The C100 has been around for a while, but it wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I really considered it a viable option for my work and decided to buy one. When trying to decide on camera options earlier this year, the end result was C100 and BMCC In the end I chose the Blackmagic Cinema Camera because shooting RAW was too tempting to pass up. I’m also put off by the C100 based on the codec (AVCHD) and relatively high price point – it just doesn’t make any sense to me. But after a few months of shooting at the BMCC (which is still my favorite) I did realize that I desperately needed a camera that didn’t require me to assemble it every time I shot, so I decided to give the C100 another look . I really just wanted something that could be used as a dedicated video camera and didn’t require a ton of external accessories to make it work in real life shooting situations.
The first thing I did after picking up the camera was Tested new extended ISO range, allowing shooting up to 80,000 ISO, This is really impressive. Since then, I’ve gone out and shot a lot of test footage in run-and-gun situations and in controlled environments to see how the camera performs, particularly how it compares to Blackmagic cinema cameras.
Below is my full video review of the C100, including sample shots and comparison shots with the BMCC
To sum up—— I was surprised to find that the C100 excelled in almost every area. Earlier this year I remember looking at the specs on paper and I couldn’t believe that such an expensive camera could shoot AVCHD, while the BMCC could shoot Prores and RAW for less than half the price. I didn’t understand this until I started using the camera and realized that the C100 was capable of delivering results far beyond what I thought was possible using highly compressed codecs. It maintains such great overall image quality by allowing you to shoot in a beautiful raw color space that leaves more room for color grading than most other cameras that shoot in compressed formats. It will never have the flexibility of shooting RAW, but that’s not what a camera is for me. This camera places a premium on ease of use. There’s definitely something to be said for having a tool you can whip out and start shooting. It has built-in ND filters, XLR inputs, timecode, and manual controls for almost all functions, making it truly the camera it should be. It can also shoot in extremely low light Delivers outstanding results with very low noise at up to 20,000 ISO Available noise (as indicated in the post) is 51,200. All in a form factor that’s one of the best cameras on the market today. Once I actually picked up the camera and held it, I was fascinated by the camera. I almost forgot what it was like to shoot with an ergonomic camera designed for handheld video work. I haven’t shot this way in many years as my most recent smaller shoots have been DSLR/BMCC based and my larger shoots are usually done on a RED, so it’s definitely refreshing to be back in this form factor. I also think this camera’s sensor is one of the best available and have always been a big fan of the Super 35mm format.
Of course, the camera has some drawbacks, most notably the less-than-ideal viewfinder. The screen inside is small and hard to see, and there’s no eyepiece to block the light, making it awkward to use when you’re looking through it. As for the codec, although it delivers one of the best (probably the best) AVCHD images I’ve ever seen, it would be nice to have a higher bitrate codec like the one implemented in the C300 . Even so, this isn’t a big issue for me as the images still look great and I haven’t had any issues with compression yet. If this bothers you, there is always the option of purchasing an external recorder, e.g. Atomus Ninja 2this will allow you to record Prores directly from the sensor, effectively matching and possibly exceeding the quality of the C300. Another big drawback of this camera is the lack of 1080/60p slow-motion functionality. Of course when this camera was released I didn’t expect it to have slow motion capabilities as even the C300 only shoots at 720p in 60p mode, but if you shoot a lot of excessive footage and need slow motion this is still One factor to consider is camera capabilities. I’ve been trying to shoot at 1080/59.94i and convert to progressive scan in post to get slow motion out of the camera, and while it’s no substitute for true 60p, it actually works relatively well.
Compared to Blackmagic Cinema Cameras…
Like apples and oranges. These are two very different cameras with very different uses. Without a doubt, the Blackmagic Cinema Camera still delivers some of my favorite images among cameras under $10,000. It’s not just the ability to shoot RAW, but the overall beauty of the image, which is truly cinematic and more cinematic than the C100, at least in camera. However, the C100 still performs very well, and it’s not that far off by any means. The C100’s image quality is also cinematic in its own way, delivering stunningly beautiful images that are as sharp as the BMCC when shooting at 2.5K resolution. If you’re deciding between these two cameras, there are two main factors to consider. The first is whether you need RAW. If you are shooting narrative work and want maximum control over your images, the BMCC is a choice you won’t want to miss. The second consideration is whether you want a camera that works right out of the box with no installation required. If you’re like most shooters and are working on a variety of projects (commercials, documentaries, TV, movies), the C100 will be the more versatile and easier-to-use choice. Just the built-in ND filter is a life saver, not to mention the camera’s design is very easy to shoot and very modular. For the cost of the camera, they’re much closer than they appear on paper. Currently, the BMCC is less than half the price of the C100, but when you add the unit, external battery, SSD, EVF, and other add-ons, the price evens out. You can make a budget solution with a BMCC and get some lower-cost peripherals, but if you’re using it professionally, you really can’t avoid some costs. So, if image quality is the most important factor for you, ultimately choose BMCC. You really can’t beat it for the price. But if you need a camera that’s versatile and ready to use from day one – the C100 is the camera for you.
As always, it’s important to realize that it’s not the camera that captures the image. It’s all the other components – the lens, the framing, the lighting, and most importantly your understanding of the craft. But it’s also important to have a camera that you enjoy using and that inspires you to go out and shoot, so be sure to choose wisely. If you are interested in purchasing C100, It is currently priced at $5,499 at B & H. BMCC has now been reduced to $1999, also available through B & H.
