The Cinema EOS camera lineup has a brand-new member—the EOS R5 C. As its name suggests, the EOS R5 C is a hybrid cinema camera that follows the design blueprint of the EOS R5, but adds enhanced video features, including unlimited 8K RAW video recording, that cater to professional video production. Here’s a brief look at its key features. We also spoke to a professional videographer, Sean Seah of Vulcanworx Productions, who tried out a pre-production model firsthand, and he shares his experience.

Virtually unlimited 8K 60p RAW recording

An internal active cooling system that realises virtually unlimited 8K 60p* RAW video recording

*With external power options, sold separately

The current EOS R5 is an excellent full-frame mirrorless camera built for stills photography with its powerful 20 fps speed and high-resolution 45-megapixel CMOS sensor. It is also known for its video capabilities, especially the support for 8K RAW video shooting. To better cater to the increasing demand for 8K video production, Canon addressed the EOS R5’s 8K recording time limits in a brand-new video-first hybrid camera model: the EOS R5 C.

The EOS R5 C shares some of the same basic specifications as the EOS R5, such as:
- Full-frame CMOS image sensor with up to 45 effective megapixels
- DIGIC X image processor
- The RF lens mount and its benefits

In addition to the above, it adds a cooling fan system located at the rear of the camera near the LCD monitor, which limits the overheating that occurs when shooting high-resolution video such as 8K video. This allows it to record 8K RAW videos practically nonstop, with optional external power (sold separately).

Size and weight

Note: Weight indicated is for camera body only, and does not include batteries and memory card.

With the addition of the cooling fan system, the EOS R5 C is around 23mm deeper and weighs 30g more than the EOS R5, but these differences are hardly noticeable when the camera is held in your palm. It also retains the same level of dust and drip resistance as the EOS C70 and EOS C300 Mark II. Fellow EOS R5 and EOS R6 users would probably not notice any major differences when they use the EOS R5 C. With its compact, lightweight body that few existing 8K-capable cinema cameras can match, the EOS R5 C significantly contributes to improving 8K production mobility.

 

Those who require the mobility of running only on internal batteries may want to note that the native battery life is much shorter, at around 40 minutes*. Therefore, do plan your shoots and pack extra batteries for your intended shoot duration.

*Based on CFexpress card recording (two-slot recording: Off), use of a RF50mm f/1.2 USM lens, and use of LCD monitor (Brightness: normal).

 

Dual system: One camera, 2 different user interfaces

A dual system that allows you to boot into either Photo or Video

The most unique feature of the EOS R5 C is its dual system, which offers two different UIs (user interface) for stills photography and video. Turning the power switch to “PHOTO” engages the same UI as the EOS R5, and it presents almost the same features and performance for your photography needs. Turning the power switch to “VIDEO” engages the Cinema EOS UI, which looks like the EOS C70 UI, offering the Cinema EOS menu.

Some videographers may prefer to display the gain instead of ISO speed, or the shutter speed in terms of shutter angle, and the EOS R5 C provides that option, just like other cinema cameras. Videographers who are currently using a Cinema EOS camera will find switching over easy with the familiar menus and operational features.

Like a two-in-one: An excellent stills camera and a video powerhouse, all in one body

In this sense, the EOS R5 C is like having two exceptional cameras in one body—an outstanding stills photography camera, and a powerful cinema camera. Powering on to Photo mode takes only around 0.4 seconds, powering on to Video mode takes only around 1.2 seconds, and you only need to flick one switch to get from one function to the other.

 

Variety of recording formats

Up to 8K RAW 60p internal recording, with a variety of recording formats

The EOS R5 C comes with a large assortment of recording formats for a cinema camera. For RAW format recording, it uses the efficient Cinema RAW Light format also utilised by other Cinema EOS cameras, but features three newly developed modes that users can choose from according to their shooting needs:
- High-quality (RAW HQ)
- Standard quality (RAW ST)
- Light recording (RAW LT)

While the EOS R5 could shoot 8K RAW only up to 30p/25p, the EOS R5 C can shoot up to 60p/50p in RAW LT mode. In addition to RAW and MP4 in 8K, it also supports 4K recording in XF-AVC format, which is based on the MXF broadcasting standard.

