Best 8K cameras in 2021

Best 8K cameras in 2021

Max Wales

24June2021• Proven Solutions

As 2021 draws to a close, rumors of new camera models capable of capturing moving images in 8K resolution are starting to pile up. A few years have passed since Guardians of Galaxy Vol. 2, the first full movie shot in 8K has been released, but in the meantime, only a few 8K cameras have emerged.

Major camera manufacturers like RED, Sharp or Ikegami have already released 8K cameras, but their prices are still too high for most filmmakers. So in this article, we're going to take a closer look at some of the best 8k cameras you can find on the market in 2021 and see what they have to offer.

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What is an 8K camera?

The

resolution

determines the maximum quality of images that a video camera can capture. Each frame an 8K camera records can have 7680 or 8192 pixels on the longer side of the frame and between 2160 and 8192 pixels on the shorter side of the frame depending on the

video aspect ratio

. Typically, an 8K video with the standard 16:9 aspect ratio has 33.9 million pixels or a resolution of 7680x4320 pixels.

It should be noted that the resolution of still images is different from the video resolution, as is the case. measured in megapixels. Technically, any camera over 25MP can capture 7680x3200 pixel photos, which means models like

Hasselblad X1D II 50C

Where

Canon The EOS 5DS R

can already take photos that have the same number of pixels as 8K videos. However, these medium format cameras cannot record videos in 8K resolution.

8K video cameras work on the same principle as

4K or Full HD cameras

as they use a lens and a sensor to save images to the camera's memory card. Currently, the file size produced by 8K cameras is one of the main reasons cinematographers are still hesitant to adopt them, as 40 minutes of footage can take up to 2 terabytes of storage space.

Images recorded with 8K cameras can be used for

live broadcasts

, in cinemas or they can be displayed on

8K TVs

. Even so, 4K and Full HD video are still the industry standard and it remains to be seen if 8K technology will change that.

What aspects should you consider when choosing an 8K camera?

How much does an 8K camera cost?

Currently, only professional filmmakers have a reason to buy an 8K camera, as the price of the cheapest models ranges between $24,000 and $50,000. To make matters worse, the difference between 4K and 8K footage is only visible on TVs and

monitors

which can display videos recorded in 8K resolution.

During the process of selecting an 8K camera, you need to go through the list of features and check which

sensor

the camera has, how much

storage space

she offers or discover her

maximum frame rate

p>

. Most 8K camera models can capture 60fps, although their

bit rates

may vary, which impacts the speed at which data is transferred. Also, you should pay attention to the type of camera lens mount, as you also need to acquire lenses for the 8K camera you are considering.

If you are looking for a camera you can use it to stream the speed at which the camera transfers data or its SDI output are some of the most important features you should consider, while if you are looking for a camera you you'll be using to shoot, you need to look at features like maximum frame rate, camera shutter speed, or storage capacity.

Best 8K cameras on the market in 2021

Even though 8K cameras have been on the market for most of this decade, there are only a handful of models to choose from in 2021. Also, most 8K camera models are too expensive, because it is still much more affordable to rent them than to buy them. Here's what some of the top camera makers have to offer when it comes to 8K cameras.

1. Cannon

Rumors that Canon is working on its first 8K camera surfaced in early 2019, but as the end of the year nears, it's still unclear when and if the manufacturer will introduce its first 8K camera to the world. Canon's first 8K full-frame camera is expected to have

a CMOS sensor

which resembles the Super 35mm sensor, although the exact specs are still not publicly available.

Image Resource: Cannon

This camera must be able to record

8K footage at 60fps

, as well as 4K footage at 120fps, but whether or not that will turn out to be true remains to be seen. However, a number of Canon models are already equipped with sensors

50MP

which can capture still images in resolutions up to

8712x5813< /p>

or record video in 4K resolution at 60 fps.

Models like

EOS 5DS

Where

EOS-R

, are powerful enough to allow you to shoot stills at resolutions similar to those provided by 8K cameras. However, the exact date when Canon will unveil its first 8K camera is still unknown, but if any of the rumors are true, it could easily happen that we see Canon's first 8K camera in 2020.

2.Nikon

Even though Nikon is one of the leading camera manufacturers in the world, there are still no Nikon 8K cameras. After Apple's information about the WWDC event surfaced, Nikon is developing a new 8K model, but this information was dismissed as false shortly after the event.

For now, the

Nikon D850 p>

is the closest to an 8K camera this manufacturer has to offer since this 47.5MP camera can record time-lapses in 8K resolution, but only by combining footage captured with two D850 models.

Image resource: Nikon

This Nikon camera also has a 7 fps continuous shooting mode as well as the ability to record 4K UHD video at 30, 25 and 24 fps. The Nikon D850 features an FX CMOS sensor capable of capturing 8256 x 5504 pixel images and an ISO sensitivity ranging from ISO 64 to ISO 25600.

The camera is compatible with G, E and D AF Nikkor as well as DX and AI-P lenses, giving you enough versatility to shoot virtually any scene you want. It's not yet known if Nikon will add 8K cameras to its product lineup, and it may be a while before one of the industry's biggest camera makers releases its first 8K camera. .

