The Canon C500 MKII vs. the Sony FX9

With the new Canon C500 Mark II snagging headlines with its release at the end of last year, it’s time to compare it to some other, more recent camera models— like the Sony FX9. Both the FX9 and C500 MKII came out at the end of 2019, making them the ultimate competitors in the camera gear market. The question remains, however… which one is better? Let’s examine the major differences between the two! 

Price 

The first factor to note is the price difference. The Canon C500 MKII comes in at around $16k, whereas the FX9 is around $11k. That’s almost a 50% price jump! 

Frame Rates 

The C500 Mark II is capable of 60 fps at a full 4K resolution (unlike its predecessors), as is the FX9. However, the FX9 will have a future firmware update that will bring the camera up to 120fps at 4K. This could give the FX9 a major competitive edge over the C500 MKII.

Build 

The Canon C500 MKII is smaller and lighter, with a more modular build. This means it’s easier to handle and attach to gimbals. Meanwhile, the FX9 is larger, and meant to be more of a shoulder/tripod-use camera with a handle extension built into the body.

Stabilization 

When it comes to stabilization, both cameras work for different kinds of filmmakers. The C500 MK II has an internal electronic stabilization, which means that you don’t have to deal with stabilization issues as much in post production. While some people love this internal stabilization feature, some filmmakers like the rewarding challenges of the FX9’s lack of internal stabilization because they prefer to adjust and control how much stabilization occurs in a shot during post. 

Internal Variable ND System 

The FX9 takes the lead here! With an electronic internal variable ND system, you can actually make small increment changes in the FX9’s ND system to give you your perfect f-stop, exposure, and shutter speed. Meanwhile, the C500 MKII has just a filter wheel, which does not offer those tiny incremental changes you’d have using the FX9’s system.

Raw Recording & Resolution 

The C500 Mark II is capable of both a 6K resolution, as well as internal RAW recording. Meanwhile, the FX9 is only capable of recording in 4K, with no internal RAW recording. This goes some way to explaining the difference in price tag for the two cameras.

Conclusion 

Because each camera offers up some very prominent advantages and disadvantages over the other, it’s hard to say which camera is the best. Which camera is 'best' depends on your individual needs and preferences as a filmmaker: how you like to shoot and control stabilization, the format and resolution you need for your projects, and of course, your budget.

Stay tuned to the blog for more comparisons of the most popular gear on the market!

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