The best kit for shooting corporate video and photos

What are the main considerations when it comes to choosing the best kit for corporate video and photography? Whether you're a small business startup or an established global corporation, versatility is key. Nowadays, you might have to go from shooting corporate headshots to streaming a product launch event for social media, all before lunch. Selecting a two-camera setup or a hybrid solution that enables effortless switching from stills to video, therefore, is becoming ever more important.

This year also saw Otto bolster his corporate video camera equipment – adding a Canon EOS C70 and Canon EOS R5 combo to his kitbag, which already included a Canon EOS C200 and Canon EOS R. Here, and in the video below, he explains what these new tools bring to his corporate video production, as well as offering advice for businesses looking to produce their own corporate videos, while John Maurice and Jack Adair from Canon Europe share their technical insight and suggest alternative cameras to consider.

The Canon EOS C70 is the first Cinema EOS camera to feature an RF lens mount, making it easy to share lenses with EOS R System cameras. "With the optional Mount Adapter EF-EOS R 0.71x, you can also attach EF lenses," adds Canon Europe Product Marketing Specialist, Jack Adair. "So whether you're investing in newer RF lenses or you already have EF glass, it gives you a lot more versatility with your lens options."

Audio clarity is just as important as image quality when it comes to delivering a clear corporate message. The EOS C70 comes with four-channel audio recording and two mini XLR inputs. "That means that if you're recording anything, from a single person interview to a corporate roundtable discussion, you can do it all with one camera," Jack explains.

"If you've got an EOS R5 or an EOS R6 then you can immediately take a few photos as well," John continues. "So, you might have your video interview all set up, but you can quickly switch straight into stills mode to take some behind-the-scenes shots."

With its wealth of connection options, including Wi-Fi, USB-C, HDMI and 12G-SDI, it's simple to integrate the Canon XF605 into a multi-camera setup for recording and streaming. It also has the ability to shoot in Canon Log 3, which when combined with other cameras also set to record in Log 3, ensures matching footage that makes post-production workflow more streamlined and efficient.

"If you're shooting something that's going to be shown later, be it an interview, a meeting or a product demo, and you want to give it that really cinematic look, Canon Log lets you take it into grading and editing and make it look beautiful," says Jack. "If you need a faster turnaround, then Wide DR, HLG or PQ format will give you a really nice image straight out of the camera."

The EOS R6 can record high-quality 10-bit 4:2:2 video at 4K resolution. "This effectively gives you another shot if you're using Full HD as your final output, as you're able to punch into the full-frame in post," adds John.

"Another useful feature, if you're a corporation that wants to produce more video content for social media, is that the EOS R6 and EOS R5 support vertical video shooting. So they will let the workflow editing software know that the footage was filmed vertically, and the timeline will be transformed to a vertical one."

"We mostly use the EOS R5 with a Canon RF 85mm F2 MACRO IS STM lens or Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II USM via the Mount Adapter EF-EOS R," he explains. Telephoto lenses are perfect for tight headshots filmed from secondary positions – when shooting talking head content, for example. Having both lenses allows Otto to position a third camera for an even wider range of possible angles.

"We also use the EOS R5 on a gimbal with the Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM when we want to show a location," Otto continues. "We normally balance the gimbal for 24 or 25mm and then, because the camera and lens are so lightweight, we can zoom wider or closer, and we don't have to change anything."

The main RF lens range now offers coverage from 14mm to 800mm and is designed to meet the requirements of both photography and video recording. "They are true hybrid lenses, with smooth silent focusing and smooth aperture control," says John. "And they enable creative teams to be flexible and provide whatever a company asks them to – be that capturing events, livestreaming, corporate headshots or internal communications."