RED SCARLET & CANON c300

[Nick Pasquariello]

The files open instantaneously in Avid and Adobe without transcoding plus the native codec is extremely robust and great for grading. It's not RAW, it's not 4K, but it has very good dynamic range and is particularly good in low light. Throw in it's excellent build quality, cheap flash media and batteries that last for hours, then it suddenly looks like a very good choice for 1080 doco or promo shooting. I used it in extreme conditions on a Royal Navy shoot last week, the camera performed flawlessly - Scarlet simply would have been the wrong choice for that job. This weeks job is another matter and Epic fits bill...

All accurate. If you read on after my statement that you quoted, it's that the C300's files are horrible to work with utilizing Canon's own Utility and FCP Plugin. I haven't worked with it in Adobe or Avid, and I'm sure this is yet another example of FCP lagging way, way behind.

[Daniel Meador]

This camera, that camera. It's exhausting after awhile.
Bottom line. Image. Red has it. Now I need to find the thread
on R3D files in post. And if Reducation at $2500 is
worthwhile or I'd be better using the money for a lens.

[MichaelJQuill]

Daniel, don't know anything about Reducation, but if I were you I'd spend that money on new glass and then increase your skills by just shooting more.

[Mike Garrick]

Had these 2 camera side by side the other day. I'm not going to bang on about about tech specs, others can do that better.

However the biggest difference between the 2 (outside of raw) is built quality. The C300 is very "plasticky". This camera is light, I question just how long this camera will last in the TV/eng field. My background is broadcast so I get where this camera is aimed at, TV!. Passing around a few highly experienced TV cameramen they had similar reactions to myself. I wouldn't be taking this camera to Afganistan or media scrum around Julian Assange .

There is a problem with the exposure control mounted atop the handle, everyone preferred Scarlet's side handle, thumb toggle, fast & easy. The whole hot shoe mount screen whilst really flexible isn't what I call "rock solid". Feeling was to ditch the provided screen & go with a third party evf. This camera reminds me a lot of Canons EX 1 (yucko) in form factor or as I call "pro-sumer cam" style ( apologies to those shooters its not you, its just the way this camera compare to pro broadcast camera's etc). I cannot imagine the C500 with similar build quality and anyone being happy with it for the extra dollars. Is it similar?

Having said that if you take this camera carefully packed on location this camera will be fine. CS300 strength for me is its low light ability or was that no light ability. I always work with gaffers so I don't really need it. It is easier to hand hold than Scarlet (weights less) . Workflow out of the camera is good & is what some TV productions are after, I reckon TV magazine type stuff. However higher end alexa/epic/scarlet it ain't. You can "push & pull" your grading & the picture doesn't fall apart, nice change from 5d codec crap. Battery options are better than Scarlet but hey its recording less data...likewise media.

In conclusion Scarlet is aimed at different market entirely, the C300 I can't help but feel is overpriced...but there are some nice features, if you need them. I reckon the 2 camera together could work well. My biggest questions when compared to Scarlet is this a great camera or just an average camera ? Also how will its price/codec be judged against the FS7000 or BM or Kineraw on re-sale or is it designed to be a throwaway camera ?