Camera category nominees announced
The camera industry in 2022 was a year of excitement with the introduction of mirrorless cameras with enhanced video functions from various companies. Panasonic’s GH6 realizes recording modes such as 5.7K60P, C4K120P, and Apple ProRes 422 HQ at a price below 300,000 yen. Fujifilm’s X-H2S supports 6.2K30P and 4K120P movie shooting. Canon’s EOS R7 has extended the maximum video recording time from the previous 29 minutes and 59 seconds to a maximum of 6 hours. Specifications that were difficult to reach until now are now available in the middle class. Although it is not a flagship, I have the impression that there were more unique models released than usual.
The appearance of a new super 35mm digital cinema camera from a cinema camera manufacturer was also an impressive event. ARRI released the “Alexa 35”, which has a wide dynamic range of 17 stops and can record up to 120fps in native 4K UHD, and RED released the “V-RAPTOR RHINO 8K S35”, which incorporates an 8K, 35.4MP S35 CMOS sensor. Super 35 is still a popular format in the cinema industry, and it can be said that a new product has appeared in response to such demand.
Here are the products nominated in the camera category:
■ Sony FX30
Release date: October 14, 2022
Suggested retail price: 273,900 yen excluding tax (body only)
The FX30 is a new Cinema Line product, an interchangeable lens camera equipped with a newly developed APS-C size CMOS image sensor. Equipped with the look and operability of Cinema Line, it supports video recording with rich gradation with 14+ stops of wide latitude and high frame rate video recording of up to 120fps at high resolution 4K. In addition, the high-precision AF performance cultivated in the development of the α digital SLR camera, combined with a wide range of E-mount lenses, provides impressive bokeh rendering and clear resolution, enabling cinema-like image expression. .
■ SONY FR7
Release date: November 11, 2022
Suggested retail price: 1,320,000 yen excluding tax
The FR7 is equipped with a full-size back-illuminated CMOS image sensor “Exmor R” and features high sensitivity, low noise, and beautiful bokeh. In addition, Sony’s abundant E-mount lenses can be attached. You can select a lens that matches your image expression from a wide range of lenses covering focal lengths from 12mm wide-angle to 1200mm super-telephoto. In addition, by installing “S-Cinetone”, it is possible to shoot with natural tones that make the subject stand out beautifully, with rich expressiveness in the neutral tones of human skin. In addition, it is said that it will be equipped with a “Cine EI” mode that enables recording with a wide dynamic range and wide color gamut by “S-Log3” and “S-Gamut3”.
■ SONY VENICE 2
Release date: March 2022
Suggested retail price: Open. Estimated market price is around 6,800,000 yen for VENICE 2 8K (main unit only) and around 6,200,000 yen for VENICE 2 6K (main unit only)
The VENICE 2 is a model equipped with an 8.6K full-frame image sensor and a top-of-the-line digital cinema camera equipped with a 6K image sensor. Both models support internal recording via X-OCN or Apple 4K ProRes 4444 and 422 HQ recording formats. Compared to when VENICE and the portable memory recorder AXS-R7 are attached, VENICE 2 is 44mm smaller in length and about 10% lighter, realizing improved mobility during shooting.
■ Canon EOS R5C
Release date: March 10, 2022
Suggested retail price: Open, estimated market price is around 650,000 yen including tax
The EOS R5 C is a digital cinema camera that allows you to use the movie performance of the CINEMA EOS SYSTEM and the high still image performance that follows the mirrorless camera “EOS R5”. Equipped with an approximately 45-megapixel full-size CMOS sensor and image engine “DIGIC X”, in addition to 8K30P RAW video, built-in recording of 8K60P RAW video with external power supply is realized. In addition, by reading out all 8K effective pixels, it is possible to generate high-quality 4K 4:2:2 10-bit video by oversampling. In addition, the heat dissipation structure and built-in heat dissipation fan enable longer video shooting compared to EOS R5.
