Canon EOS C400 6K Full-Frame RF Mount Cinema Camera launching in September

The $7999 Canon EOS C400 6K launches alongside the new MOUNT ADAPTER PL-RF which opens up the enticing prospect of being able to use PL-mount lenses on the new unit.

The new Canon EOS C400 6K enters what is rapidly becoming an increasingly crowded, competitive, and keenly priced mid-tier of very decently specced cinema cameras.

Aimed squarely at the film and live production markets, the EOS C400 camera features a newly developed 6K full-frame, back-illuminated CMOS sensor, with triple-base ISO — 800, 3200, and 12,800 — that maximizes the full dynamic range of the camera.

The sensor also provides support for the next generation of Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus, Dual Pixel AF II. Canon explains that the back-illuminated stacked positioning offers better light-capturing efficiency, which widens the area of the sensor that can be used for autofocusing. It also empowers faster readout speed, as well as the usual benefit of better 4K image quality from 6K oversampling. 

It records in 6K full frame up to 60p in 12-bit Cinema RAW Light. By changing the sensor mode, the camera can record 4K RAW up to 120fps and 2K RAW up to 180fps. This is all recorded in Canon’s latest iteration of Cinema RAW Light, which provides three different recording modes to choose from depending on your file size preference and workflow.

Other recording options include the XF-AVC codec which can be recorded in 10-bit 4:2:2 with oversampling from the 6K sensor at frame rates up to 120p, without the need for cropping the image from the sensor. 

Canon is also introducing two new recording codecs into the EOS C400 camera, XF-AVC S and XF-HEVC S. These formats feature an easy-to-manage naming system and folder structure, while recording in the familiar MP4 format and preserving metadata.

All of these options are recorded to the camera’s CFexpress slot with sub-recording and proxy options available to the SD Card slot, which allows for simultaneous recording even when shooting RAW.

For live work, the EOS C400 camera body features a dedicated 12-pin lens terminal for broadcast and cine-servo lenses, a variety of output and input interfaces including mini-XLR audio inputs, DIN connectors for time code, genlock and return video, 12G-SDI and 3G-SDI monitor outputs, a full-size HDMI output, built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, Ethernet and much more. The camera also features the SRT protocol for IP streaming of video and audio. 

Remote control is enabled via the Ethernet port or WiFi, unlocking support for the Canon Multi-Camera Control app, browser remotes, or the Canon RC-IP100 or RC-IP1000 controllers via use of the included XC protocol.

The EOS C400 camera can also provide frame-by-frame metadata in real-time and post-production to support virtual production workflows. Ready for 180-degree VR shooting, it also features built-in compatibility with the Canon RF5.2mm F2.8 L dual fisheye lens.

PL to RF Mount Adaptor

Canon is also introducing the newly developed MOUNT ADAPTER PL-RF, which is going to considerably widen the number of people that might be interested in the new camera, albeit it isn’t cheap at $1599. Canon says the adapter maintains compatibility for Cooke i/Technology metadata communication between camera and lens and includes locking plates to help achieve maximum mount strength. 

Pricing and Availability

The Canon Cinema EOS C400 Full-Frame RF Mount Camera is scheduled to be available in September 2024 for an estimated retail price of $7999. The MOUNT ADAPTER PL-RF will also be available in September 2024 as well for an estimated retail price of $1599.