Canon EOS C70 vs EOS R5 C vs EOS R5: video specs head-to-head

Today's content creators need versatile tools and the Canon EOS C70, EOS R5 C and EOS R5 are three compact but incredibly powerful cameras for filmmakers.

The groundbreaking EOS C70 ushered in a new era for pro video as the first model in Canon's Cinema EOS System to feature the advanced RF mount. The EOS R5, capable of cinematic 12-bit 8K RAW video using the entire width of the camera’s sensor, set new standards for filmmakers as well as for still photographers. The hybrid EOS R5 C cinema camera shares many of the same features as the EOS R5, including its full-frame, high-resolution sensor, but adds a raft of pro video capabilities, most notably incredible long-duration 8K recording.

All three cameras feature Canon's revolutionary RF mount technology and intelligent autofocus, but how do their video specifications compare, and which is right for your production needs? Here, we examine some of the shared technologies and key differences between the Canon EOS C70, EOS R5 C and EOS R5, with expert insight from Canon Europe product specialists Mike Burnhill and Aron Randhawa.

• Lens mount: the RF mount system
• Performance: stabilisation, power, record times
• Sensors: Super 35 vs full-frame
• Design: compact body and professional video features
• Autofocus: shared Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology
• Which is right for you?

The Canon EOS C70, EOS R5 C and EOS R5 all use the revolutionary RF mount system. "The wide mount and the short flange back mean that we can essentially go back to the drawing board and design lenses with video in mind as well as stills," says Mike.

The 12-pin lens communication of the RF mount has enabled the development of new features including electronic focus breathing correction and an improved level of image stabilisation. The aperture system has also been redesigned to transition in smaller increments, meaning there is no distracting shift in brightness levels when you adjust the aperture while recording video, compared with conventional lenses.

In order to provide a seamless integration with the extensive range of EF lenses, a series of EF to RF mount adapters are available – including the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R 0.71x, which enhances the performance of EF lenses on the EOS C70 in two distinct ways. "Not only does it retain the full angle of view of a full-frame EF lens on the Canon EOS C70's Super 35mm sensor, its optical conversion allows an increased light transmission of approximately one stop," says Aron. This means that an EF 24-105mm f/4 lens effectively becomes an EF 24-105mm f/2.8 lens, offering significant advantages when shooting in low light.

All three cameras are supported by a comprehensive range of RF photography lenses. A full set of dedicated RF mount cinema lenses is also available for the EOS C70 and EOS R5 C. The Canon CN-R Primes provide full-frame coverage from 14mm to 135mm, and share the same spectacular image quality, fast apertures and precise control as CN-E Prime lenses.

Using a native RF cinema lens provides a more secure connection than using an EF cinema lens via an EF to EOS R mount adapter, Aron explains, but the ergonomics are also improved. "The CN-R lenses have a fixed ring close to the lens mount, which enables solo shooters to hold a lens in the palm of their hand without inadvertently adjusting the iris or the focus."

All three cameras' image stabilisation systems offer coordinated control with IS-enabled RF lenses to reduce the effects of unstable handheld movement. Where the Canon EOS C70 and EOS R5 C differ from the EOS R5 is in their implementation of in-body image stabilisation – the EOS C70 and EOS R5 C use an advanced 5-axis Electronic IS (EIS) system, whereas the EOS R5 also offers a sensor-shifting In-body Image Stabilizer (IBIS).

The IBIS in the EOS R5 is an industry-leading technology for still photo capture and is also beneficial for handheld video, whereas the EIS in the EOS C70 and EOS R5 C achieves fantastic smooth and stable video performance in a variety of situations, including walking and panning. Both sophisticated systems coordinate seamlessly with the optical IS found in Canon lenses, but you get a noticeable improvement when using an IS-equipped RF lens thanks to the faster communication made possible by the RF mount.

Like the EOS C70, the EOS R5 C is a cinema camera offering long-duration recording. "The internal fan means it can record for long durations no matter what mode you are in – 8K 60p, 4K 120p, whatever you like," explains Aron. "The EOS R5 is an ultra-compact hybrid camera with a time limit of 29 minutes per clip. Although some high-end recording modes are limited because of heat, the EOS R5 can continuously record outstanding 4K up to 30p with no thermal limitations."