■ Canon EOS R7
Release date: June 23, 2022
Suggested retail price: Open. Canon online store price is 203,500 yen including tax
The EOS R7 is equipped with a newly developed APS-C size CMOS sensor with a maximum effective pixel count of approximately 32.5 million pixels, and the image engine “DIGIC X” realizes the highest resolution performance in EOS history with an APS-C size CMOS sensor. In addition, 7K oversampling realizes high-quality 4K video recording and supports Canon Log 3, meeting the needs of video creators who are particular about image quality. For movie shooting, the upper limit of one movie recording time has been expanded from the conventional 29 minutes and 59 seconds to a maximum of 6 hours. Continuous shooting is possible for up to 1 hour and 30 minutes even for high frame rate movies. It also features support for long-length shooting such as documentaries and long turns.
■ Canon EOS R6 Mark II
Release date: December 25, 2022
Suggested retail price: Open. Canon official store price is 396,000 yen including tax
The EOS R6 Mark II features a 24.2-megapixel full-size CMOS sensor and a video engine “DIGIC X” that achieves both high resolution and high sensitivity with a maximum standard ISO of 102400. It is equipped with an in-body 5-axis image stabilization mechanism, and through cooperative control with the RF lens equipped with an in-lens optical image stabilization mechanism, it exhibits an image stabilization effect of up to 8.0 stops. The video performance realizes 4K60P video shooting with 6K oversampling without cropping and full HD 180P high frame rate video shooting. In addition, it is said that it will meet the diversifying needs of video production with video recording methods that suit the application, such as support for Canon’s unique gamma characteristic Canon Log 3 and external recording of RAW video.
■ Panasonic LUMIX GH6
Release date: March 25, 2022
Suggested retail price: Open, estimated market price is around 263,000 yen including tax
The GH6 is equipped with a newly developed 25.2M Live MOS sensor and a new-generation Venus engine that doubles the processing speed, and features improved resolution, high-speed performance, and dynamic range. It realizes LUMIX’s first 5.7K60P high-resolution video recording, 4K120p/FHD 240p high frame rate shooting, and various slow motions that can be generated from a maximum of 300fps in FHD. Cinema4K 60P recording now supports 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording at a maximum of 800Mbps, and the evolution of the heat dissipation structure enables unlimited recording time. In addition, it is the first LUMIX to support internal recording of Apple ProRes 422 HQ.
■ Panasonic HC-X2
Release date: October 20, 2022
Suggested retail price: Open. Estimated market price is around 383,000 yen including tax
The HC-X2 is equipped with a 15.03 megapixel 1.0-type MOS sensor and supports 4K60P 10bit recording and FHD 120fps super slow shooting. Supports HDR video production with 13-stop V-Log/V-Gamut and HLG. The lens is equipped with a wide-angle 24.5mm and an optical 20x zoom. Equipped with a triple manual ring, ND filter, LAN terminal (X2 only), and 3G-SDI compatible BNC terminal (X2 only) that can quickly respond to changing conditions.
■ARRI ALEXA 35
The ARRI ALEXA 35 is a super 35mm digital cinema camera capable of recording up to 120fps in native 4K UHD. It delivers 17 stops of dynamic range, adding 1.5 stops to highlights and 1 stop to shadows from previous ALEXA cameras, and features a natural film-like highlight roll-off. Sensitivity settings from EI 160 to EI 6400 with low noise. The optional Enhanced Sensitivity Mode can be set from EI 2560 to EI 6400, making it possible to capture clear images even in low light.
■RED DIGITAL CINEMA V-RAPTOR XL 8K VV
The V-RAPTOR XL features a multi-format 8K sensor in a compact, modular V-RAPTOR body. It is capable of shooting 8K large format and 6K S35. Even when combined with the S35 lens, you can always shoot in 4K or higher image quality. The sensor boasts the highest recording dynamic range and clean shadow performance of any camera from the company. Additionally, the scan time of the V-RAPTOR sensor is twice as fast as any of the company’s previous cameras, enabling capture at up to 600fps in 2K.
