View Full Version : Canon XF300 VS. C200


Bob Safay
July 7th, 2018, 04:36 PM
This may be a dumb question, but I currently use the Canon XF300 and love it, I love the color and the overall quality of the video that I shoot. However I have been considering upgrading to the C200. I wonder if anyone has ever had the opportunity to compare the overall video quality of the XF300's 50 mbps 4:2:2: to the C200's 35 mbps 4:2:0? I am NOT interested in shooting RAW at this time, and I do not want the C100 II due to the XLR's being on the handle. Also, I shoot primarily wildlife and nature video and post on Vimeo and UTube. Bob

Gary Huff
July 8th, 2018, 07:13 AM
This is one of this instances where the numbers don't tell the whole story because you are comparing MPEG-2 50Mbps to MPEG-4 35Mbps. You won't be able to tell any difference, because the whole image from the C200 will be so radically different you won't even be able to compare. With the larger sensor on the C200, you'll see more detail and have a more cinematic looking shallow depth of field. On top of that, borrow or rent a CFast card and you'll have full DCI 4K 12-bit/10-bit Cine Raw Light, but even then you might not be able to tell a difference just by looking at it.

Bob Safay
July 11th, 2018, 05:15 AM
Gary, So other than DOF and more detail I really won't see that much difference between the XF300 and the C200? CFast cards are out of the question, as are Sony SxS cards because when I travel I generally shoot 6-8 hours of video.

Nate Haustein
July 11th, 2018, 07:58 AM
If it’s space you’re worried about, and the expense of cards, I came across this life changing little device a few weeks ago. Works with anything. I plug in my Atomos SSD drive and it copies right over. Western Digital Passport Wireless Pro: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1244324-REG/wd_wdbp2p0020bbk_nesn_2tb_my_passport_wireless.html/BI/2855/KBID/3801

Gary Huff
July 11th, 2018, 03:48 PM
Gary, So other than DOF and more detail I really won't see that much difference between the XF300 and the C200?

No, you will see an incredible amount of difference in favor of the C200.

Bob Safay
July 12th, 2018, 08:01 AM
Gary, thank you for the clarification. I am considering renting a C200 for a three day weekend to really test it. Thanks again. Bob

Bob Safay
July 12th, 2018, 08:02 AM
Nate, thank you. Do you plug the C200 into the passport or just the card reader? Bob

Nate Haustein
July 12th, 2018, 01:21 PM
Hi Bob. While I haven’t tried the WD Passport with a C200 card myself, I would assume you would just plug in the USB card reader. That’s how it works with the SSDs and USB sticks I’ve copied over at least.

Steven Davis
July 12th, 2018, 08:03 PM
I have both and continue to use both the C200 and XF300. I upgraded to my C200 because I wanted to stop using on-camera lighting. I've always had a fit with the XF300 and low light. And since you can't adjust the XF300 gain on the fly, it became really tiresome to have grainy footage all the time.

The best thing about the Canon C200 over the XF300 is the low light capability. I'm shooting low lit scenes in 5000k ISO comfortably. An insane thought to try with my XF300.

Don't get me wrong, I love my XF300s, They are my workhorses, and given the right amount of light, they produce beautiful images. The auto focus on them is great.

I currently use both cameras for like a ceremony, my XF300 is my zoomer up and down the aisle, and my C200 runs in 4k so I can have wide shots and crop in.

I was going to fly my C200 on my Steadicam scout, but it's just as heavy as the XF300, so I've been using a monopod with my C200, and that makes me happy.

One of my main issues with the C200 is it devours batteries. Even if I'm in manual focus, I get about an hour on the small batteries, and the huge batter about 2.5 times that. Of all my cameras, the C200 drains batteries the fasted.

I spent three months of research and tested out a C200 before I bought one. I'm very happy I did.

Bob Safay
July 15th, 2018, 08:09 AM
Steven, thanks for the information. I will be taking two major trips in the coming months. Kenya in August for the migration and then Argentina and Chili in November/December. I thing I'll hold off getting any new equipment until after that. The XF300 has served me well and have taken it on many trips. The truth is, the C200, do I really need it? NO. Do I really want it? YES. So I guess I stay with what I have since after 6 years, I have finally figured out all the bells and whistles on it. And as you said, it really does produce great images. Bob