Melville, NY—Canon debuted a camera with equal parts video and still imaging technology in one compact body. The Canon EOS R5 C is a hybrid, full-frame mirrorless camera with an RF mount and 8K video capabilities.
With the flick of a switch, the new ILC offers video formats and features from Canon’s Cinema EOS line, alongside still capabilities found in the EOS R5.
“Imaging professionals are living in a multimedia world. Gone are the days of only needing to be sufficiently equipped and skilled at video or stills,” said Tatsuro “Tony” Kano, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon USA.
“The EOS R5 C squarely takes aim at providing end-users with a solution that can tackle all facets of the ever-demanding multimedia and content production landscape. Canon is confident this all-in-one solution can help improve the workflow for a variety of content creators.”
Canon EOS R5 C Video Specs
The EOS R5 C records uninterrupted 8K/60p video thanks to an active cooling system. Moreover, with more than 4x the resolution of 4K video, 8K video delivers more definition and realism; it also affords 4K cropping from 8K footage.
The new ILC also records high frame rate (HFR) video up to 120p at 4K resolution in 4:2:2 10-bit without cropping the sensor. This is an option when shooting scenes of fast-paced action or when the camera is paired with a gimbal or drone.
Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology is also functional even in HFR shooting. Moreover, the EOS R5 C can record .WAV audio as a separate file from video. Subsequently, it virtually eliminates the need for separate audio recording. 
In addition to recording 8K video in the MP4 format for quick delivery, this is the first Canon camera to provide internal 8K (8,192×4,320) 60p Cinema RAW Light recording. Cinema RAW Light is found in other Canon Cinema cameras, such as the EOS C300 Mark III and EOS C500 Mark II. It captures the full dynamic range of the sensor and provides video data with a cinematic look. As a result, the footage is optimized for advanced grading and HDR, in a more manageable file size.
Cinema RAW Light also now has three new modes: RAW HQ (high quality); RAW ST (standard quality); and RAW LT (light recording). All three are 12-bit regardless of frame rate.
The EOS R5 C also supports RAW output via HDMI for ProRes RAW recording with a compatible external recorder. Users can shoot in Apple ProRes RAW at up to 8K/30P, and proxy data is also simultaneously recorded to an SD card in-camera.
More Video Features
Additional video features include support for 8K HDR recording in Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) and Perceptual Quantization (PQ) formats. It also provides 4K and 2K oversampling with a high-definition debayer algorithm that processes the RGB data of the 8K sensor with less incidence of moiré, false colors and noise.
Moreover, the camera offers XF-AVC codecs for 10-bit 4:2:2 files in a .MXF wrapper for compatibility with non-linear editing systems (NLEs) and existing workflows; as well as Canon Log 3.
Core Tech
At the ILC’s core is Canon’s 45-megapixel, high-speed, full-frame CMOS sensor. It’s paired with the Digic X image processor to provide an ISO 100–51,200 range, which expands to 102,400.
“Precise focus and lightning-fast speed are cornerstones of the EOS R5 C, featuring Dual Pixel CMOS AF II,” the company announced. Consequently, the camera achieves continuous shooting of 12 frames-per-second (fps) in mechanical shutter mode and 20 fps in silent electronic shutter mode.
In addition, with EOS iTR AF X and 1,053 automatic AF zones, it’s easier to photograph people using eye-, face- and head-detection AF. The ILC can also track the whole body, face or eyes of cats, dogs and birds via animal-detection AF. And it offers vehicle subject detection to track cars and motorcycles, especially in race-type environments.
The camera also provides coordinated image stabilization with Canon optical IS lenses to help correct shake and achieve better anti-vibration performance than electronic IS alone.
Connectivity options include 5GHz and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth for the transfer of images. Plus, Canon’s next-gen multifunction shoe is compatible with various accessories; for instance, the optional Tascam CA-XLR2d-C XLR microphone adapter (sold separately) with four-channel digital audio. There’s also a timecode terminal for multi-camera shooting.
Additional features include 13 marked, assignable buttons; a 3.2-inch variable-angle LCD monitor; a 5.76M-dot viewfinder; dual card slots (CFexpress/SD UHS-II); USB Video Class (UVC) connectivity for use as a streaming video camera; and the new DC coupler DR-E6C to provide continuous power.
Compact and lightweight at 1.7 pounds (body), the Canon EOS R5 C ships March 2022. It will have a suggested retail price of $4,499.