Main formats supported by EOS R5 C

*Frame rates in red: An external power supply is recommended when shooting in full-frame or Super 35mm crop mode.

Even if you decide to record in 4K, the camera’s 8K capability means that it is possible to use the full 8K pixel readout to create oversampled 4K files, which will carry better image quality with less moire, false colours, artifacts and noise. 4K high frame rate recording of up to 120p is also supported up to a colour and bit depth of 4:2:2 10-bit (Long GOP/Intra-frame), with simultaneous audio capture in a separate WAV file.

Sean says: 
When you record in RAW + XF-AVC format with an external microphone plugged into the 3.5mm microphone jack, 4-channel recording is possible (2 external channels and 2 channels from the internal microphone). If your external microphone is an active microphone and runs out of battery when plugged in, no sound will be recorded—which can be disastrous for events and weddings. With 4-channel recording, you will at least have the internal microphones as backup in two assigned channels.

 

Canon Log modes and HDR gamma modes

The EOS R5 C supports Canon Log 3 internally. Canon Log 2 can be applied to files shot in Cinema RAW Light format when post-production is conducted using Canon’s Cinema RAW Development tool. This enables consistent colour grading results when the EOS R5 C is used alongside other Canon cameras, including other Cinema EOS cameras.

Autofocusing and image stabilisation

Autofocusing and image stabilisation

AF in Video mode & Photo mode

In Video mode, as the EOS R5 C uses Cinema EOS firmware, its AF capabilities are slightly different from the EOS R5. While it also features the high-precision Dual Pixel CMOS AF system, the AF coverage is around 80% x 80% of the image area. The Dual Pixel Focus Guide is also available during manual focusing. Detecting and tracking human subjects is convenient as there is support for Eye/Head Detection AF.

In Photo mode, Dual Pixel CMOS AF II is engaged, and the AF coverage is around 100% x 100% of the image area during Auto AF selection. EOS iTR AF X in photo mode supports eye and head detection, as well as Animal Detection AF, which detects dogs, cats, and birds.

Image stabilisation

Instead of the image sensor-shift type In-Body IS that featured on the EOS R5, the EOS R5 C is equipped with electronic 5-axis image stabilisation, which is generally preferred by videographers and also employed effectively in cinema cameras like the EOS C70. When combined with a lens with a built-in Optical Image Stabilizer (Optical IS), the two systems coordinate to perform Combination IS for more effective image stabilisation.

Sean says: 
Having Eye Detection AF is new to cinema cameras, and it offered a marked improvement in AF experience. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Eye Detection AF worked even when shooting at a high ISO speed of 12,800.

Filming the short film, “The Guitar Doctor”, on the EOS R5 C.
Click here to view the documentary on YouTube

Multi-function shoe that supports audio accessories

Multi-function shoe: With digital interface to support audio accessories

The multi-function shoe can also take a third-party XLR microphone adapter, which allows the cableless attachment of XLR microphones and audio equipment for high-quality audio recording.

Timecode terminal and other interfaces

Interfaces: Includes timecode input/output terminal to aid multi-camera setups

 

 

Still photo capabilities

Photo mode: Similar capabilities as the EOS R5

In Photo mode, the EOS R5 C uses EOS R system firmware and generally offers the same functionality and performance as the EOS R5. These include:
- Up to 45-megapixel high-resolution still images
- Up to 20 fps high-speed continuous shooting 
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system with up to 100% AF coverage
- Human subject detection (eyes, face, head, body) via EOS iTR AF X
- Animal Detection AF (eyes, head, full body of cats, dogs, and birds) via deep learning technology
- Vehicle Detection AF via deep learning technology (equivalent to Firmware Version 1.5.0 on the EOS R5)

Sean says:
The fact that the EOS R5 C is also a very capable stills camera is very convenient for situations where I need a good stills camera to photograph productions, or to take product photos for my videos.

For more about the still shooting features of the EOS R5, refer to:
EOS R5: 7 Fantastic Features You Need to Know
EOS R3 vs EOS R5: Which One Should I Choose?

Also see:
6 Things About Cinema Cameras that Serious Video Creators Should Know

 

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