3 . Sharp

A few years ago, Sharp introduced the 8C-B60A, the world's first 8K camcorder, and a few years later, only a few cameras have features comparable to what you can find on the 8C-B60A Camcorder.

The Super 35mm equivalent single-plate CMOS sensor

around

33 million pixels

, while the

the four-link 12G-SDI output terminal

allows you to capture and stream live footage while the recording session is still in progress.

8C-B60A can record< /p>

8K 10-bit videos at 60 fps

, although you can set the frame rate to 50, 30, or 24 fps. The camcorder is also equipped with a

2TB SSD package

which can store up to

40 minutes of 8K footage

and it offers the possibility to use the SDHC card for proxy recording. The 8C-B60A uses the

Grass Valley HQX codec

to compress raw video files to a

6Gbit/s compression rate

.

It has two

AUDIO IN XLR type 3 pin

and one

MIC IN XLR type 5 pin

. The camcorder does not have batteries and it is powered by an output AC/DC adapter

130W 13V DC XLR 4 pin

. Sharp's 8C-B60A 8K Camcorder is arguably one of the best 8K cameras you can buy in 2021, despite its hefty price tag.

4.Sony

Professional filmmakers need no introduction to Sony cameras, as the Japanese camera maker has been at the forefront of the digital camera market for decades. Their

F65 Cine Alta

was released in 2016, but it's still one of the best 8K cameras you can buy in 2021. That says a lot about the capabilities of the F65, as does the fact that professional filmmakers have nothing but praise for it. this Sony camera model.

Image Resource: Sony

the

1-chip Super 35mm 20MP type

24.7mm X 13.1mm

The CMOS sensor

lets you capture video in 8K, 4K, or 2K resolution. The lens mount

Camera HA

is standard for all film cameras, which means you won't have too much trouble finding a lens you can use with the F65 CineAlta.

The camera has

14 exposure latitude stops

, so if you are recording RAW video files F65 will use the

S-Log3/ S-Gamut3 gamma curve

to ensure accurate color representation. Additionally, this 8K camera can capture

275,000,000,000,000 color variations

even when shooting in full resolution at 60fps. Unsurprisingly, the F65 CineAlta costs over $60,000, but it's still a great investment for any professional filmmaker looking for a camera that can deliver great performance in any available light. .

5. Ikegami

Ikegami is a well-known manufacturer of professional broadcast cameras, so it's no surprise that the first 8K UHD portable TV camera system was produced by this Japanese TV equipment manufacturer. Their

SHK-810 8K Super Hi-Vision Camera System

is equipped with a

33 million pixel Super 35mm CMOS sensor

as well as

4000TV lines

which allow the camera to capture very detailed images.

Image Resource: ikegami

This show the camera has

a PL lens mount with a back focus adjustment mechanism

which helps the camera operator to keep the image sharp even when recording fast moving figures and objects. The output signal characteristics of the SHK-810 are equally impressive since you can choose between the options

SHV Dual Green SDI Interface, 4K SMPTE 424M (3G-SDI) Level B and HD SMPTE 292M

.

Additionally, you can choose between

2 channels x 4K and 4 channels HD

return signals or opt for

Tri-Level Sync

Where

VBS

external synchronization signals. However, the SHK-810 is bulky and heavy, weighing 9 kg or 19.6 lbs without a sight, which makes it difficult to use without a tripod in events lasting several hours. Additionally, the camera is aimed at major TV networks rather than filmmakers and cinematographers, and at this time Ikegami does not offer any 8K camera models designed for filmmaking.

6. Red

The list of TV shows and movies shot with RED cameras is seemingly endless and includes some of the best movies made in the last ten years. Models like

Monster 8K VV

,

Helium 8K S35

Helium 8K S35 Monochrome

are all

modular DSMC2 cameras

which can be used with different types of lenses. Each of these 8K cameras has a

35.4MP CMOS sensor

, however, the size of the sensor depends on the model. All RED DSMC2 8K cameras can write data to

300 MB/s

and they have an incredibly high dynamic range that varies from

16.5+ to 17+ stops

, allowing them to capture a wide spectrum of colors.

Image Resource: red

Additionally, each of the Red's 8K cameras can record 8K video at

60fps

while also providing the ability to capture

7K, 6K, 5K or 4K videos

at different frame rates. In addition, these modular cameras are equipped with the

Apple ProRes codecs

which ensure high image quality throughout the video recording and editing process.

The body of an 8K red camera can cost between

$24,000 and $50,000

, making these cameras available only for professional film and television productions. It should also be noted that footage captured with any of the 8K RED camera models can only be edited in a handful of

professional video editing software

.

p>Conclusion

2021 will be an exciting time to buy a new camera, although your choices are still limited if you want to buy an 8K camera. Red, Sharp or Sony will continue to be the best option for filmmakers looking to shoot their footage in 8K resolution, although 8K camera prices are highly unlikely to drop in the foreseeable future. p>

Additionally, Canon and Nikon only offer 50MP cameras capable of capturing still images with the same pixel count as 8K video, but there is no indication that these manufacturers will release new models that can record 8K video. . Which 8K camera do you plan to have in 2021? Leave a comment and let us know.

Max Wales

Max Wales is a writer and video lover.

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