CANON C400 REVIEW
Canon C400 Camera Review
I believe I have written maybe three camera reviews during my entire professional life and only when I thought the camera was worth it. This is one of those times. The Canon C400 camera is a powerhouse camera designed for professional filmmakers and videographers who demand exceptional image quality and performance. Its robust feature set, coupled with Canon’s renowned color science, makes it a standout choice for diverse shooting scenarios. Here’s an in-depth look at what this camera has to offer. And yes, Canon’s color science is that good. I have no intention of going into settings details or technical specifications. You can find them on the Canon website or at the B&H website. To me, keeping it simple, efficient and practical is what this is all about. For three days, a small group of my students and I tested this camera, this is what we found:
6K Sensor with Exceptional Image Quality
At the heart of the Canon C400 is its 6K sensor. Delivering stunning resolution and detail. The sensor ensures pristine image quality with rich color fidelity, allowing for flexibility in post-production. The oversampled 4K output produces sharper and cleaner footage compared to native 4K sensors, which is especially noticeable in high-end productions. This camera can shoot at 6K – 24 fps RAW directly to “only” one CF Express type B card. Been able to record directly to an onboard card is preferable to me than using an external recorder which adds more weight, plus the risk of having to use more cables and connectors, that in term, can add to more things going wrong.
I was able to get 19 minutes or recording time from a 256 GB card at 6K RAW – 30 fps, and over 120 minutes from a 1920 GB card. Obviously, I do not recommend recording that amount of time in one single card. This is to avoid the risk of having a card failure and losing all the material shot during that entire time. Canon does not make cards.
Outstanding Low-Light Performance
The C400 is built to excel in challenging lighting conditions. With a native ISO choice of 800 / 3,200 / and 12,800, it handles low-light scenes with remarkable finesse, producing insignificant noise even in dimly lit environments. Whether you’re shooting a nighttime cityscape or an interior with ambient light, the camera captures usable footage without sacrificing detail or dynamic range which is 16 f-stops.
Built for Durability: Magnesium Alloy Body
The magnesium alloy body offers a lightweight yet durable design. It’s built to withstand the rigors of professional use in demanding environments, from the scorching heat of deserts to freezing mountain shoots. I tested the camera in Colorado. One day with temperatures around 63*F and other days at 32*F. It performed flawlessly. The camera’s ergonomic design is well-balanced, making it comfortable to operate during extended shoots, whether on a tripod, shoulder rig, or handheld. I did not have the opportunity to mount the camera on a 3-axis gimbal but, looking at the weight, depending on the combination of lenses, it would work perfectly.
Battery running time
While using the Canon BP-A60 battery, I was able to get 220 minutes of running time at 6K – RAW- 24fps. However, Canon claims that with the new BP-A60″N” series, the time increases significantly.
High-Speed Recording
For filmmakers interested in slow-motion cinematography, the Canon C400 supports high-speed recording options, making it ideal for capturing action shots or dramatic sequences. While the camera maxes out at 6K for standard frame rates, users can achieve smooth slow-motion by stepping down to lower resolutions. I was able to shoot a car (obviously a Toyota), at 4K – 120fps.
Canon’s Color Science
Canon’s renowned color science shines with the C400. Skin tones are natural, and color gradients are smooth, giving filmmakers a cinematic look straight out of the camera. Paired with Canon’s Log profiles, the camera offers impressive dynamic range, perfect for grading in post-production. We all compare every camera to the ARRI Alexa Mini and now the Mini LF, well… when I compared the footage from the C400 to the Alexa Mini, it matched perfectly. And yes, my monitors are calibrated.
Menu Settings
Canon’s Menu settings are “down to Earth”, pragmatic with a logic that connects to me. The possibility of accessing menu settings from either the body and or the monitor, together with a toggle button, makes things very simple and fast.
Things I didn’t like
- The price point may be steep for independent creators but, again, what do you expect from this high level camera? Only the best.
- Only one card slot for the CF Express B type card.
- Mini XLR connectors. This implies the use of an adapter. And you know me, keep it simple. More adapters are more things that can go wrong so maybe using a “Mini XLR to XLR” cable is a better idea.
- Maybe later on, it would come with a PL mount without the need for an adapter.
Final Thoughts
The Canon C400 is suited for professionals in narrative filmmaking, documentary production, TV commercials and high-end corporate video. Its advanced feature set might be overkill for beginners, but for seasoned users, it’s a versatile tool capable of handling almost all projects. At the current price tag of $7,999 is not just for everyone. However, we rent cameras and when compared to an Alexa Mini, $7,999 is very affordable.
Many thanks to #Canon for the opportunity to have access the this wonderful camera. I love it!
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