Canon EOS C50: Compact 7K Full-Frame Open Gate for $3899

The new Canon EOS C50 is Canon’s smallest and lightest cinema camera to date, but still packs a hefty punch with its 7K full-frame CMOS sensor, 7K60p internal RAW recording, and 32-megapixel stills capability.

The new Canon EOS C50 is a compact, full-frame cinema camera that the company hopes can find a niche for itself as an entry-level unit for its cinema line. As such it sits below the Netflix-approved EOS C70 in terms of out and out capabilities. In fact it’s pretty similar to the R5 C hybrid camera in that it has dedicated photo and video modes. But, unlike that unit, the C50 is definitely skewing towards the video side of the spectrum.

As such it features a newly designed 7K full-frame CMOS sensor and 7K60p internal RAW recording as its headline features, alongside a new RF mount and a 32-megapixel still photo capture to fulfil its hybrid brief. However, it is not using a mechanical shutter, so there is no flash sync. Just to reiterate; this is a video-first model.

It weighs 670 g (1.48 lb), making it Canon’s smallest and lightest cinema EOS camera to date. A detachable top handle adds two full-size XLR audio inputs, a start/stop button, and a zoom rocker for added flexibility. The camera also features an RF-mount, lending it native compatibility with a wide variety of Canon lenses.

Sensor and Recording

That new sensor is coupled with a DIGIC DV7 processor and is capable of a Dual Base ISO of 800 and 6400 in Canon Log 2, and 12-bit Cinema RAW Light recording at up to 7K60P. The EOS C50 is the first camera in the Cinema EOS lineup to feature the full frame 3:2 open gate recording.

Other sensor modes include:

• Full-frame 17:9 up to 7K60p
• Super 35 crop up to 5K60p (30p in HQ)
• Super 16 crop up to 2.5K60p

Usefully enough for anyone with an eye on social media output, the camera is capable of simultaneous crop recording when shooting in 4K DCI or UHD, allowing you to record at a chosen aspect ratio while also recording a cropped portion of the frame in 2K. When shooting in simultaneous crop mode, the three format options include: 9:17, 9:16, or 1:1.

Connectivity and Workflow

As far as connectivity goes, it supports XC protocol which allows for remote control over IP via WiFi or a compatible third-party USB-C ethernet adapter. It is also compatible with the Multi Camera Control App and features native integration of frame.io camera to cloud.

There is a lot of the C80 and C400 cameras in here. In addition to Cinema RAW Light and the standard XF-AVC, the EOS C50 camera also features XF-AVC S and XF-HEVC S recording codecs, proving what the company says is an easy-to-manage naming system and folder structure, all while preserving metadata and recording in the familiar MP4 format. It will shoot up to 120 fps in 4K and 180 fps in 2K (XF-AVC).

Usability and Ergonomics

There are some useful ergonomics. Canon says that any button on its cameras that has a number is reassignable, and on the C50 there are around 150 different options that you can reassign as a result. The three-inch LCD touchscreen also has an interesting new feature dubbed Luminance Boost that does exactly what you might expect; boost the image on a bright day (with accompanying warnings that you might want to use your exposure monitoring tools and not rely on what you’re seeing on screen).

Where Does This Leave the R 5C?

The EOS C50 is not being seen by Canon at least as a replacement for the R5 C, which is considered by the company to still have some life in it. After all, the R5 C can shoot 8K60p, it does 45-megapixel stills, and it does have an EVF. There's no EVF on this camera. However, that said, the dynamic range is greater on the C50, you got the Dual Pixel CMOS AF II which debuted on the EOS R5 and R6, the top handle has the two full-size XLR audio inputs, you get the full-size HDMI connection, an improved setting for the mini-DIN connection, and you get improved battery life.

Pricing and Availability

The Canon EOS C50 camera is currently scheduled to ship towards the end of Q4 of 2025 for an estimated retail price of $3899.