REVIEW: Canon EOS C500 Mark 2

A review of the Canon EOS C500 Mark II. Features rundown, updates from the original, footage examples, and how it compares to the other models in Canon's range of digital cinema cameras.
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[@JMWilyat]

Crimson engine is one of the most underrated KZbin accounts. How does this guy not have 1MM+ subscribers?! Keep it coming man. Thanks for everything and happy holidays!

[@zerovideography]

He doesn't make coffee and talks about nothing for straight 10 minutes in his videos

[@queefreak666]

Nice reviewer, but I question his experience in the field. Don't see much of anything

[@TomAntos]

I like a lot about this camera but I wish it could do higher frame rates, specially at that price.

[@martingerrardxguitar]

Hum, the last camera I had that did "honest" high frame rates (without additional aliasing by line-skipping / px binning) was the Sony F5 which at least did an automatic sensor crop. Some cameras (especially some Sonys - in the meantime they introduced the sensor crop to the FS7 I think) later I think 120 without any image degradation is what you get without having to use a Weiss or a Red.

[@danhomes5894]

Agree; it’s a camera fail for 2020. Wait a year and they’ll be giving it away.

[@martingerrardxguitar]

Dan Homes Interesting opinion, which camera manufacturer does it better?

[@danhomes5894]

VanDaven hey... I’d take the Panasonic S1h over this overpriced fail. Just look at the C700 and how that cam turned out.

[@stoneybowmann]

@@danhomes5894 C700 was an awesome camera but it was meant for making features or really high end stuff. I would love to have one but the C500m2 is much more attainable financially and makes more sense for everyday usage. As a freelance cameraman that needs proper ergonomics/functionality vs straight up image, the Canon Eos line has always been a good mix of both. But, if you have time and energy to fuss with small cameras, they have their place. I just picked up a BMPCC 6k... it's amazing for the price but would never replace my C300m2. Plus, a lot of my clients expect me to show up with proper gear and I can espouse how much a small DSLR can deliver a sweet image, but they want what they want. Rarely does a client ask for a DSLR unless it is for a specific reason or they are trying to go cheap on rate.

[@demetrizuev258]

Your C200 gets teary eyed and loses focus several times during the video, it doesn't want to be replaced)

[@Crimsonengine]

I think its my 12 year old 50mm f/1.4. The focus ring on it is really sticking.

[@africanhistory]

@@Crimsonengine might be camera because you are not moving to cause it to auto focus. really odd. But u know your set up. It is very distracting. Hence why B-roll would have been a good idea.

[@MaddyBee]

Crimson Engine maybe give the 40mm 2.8 a try? I know it’s a smaller aperture but I have had a lot of success with it’s autofocus. It is still very sharp too

[@dannypgrizzle]

I was also noticing the C200 reacquire focus each time your head turned back from profile. Face tracking setting?

[@CarlosVS]

Currently shooting on Panasonic G7. This might just be what I needed.

[@creativeorstrange]

Will you be uploading tests between the canon c500 mark mark ii and the canon c200 in terms of low-light and dynamic range? I’m interested in getting this camera and I would love some detailed tests between the canon c500 mark ii and the c200. Great video as always. Thanks for your perspective.

[@MrEchyballs]

nice review ! the c200 u use actually having a focus mode called " face only " , I think u might b new to c200. once u press the button , u won't suffer any focusing shift which I have seen a lot in ur review video. good work , keep it up .

[@Crimsonengine]

Thanks Arlen. I'm aware of 'face only' :) The culprit here is my 12 year old 50mm lens that needs servicing.

[@RogueWolfArtist]

Thanks for the review, Crimson. Thorough and even-handed, it helped a great deal.

[@harrij.9542]

Hi, I would really to see a review of 1dx Mark iii camera by Crimson Engine. I read it can do 5.5k Raw.

[@itsjantore]

Thanks for the initial thoughts. Seems like a great entry into the world of fullframe. For me, I might get this after a couple of years when its around half the price. Recently bought a C200 for $4500, and the ability to just convert to DNx from SolidPod is fine for web stuff.

[@dcd6115]

One thing that Canon removed from the C500 II is interval recording. Why did they do that? Every Cinema EOS camera has had it since the first C300. It’s weird that the cheaper C200 can do it but the more expensive C500 II can’t.

[@OhanaFilms]

$16,000 is a great deal for a camera like this.

