Canon unveiled the EOS C50 this morning, a 7K full-frame video-first hybrid digicam priced at $3,899. Its most blatant competitor, apart from Canon’s personal R5 C, is the Sony FX3. Does Canon’s new C50 give Sony one thing to fret about?
Introduced in 2021, Sony’s $4,098 FX3 has discovered a house on {many professional} movie units due to its compact shape issue and high-end symbol high quality. Canon’s new C50 digicam, which prices $200 much less and springs with an XLR-equipped take care of, which is especially competitive.
Canon EOS C50 As opposed to Sony FX3: The Large Image Options and Specifications
Each the Canon EOS C50 and the Sony FX3 (technically, it’s the FX3A now, due to a minor show improve and charger switch) cater to the similar video-first hybrid consumer at more or less the similar worth issues. The C50 is fairly extra reasonably priced and springs with a best take care of within the field, whilst the FX3’s XLR Maintain Unit is an non-compulsory $600 add-on. Nevertheless, this worth distinction is somewhat minor within the grand scheme of items. The Sony FX2 ($2,700) may be a possible level of comparability, even if no longer the main center of attention of this tale. Extra on that later.
At an overly excessive degree, every of the C50 and FX3 has some fascinating benefits over the opposite.
The Canon EOS C50 includes a brand-new 32-megapixel full-frame CMOS symbol sensor that may seize 7K video. The Sony FX3, then again, has a miles lower-resolution 10.2-megapixel backside-illuminated sensor that may seize 4K video.
Due to its new symbol sensor, which contains Twin Base ISO at 800 and 6400 in C-Log 2, the C50 guarantees higher dynamic vary than the FX3 as neatly. Canon claims 16 stops of dynamic vary, which Sony most effective guarantees 15+ stops in S-Log3. That’s a minor distinction which might not be noticeable in real-world efficiency.
On the other hand, what’s going to be noticeable is that the C50 can seize inside 12-bit RAW video, for which the FX3 calls for exterior recording (RAW 16-bit output over HDMI). The FX3’s inside recording tops out at H.265 4:2:2 10-bit 4K at as much as 120p (granted, 120p comes with a slight crop). The C50’s RAW 12-bit inside recording maxes out at 6940 x 4640 at as much as 30p. That’s 3:2 open gate full-frame recording, through the best way. The FX3 does no longer natively report open-gate video.
The C50’s larger megapixel rely affects photograph efficiency as neatly. The C50 captures 32-megapixel RAW pictures at as much as 40 frames in line with 2d and contours Pre-Free up Steady seize. The FX3 shoots 10.2-megapixel RAW photographs at as much as simply 10 frames in line with 2d, and it lacks pre-release seize.
The Sony FX3 has two probably vital options that Canon’s new C50 lacks: in-body symbol stabilization and a mechanical shutter. Whilst a mechanical shutter doesn’t topic for video, the C50’s loss of one signifies that this can be a fairly much less succesful photographic device in explicit eventualities, together with ones the place anyone might need to use flash. The C50 has no flash sync. Past its five-axis IBIS gadget, which was once a primary for Sony’s Cinema Line in 2021, the FX3 options flash sync at as much as 1/250s.
Regarding the shutter, the C50’s digital shutter is quicker than the FX3’s shutter gadget, topping out at 1/16000s reasonably than 1/8000s. It’s no longer essentially a large distinction, however it is going to topic in very restricted eventualities.
Each cameras function AI-assisted autofocus programs with more than a few topic detection modes, extensive space protection, and a ton of autofocus issues. Canon’s Twin Pixel CMOS AF II gadget is superb, and Sony’s autofocus gadget is all the time dependable. We can want to pass hands-on with the C50 to peer how its autofocus holds up, however a protected wager is that the C50’s AF shall be slightly higher general, for the reason that this can be a a lot more recent gadget than the only within the four-year-old FX3. That’s simply hypothesis, after all.
Canon EOS C50 As opposed to Sony FX3: Design and Usability
The Canon EOS C50 appears so much just like the Sony FX3 in the case of its general form and design language. Canon has moved clear of the R5 C’s SLR-style design and towards one thing extra video-centric and streamlined. This implies ditching an EVF, so the C50 and FX3 have that during not unusual. In addition they each function twin card slots (CFexpress Kind B and SD for the C50 and CFexpress Kind A and SD for the FX3) and energetic cooling, even if the C50’s energetic cooling gadget is a bit of chunkier.
