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Tuesday, June 5, 2012

The Game Is Changing

4K resolution and the ability to pull high-res still frames from full-motion capture are creating a paradigm shift in photography

This Article Features Photo Zoom

HDRx. The Mysterium-X sensor has a normal dynamic range of 13.5 stops. This can be expanded to 18 stops in both camera models via the HDRx feature. HDRx simultaneously records a normally exposed track, plus a track of your choice of 2 to 6 stops darker, which can be combined in post to provide more highlight detail. This doubles the file size and, thus, halves the maximum frame rate (to 6 fps for 5K and 12 fps for 4K shooting with the Scarlet-X). The final processed HDRx file is normal size.

Lens Flexibility. Both cameras accept interchangeable-lens mounts. Mounts for cinema industry-standard PL lenses and Canon EF lenses are available, with more in the works. Thus, Epic and Scarlet-X users can choose among the many PL-mount cinema lenses and Canon's wide EF line to suit their shooting needs.

Viewing Options. Epic and Scarlet-X users can choose the RED Touch 5.0-inch external LCD monitor, an 800x480-pixel unit with touch-screen control of exposure, shutter speeds, ISOs and such, or the Bomb EVF (OLED), an eye-level OLED electronic viewfinder.

Memory. Two SSD modules are available, mounting on the rear of the Brain via an adapter and the other mounting directly to the side of the Brain. Both accept 1.8-inch REDMAG SSD media.

Power. You can power the Epic and the Scarlet-X via REDVOLT, REDVOLT XL or REDBRICK batteries and modules. The REDVOLT is light when weight is a concern; the others provide longer run times. There's also an AC adapter.

Rail Components. RED offers a wide range of handles and supports, allowing you to configure the camera just as you want it for efficient operation.

REDCINE-X Software. The Scarlet-X comes with RED's REDCINE-X software, which allows you to import, transcode, finish and export the camera's REDCODE RAW files.

Canon Cinema EOS-1D C

Canon Cinema EOS-1D C
The Cinema EOS-1D C is essentially an EOS-1D X flagship pro DSLR with 4K video capability. To make the Cinema EOS-1D C fit the needs of high-end filmmakers, Canon incorporated a few particular features and also eliminated the PC connection, meaning strobe connectivity is gone. That makes sense considering the intended market. Other than that, the camera is a close sibling to the EOS-1D X.

18.1 MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor. Like the EOS-1D X, the EOS-1D C has a Canon-produced, full-frame, 18.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, but this one is capable of 4K video capture. The big sensor means you can restrict depth of field for selective-focus shots (difficult, if not impossible, with smaller-sensor cameras), with excellent high-ISO performance.

Dual DIGIC 5+ Processors. Again like the EOS-1D X, the EOS-1D C features two Canon DIGIC 5+ image sensors, each 17 times faster than the DIGIC 4, one of the factors making 4K video possible. The DIGIC 5+ processors, with 16-channel data readout, also provide quick still shooting, better image quality through improved noise reduction and real-time compensation for chromatic aberration for both still and video shooting.

4K Video, Plus Full HD. While previous EOS HDSLRs could record full HD (1920x1080) video, the EOS-1D C also can record 8-bit 4:2:2 4K (4096x2160) video at 24 fps (it can record 8-bit 4:2:0 full HD at rates from 24 to 60 fps). You can shoot videos at ISOs of up to 25,600 and record to CompactFlash cards in the camera or (via an HDMI terminal) to an external recorder in an uncompressed YCbCr 8-bit 4:2:2 signal. (The camera's LCD monitor functions even when an external monitor is connected to the HDMI port.) 4K video is captured using an APS-H portion of the image sensor, while full HD can be captured "full-frame" (using the full 36mm width of the sensor) or in cropped Super 35 format, which matches the industry-standard format and angle of view.