Why isn't open gate recording available on the C80?

[easd]

No official explanation why open gate recording was excluded from the C80 when the C400, C50, R6 III has it. 

Obviously the limiting factor isn't SD cards, because you can record 7K 30fps open gate in XF-HEVC S to the SD card on the C50. 

Now I'm more baffled as to why a much cheaper photo camera like the R6 III can do open gate while the cinema line C80 couldn't.

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

This is definitely something to make a feature request for.  

Canon USA homepage, [+]Feedback in the top right or very bottom middle of the page, then > product and leave your request / feedback.  This ensures your request makes it to the correct team.  

https://www.usa.canon.com/

[AtticusLake]

Go ahead and ask, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if it simply can't be done.  The C80, being relatively older, may just not have the hardware to read and encode the full sensor.

I think a lot of people imagine that things like this are firmware issues, but I can tell you (from years of experience) that there is no meaningful processing that you can do on video in real-time in software.  You need hardware support of some kind.  And if that isn't there, then it's not happening.

[easd]

I did write in to Canon to ask, didn't get an answer. The C400 has the exact same sensor and processor per Canon's own specs, but it's gonna get open gate.

I wish Canon was more upfront if certain highly requested features are not available rather than being silent about it.

[ValQ]

I completely agree - and it should be possible. The C80 isn't "relatively old" and shares a lot of the same hardware as the C400. If it can process 6K RAW LT in real time, that's enough processor overhead to process Open Gate in XFAVC. I've been told by one Canon rep that if there's enough interest in it, they would look into it. It's a complete joke that the C80 now stands as an island surrounded by both cheaper and more expensive cameras that all have it. I am thoroughly disappointed that this feature is not supported as I need to produce 9:16 cuts for just above every video I make - and the C80's form factor and capabilities are otherwise perfect for my needs - Open Gate would make my workflow so much better - and I don't want a C50 or R6 MkIII. P.S. Oh wow, thanks Canon for your gift of View Assist on the latest Firmware update - a feature that should have been there to begin with as they added it to the C70 years ago. I really feel like they Canon doesn't care about C80 owners now.

[RazB]

Not a C80 owner (got a C400), but I feel you and it is very disappointing.

I might have the possibility to shoot 3:2 open gate now, but the lack of AVC/HEVC recording options in that mode (can only be done in RAW) is ridiculous.

Even 6K, not open gate, can't be recorded in those codecs while their mirrorless from years ago can do 8K HEVC.

We need other recording options for these modes rather than RAW, which I'm sure won't be an issue with SD cards and therefore can be available for the C80 as well.

[ValQ]

Congrats on getting Open Gate on your C400! I was tempted to purchase that camera but just didn't need some of the I/O options. Yes, I totally agree that RAW shouldn't be the only option for using Open Gate or 6K for that matter. It would be so much more useful to have compressed codecs like AVC/HEVC in those modes. I don't really understand why not? Is it a processor limitation? The R6 Mark III, on the other hand, can do 7K 10-bit 4:2:2 LongGOP and output to an SD card. Not sure if it has more processing power but you'd think that if this is possible non RAW 6K and Open 6K Gate to SD should be options.

[RazB]

Thanks!

Still didn't update mine as I'm on a busy schedule and I never do firmware updates in the middle of things, but I'm eager to try the 3:2 open gate mode for sure 🙂

If HEVC 6K and 3:2 6K are not possible due to lack of processing power that is rather disappointing and would mean that an older mirrorless, the R5 from 2020, has enough processing power to do 8K HEVC while the latest cinema cameras from late 2024 are behind.

I love my C400 and Canon offering 3:2 open gate mode is an appropriated step in the right direction, but they needs to understand the current demand and that this mode is likely to be more useful to many users in non-RAW codecs rather than in RAW.

Happy to see they finally gave you the ability to review footage in camera on the C80 with view assist! Should have been there from day 1, but at least you have it now.

Hoping that Canon is listening and that we both get 6K and 6K 3:2 HEVC recording options on the next round of firmware updates.