The EOS C50 is Canon’s smallest and lightest Cinema EOS digicam up to now. With out its incorporated best take care of hooked up, which provides two full-size XLR ports, through the best way, the C50 is 143 through 88 through 95 millimeters (5.6 through 3.5 through 3.7 inches) and weighs 665 grams (23.5 oz). The Sony FX3 is roughly 130 through 85 through 78 millimeters (5.1 through 3.3 through 3.1 inches) and weighs 640 grams (22.6 oz) physique most effective. So the C50 is slightly wider, thicker, and taller than the FX3 however most effective negligibly heavier. It can be Canon’s smallest and lightest Cinema digicam but, however the FX3 nonetheless has it beat.
Each cameras function 3-inch touchscreens. The FX3A’s upgraded LCD has 2.36 million dots, up from the unique FX3’s 1.44 million dots. The Canon EOS C50’s 3-inch panel has roughly 1.62 million dots. Neither corporate publishes a max brightness spec for its digicam’s LCD, sadly.
Every digicam provides in depth keep watch over customization, even if the C50 has 14 numbered buttons that may be reassigned, whilst the FX3 has simply six. Further FX3 controls can also be tweaked, however the C50 has it beat there.
Each cameras come with a large number of 1/4-20 screw holes on every aspect of the digicam, promising really extensive flexibility inside of more than a few reliable video workflows and setups. They each strengthen XLR audio by the use of their respective attachable handles, and so they each strengthen Time Code, even if the FX3 calls for an additional adapter cable for exterior time code sync. The FX3 has a integrated stereo mic, whilst the C50 doesn’t. Arguably, maximum customers gained’t profit from a integrated mic on a digicam like this, however that distinction is value noting.
Neither digicam essentially has an clearly awesome design, even if the C50 does have a couple of extra usability options out of the field. Every digicam occupies more or less the similar lane in the case of digicam design and usefulness, and it’s simple to consider other filmmakers who prefer one over the opposite.
What In regards to the Sony FX2?
Sooner than wrapping up, it’s value taking a short lived look on the Sony FX2. Whilst the C50 is $1,200 greater than the FX2, some customers might imagine the FX2 and C50 side-by-side.
The Sony FX2 has a 33-megapixel full-frame symbol sensor, like the only within the Sony a7 IV, and captures 4Kp60 video. Just like the FX2, it lacks inside RAW recording, however can seize 16-bit RAW video externally by the use of HDMI.
The Sony FX2 leans extra into being a real hybrid digicam, due to its tilting OLED EVF. For some customers, this EVF is very important. Just like the FX3, the FX2 additionally includes a five-axis in-body symbol stabilization gadget and energetic cooling.
The FX2 works with Sony’s non-compulsory XLR-H1 Maintain Unit and will have compatibility inside of a certified video workflow, even if it’s not fairly concentrated on the similar consumer as both the C50 or FX3.
Each the Sony FX2 and Canon EOS C50 be offering extra compelling photographic options than the dearer Sony FX3, even if in the case of professional-quality video recording, the C50 and FX3 have the FX2 beat.
Canon EOS C50 As opposed to Sony FX3: Which One Is Higher?
On the possibility of a cop out, it’s too early to mention which digicam is best. PetaPixel has no longer but long past hands-on with the Canon EOS C50, however we plan to do a complete evaluate of the digicam once conceivable.
Nevertheless, the brand new C50 obviously has some key benefits on paper. It information a lot larger decision video, captures inside RAW 12-bit video, provides open gate full-frame, and shoots higher-megapixel pictures at quicker body charges than the Sony FX3. Those variations can also be vital in lots of video and hybrid workflows.
That mentioned, the Sony FX3 has some benefits, too. It’s fairly smaller and lighter than the Canon EOS C50, and it options five-axis in-body symbol stabilization and a mechanical shutter. The FX3 may be an E-mount digicam, which whilst no longer a large merit when taking into account most effective first-party lenses, opens up the FX3 to a large and available vary of third-party and tailored lenses.
There may be the associated fee attention. The Canon EOS C50 is $3,900 and ships with an XLR take care of unit. The Sony FX3 is $200 extra up entrance, plus its XLR take care of is any other $600. The $800 distinction isn’t not anything, particularly given the C50’s relative benefits on paper.
The Canon EOS C50 has so much going for it and indubitably shakes up the full-frame hybrid digicam panorama in lots of compelling tactics. However the Sony FX3 is the established standard-bearer within the house for a reason why. It’s going to even be interesting to peer what options Sony’s subsequent video-centric hybrid digicam on this worth vary will come with.
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