GEAR CANONEOS C70
great way to work, unless you’re outside on a bright day when the screen can be a bit hard to read. And for filmmakers who need spectacles, the settings are quite small. If there is an EVF, then you can always put your eye to it to navigate settings, but that’s not an option on the C70. The screen also has waveforms, vectorscope and false colour warnings, ideal for professional work, as well as obvious pro tools like adjustable zebras and focus peaking. You can change shutter speed to shutter angle, if you prefer, and ISO for gain. There is also anamorphic de-squeeze support, too, although the range is limited. The body itself has no SDI output but has full-sized HDMI and lots of professional input/output options, including two mini XLR terminals for audio, as well as a 3.5mm audio in jack. The audio controls are hidden behind the screen, but are full-featured and easy to use. Audio control and quality is where cinema cameras really score over mirrorless or hybrid cameras and the C70 continues this tradition. The built-in ND filters are a very useful addition, and show virtually no colour shift as they are adjusted. You’ll never want to go back to
power left. Larger batteries are cheap and plentiful from a variety of manufacturers, as well as Canon. You can buy batteries with D-Tap outputs to power accessories, too. The Canon EOS C70 comes with a bolt-on top handle that has no electronic contacts with the cameras. It’s just useful for low- angle work or fitting accessories like an external mic or screen. And the unique body style has a standard tripod thread on the right side, behind the hand strap, so you can mount the camera on a tripod for vertical shooting as used by some social media platforms. Welcome to the brave new world.
variable ND filters screwed on to your lens once you’ve been spoiled by real NDs. And you’ll also never want to go back to small batteries either, as the EOS C70 uses the same large Canon BP-A cinema batteries from other cameras in the range. Using one of the smaller BP-A30 batteries, we shot for around an hour in 4K and still had
ABOVE From the top it looks like a pro DSLR with a large screen bolted to the back
“You’ll never want to go back to variable NDfilters screwed on your lens once you’ve been spoiled by real NDs”
THE VERDICT The Canon EOS C70 might be the
for creative effects and the colours are typical of Canon, which are just excellent straight out of camera . With all the pro controls and tools of a real cinema camera, such as waveform monitoring, audio controls and mini XLR inputs, plus long battery life and no overheating issues, it’s a great camera for independent filmmakers at a price that’s very competitive. It might lack a full-frame sensor and internal Raw Light recording, which users attempting to make a cinematic masterpiece might want. But for a workhorse, professional cinema camera, it hits the spot at a great price point.
HOW IT RATES
Features: 9 No internal Raw or full-frame sensor, but everything else Performance: 9 Stunning performance from the Super 35 sensor Handling: 9 Great for handheld use, but sadly no EVF Value formoney: 9 Same sensor as the EOS C300 Mark III, but at half price PROMOVIEMAKER OVERALL RATING: 9/10 It’s the ideal move up frommirrorless Pros: Stunning sensor tech, built-in ND filters Cons: RF lensmount limits native glass choice
entry-level camera in the Cinema EOS range, but it offers a spec that can rival cameras costing twice as much. With the same DGO sensor and many of the same recording formats as the EOS C300 Mark III, it outputs 4K in 4:2:2 10-bit All-Intra with over 16 stops of dynamic range, which is very impressive at any price. But it’s the RF lens mount and compact, new-style body that makes it an even better proposition than larger cameras for certain users. For run-and- gun documentary shooters or people covering events or weddings, it’s a fantastic small package that handles very well – as long as you don’t mind a lack of any EVF. The AF is excellent, the camera is capable of recording great slowmotion
More information
canon.co.uk
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PRO MOVIEMAKER
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