IMPORTANT: Rumors say the firmware has been withdrawn for the C300 at least because it was causing an unplanned colour cast. There’s more information about this case in my latest Blogpost (click here).

Canon released the long announced firmware update yesterday (Nov.13, 2013).

The update for the C500 is still missing. But my guess it will show up in the next couple of days.

Canon C100

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/support/professional/professional_cameras/cinema_eos_cameras/eos_c100#DriversAndSoftware

Canon C300 EF

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/professional/products/professional_cameras/cinema_eos_cameras/eos_c300#DriversAndSoftware

Canon C300 PL

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/professional/products/professional_cameras/cinema_eos_cameras/eos_c300_pl#DriversAndSoftware

Here’s whats new:

  • Ability to move the magnification viewing area around the LCD using the MAGN Function.
  • Support for a 1440×1080/35Mbps recording mode (who ever might need that 😉 ).
  • ISO values up to 80,000 have been added.
  • Added functionality to support the optional Canon GPS Receiver GP-E1.
  • A Key Lock menu setting has been added which now makes it possible to lock all operations, including the START/STOP button.
  • Using the optional Canon WFT-E6 Wireless File Transmitter, the camera’s remote-control application allows two users to access the same unit via a Wi-Fi® link providing simultaneous camera operation and control and metadata input simultaneously. It also seem the response is a little faster now. Still to slow for a realtime usage but great if your camera is place on something like a crane or if you just want to show your interview guest how he looks on the camera.
  • [LENSE EXCHANGE] and [ND+/ND-] have been added as new functions. They can be allocated to any assignable button.
  • A new Wide DR gamma setting provides an expanded dynamic range of 800%. Wide DR looks similar to rec709 but has added range for colour corrections.

The C300 line also gets additional features. Some of them were already prevuiously available for the C100. Probably a reason for the current,  higher firmware release nummber on the C100 firmware:

  • Flicker Reduction has been improved.
  • Provides Push Auto Iris and One-Shot AF operation.
  • A new AE Shift function and the selection of various light-metering modes are now available when used with some Canon Cinema lenses (EF mount) and Canon EF Lenses.
  • Ability to assign the two control dials to operate either Iris or ISO sensitivity independently.
  • Peripheral Illumination Correction Data has been added for 7 Canon Cinema lenses (they need to be the EF versions) and 15 Canon EF Lenses.
  • A function has been added to enable continuous focus and iris setting on a subject in the middle of the screen when one of the two available EF STM lenses (EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM or EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM]) is attached.

Notes:

  • You’ll need to disable AF if you want to use the “move the magnification view” option
  • You’ll need to activate extended iso settings if you want to use iso settings higher then 20’000
  • I did not find out what excactly the LENSE EXCHANGE feature does as i do not get a status information when pushing a button on which i assigned that feature.
  • ISO 80’000 and many levels bellow are noisy as expected. But sometimes its better to have some noisy footage, then not having a specific shot. The noise also looks less electronical then on many other cameras.

This chart gives you some insight to the Wide DR Gamma

widegamma

The EOS C300 camera’s Wide DR Gamma is designed to

ensure perfect color images without major adjustments, and has been optimized

for video-monitor output or situations that require less color grading.

Productions such as documentaries, independent films and website presentations

with limited budgets can now benefit from reduced post-production processing.

Wide DR Gamma ensures an expanded dynamic range, which suppresses brightness and

preserves perfect color gradations. The EOS C300

now represents an affordable digital cinema camera for filmmakers and

cinematographers looking for a wide latitude and high dynamic range without the

need for complex workflows.

Bellow is a little ISO comparison from a C100 made by Silva Street

Canon C100 80,000 ISO Test from SilvaStreet on Vimeo.