Most of this we already know because Jarred Land, the new President at RED Digital Cinema popped the news early on Facebook. We were the first Tech Journalist Site to break the story a couple of days ago. But now it’s the official release of the eagerly anticipated camera.
This is RED’s first sub $10,000 camera, the body is $5950 and a complete kit can be had for under $10,000. That is a breakthrough price for RED. The RAVEN utilizes a APS-C custom sensor sized at 20.48 mm (h) x 10.8 mm (v) x 23.2 mm (d). That makes it bigger than micro 4/3rds but slightly under traditional APS-C and Super 35mm giving you a crop factor of 1.87x. Both EF-S and Super 35 lenses are usable with this sensor size. The kind-of Super 35mm format is boasting a dynamic range of 16.5+ stops from the 8.8 Megapixel RED DRAGON sensor. The 3.5 lbs (BRAIN with Media Bay and Canon Lens Mount) is
able to record 4K (4096 x 2160) up to 120 fps, 3K (3072 x 1620) up to 160 fps and, 2K (2048 x 1080) up to 240 fps at frame rates of 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 47.96, 48, 50, 59.94 fps.
The REDCODE compression schemes range from 13:1 for 4K @ 120fps to 7:1 @60fps and 3:1 @ 24fps. All of that means that with a RED 120GB MINI-MAG you will get 16-64 minutes of recording times depending upon frame rate and compression.
Please note that you can save some money by using the Atomos Shogun and off the shelf SSD’s in place of the RED MINI-MAG and RED TOUCH 4.7″ or 7″ LCD. You will need to spend $1750 for the HDMI Expander Module but in the long run the cost savings are substantial. Since the RED RAVEN can output Apple ProRes 422 HQ up to 2K (2048 x 1080) and up to 60 fps,
Apple ProRes 422 up to 2K (2048 x 1080) and up to 60 fps, Apple ProRes 422 LT up to 2K (2048 x 1080) and up to 60 fps. With a Blueshape Battery instead of the RED Version will save you a little more and give you more flexibility since the RED batteries can only be used on the RED. For you budget minded wannabe RED shooters out there that means you can squeeze yourself into a RED Raven Package for about $8500.
The official release has a few more goodies in there.
IRVINE, CA – September 25th, 2015. Today, RED Digital Cinema unveiled the latest addition to its line of professional cameras, RED RAVEN. Weighing in at only 3.5 pounds, RED RAVEN is RED’s lightest and most compact camera, making it the ultimate choice for a range of applications including documentaries, online content creation, indie filmmaking, and use with drones or gimbals. With pricing that starts at $5,950 for the camera BRAIN® only, and complete packages under $10,000, RED RAVEN reflects RED’s ongoing commitment to the belief that cinema-quality creative tools should not be in the hands of a few—they should be available to all professional shooters.
RED RAVEN is equipped with a 4K RED DRAGON sensor, and is capable of recording REDCODE RAW (R3D) in 4K at up to 120 fps and in 2K at up to 240 fps. RED RAVEN also offers incredible dynamic range, RED’s renowned color science, and is capable of recording REDCODE RAW and Apple ProRes simultaneously—ensuring shooters get the best image quality possible in any format.
“RED RAVEN is a new category in our line up,” says Jarred Land, President of Red Digital Cinema. “It’s a younger, hungrier, more ‘spirited’ member of the RED family with a bit of a chip on its shoulder, ready to take on the entire sub-$10k market with images that users will be incredibly proud of.”
RED RAVEN will begin shipping in February 2016, and deposits will be accepted beginning today. Customers will be given a choice of purchasing the BRAIN only and building a kit that best fits their needs, or choosing a complete package. The RED RAVEN Base I/O Package offers everything content creators need to take their productions to the next level of image quality and professionalism, while the RED RAVEN JETPACK Package is specifically designed for use with handheld gimbals, drones, jibs and cranes.
Here are the Official Tech Specs.