[@simongentry]

why wouldn't you upgrade from the c200 to the c300 mk iii - rather than the c500 mk ii? it's got raw, xavc just the s35 sensor.

[@EdwardLuiFilms]

People are more concerned about the focus than the review itself.

[@stoneybowmann]

Distracting, isn't it. TV 101.

[@vegsource]

Appreciate this review and channel. 👍

[@timdanyo898]

Thanks for the review. I'm a Sony guy, but this cam looks very good. The internal RAW is what I would love to see Sony finally incorporate.

[@stoneybowmann]

I have FS7 and C300 and C300m2's. My preference is Canon, all the way. Sony has a workflow that drives me batty... ever since the menus on the F55. Also, Canon just feels right to me. But I can come up with lots of people who say opposite... so test and do what feels right. I am happy that Fx9 and C500m2 are coming online... great choices for us.

[@JamesBoss]

Great vid as usual! Does this camera make the C700 FF obsolete or does the C700 still have advantages over the C500 mark ii image wise. I couldn't find any footage comparisons, and the price for a used C700 is comparable to a new C500 mark ii, so I was curious.

[@TimYemmax]

Definitely worth to change my C200 to this beast

[@pangafilms1509]

Thanks for review. How is monitor outdoors compared to c200?

[@stevenkralovec]

Do you think the BMPCC 6K could hold its own against the c500ii, or do you think it’s not even close?

[@dcd6115]

I think if you threw them at each other at the same speed, the C500 II might win just because it's a bit bigger and doesn't have that giant fragile screen. They'd both get pretty busted up though.

[@stu9000]

Thanks for the review. My feedback would be that what I want to see from a review is more Image quality focusing on the full frame look, how well does the IBIS work? What is the latitude? How does this compare to say the Panasonic S1H and Z-Cam E2-F6 that have a lot in common at a much lower price. Cheers

[@rubenrodriguez2590]

Great video. You should do a breakdown on how you use davinci to transfer your raw files to prores. I just got the C200 and I had to purchase like 4 CFast cards to shoot raw. That would be AMAZING ... if you could do that. Well, love your content... keep it coming. Happy Holidays.

[@laurencesnashall]

He has ages ago "Canon C200: 422 10 bit Workflow"

[@rubenrodriguez2590]

@@laurencesnashall Damn. I will look for that video... Thanks, Laurence.

[@Crimsonengine]

Thats the one - Thanks Laurence :)

[@amphotography1746]

I wouldn't bother converting when using resolve. Just get fast m.2 SSD drives inside your computer. My i9 9900k with rtx 2060 and 32gb RAM setup plays back 100% canon raw c200 files in resolve with 2x 1tb m.2 ssd's.

[@alessandro.petracci]

Hello! Can you make a video where you tried to mount the c500 on a ronin s? Thanks a lot!

[@VLEXfilms]

Are you planning a c500 masterclass as well?

[@ShadowDayOrg]

Great video, Rubidium! Do you know if it’s possible to shoot 4K RAW if you wanted the flexibility of RAW in post but also wanted to keep file size smaller for a longer shoot?

[@Crimsonengine]

I didn’t see that option in the menu. Maybe they’ll add it or I missed it, but I think it will be one size and flavor of Raw, and lots of Other af-avc options.

[@dcd6115]

​@Mark KenfieldI might be wrong, but I thiiinnkkk you can shoot 4k raw with the image scaled, not cropped. So you can still get a full frame image in 4k.

[@jaggedtoothX]

@Mark Kenfield Well, at least it does the 10bit 422 in scaled 4K. That's still pretty darn good.

[@ZachMRutledge]

You are listing a bunch of features that have been on the C300 MKII for years.

[@queefreak666]

As a C300mkII shooter, I'm bummed as to why Canon decided to disable the ability of this camera to shoot 1080 proxies on the SD slot. This slot on the 500mkII is now for metadata for RAW only. Big loss on those that enjoyed the proxies and as a backup

[@DeWayneDrumgole]

Can you record to an external drive?

[@SierraCreative]

I would love to hear your in depth thoughts in the 1Dx Mark iii - go borrow one from canon ;) good review !!

[@definitionxmk]

Nice! Mine arrived today but still haven't played with it. I'm hoping I can rent this out as much as my C200s (which paid for themselves already). Kind of a bummer that I have to invest in different cards as I already have a substantial amount of CF 2.0 cards. On the other side of things, the Sony FX9 seems to be a really decent contender.

