JamieG Analysis

Recently Canon released a new camera  called the EOS 5D MkII.  This camera can shoot video as well as being a 22mega pixel stills camera.  I was on the Photogeek.tv podcast last week talking about it.  You can find some amazing videos and behind the scenes information on Vincent Laforet ’s blog.

Otherwise following is my brief outline and reasoning for this being a revolution in Film acquisition.

As a Still camera, the 5D is a resonable upgrade to compete with Nikon’s new range. However, the Nikon range does still appear to have an advantage in over all still quality.

In the Video area, the 5D looks better then the RED-scarlet (3k imager with bayer filter = less quality then 5D)  RED has withdrawn the current Scarlet specs.  Becuse of the 5D or not, the general still camera industry has surpased the scarlet product and currently I would expect a RED-1 type feature set in the Scarlet body if they plan to still “blow us away” as it is put.

The 5D, from my understanding, can function as a video capture device while at the same time capturing 22mega pixel stills.  This indicates that it is doing a real time sample from 22mega pixel for 35mm sized imager, to 1920×1080.  As such we are geting a large over sampling of the captured image down to 1920×1080 HD resolutions, we will be getting an amazingly clean image.  The 5D also has a new sensor that is more sensitive to light giving you images that look amazing in low light.  This also lets the film maker get away with less lighting (Saves costs) and also get a look usualy only available in much more expensive kit.

The big question is the video codec used and effective quality obtained.  36.5mbit H.264, at double the effective quality as MPEG2, will no dough give us amazing images.  H.264 has also been extended to be able to do 4:2:2, 4:4:4 10bit, 12bit colour and up to 4K image sizes. Will the camera be able to take advantage of this?  Does it now?   Strangely I have not bee able to find any details on the Internet as yet. Even is the  camera does not support these standards yet.. future versions are likely to.

The limitation to 30p (30 frames per second) is most likely more of a marketing issue then a technical one.  After all, this camera is not ideal for a film maker.  The form factor is for a still photographer, not a film/video maker.  I personally expect to see a new Canon XL-video camera in the future that has 5D core technology in the centre with the film makers form factor around it.  Add all the different frame rates and other film/video centric options. (And double the costs of the 5D most likely) and we have the future of Canon Video product line.

If nothing else, this camera indicates that a 35mm sized imager should now be standard for any PRO video camera.  Raw 4k imagers are also old hat.  We now expect over sized images giving us a over sampled result down to 2 or 4k sizes.  These are ideas RED is even struggling with.

RED may have started from scratch with nothing to loose by making a film/video camera taking full advantage of current technology.  However, once Canon and Sony also take this position, canabalising the current product ranges, RED is unlikely to match the experience and knowledge of either of these two companies.

Canon are at those cross roads now.  Sony are likely to get their last as they are the leaders in the top end.

This will be an amazingly popular camera as armature film makers can really justify its costs as it is inexpensive and can also be used as a very good stills camera, which is also an item any Film/video maker should have in his bad.