Canon announces: EOS C400 cinema camera; EL-10 Speedlight; and RF-S Duel Fisheye

20 June 2024

Canon has been busy of late, launching several new products: the Canon EOS C400 – a $13,000 professional level cinema camera that should be a hit with TV production and indie-film makers; the mid-range prosumer grade $499 EL-10 Speedlite that has a guide number of 40; and the $1,999 RF-S 3.9mm f/3.5 STM Duel Fisheye that works with the APS-C sensor sized Canon EOS R7.

A C400 kitted out.

Canon EOS C400
The EOS C400 offers an all-in-one solution tailored to support a vast range of different productions, from indie cinema and documentary, to live and virtual broadcasts to the electronic news gathering field.

The EOS C400 is equipped with a 6K full frame backside-illuminated, stacked CMOS sensor (BSI), boasting 16 stops of dynamic range. The Camera has triple base ISO technology, crafted for optimal performance in low light environments. With base ISO levels of 800, 3,200 and 12,800 when shooting in Canon Log 2 or 3, users have greater flexibility when it comes to filming in challenging lighting conditions. To make the shooting process that much easier, an automatic switching mode detects ambient lighting and adjusts the base ISO level accordingly, enhancing the overall user experience.

The body weighs 1540g and can be kitted out with cages, grips, monitors and other accessories

Canon is now introducing its Dual Pixel CMOS AF II to its cinema EOS system, providing filmmakers with improved autofocus features. With approximately 100% coverage across the sensor plane, the Dual Pixel CMOS AF II helps deliver fast and accurate autofocus similar to the the Canon R5 and R3 in regards to AI focus tracking.

In regards to formats, options include Canon's scalable 12-bit Cinema RAW Light LT/ ST/ HQ, 4:2:2 10-bit XF-AVC and all-new MP4 based XF-AVC S and XF-HEVC S formats, accommodating several types of professional requirements.  

Alongside the C400, Canon also announced the $37,999 CN7x17 KAS T lens (T-stop of T2.95-3.9) which has a zoom range of 17-120mm and is designed to be a workhorse lens that supports up to 8K footage.

The EL-10's head can swivel so you can easily bounce light off ceilings and walls.

Canon Speedlite EL-10 Flash
After discontinuing the EX600RT II, Canon seems all in on their next generation of speedlites. There is the $1,725 pro level EL-1; the $699 EL-5 which uses the next-gen multi-function shoe; and now the replacement for the 430EXIII-RT – the prosumer grade $499 EL-10.

The rear controls of the EL-10 Speedlite.

The flash has a guide number of approximately 40; runs on 4X AA batteries; weighs 284g; has automatic zoom range of 24-105mm and has an adjustable head that swivels to 180 degrees sideways and 90 degrees up.

RF-S 3.9mm f3.5 STM Dual Fisheye
When attached to an EOS R7, it allows you to capture 3D VR images that are recorded as two seperate images on the one sensor, which is then pieced together in Canon's proprietary 'VR Utility' application or with an EOS VR Plug-in for Adobe Premier Pro. This software converts the circular fisheye images to a side-by-side equirectangular 180 degree VR format, that can then be viewed using a Head Mounted Display (HMD).

This $1,999 fisheye lens + EOS R7 ($1,849) system allows for a more budget conscious entry to VR footage instead of the $3,465 RF 5.2mm f/2.5L Dual Fisheye that is compatible with the EOS R5 ($4,600).

You can find out more about these products on the Canon Australia website.