IRVINE, CA — Red Digital Cinema’s new Komodo 6K camera system is now available to order. The Komodo features a global shutter sensor (27.03mm x 14.26mm) that maintains Red’s high standard of image quality and dynamic range. The camera is packaged in a small four-cubic-inch (101.6 mm) form factor and weighs just 2.1 pounds (0.95 kgs).
“Komodo has turned into quite the beast,” says Jarred Land, president of Red Digital Cinema. “This tiny chameleon of a camera packs in amazing resolution, dynamic range and image quality with a global shutter that has allowed filmmakers to capture footage in ways never thought possible.”
Komodo captures 6K at 40fps, 6K WS at 50fps, and 4K at 60fps. Highlights of the camera include an RF mount for users to leverage adaptors for EF, PL and other lens systems, including anamorphic lenses, for maximum creative flexibility; a phase-detect based autofocus control on the integrated, color LED touchscreen display that simplifies monitoring and menu navigation; and new streamlined Redcode RAW settings (HQ, MQ, and LQ compression options). Additional features include compatibility with CFAST 2.0 recording media, 4K SDI output, built-in wireless capabilities, and connectivity via the new Red Control app, which is available now for iOS devices (Android coming soon).
Komodo comes to market after extensive testing by a number of leading creatives, including filmmaker Michael Bay, avid storyteller and artist Jason Momoa, and Emmy-nominated cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt, ASC.
“The sensor is beautiful,” says Bay. “I always wanted something this small, this sophisticated in terms of a high-quality image. It’s very lightweight; very handheld.”
Messerschmidt notes, “There is no other camera on the market with a global shutter that is this size and this versatile. And yet there are no quality compromises.”
Momoa put the Komodo camera to the test in the frozen tundra of New Jersey, while shooting footage for Harley-Davidson. On the size and quality of the camera, he notes, “It’s like cinema in the palm of your hands.”
A community of partners worked with Red to bring Komodo and its accessories to market, including Angelbird, CoreSWX, Fool Control, Gates Housing, KipperTie, SmallHD and Wooden Camera, among others. Adobe, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut, Assimilate, Autodesk, Avid and Colorfront all offer post production support for Komodo via Red’s latest SDK.
Priced at $5,995, the camera is well suited for a wide range of filming situations. Studio productions can use it as a B, C or D camera. Its small size also makes it a natural fit for gimbals, drones, cranes and remote heads.
Red is launching two pre-bundled pack options. The Starter Pack ($7,200) includes the camera, a Wing Grip and RF to EF adapter with ND filter. Also included is media and media reader, as well as a PTap-to-power cable and timecode cable. The Production Pack ($8,200) includes everything from the Starter Pack, plus additional production-level accessories, including the Expander Module and Outrigger Handle.