[@TheTechnoPilot]

Honestly having played with both, the FX9 just doesn't compete against the C500II, but will survive on the existing FS-7 users upgrading and broadcasters demanding it because they think they know it. The only advantage to the FX-9 is still the variable ND, but would pick the C500II any day over the FX-9.

[@dcd6115]

@@TheTechnoPilot Does the FX9 have better options when shooting in higher frame rates (above 60fps)?

[@definitionxmk]

@@TheTechnoPilot I agree the FX9 is more of an "upgrade" to the FS7. If it were to compete with Canon, I would say it's more in the lines of the C200/C300mkii. The FX9 will probably become what the FS7 did to the FS700.

[@stoneybowmann]

I had hands on the FX9 at a sony event last month. It is nice, but it is basically an FS7 upgrade. The Sony guys are working hard to convince everyone not to say that... but it is what it is. It feels and behaves like an FS7, and takes many of the same accessories. Color is a bit different in the FX9, they played with LUTs and you have a few different options to get away from the bleh Sony look. They really wanted to tout the autofocus capability of the FX9, which is gimmicky for 90% of what people use the cameras for. But yes, it is a decent contender and is definitely better than the FS7.

[@paraspacescalar]

From the auto focus hunting, we can see that the c200 is really sad that you got a new baby right there 😥😔

[@a2xproductions]

How did you load an external lut into it?

[@Veypurr1]

I only use a C400

[@kolors101]

For a locked off shot it sure was hunting quite a bit.

[@luis.craik]

Comment for this C500 giveaway 🤣 Thanks!

[@Brian-ud6uj]

Awesome! Really love that camera. Sadly I can’t justify it...yet. I may find a way...or make one haha. Great video!

[@mcneilbelle]

Quick question since I know your a canon expert I have the R5c and I’m consider selling it to add on money for the c500 mark II do you think it’s a good idea and do you think the image out of the c500 mark II is better than the R5C or vice versa

[@Crimsonengine]

c500m2 is a much better image, better camera for cinema all round. It doesn't make stills like the R5C but in every other metric except size it rules.

[@mcneilbelle]

@@Crimsonengine thanks so much it really means a lot that you’d answered !!

[@acoast84]

Too bad Canon put the audio dials on the right side of the body. Impossible to adjust the sound in handheld, when there is no sound guy. Yes, there is this additional modul but documentary work it's best to keep the camera small.

[@Crimsonengine]

The audio dials are normally on the back - they are only on the right side if you use the V-mount module.

[@acoast84]

@@Crimsonengine Thank you for your reply! Right or left, depends if you look at the camera from front or back :) My point is that the audio dials on the body should be where the memory cards are - would make a lot more sense if you use it hand-held. The V-mount module makes the camera bigger and personally, I don't need it.

[@stoneybowmann]

Fine cursory review, but clearly you haven't used the C300m2 at all. A lot of the features on this new camera are similar to the C300m2 and have been around for, what, three years now? I'm guessing all you have really used is the C200 as a comparison. OK review, would like more direct comparison to other canon cameras.

[@phillipbeebe5997]

My c500 mark ii just arrived. Did your Sandisk CFexpress reader work ? Mine doesnt read the cards and ive been reading others are having the same issues.

[@VLEXfilms]

I just got mine in today & my reader is a no go smh

[@chrismorgancontentmarketin8995]

Hi I really like the channel, I just bought your c200 master class to watch over the holidays. I’ll be buying a c500 next year I have a few dollars stashed away for it already. I have a question for you. I have a c200 and also use a eos r for a second angle during my talking heads. I recently have the chance to buy a orignal C100 mark 1 for 900$ it’s not 4K and all that but I don’t need it for Broll. Mostly talking head second angle view stuff. Should I pick it up ? I find my EOS R doesn’t really match as much as I though color wise with my c200.... I want to match the images between both cameras. Any advice ?

[@drewbdarby]

I use the C100 Mk 1 as a B-Cam to my C200 fairly often. The C-LOG profiles are a little different, but it's pretty close and if you shoot a color card, then you can make a preset to match the cameras. Having two cameras with the same sensor size definitely helps with matching, as it's also easier to unify the settings across the two cameras.

[@mrrichardson9475]

Curious to know what type of mic are you using to record this interview?

