Canon announces 27x portable broadcast zoom lens, next-generation digital drive unit

Canon U.S.A., Inc. debuted the CJ27ex7.3B, Canon’s first 2/3-inch portable lens with a class-leading 27x optical zoom, expanding and strengthening the company’s extensive broadcast lens lineup. The new lens is classified as a UHDxs lens, Canon’s highest image quality rating for broadcast optics. The lens spans a focal range of 7.3mm to 197mm. With a built-in 2x extender, the lens’ maximum telephoto reach increases to 394mm.

“Canon is committed to providing the best equipment possible to enhance visual storytelling,” said Brian Mahar, senior vice president and general manager, Canon U.S.A. Inc.  “The new lens we are introducing will result in strikingly sharp video footage for audiences watching news, entertainment, sports, and more.”

The CJ27ex7.3B lens is designed to be portable, with the mobility of a conventional ENG (Electronic News Gathering) lens. The 27x zoom ratio, typically only available in 2/3-inch box lenses, is now offered in a portable lens with the introduction of the CJ27ex7.3B. The versatile focal length lens is equally at home in hand-held news, live sports, and broadcast studios.

The new lens also features Canon’s next-generation drive unit, the e-Xs V. The new drive unit features an angled 20-pin connector and a built-in USB-C connector, giving users a better experience with equipment setup and maintenance and improving operability with an updated display menu, the company claims. Also, Focus Breathing Compensation, a feature for ENG lens that helps minimize image distortion when racking focus, and Automatic Restoration of Illumination Attenuation (ARIA) technology is supported to help minimize the effects of f-drop/ramping as the lens zooms.