PITTSBURGHLENSES.COM
Canon EOS C500 EF Mount Camera
pittsburghlenses.com is proud to announce that we now carry the Canon
EOS C500 Camera and all the necessary accessories to make it shine.
First question we’re getting, “What the heck is a C500?”
The simple answer is this: It’s a C300 that shoots 4K and high frame rates (including
RAW). The same basic form factor, menu system, C-Log, Canon color, and great
usability with the addition of 4K output and recording capability.
When you pair the Canon EOS C500 with either the Atomos Shogun or Odyssey 7Q
(both of which we carry) you can capture high resolution 4K footage directly onto SSD
drives. While recorders add a level of complexity, the Shogun and 7Q were both
designed to work the C500 and they work seamlessly together. From triggering to
recording format the setup is shockingly simple.1 Plus, we provide integrated power
solutions so you won’t even have to worry about more than one battery while you
shoot. The Shogun and 7Q are each outstanding monitors in their own right and
1
Before we purchased a C500, I rented one to test with our Atomos Shogun and in less than 30 seconds I was up
and running. One SDI cable to the camera, it auto-detected the camera, and I was off and shooting 4K video.
mount easily to the camera and become an asset for exposure and focus as well as
enhancing the C500’s functionality.
The C500 offers the following options for recording:
Format
Resolution
Frame Rate
24
30
60
Yes
120
Atomos Shogun
2K/1080p
ProRes
Yes
Yes
4K/QHD
ProRes
Yes
Yes
1080p
ProRes
Yes
Yes
2K
ProRes
Yes
Yes
4K/QHD
ProRes
Yes
Yes
2K/1080p (10 Bit RGB 4:4:4)
Uncompressed
Yes
Yes
Yes
2K/1080p (12 Bit RGB 4:4:4)
Uncompressed
Yes
Yes
Yes
Convergent Design Odyssey 7Q
4K/QHD
HRAW
4K/QHD
RAW
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
What’s the difference between HRAW and RAW?
HRAW is “half RAW” but it’s not a compression scheme, rather it changes how the
video is captured off the sensor. The camera captures all 4096 (or 3840) vertical lines
and then half (1080) of the horizontal lines and interpolates the other lines to give you
a 4K or Quad HD image. It’s called “Half RAW” because it’s only capturing half the
frame, but it’s still twice the resolution of either HD or 2K and unless you’ve got an
amazingly good eye you’re going to be hard-pressed to tell the difference once you’re
all said and done. If you’re really concerned, the camera does shoot full 4K/Quad HD
at 60 frames per second that is ideal for slow-mo.
I’ve heard RAW/Uncompressed is a pain
It can be, but with the Odyssey it’s really not. Canon has a RAW utility you can
download for free that will convert the RAW footage into another format that your
editing suite will prefer. In my case, I download the RAW footage from the Odyssey
drives, open it in the RAW utility, and export it in Apple ProRes 4444 (which is a lossless
codec) which Final Cut Pro X will accept without any hesitation. You can also use
DaVinci Resolve if you’re familiar with that program.
What’s 10/12 Bit RGB 4:4:4?
This refers to the color depth the camera pulls off the sensor and outputs to the
recorder. While it’s not RAW (since the video is processed internally) there is minimal
compression done when you’re working with a 4:4:4 codec as all the color information
is retained, where as 4:2:2 and 4:2:0 codecs discard a fair amount (in the case of 4:2:2)
or a lot (in the case of 4:2:0) of color information. AVCHD (which is used in the C100) is
an 8-bit 4:2:0 codec while the Canon XF codec (used in the C300) is an 8-bit 4:2:2
codec. These 10 and 12 bit 4:4:4 codecs give you greater color depth and sampling
and are very useful in post-production as it allows you to push and pull your color more
than you could otherwise.
What about lenses? The lens mount looks different
The lens mount is a standard EF mount lens, but it’s a locking mechanism rather than a
twist-on mechanism. If you’re familiar with PL mounts, it a similar design just for EF
mount glass.
How is the camera powered?
The C500 takes the same BP-955 and BP-975 batteries as the C100 and C300.
