Canon Debuts New RF Prime Series of Cinema Lenses, Plus PTZ Camera & Controller

In an exciting development for filmmakers and cinematographers around the world, Canon has announced the new RF Prime series of cinema lenses. With a reputation for innovation and cutting-edge technology, Canon has once again pushed the boundaries of imaging to create a set of lenses that will enable filmmakers to refine their craft. But that’s not the only news coming from Canon today. The company has also unveiled the new CR-N100 PTZ camera and camera controller, built for various use cases including in houses of worship, events, broadcast, and more.  

Let’s dive into each of these newest releases.  

Canon RF Prime Cinema Lenses

At the heart of the new RF prime cinema lens series is a commitment to precision craftsmanship and optical performance. Each lens in the collection — Canon has released seven lenses in this announcement — is built for 8K video capture and HDR. These are the first lenses from Canon to natively integrate the RF mount.  

This new series includes 14mm, 20mm, 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, and 135mm lenses and all feature the same diameter and gear positioning. Built for full-frame, large-format cameras, these lenses can adapt to a wide variety of shooting scenarios.  

8K Video Shooting

The RF cinema primes are designed to meet the rigorous demands of professional filmmakers. They feature sharp resolution and color rendition, and cutting-edge optical innovation along with lens coatings that provide high-resolution 8K video footage.  

These new lenses feature Canon’s revered color science, including balance and skin tones, which means the lenses can accurately capture all types of subjects. The lenses also have reduced color bleeding as well as ghosting and flaring, thanks to the chromatic aberration correction and coatings, respectively. Filmmakers can achieve natural bokeh utilizing the 11-blade iris — a feature on each of the seven lenses. 

Improved Build

The Canon RF cinema lenses each feature a newly developed fixed ring design, which make handling and shooting even more user-friendly. Each lens in the collection is enabled with 300-degree focus rotation and a compact design, giving filmmakers a lightweight and feature-packed imaging option.  

Canon CR-N100 PTZ Camera & Controller

In an exciting leap forward for the world of professional videography and live streaming, Canon has released the CR-N100 PTZ camera and accompanying camera controller. Engineered with precision and equipped with cutting-edge technology, it’s designed to meet the diverse demands of today’s content creators and broadcasters. 

Canon CR-N100 PTZ Camera

Key Features

• 1/2.3” CMOS Sensor with Hybrid Auto Focus
• High Quality 4K 30P and Full HD 60P over HDMI and IP
• 20x Optical Zoom Lens with Optical Image Stabilization
• HDMI, IP, USB Video Out
• High-precision drive mechanism for smooth, responsive PTZ performance
• Tally lamp on the front of the lens to indicate camera status at a glance
• Supports PoE+, variety of serial/IP control protocol support include Canon XC Protocol, Standard Control for Easy Integration into any Production Environment
• Supports Canon’s Webcam Driver
• Built-in NDI|HX and SRT support
• Add-On Application support

The new CR-N100 PTZ camera boasts versatility and performance, all in a compact and affordable unit. The camera includes a built-in 1/2.3-inch CMOS image sensor that can deliver 4K UHD video at 30 fps, or up to 60 fps in Full HD, alongside a DIGIC DV6 Image Processor for high-quality images. A 4K 20x optical zoom lens has a 65.6-degree viewing angle for capturing wide shots.  

Additional features include a tally lamp, scene modes, hybrid auto-focus, integrated NDI|HX and SRT support, as well as support for Canon XC protocol.  

A total of three output interfaces allows users to connect via HDMI, USB, and IP, and a 3.5 mini jack provides audio capture through the internal mic terminal.  

Canon RC-IP1000 PTZ Controller

Finally, rounding out the series of announcements from Canon is the RC-IP1000 PTZ controller for smooth pan-tilt-zoom movements and control. With a center 7-inch touchscreen, 42 buttons, and 14 dials, the controller can control up to 200 cameras over IP. Built specifically for extensive multi-camera productions, the controller can effortlessly manage and switch between multiple PTZ cameras. Additionally, users can set up and execute precise camera movements, presets, and simultaneous settings for multiple cameras, putting precision and creativity at your fingertips, and ensuring you capture the perfect shot every time. 

Conclusion

From the captivating precision of the series of Canon RF prime cinema lenses to the dynamic versatility of the PTZ camera and the seamless control offered by the camera controller, these innovations empower creators to push the boundaries of creativity.