Filmmakers and content creators, the wait is over. Canon has officially pulled back the curtain on the EOS C50, a new cinema camera that promises to be a powerful and portable workhorse. While its small form factor and familiar Cinema EOS features are noteworthy, the standout announcement is the inclusion of a 7K Open Gate mode—a first for Canon’s Cinema EOS lineup. This feature is set to revolutionize how filmmakers approach composition and post-production, making the C50 a serious contender in the compact cinema camera market.
For those unfamiliar, “open gate” recording utilizes the entire surface of the camera’s sensor, capturing the maximum possible image area. In the C50, this means a new 7K full-frame CMOS sensor captures a 3:2 aspect ratio, a format that is much taller and wider than traditional cinema standards.
Why is this a big deal?
- Reframing Freedom: With a full-sensor capture, you have unparalleled flexibility in post-production. You can easily crop and reframe for multiple deliverables—a widescreen cinematic look for a film, a vertical 9:16 for social media, or a square 1:1 for platforms like Instagram. This saves time and effort on multi-platform projects.
- Anamorphic Perfection: The tall sensor is ideal for shooting with anamorphic lenses. Open gate allows you to use the full image circle of the lens and then “desqueeze” the footage in post, giving you that beautiful, distinctive anamorphic look with minimal cropping.
- Future-Proofing Your Footage: Shooting at such a high resolution provides a safety net for potential future needs. Even if you’re delivering in 4K, the oversampled 7K footage will offer exceptional detail, a cleaner image, and more latitude for digital stabilization and pan/scan moves.
Beyond Open Gate: Key Features of the C50
The C50 is not a one-trick pony. Canon has packed a number of professional features into this compact body, making it a compelling option for a wide range of productions.
- 7K RAW Light: The camera can record 7K RAW Light internally at up to 60p, giving you a tremendous amount of data to work with for color grading and advanced VFX. It also supports a variety of other formats, including 5K Super35 and 2.5K Super16.
- Advanced Autofocus: The C50 inherits Canon’s acclaimed Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system, with advanced subject tracking, including a new bird-tracking feature. This means you can rely on the camera to keep your subjects in sharp focus, even at high frame rates.
- Versatile Design: Weighing just 1.48 lbs, the C50 is Canon’s smallest and lightest cinema camera to date. It has a detachable top handle with two full-size XLR audio inputs, a built-in fan-based cooling system, and dual card slots (CFexpress Type B and SD) for high-bitrate recording and simultaneous proxy creation.
- A True Hybrid: The C50 blurs the line between cinema and stills camera, with a dedicated “Photo mode” that offers a stunning 40fps continuous shooting rate and a 32-megapixel sensor for high-resolution still images.
Price and Availability
The Canon EOS C50 is a direct competitor to cameras like the Sony FX3, and its pricing reflects that. The camera is expected to retail for an estimated price of $3,899 (body-only), and is scheduled to begin shipping towards the end of Q4 2025. This aggressive price point, combined with its impressive feature set, positions the C50 as an accessible yet professional-grade option for indie filmmakers and content creators looking to elevate their production quality.
Canon has also announced new firmware updates that will bring the 3:2 open gate recording mode to the C400, C80, and C70, a move that shows Canon’s commitment to supporting its existing user base.
The Canon C50 is a statement piece. It signals Canon’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in a compact form factor and offers a powerful tool for creators who need flexibility and quality in equal measure. With its 7K Open Gate mode, this camera is poised to open a new world of cinematic possibilities.
