Canon EOS C300 Digital Cinema Camera up for $16k pre-order

Canon has thrown its EOS C300 Digital Cinema Camera up for pre-order, though you'll need deep pockets if you want to take delivery of the 4k-capable camcorder later this month. Set to ship from January 30, the EOS C300 is priced at $15,999 – a hefty chunk, though lower than Canon's original $20k estimate – with both EF mount and PL mount versions on offer. Meanwhile, a variety of Canon Cine lenses have also been put up for pre-order too.

In fact, the lenses are actually more expensive than the C300 itself, each carrying a sticker in excess of $40k. The Canon CN-E 14.5-60mm T2.6 L S Cinema Zoom Lens with EF Mount comes in at $42,750, as does the Canon CN-E 14.5-60mm T2.6 L SP Cinema Zoom Lens with PL Mount. $44,650 gets you the Canon CN-E 30-300mm T2.95-3.7 L S EF Mount Cinema Zoom Lens or the Canon CN-E 30-300mm T2.95-3.7 L SP PL Mount Cinema Zoom Lens.

Inside the C300 there's an 8.29-megapixel Super 35mm CMOS sensor, while on the outside there's a 4-inch rotating 1.23-megapixel LCD preview display and dual-CompactFlash memory card slots. Recording is in Canon's 4:2:2 50 Mb/s MPEG-2 XF codec, and if the Cine lenses are looking too rich for your blood then you'll be pleased to hear that the company's existing DSLR lenses are supported too.

Sample clips from the EOS C300 can be found here.

[via CanonRumors - thanks Paul!]