RED Digital Cinema Camera: The Definitive Guide

The question of whether a RED Digital Cinema Camera is worth it has been debated for years.

Some people say that they are the best in the world and will produce better quality images than any other camera on the market, while others argue that they are too expensive and not worth the investment.

In this article, I’ll be exploring both sides of the argument to help you decide if you should invest in a RED Digital Cinema Camera or not.

Is A RED Camera Worth It?

When you are considering what type of camera to buy, there are many things to consider.

You need to know the difference between a DSLR and a point-and-shoot camera in order to make an informed decision. What does this mean for you though?

It means that your decision is going to be based on what type of video or filmmaking work you do, which will determine whether or not a RED Digital Cinema Camera is worth it for you.

Your budget and where you want to take pictures is also a factor.

Can you imagine how many people are asking themselves this question? The answer is not as obvious as one would think.

How Much Does a RED Camera Cost?

Trying to find the price of a RED Digital Cinema Camera can be frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be.

The first thing that you need to do is figure out the type of camera that you want. There are three different types: digital, film, and instant.

A digital camera will have all the features of a traditional one but it takes video with pixels instead of film which makes them easier to share and edit on your computer.

The average price for an entry-level DSLR camera can range anywhere from $400 to upwards of $2000.

RED has recently announced a new flagship sensor, the Monstro 8K VV, which will be sold in combination with the company’s existing Weapon camera to create the new Weapon 8K VV, via Engadget.

The new camera will cost $79,500, which puts this so far above the consumer price bracket that it’s almost laughable.

What Is So Special About RED Cameras?

The RED Digital Cinema Camera is a type of camera, which is gaining popularity for many reasons. One reason is that it can take high-quality pictures with great detail.

RED is used by the best production teams and RED allows you to manipulate your videos with their own software.

The main reason is also the build quality and the lens the camera uses when it comes to filmmaking RED spends most of their time just building the lenses.

RED Camera And Product History

RED was founded by Jim Jannard, who had previously founded Oakley. As a self-described “camera fanatic” owning over 1,000 models, Jannard started the company with the intent to deliver a (relatively) affordable 4K digital cinema camera.

The early team members engaged in undisclosed research on how to make a digital camera feasible for Hollywood productions. Part of this involved using 4K resolution instead of 2K which was most common at the time.

Another technical hurdle was to achieve the focusing quality of DSLR cameras without sacrificing frame rate.

Part of RED’s solution to this problem was developing a sensor with a physical size comparable to that of analog film.

At the 2006 NAB Show, Jannard announced that RED would build a 4K digital cinema camera, called the RED One, and began taking pre-orders.

Is A RED Camera Worth It?

The RED Digital Cinema Camera is an awesome tool for a professional filmmaker. The question of whether or not a red camera is worth it can be answered quite simply:

• Slow Motion Capabilities.
• RED cameras have been well known for their ability to shoot in higher frame rates since the RED One.
• Sony, Panasonic, and Canon are really just catching up to RED with their higher frame rate capabilities because the quality of the slow-motion footage from any RED camera is fantastic.

A little bit more time spent reading this blog post will provide some clarity as to why investing in a high-quality DSLR camera, in general, makes sense.

The RED Digital Cinema Camera is a very expensive investment and it can be difficult to justify the expense if you’re just starting out in filmmaking.
 

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