adding insult to injury: Bluetooth only works in photo mode, not in video mode.
 
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I am curious what the author meant when he wrote that Canon is not SONY or ARRI? I can understand that Alexa Mini still dominates the feature film productions, but AFAIK SONY falls well behind Canon in all segments (may be except Asia). In NA, both RED and Canon are ahead of SONY, and this is 35% of global production market.
And speaking about lens mount formats - PL and EF continue to dominate, with EF market share still growing. Native mirrorless formats are still almost unnoticeable.
 
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The biggest problem of the R5C is that instead of a barrel plug type for external power the USB-C is blocked for power and cannot be used to control the camera via gimbal connector. Adding insult to injury: Bluetooth only works in photo mode, not in video mode.
This is definitely frustrating. I love my R5c, but remote connectivity really feels half-baked (or not baked at all..?). My work around was to add a small quick release powerbank holder on the top, mounted to a cage. With the occupied usb-c port, only option was to add a Pixel brand N3 wired/wireless trigger, with the receiver mounted on the cage next to the battery bank. Gaff tape the remote trigger on the side handle of the gimbal for push button REC. To get the N3 remote trigger to plug into the N3 port next to the cage, I had to cut some of the rubber bend guard off the plug to get it to fit. Not a perfect solution, but it works.
 
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The main problem with C70/C80/C400 is the lack of an EVF, which is the reason my C70 sees less work than the sensor would warrant, and that I skipped the C80/C400 in favor of another BMPCC6k PRO. Also, being a hybrid the R5C covers two chairs at once. The absence of internal ND is covered with the drop-in filter slot mount converter.

The biggest problem of the R5C is that instead of a barrel plug type for external power the USB-C is blocked for power and cannot be used to control the camera via gimbal connector. Adding insult to injury: Bluetooth only works in photo mode, not in video mode.
The C80 is has SDI and is compatible with several very high quality EVFs that power via SDI, you just need to rig it up.
Canon C80 SDI EVF Kit

I just sold my C70 to switch over to the C80, but am considering just staying with the R1 because it fits my needs better - now that False Color has been fixed. I certainly miss the built-in NDs and I'm looking to remedy that, but that's about it...the R1 may actually be better in every way for me, personally. To each their own.
 
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I\'m a doc/corporate videographer and the C400 hits all of the right spots, including the price. I switched to the C400 after working with R5c\'s for a couple of years because the lack of internal ND slows me down. I sitll have an R5c for gimbal and photo work. I also have a couple of XF-605\'s for event work. What Canon is really missing is a integrated camcorder like the 605 that performs well in low light.

Personally, I prefer heavier cameras for stability reasons. If Canon had some decent sensor stabilization, I might find a small FX3 camera interesting for handheld work in certain situations, but I otherwise I don\'t understand the appeal. I\'m assuming that the upcoming Canon cameras will be smaller since that is what everybody keeps saying they want. Hopefully, Canon can do it better than Sony.
 
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What we need is an FX3 competitor with integrated ND's and integrated evf. In the other hand, on the higher end, we need a camera with higher highlight rolloff retention, similar to the RED V Raptor X when using extended highlights.

The future C80 and C400 replacements should have an optional tilting EVF powered by the camera
 
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