[@orangerecords_studio]

I am sorry. Idont know what you mean by " I throw the RAW away, after grading them "?you mena after you have rendered final product, even if it is a movie ? :)

[@Crimsonengine]

I will keep the raw files for my feature. but for most uses, i just format the card after rendering out the prores grades

[@orangerecords_studio]

@@Crimsonengine I see sir :) thanks for reply and good luck with the moviemaking :)

[@orangerecords_studio]

@@Crimsonengine I ask coz I am curious of the canon. I am making a low budget full movie her, in thmiddle of Noway, this summer, and I must say; I have now seen all the trailer where they use the VENICE, and I simply dont like the look !? :( its like I get a felling of soap-opera, and pinkish-look of skins, like actor is haveing som makup on them. I compare side by side, on 2x43inch screen, with the "joker" as reference :) I know its a choise of looks in grading, colorists etc. but. All of them gives me the same impression .comming fraom a7sII, I need to upgrade .I also see on netflix PDF-tips, that Log on this 500 can be noisy, but thats the nature of all digial cams, I guess :)

[@avdcam]

I see the Rokinon Cine DS lens on there, thoughts on those lenses?

[@stoneybowmann]

They are ok for video, at the price, but they are very soft wide open. F5 to f8 is their sweet spot for staying sharp. I mean, they are very cheap, so you get what you pay for, perhaps a little more with these than expected. I love the 50 and 85 for interviews.

[@itsjantore]

BTW, I read that the RAW maxes out at 4k and is windowed, and that the only way to shoot 5.9k FF is with the 10 bit X-AVC. Can you confirm this?

[@Crimsonengine]

Not true. The reason they went up to CFExpress is to you can get 5.9k Raw full frame. Its glorious.

[@Crimsonengine]

Not true. The reason they went up to CFExpress is to you can get 5.9k Raw full frame. Its glorious.

[@thomasarballo764]

Can you record proxies while simultaneously recording raw?

[@JDMism]

Thomas Arballo Yes, and you can even record proxies without recording raw

[@enricoparenti3057]

Looks good but what does this camera have more then Panasonic S1H. Apart from internal raw and ND filters?

[@JDMism]

enrico parenti Batteries, AF, XLR, Timecode IN/OUT... lots of things you probably don’t care about but make the Panasonic a non-starter for many productions

[@enricoparenti3057]

@@JDMism it has an XLR module for 300$, it has AF (but not as good), and it has timecode cable for in/out. I am a c300 m2 user but I really struggle to see why I should spend all this money on a c500.

[@JDMism]

enrico parenti The XLR module is a good example of why people don’t want to use an SLR shaped camera. I’d take your C300 II over the Panasonic to be honest. It does everything I want in a shape I like using. But if you like the Panasonic it has great specs and a great price, so I understand why you wouldn’t want a C500 II

[@enricoparenti3057]

@@JDMism I do have an S1h and apart from the Nd's I'm very happy with the body ergonomic once rigged and with xlr's. it does 180fps 1080p without cropping, something the c series don't do, and has the most accurate viewfinder I've ever seen. Seems to me that Canon it's dramatically late and overpriced, the Red Komodo is on it's way too..

[@JDMism]

enrico parenti That is some awesome gear! You definitely don’t need a C500 II then.

[@davidzammuto2923]

why is the c200 struggling to find focus so often during this video.

[@Crimsonengine]

My poor 50mm lens that has gotten wet and been dropped too many times. I can never tell when it spazzes out because it does it when I look away. I need to replace it.

[@Luka_Film]

Когда 90D будет так снимать?

[@PS-ys9yg]

Iam getting tired about resolutions in this cameras, 4lk, 6k, 8k etc, why they do this, if ARRI have 2.8k and the image is better than the rest? i think cameras companies go for the wrong way....

[@toolizcool]

Hey there. Is the sensor the exact same sensor as the one in the C700FF?

[@Crimsonengine]

Yes. It has some differences but size is the same.

[@jaggedtoothX]

@@Crimsonengine Have you tried shooting in higher frame rates yet? What is the 120fps like on the C500 II? Is it as bad as the C200?

[@martinkulik9466]

but can it shoot 1080p 60fps 50Mbps tho!? the best res for youtube

[@TheTechnoPilot]

Honestly only if you don't intend to push the image at all in post and shoot to a finished colour...

[@jamesmathews243]

I like this camera... but I could have a fleet of ursa mini pros for this price haha.

