Canon developing pro-level video camera?
updated 11:05 am EDT, Tue March 31, 2009
Canon pro-level video cam
Canon is working on a high-end, professional HD video camera using the company's 1x APS-C CMOS sensor, CanonRumors claims. The rumored and unnamed camera is said to have a 12.1-megapixel sensor capable of shooting at 120 frames per second, but artificially limited to 60fps. The camera's look should be close to the current H1, and include an EOS lens mount along with full manual controls.
HD video setting options are said to include 720p at 30fps or 60fps, and 1080p at 24fps, 30fps or 60fps. The MPEG-4 format is primary, capped at 56Mbps. A 12-bit RAW video format is being developed as well, which will require a special IO module. Storage is expected to come in the form of CFast Spec memory cards.
Along with the camera, Canon is said to be developing a new pair of lenses, including a wide lens beginning at 16mm and a telezoom expected to start at 70mm. Both are said to feature quick video AF motors, and compatiblity with the current Instant AF Canon video cameras. Most current EF and EF-S lenses, including teleconverters, should also be compatible with the camera, though Sigma lenses may not as the mount communication protocol is said to be somewhat changed. Those lenses will have to be sent in for an updated firmware.
The new pro digital camera is predicted to launch at an unspecified date in 2010, with entry-level pricing at less than $8,000. A kit with an IO module with uncompressed SDI Out and USB 3.0 will reportedly cost about $12,000. In related unofficial news, Canon's DSLRs capable of shooting HD are expected to switch to a 1080p, 30fps standard, up from the latest T1i's 20fps capability.
