How to Set Up Proxy Recording on the Canon R5C (Fast & Easy)

Aug 22

Editing 8K RAW footage sounds like a filmmaker’s dream—until reality hits. You import that gorgeous Canon R5C footage into Premiere Pro, and suddenly your smooth workflow turns into a laggy mess. Every cut feels slow, your computer fans spin like a jet engine, and you start wondering if your laptop is about to give up.

I’ve been there. When I first rented the Canon R5C to test its powerful 8K RAW video, I loved the image quality but quickly realized editing those massive files wasn’t always practical. That’s when I turned to proxy recording.

But here’s the problem: when I searched online, no one explained it clearly. I tried copying other people’s settings, only to discover Premiere Pro wouldn’t even link the files correctly. It was frustrating—until I figured it out step by step.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to set up proxy recording on the Canon R5C and link it properly inside Premiere Pro, so you can finally edit smoothly without the headaches.

Why Proxy Recording Matters on the R5C

The Canon R5C delivers incredible image quality, especially in 8K RAW. But those files are massive. Editing them directly, even on a powerful machine like a MacBook Pro, can quickly become slow and unresponsive once you stack clips, add effects, or build multi-layer timelines.

Proxy files solve this by creating smaller, lightweight video versions that sync with your RAW footage. You edit with the proxies for smooth playback, then switch back to the full-resolution files when it’s time to color grade and export.

Step 1: Get the Right Card Setup

Before anything else, you’ll need two cards in your Canon R5C:

CFexpress card (for full-resolution recording like 8K RAW)
SD card (for proxy files)

Proxy recording only works when both are inserted.

Step 2: Adjust Camera Recording Settings

Switch your R5C to video mode.
Go into the Recording Media Setup menu.
Choose your main recording format. (Note: Proxy recording doesn’t work with HEVC formats.)
Set your main record destination to the CFexpress card.
Select RAW Light (saves storage while keeping quality) or another format you prefer.
Adjust your frame rate (e.g., 60 fps in my setup).

Step 3: Enable Proxy Recording

Go to the third page of the Recording Media Setup menu.
Under Second Card Record Function, choose “One Main and One Proxy.”
Select the recording format for your proxy file.

⚠️ Pro tip: Avoid MP4 H.264 for proxies—it won’t match correctly in Premiere Pro due to audio channel differences. Instead, use XF-AVC, which syncs perfectly.

Step 4: Set Proxy Color Conversion

If you want “ready-to-deliver” proxies, select a BT.709 option (Wide DR is best for dynamic range).
If you prefer flexibility and grading later, keep your proxy in C-Log 3 with Cinema Gamut, matching your main footage.

Step 5: Find Your Files on the Cards

When you finish recording:

On the CFexpress card, your RAW video files will be in the CRM folder.
On the SD card, your proxy files will be inside Contents/Clips.
Proxy file names match the RAW files, except they end with _P (for proxy).

Tip: Create a folder called Proxies on your computer to stay organized.

Step 6: Attach Proxies in Adobe Premiere Pro

Import your RAW footage into Premiere Pro.
Right-click your clips → Proxy → Attach Proxies.
In the Match File Properties window, select Media Start (not File Name). This ensures Premiere matches by timecode, since the file names differ slightly.
Navigate to your Proxies folder and select the matching proxy file.
Hit OK, and your proxy is attached!

Now you can toggle proxies on and off with a click, instantly switching between smooth editing and full-resolution playback.

Pro Tips for Editing with Proxies

Don’t color grade on proxies. They have less color depth and won’t give you the full grading range. Always turn proxies off when you move into color correction.
Don’t stress when exporting. Premiere Pro automatically exports using the full-resolution RAW files, not the proxies, even if proxies are turned on in the timeline. (There is a checkbox to force proxy export, but there’s almost no reason to use it.)

Wrapping Up

Setting up proxies on the Canon R5C doesn’t have to be confusing. Once you know the right settings and workflow, you’ll enjoy buttery-smooth editing without giving up the incredible quality of your 8K RAW files.

So next time your timeline lags, remember—proxy recording is your best friend.

If you have questions about the process, drop them in the comments below—I’d love to help. And stick around, because I’ll be sharing more Canon R5C tips and workflows in the coming weeks.

🎥 Now go set up your proxies, and edit like a pro.

Bruno Pozo