ARRI first announced this new mini version of their popular ALEXA camera backin February. It’s capable of capturing the same quality of images as it’s big brother the ALEXA but is compact, lightweight and self-contained and therefore good forspecialist applications like gimbal rigs, drones and cranes plus any shooting condition where space is confined.
ARRI have also announced this new range of ALEXAs which replace the current ALEXA XT line up. Using the same 3.4K ALEV III sensor of previous ALEXAs and the electronics of the ALEXA 65, they offer a further improved image quality as well as ProRes 4K, UHD and ProRes 4K Cine shooting options. The SXT shoots Open Gate, 4:3 or 16:9 in ARRIRAW or ProRes and utilizes the advanced colour management engine originally developed for the AMIRA.
Canon finally announced the much anticipated C300 Mark II, boasting 4K internal recording, 4K RAW externally, 12bit 4:4:4 HD or 2K and 15 stops of dynamic range. It’s compact for its capabilities plus it has a more heavy duty build than its predecessor so is more resilient and sturdy.
An extremely compact DSLR style camcorder capable of recording 4K video to CFast cards and HD or stills to SD cards plus offering 12 stops DR with CLog using a 1” CMOS sensor and a 10x optical zoom lens.
Firstly and as the name suggests, this camera is tiny – not much larger than the Micro Four Thirds lens mount around which it’s designed. It’s made of magnesium alloy so it’s durable and lightweight and works for a range of rigs, copters and action shots. It has a super 16mm HD 1080 sensor. As well as having controllable buttons on the front of the camera, an expansion port means it’s possible to access many of the camera’s functions via remote control (with an additional, third party device).
Also very small in size, the Micro Studio is designed for live production. It features a built-in colour corrector, two-way digital talkback, a tally indicator, PTZ control output and an MFT lens mount that can be adapted for B4 mount lenses. The 6G-SDI output and program return input allow the camera to be controlled remotely from any ATEM switcher. Different to the Micro Cinema, the Micro studio can record HD or UHD.
Responding to similar releases by competitors, Blackmagic Design have announced this, a camera much smaller than the previous URSA and with a more compact, more functional 5” LCD. Four models of URSA Mini are available: EF or PL mount with 4K image sensor and EF or PL mount with 4.6K image sensor. It also allows the user to switch between global shutter and rolling shutter.
RED, manufacturers of the EPIC, ONE and DRAGON, have unveiled the WEAPON, an upgraded version of the DRAGON but smaller in size and designed for mounting on drones and rigs. It has a 6K sensor and can record R3D and ProRes simultaneously in camera. An upgrade will be available by the end of 2016 enabling 8K.
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015