New Cameras – keep yourself up to date

A large number of new cameras have recently been announced by manufacturers. They’ll soon be released to the market and, more than likely, will soon appear on your kit lists, so here’s our summary of what’s what so you can be armed with info when you need it.

ARRI ALEXA Mini

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.

• Has a 4:3 ALEV III sensor
• Can record 4K UHD ProRes images
• Capable of 0.75-200 fps
• Interchangeable mounts allow PL, B4 or EF lenses
• Can be operated via wireless remote control
• Uses CFast 2 cards

ARRI ALEXA SXT

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.

• Full range comprises ALEXA SXT EV, ALEXA SXT Plus and ALEXA SXT Studio
• 3 independent HD-SDI outputs allowing multiple, varied feeds to be viewed on set
• A new type of look file and a new 3D LUT table

Canon C300 Mark II

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.

• New XF-AVC codec
• Uses CFast cards
• 120 fps at 2K (cropped sensor)
• EF mount, PL mount and EF with Cinema Lock options
• On-board monitor is now an OLED screen

Canon XC10

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.

• New XF-AVC codec
• Up to ISO 20,000 and built-in ND filter
• Optical image stabilizer
• Vari-angle 3” LCD
• 8bit 4:2:2 internal recording to 305 mpbs in 4K

Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera

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).

• Features a global shutter
• 13 stops of dynamic range
• Built-in RAW or ProRes recording
• HDMI connector for monitoring video output on any monitor
• Records to SD cards
• 3.5mm stereo input for external microphones

Blackmagic Micro Studio Camera

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.

• Features a global shutter
• Bi-directional optical fibre
• SDI and other broadcast grade connections
• Full HD 10” viewfinder

Blackmagic URSA Mini

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.

• 15 stops DR (with global shutter)
• 12 stops DR (with rolling shutter)
• Magnesium camera body
• Lightweight and durable
• Up to 60 fps 4.6K and up to 160 fps HD

RED WEAPON DRAGON

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.

• Capable of recording R3D plus a scaled version of same footage as ProRes – for example 6K master plus 2K ProRes up to 60 fps
• ProRes output via Ethernet
• 17x17x17 3D LUTs
• Interchangable I/O expanders enabling a variety of rigs
• Available in carbon fibre or magnesium
• Onboard wireless connectivity allowing remote camera control using iOS or Android mobile devices

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015