[@SoundSpeeding]

But you didn’t answer the question, is it worthwhile upgrading from the C500 mk1? ;-)

[@Crimsonengine]

Depends what kind of work you do and how much you get paid for it. There is no big jump in image quality in the 12 bit, just sensor size and a host of other improvements.

[@stoneybowmann]

Dude, the C500 mark1 is from the dark ages! 2012? The ergonomic refinements alone would justify an upgrade.

[@Crimsonengine]

@@stoneybowmann I'm taking about upgrading from the c200 :)

[@stoneybowmann]

@@Crimsonengine I'm responding in general as your video title says "C500 m2 review" and your first few lines say whether it's worth "upgrading from the C200, or C300 or C100". So, looking at review and comments with that in mind. And, I am coming from C300 and C300m2 world, primarily.

[@SoundSpeeding]

@@stoneybowmann I'm joking around, of course the answer is obvious! C500mk2 is waaaay better. Just found it funny how he mentioned *ALL* the Canon Cinema cameras *except* the C500 (oh, and the 1D C, but that is a DSLR), kinda ironic as the video was about the C500 mk2! ha.

[@legolas8222]

this is very bad, the 16: 9 sensor has 20MP, very noisy video, not 4: 3 and 3: 2 format video, canon did not make a full-fledged 3: 2 sensor, a big omission.

[@Crimsonengine]

3:2 sensor for... anamorphic ?

[@MrlegendOr]

5:14 "Canon's Autofocus is better "my ass

[@zebunker]

98% will shoot handheld and make it look like crap and youvwont be able to use it on your reel

[@danhomes5894]

9:12 where do these guys get their facts? The red entry is $19,950 for a Dragon X and that includes a sigma art 18-35. Smh

[@Crimsonengine]

The Dragon X is full frame? The Monstro is more like $54k

[@danhomes5894]

Crimson Engine perhaps not, but the Panasonic S1h is... so yeah...and when you say starter Red, I am assuming you’re referring to the Dragon X; not Monstra. Wouldn’t be surprised if the Komodo will be full frame too.

[@jamiesimko]

Want

[@Stiert]

Why show off new footage when it never looks any different than other Canon cameras and never looks close to as good as even an older blackmagic camera

[@creativeorstrange]

yellowteeth how do you think a blackmagic image is superior to canon’s? Can you give examples please? Other people’s perspectives are always useful.

[@Stiert]

@@creativeorstrange The BM colors have a more natural look and always looked more like film to me, thats why.

[@DanielEarl]

Oof, beast of a camera, but I still love my C100, thanks. :)

[@DollyRanch]

Daniel Earl even though you have a video listing your gripes!?

[@DanielEarl]

@@DollyRanch yup. Deal with it.

[@DollyRanch]

@@DanielEarl I shan't! The C100 is a big poo-poo. Even mirrorless provides better results for the solo shooter

[@adnan_velic]

We live in a world where a compact hybrid camera like the Nikon z6 can shoot 4K in 12bit prores RAW externally full frame stabilized sensor and here is Canon asking $16,000 for this camera.....

[@maverick792]

You mean 'canon' is asking $16000

[@adnan_velic]

maverick792 yes thanks for catching that!

[@jaggedtoothX]

I mean... you could argue that Arri is asking $80,000 for their full frame camera and Red is asking $60,000. Compared to that, what you get from the C500 II (which is a fully functional cinema camera and not a stills camera that needs to be rigged up) is actually pretty darn good.

[@adnan_velic]

jaggedtoothX sure you could make that argument and I’m sure the c500 is excellent I just think what’s possible now going into 2020 from a stills body is absolutely incredible. I know the c500 has proper inputs for sound and is designed like a tank for a serious pro but I’m not a cinema pro getting paid $10,000 for a shoot my fees aren’t there at this time yet I’m able to produce an image in prores raw 12bit from a body that $1700, lens that’s $500 and $700 for the atomos, I’m under $3000. So compared to $16,000 we’re not even in the same universe.

[@2gunzfilms425]

nah...this doesn't do it for me..If I can't record onto a t5 SSD I don't want it. Especially at this price. I'll stick with Blackmagic.

[@thespectatorsproductions6709]

Upgrading is twice the price of c200 :(

[@Crimsonengine]

3x the cost of the c200b :)

[@patriqcnewman275]

Look so expensive for nothing

[@cuntpaggot9962]

bmpcc6k baby!! :) and i love/shoot canon :)

[@stoneybowmann]

Just got mine yesterday and haven't barely turned it on.