Field testing the
Canon EOS C80
with Carolina Nunes

“I love the idea of bringing stories to life,” says cinematographer Carolina Nunes. “When I read a script, especially narrative ones, I start thinking about how to capture that visually. It’s a completely different way of storytelling.”

Carolina first felt the thrill of capturing stories as a child, playing with her father’s VHS camera. The fascination with film grew as she did, and by the age of 17, she had moved to London, immersing herself in the world of film production.

“I’ve always been passionate about filmmaking,” Carolina says. “But it was during my time at university that I realised cinematography was my calling. The process of thinking visually, of capturing a story on camera, is what truly captivates me.”

Early on, Carolina worked as a videographer for Time Inc., where she was tasked with capturing everything from behind-the-scenes footage of fashion shoots to short documentaries. It was in these often-unpredictable environments that Carolina developed her keen eye for detail and her ability to tell compelling visual stories on the fly.

Carolina was one of the first cinematographers to trial the Canon EOS C80, taking the new Cinema EOS camera to a range of locations for three very different yet demanding shoots across the United Kingdom. Her aim was to see how this camera could aid her in telling stories visually.

When Carolina was handed the Canon EOS C80 for her productions, she was curious about how it would perform. The Canon EOS C80 is a step up from her existing camera, the Canon EOS C70, but with improved performance in low light, image quality and even connectivity, she found the Canon EOS C80 ideal for filmmakers like herself, who need a camera that can adapt to ever-demanding and ever-changing content creation needs.

This capability is a game-changer for filmmakers shooting in uncontrolled environments. Whether filming a dawn sequence or a dimly lit interior, the EOS C80’s sensor adapts, providing sharp, detailed footage. The camera also includes inbuilt ND filters, allowing for full flexibility in the camera, from low-light to strong key-light situations.

For Carolina, who often works in unpredictable settings, this feature alone makes the EOS C80 a worthy upgrade for any filmmaker.

Carolina, known for her precise framing and love for handheld shots, was particularly impressed by the EOS C80.

Similar in size and weight to her previous camera, the Super 35mmCanon EOS C70, the full-frame Canon EOS C80 is still small enough to fit in tight spots yet more powerful, able to deliver 6K full-frame RAW footage . Its design caters to cinematographers who need to move quickly, adjust, and still capture high-quality visuals.

In addition to what is inside the camera, exterior changes to the camera body, such as improvements to the top handle, makes it more ergonomic too.

"It's super lightweight and easy to rig," says Carolina. "I love that you can place it just about anywhere. It's small, but it still has all the features you'd need from a cinema camera."

Whether filming in challenging terrain like rugged cliffs or capturing close-up shots in a studio, as Carolina experienced, the EOS C80 is designed to adapt to various environments.

The 6K full frame Back-Side Illuminated stacked CMOS sensor in the EOS C80 is another feature that impressed Carolina, in comparison to her experience on the EOS C70.

“The full frame gives you more creative control over the depth of field,” she explains. “It helped immerse us in the character’s world, making the visuals feel more surreal and less traditional.”

BSI sensors are a major step up from traditional CMOS sensors, allowing for greater low-light capabilities and minimised rolling shutter effect. This is thanks to the sensor circuitry being positioned beneath the imaging plane, providing more efficient light capture.

The combination of the full-frame sensor and the EOS C80’s ability to shoot in 6K allowed Carolina to capture the vastness of the Welsh landscapes with striking clarity. The sensor’s ability to render rich colours and fine details, even in challenging lighting conditions, contributed to the film’s overall aesthetic, adding a layer of visual depth that enhanced the storytelling.

A standout feature Carolina appreciated was the EOS C80's advanced connectivity, particularly the 12G-SDI output, which is typically found only in larger, high-end cinema cameras. This capability allows the seamless distribution of 4K signals to various crew members, including the focus puller, director, and client, enhancing collaboration on set.

“We relied on the connectivity aspects for both the short film and spec ads,” Carolina says. “You can wirelessly connect it to your tablet or phone, see the framing, adjust the settings and press record – all without needing a monitor.

Carolina found this particular useful in situations where the camera was rigged up in out of reach places, or when shooting solo. “It's especially useful when you're filming by yourself, or you don't have a spare monitor. You can just connect it to your tablet or your phone and see the frame," she says.

Despite its compact size, the EOS C80 delivers all the professional connectivity expected from a cinema camera, including mini-XLR inputs for audio, timecode input for syncing with other devices, HDMI output, a Multi-Function Shoe, and built-in Wi-Fi/Ethernet for remote control and IP streaming.

As Carolina pushes her craft and tackles new projects, she knows the tools she chooses matter. The Canon EOS C80 is one she trusts. It’s a camera that doesn’t just do the job – it raises the bar . For an EOS C70 user, the EOS C80 is a natural upgrade.

“The EOS C80 is compact, powerful, and versatile,” Carolina concludes. “It’s the kind of camera that can adapt to whatever you throw at it, making it a perfect tool for anyone looking to create cinematic content.

"Our VFX supervisor was really happy because the EOS C80 saves all the information we need, like lens settings and distortion data, which is crucial for matching shots in post." This capability, she explains, makes the EOS C80 an excellent choice for filmmakers looking to integrate live-action footage with digital effects smoothly.

For filmmakers at any level, the Canon EOS C80 offers more than capturing footage – it offers a means to tell a story in a realistic, professional way.