However, we have a v-mount battery system that will power the C500 as well as the
recorder of your choice all from one power source.
So what happens internally when you’re recording?
No matter what format you’re outputting, the C500 will record something internally in
the Canon XF file format. It will largely depend on your frame rate what you end up
with, but these internal recordings are useful backups and proxies.
How is this camera used best?
You can use it hand-held, shoulder mounted, or tripod-mounted. While it’s not
designed to be used hand held, we’ve put together a rig with a grip relocate that
enables you to hand hold it like you would a C300. As far as tripod or shoulder
mounted, we have an extensive line of Zacuto and Ikan accessories for use with this
camera. PITTSBURGHLENSES.COM C500 PACKAGE PRICING
Canon C500 Package Pricing
1 Day
2 Day
7 Day
C500 Only
$390
$410
$589
C500 + Cards/Batteries
$428
$450
$647
C500 + Shogun (w/ 2 480GB Drives)
$475
$500
$718
C500 + Shogun (w/ 4 480GB Drives)
$509
$535
$769
C500 + Odyssey 7Q (w/ 2 1TB Samsung Drives)
$513
$540
$776
C500 + Odyssey 7Q (w/ 2 512GB Convergent Drives)
$530
$558
$802
C500 + Odyssey 7Q (w/ 2 512GB and 2 1TB Drives)
$587
$618
$888
Canon C500 (Camera Only)
•
•
•
•
•
•
Canon EOS C500 EF Mount Body
Standard accessories including control grip, LCD/Audio unit, battery charger,
and AC adapter.
Zacuto Accessory Bundle including helmet, handle, baseplate, grip re-locator,
EVF Mount, rails, and Z-Finder.
1 BP-955 Battery
Recommended: We recommend you rent the C500 Cards and Batteries bundle.
It gives you two 64GB CF Cards and two BP-975 (Eqiv.) batteries.
Who is this for: If you own your own Atomos Shogun or Odyssey 7Q (with the
Canon C500 RAW option) this is the way to go. Otherwise, you’re better off just
renting a C300.
Canon C500 + Shogun Bundle
•
•
•
•
•
•
Canon EOS C500 EF Mount Body
Standard accessories including control grip, LCD/Audio unit, battery charger,
and AC adapter.
Zacuto Accessory Bundle including helmet, handle, baseplate, grip re-locator,
EVF Mount, rails, and Z-Finder.
1 BP-955 Battery, 2 BP-975 (Equiv.) Batteries
2 - 64GB CF Cards
Atomos Shogun w/ 2 - 480GB SSD Drives (Enough for approximately 3 hrs of 4K
recording)
•
Who is this for: If you want to shoot in 4K but do not want/need a RAW
workflow or high frame rates (60 or 120 fps) this is your best option.
Canon C500 + Odyssey 7Q Bundle
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Canon EOS C500 EF Mount Body
Standard accessories including control grip, LCD/Audio unit, battery charger,
and AC adapter.
Zacuto Accessory Bundle including helmet, handle, baseplate, grip re-locator,
EVF Mount, rails, and Z-Finder.
1 BP-955 Battery, 2 BP-975 (Equiv.) Batteries
2 - 64GB CF Cards
Convergent Design Odyssey 7Q with 2 - 512GB SSD Drives (See below for
record times)
Who is this for: If you want to be able to do it all - RAW, ProRes, 2K/4K, and/or
high frame rate this is the best option for you.
Recording Time Information (Approximate time in minutes with 2 - 512GB Drives)
C500 + Convergent Design
Odyssey 7Q Recording Times
Format
24
30
60
1080p
ProRes
775
620
132
2K
ProRes
600
475
4K/QHD
ProRes 422
220/264
176/212
4K/QHD
ProRes (HQ)
157/168
126/134
2K/1080p (10 Bit RGB 4:4:4)
Uncompressed
78/83
67/72
2K/1080p (12 Bit RGB 4:4:4)
Uncompressed
70/74
59/67
4K
4K/QHD
HRAW
RAW
45
56/60
45/48
23/24
120
23