The EOS C300 Mark II, a new 4K video camera with outstanding dynamic range and twice as fast as the original EOS C300,  according to Canon, offers multiple new features that need to be understood by users. Canon published free documentation that goes beyond the manual and explains how to get the best results from the camera.

The first document is entitled “Image Performance Enhancements in the EOS C300 Mark II”. Written by Larry Thorpe, from Canon’s Customer Experience Innovation Division, the White Paper indicates that “the new camera is intended to significantly extend the overall image performance of HD beyond that of the C300 while further supporting the alternative 2K cinema format. A 15-stop dynamic range is provided by a new photodiode design that simultaneously lowers the noise floor while elevating the saturation level – offering excellent HDR functionality and much more.”

Through 16 pages packed with information, images, and diagrams, users get to understand the decisions Canon took when designing this new camera. The information available will help users to better comment on the features of this new model and, no doubt, will answer some questions still waiting to be answered. It will also provide the basis for more discussion around the EOS C300 Mark II and Canon’s Cinema EOS line.

The White Paper Image Performance Enhancements in the EOS C300 Mark II is not the only document available from Canon regarding this camera and the use it makes of 4K. Canon issued three more documents that can be downloaded and will help reviewers, users and those interested into the subject to fully understand the system.

The second White Paper in the series is “Extended Recording Capabilities in the EOS C300 Mark II”. It covers, as the name suggests, the changes from the initial model regarding recording. Canon says that “the new C300 Mark II camcorder offers significantly elevated video performance and expanded operational capabilities. Unlike its predecessor, the C300 Mark II offers a choice of 2K or HD. Most important, it greatly extends on-board recording capabilities by deploying a new codec based upon the more advanced MPEG-4 H.264 Advanced Video Coding (AVC) compression algorithm.

“Ergonomic and Operational Enhancements to C300 Mark II” is the name of the third White Paper. Canon states that “from the extraordinary diversity of productions done with a large body of C300 camcorders around the globe for the ensuing four years a great deal of commentary and suggestions based upon those shooting experiences were gathered, the new EOS C300 Mark II embodies many of these suggestions while also incorporating innovative enhancements to both imaging and recording capabilities. On-set systemization has been greatly enhanced by a coordinated design with a new on-set 4K reference display.”

Finally, the last White Paper covers 4K implementation. Entitled “What Constitutes a High Performance 4K Lens?” it deals with the definition of a 4K lens. According to Canon, “a 4K lens must anticipated a wide range of productions – including theatrical motion pictures, major television dramas and episodics, commercials, and a diverse range of non-entertainment origination. So what are the performance parameters that collectively define 4K optical performance? “The White Paper, signed by Larry Thorpe, as the remaining documents, enumerates these parameters and discusses user expectations.

These documents are all available for download as .pdf. Follow the links (click on the title of each White Paper), to download them to your computer. The four White Papers offer 54 pages of reading that will put you up to speed when it comes to discussing the Canon EOS C300 Mark II.