■RED DIGITAL CINEMA V-RAPTOR RHINO 8K S35
The V-RAPTOR RHINO 8K S35 is a new 8K camera module with a super 35mm sensor. Equipped with a super 35mm image sensor that supports 8K shooting at a maximum of 120 frames. It has a slightly smaller sensor than the Komodo, but in combination with the S35 lens, it features no edge dropout. RHINO specs are not posted on the RED website, but are posted on the RED community REDUser. Equipped with 8192 x 4320 35.4 megapixel CMOS, dynamic range achieves 16.5 + stop. It features an integrated RF mount that supports RF lenses, and supports Canon EF lenses via an RF mount to EF mount adapter. Regarding the frame rate, it is said to be almost the same as the RED V-RAPTOR 8K VV.
■ FUJIFILM X-H2S
Release date: July 14, 2022
Suggested retail price: Open. Fujifilm official online store price is 346,500 yen including tax
The X-H2S is equipped with a back-illuminated stacked 26.16-megapixel “X-Trans CMOS 5 HS” sensor with a signal readout speed approximately four times that of the current model, and a high-speed image processing engine “X-Processor” with a processing speed approximately two times that of the current model. 5” is a flagship model that uses newly developed devices. Realizes high-performance AF that enables blackout-free high-speed continuous shooting at a maximum speed of 40 frames per second and subject detection by AI. Furthermore, it supports video recording of 6.2K30P and 4K120P, and can record high-definition video. The high-rigidity body adopts a rich interface including a 5-axis, maximum 7.0-step in-body image stabilization mechanism and a dual slot compatible with CFexpress Type B cards.
Below are the nominees for the camera category.
■ PRONEWS AWARD 2022 Camera Division Finalist
- Sony FX30
- Sony FR7
- SONY VENICE 2
- Canon EOS R5C
- Canon EOS R7
- Canon EOS R6 Mark II
- Panasonic LUMIX GH6
- Panasonic HC-X2
- ARRI ALEXA 35
- RED DIGITAL CINEMA V-RAPTOR XL 8K VV
- RED DIGITAL CINEMA V-RAPTOR RHINO 8K S35
- Fujifilm X-H2S
What will be awarded…? Finally announced!
PRONEWS AWARD 2022 Camera Category Gold Award
Sony FX30
Mr. Kosuke Imagawa of Sony Corporation gave a comment on receiving the award.
Thank you for choosing me for the prestigious Gold Award. In the development of FX30, we have been thinking about creators and those who aspire to be creators every day, so we are very honored to have been involved in the development of the product.
The FX30 is the first model in Sony’s Cinema Line of video production cameras to be equipped with an APS-C (Super 35mm) sensor. The compact body of the FX3, which has already been well received by many people, is now equipped with a new shooting method called Cine EI using Dual Base ISO. In addition, the menu and the screen during shooting have been updated, and we are particular about usability for video production.
It is a camera that can be used not only by those who are just starting out in video production, but also by those who are already involved in video production at work.
As a company that plans and develops products, we are very much looking forward to seeing the videos you create using this camera. If you have the opportunity in the future, please use the FX30.
PRONEWS AWARD 2022 Camera Division Silver Award
Canon EOS R5C
We received a comment from Canon Marketing Japan Inc. on receiving the award.
Thank you very much for receiving the Silver Award in the camera category.
The EOS R5 C was a digital cinema camera that achieved a high level of both still image performance and movie performance. There were a lot of things that I didn’t do, but I am very happy that many people have paid attention to this award.
During the development process, we knew that we needed a camera that would be easy to use for both still and movie users. The PHOTO mode uses the EOS UI, which makes it easy to shoot still images, and the VIDEO mode uses the CINEMA EOS UI, which makes it easy to operate as a cinema camera. did. This is the result of discussions so that you can face the creative aspects of both still images and videos.
For those who are unfamiliar with CINEMA EOS, the UI for movie shooting may be a little confusing, but we have incorporated the specifications necessary for video production and pursued ease of use, so please give it a try. We would appreciate it if you could take it and check it out.