Recording can be initiated remotely on the EOS R5 using the Canon Camera Connect app for smartphones and tablets, but the EOS C70 supports the free-of-charge Canon Multi-Cam app for iOS. This app enables up to four cameras to be connected at the same time, allowing you to monitor the live feeds and adjust each camera's settings via a mobile device.

One of the key differences between the Canon EOS C70 and the EOS R5 C and EOS R5 is their imaging sensors. The EOS C70 uses a Super 35mm sensor, while the EOS R5 C and EOS R5 feature a full-frame sensor – but the underlying technology is distinctly different too.

The EOS C70 features Canon's innovative Dual Gain Output (DGO) sensor technology and DIGIC DV7 image processor. This is the same sensor found in the Canon EOS C300 Mark III, delivering incredible performance with over 16-stops of dynamic range when shooting in Canon Log 2.

"This works at the sensor level, before any processing is applied to the image," says Aron. "Two separate images are produced at different amplification levels: one at a lower gain that retains details in the highlights, and the other at a higher gain to increase details in the shadows while diminishing noise. This all happens in real-time and is active up to 60fps."

The state-of-the-art full-frame sensor in the Canon EOS R5 C and EOS R5 has been designed from a different starting point, explains Mike. "Made for high-resolution photo and video capture, it delivers 45MP stills for photographers, plus 8K recording for video. But it also has an amazingly low rolling shutter even at high resolution."

The Canon EOS R5 C can record full-frame 8K 12-bit video footage at up to 60p internally. It also offers XF-AVC format in 4:2:2 10-bit up to 810Mbps, plus three new flavours of 12-bit Cinema RAW Light for ultimate flexibility when it comes to quality and file sizes. The EOS R5 can capture DCI 8K 30p 12-bit RAW internally at approximately 2,600Mbps as well as recording 4K 10-bit 4:2:2 in HEVC MP4 up to 120p.

In addition to recording RAW internally, both the EOS R5 C and the EOS R5 support 8K ProRes RAW capture to a compatible Atomos recorder. The two cameras offer enhanced ProRes RAW editing capabilities in Final Cut Pro using the Canon plug-in 1.0 for ProRes RAW support, which enables image-processing parameters such as ISO, custom white balance and noise reduction to be customised.

"The EOS C70 also offers a wealth of recording formats," adds Aron. "A firmware update added 4K Cinema RAW Light recording up to 645Mbps, and as well as being able to shoot in Canon's robust and well-known XF-AVC format in 4:2:2 10-bit up to 410Mbps, you also have the option of HEVC in 4:2:2 10-bit. Additionally, you can record High Frame Rate 4K up to 120fps, and for the first time you're able to record audio simultaneously.

Form factor varies between the three cameras. The Canon EOS C70 bridges the world of Cinema EOS and Canon's DSLR and mirrorless cameras, offering a high degree of mobility, as well as all of the professional features that you would expect from a Cinema EOS camera, including mini XLR inputs to record audio internally, built-in ND filters and unlimited recording.

"If you're a dedicated filmmaker who shoots a range of productions, from corporate work to weddings to independent film, these are three essential camera features that you're going to need," says Aron. "They are simple functions for a video camera, but the EOS C70 is the first camera to incorporate these features in such a compact body."

Despite its small form factor, the EOS C70 has 13 customisable buttons, an eight-way joystick and a 3.5-inch 16:9 articulated screen. "In previous models, the touchscreen only controlled the Dual Pixel CMOS AF," says Aron. "However, the EOS C70 introduced a whole new direct touch user interface, for even further intuitive control."

The bodies of the Canon EOS R5 C and EOS R5 are based on the EOS 5D DSLR series and are approximately 60% the size and weight of the EOS C70. The EOS R5 C is only 30g heavier than the Canon EOS R5, despite the addition of the fan. While the cinema-focused EOS R5 C is similar in appearance to the EOS R5, it features additional tools for filmmakers, including a front tally lamp to indicate recording and a timecode in/out terminal, which is particularly useful for synchronising multiple cameras at once.

