Which RED Cinema Camera is Right for You?

Let’s look at RED’s current DSMC2 lineup to find which (if any) is the right option for your film or video project.

RED’s digital cinema cameras seem to have a polarized effect on people in the film and video industry. Groundbreaking when first launched almost 20 years ago. Like founder Jim Jannard’s previous company, Oakley, RED Digital Cinema has been about disruption, brand-heavy aesthetics, and opening up a new, budding technology to the masses.

In a recent event hosted by RED at the Austin Film Society, was able to get a hands-on look on RED’s current DSMC2 lineup and get some insights into their top-of-the-line digital cinema camera offerings. While there’s no reason to suggest going out and buying a RED is a necessity for anyone, if you are looking for a certain value camera that can shoot 8K and utilize REDCODE RAW recording, here are the best current options on the market.

The Top of the Line: RED MONSTRO 8K VV

While we didn’t get to go hands-on with the RED MONSTRO 8K in our workshop, RED did show off the impressive list of first run features and series which have been shot on the MONSTRO 8K for Netflix and the like. With a similar sized sensor as the HELIUM (which we did get to try out - more on it below), the MONSTRO boasts up to 17 times more resolution than HD, and over four times than 4K.

• 35.4 Megapixel CMOS Sensor

• 40.96 mm x 21.60 mm (Diag: 46.31 mm)

• 60 fps at 8K Full Format (8192 × 4320)

• 75 fps at 8K 2.4:1 (8192 × 3456)

• Price: $54,000

The 8K Offering: RED HELIUM 8K S35

• 35.4 Megapixel CMOS Sensor

• 29.90 mm x 15.77 mm (Diag: 33.80 mm)

• 60 fps at 8K Full Format (8192 × 4320)

• 75 fps at 8K 2.4:1 (8192 × 3456)

• Price: $24,500

The Flexible Option: RED GEMINI 5K S35

• 15.4 Megapixel Dual Sensitivity CMOS Sensor

• 30.72 mm x 18 mm (Diagonal: 35.61 mm)

• 96 fps at 5K Full Format (5120 × 2700)

• 75 fps at 5K Full Height 1.7:1 (5120 × 3000)

• Price: $19,500

BONUS: RED Hydrogen One

• OS: Android 8.1 (Oreo)
• 5.7 inch 3D Display LTPS-TFT
• 6 GB RAM
• Rear Camera: 12.3 Megapixel, 4056x3040, LED Flash
• Front Cameras: 8.3 Megapixel, 3840x2160
• Video: 4K video recording
• Price: $1,295