The EOS R5 C can switch between video and photo mode, allowing the unique features of both Cinema EOS and EOS R systems to combine in a single camera. Each mode provides users with a streamlined menu system for either professional filmmaking or photography, with the video mode unleashing exclusive tools such as waveform monitor and false colour for accurate exposure analysis.

In comparison, the EOS R5 has a Movie Shooting button that enables you to start recording video when in stills mode. "This button gives you direct access to all your preassigned favourite video settings, so you can just tap it to start recording without having to take the camera away from your eye," explains Mike. "You know what video settings have been assigned to it, so there's no need to check menus, which means you can concentrate on filming and never miss the crucial moment."

All three cameras offer Canon's Dual Pixel CMOS AF for responsive and reassuringly accurate tracking when the situation demands, which is particularly useful for solo and run-and-gun shooters. The Canon EOS R5 and EOS R5 C (in photo mode) feature Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, which covers a wider area of the image and features integrated animal detection.

All three cameras benefit from EOS iTR AF X, an advanced deep-learning autofocus technology first introduced in the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III. "This enables the exceptional face-tracking capabilities, and the EOS R5 takes that a bit further with its animal tracking abilities," explains Mike. "We see the EOS C70 being used more for drama and documentary work focusing on people rather than animals, but there's always someone out there who will surprise you and show you what the camera can really do."

An autofocus feature not offered by the EOS R5 is the Face Only mode available on the EOS C70 and EOS R5 C. "This smart AF tracking feature only focuses when a face has been detected in the frame," explains Aron. "Once that person leaves the scene, rather than refocusing on the background, it waits for someone to re-enter the frame before refocusing. This delivers a much more professional result."

A firmware update has further improved the autofocus functionality of both the EOS C70 and EOS R5 C, making it possible to select the subject via the control ring/dial, as well as enabling detection of heads that are facing sideways or backwards.

"There's also a function that changes the size of the AF tracking frame depending on the subject," Aron adds. "So, if you are using the touchscreen to select an object, the camera will automatically detect whether, for greater accuracy, you need a larger or a slimmer AF frame."

Beyond the headline specifications, the Canon EOS C70, EOS R5 C and EOS R5 all present filmmakers with a similar proposition: a highly mobile camera that delivers exceptional image quality. So, which camera is right for you and your video production?

The EOS C70 is a dedicated filmmaking tool with exceptional battery life, dynamic range and in-built capabilities such as XLR terminals and ND filters. It's ready for professionals to simply pick up and shoot a range of productions, such as weddings, corporate videos, documentaries and cinematic filmmaking. Support for native CN-R Prime lenses and the Canon Multi-Cam app provides the image quality and creative control that professional filmmakers look for.

The EOS R5 C is an exceptionally powerful and compact hybrid camera that combines professional filmmaking and photography in a single solution. Enhanced functionality such as the variable AF tracking frame and Digital-Teleconverter ensure that it's a camera that's ready for anything, designed for a new wave of creatives who shoot a wide variety of content and need a camera that can quickly adapt to their ever-changing requirements.

The EOS R5 is primarily designed for professional photography with its high-resolution image capture, industry-leading IBIS system and ultra-compact design. However, it also features fantastic video capabilities for those who occasionally or regularly shoot video but do not require the high-end features of a cinema camera.

If shooting video is your sole purpose, then the EOS C70 or EOS R5 C should be top of your list. "Ultimately they are video cameras, whereas the EOS R5 was designed from the start with great video functionality but is focused towards stills," says Mike.

The EOS C70 and EOS R5 C are also Netflix approved, adding to their appeal to filmmakers working across a diverse range of productions. "Both of these cameras meet the image capture benchmarks Netflix needs and they also have timecode input, which is one of the fundamental requirements," says Aron.

"The EOS C70 or EOS R5 C would make a great companion for the Canon EOS C300 Mark III on cinematic productions where a small-format camera may be required for action setups or drone sequences," adds Aron. "The EOS R5 C or EOS R5 can also come into the mix as a B-cam to the EOS C70 or when higher resolution is required for particular shots. They all share the same colour matrix, so it's easier to combine footage from different bodies."