RED DRAGON-X 6K S35 Camera Upgrades over 5k with the Latest Firmware
RED recently launched a firmware that unlocks the support for 6k resolution on the DRAGON-X 5K S35 camera with a DSMC2 Brain. Now, this RED camera is capable of shooting 6K videos with data rates up to 300MB/s. Supporting a Super 35 format DRAGON-X 19.4 MP CMOS sensor, this camera boasts RED’s IPP2 (Image Processing Pipeline 2) color science.
At 6K Full Format (6144 x 3160) resolution, RED Dragon-X 6K S35 is capable of supporting frame rates of 75 fps. To capture slow-motion shots, this camera can capture a maximum of 300 frames per second at 2K 2.4:1 (2048 x 864). For a complete list of supported frame rates at all resolutions, you can take a look at the chart below.
Frame Rates Supported By RED DRAGON-X 6K S35
| Resolution | Frame Rate |
|---|---|
| 6K Full Format (6144 x 3160) | 75 fps |
| 6K 2.4:1 (6144 x 2592) | 100 fps |
| 5K Full Format (5120 x 2700) | 96 fps |
| 5K 2.4:1 (5120 x 2160) | 120 fps |
| 4K Full Format (4096 x 2160) | 120 fps |
| 4K 2.4:1 (4096 x 1728) | 150 fps |
| 3K Full Format (3072 x 1620) | 150 fps |
| 3K 2.4:1 (3072 x 1296) | 200 fps |
| 2K Full Format (2048 x 1080) | 240 fps |
| 2K 2.4:1 (2048 x 864) | 300 fps |
Frame Rates for Apple ProRes Format
| Apple ProRes Format | Resolution | Frame Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 422 HQ, 422, and 422 LT | 4K (4096 × 2160) | 30 fps |
| 4444XQ, 4444 | 2K (2048 x 1080) | 120 fps |
| 422 HQ, 422, 422 LT | 2k (2048 × 1080) | 120 fps |
Frame Rates for different REDCODE Settings
| REDCODE Settings | Resolution | Frame Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 3:1 | 6K Full Format (6144 x 3160) | 24 fps |
| 7:1 | 6K Full Format (6144 x 3160) | 60 fps |
| 2:1 | 4K Full Format (4096 x 2160) | 24 fps |
| 6:1 | 4K Full Format (4096 x 2160) | 120 fps |
Frame Rates for Avid DNxHR Codecs
| AVID DNxHR Codecs | Resolution | Frame Rate |
|---|---|---|
| HQX | 4K (4096 × 2160) 12-Bit | 30 fps |
| HQ, SQ, and LB | 4K (4096 × 2160) 8-bit | 30 fps |
| 444 | 2K (2048 × 1080) 12-bit | 120 fps |
| 444 and HQX | FHD (1920 × 1080) 10-bit | 120 fps |
| HQ, SQ, and LB | FHD (1920 × 1080) 8-bit | 120 fps |
Supported REDCODE RAW Acquisition Formats
| Resolution | Format |
|---|---|
| 6K Full Format (6144 x 3160) | 2:1, 2.4:1, 16:9, 3:2, 6:5, 4:1, 8:1, and Ana 2x, 1.3x, 1.25x |
| 5K Full Format (5120 x 2700) | 2:1, 2.4:1, 16:9, 6:5, 4:1, 8:1, and Ana 2x, 1.3x |
| 4K Full Format (4096 x 2160) | 2:1, 2.4:1, 16:9, 3:2, 4:3, 5:4, 6:5, 4:1, 8:1, and Ana 2x, 1.3x |
| 3K Full Format (3072 x 1620) | 3K Full Format (3072 x 1620), 2:1, 2.4:1, 16:9, 3:2, 4:3, 5:4, 6:5, 4:1, 8:1, and Ana 2x, 1.3x |
| 2K Full Format (2048 x 1080) | 2:1, 2.4:1, 16:9, 3:2, 4:3, 5:4, 6:5, 4:1, 8:1, and Ana 2x, 1.3x |
Thanks to the DSMC2 Brain that allows this RED 6K camera to capture both REDCODE RAW and Apple ProRes or Avid DNxHR/HD simultaneously.
Dragon-X supports 16.5+ stops of dynamic range. As a benefit, you get a lot of room to play with colors in post-production.
OLPF
Along with the brain, this camera ships with a DSMC2 S35 Standard OLPF (Optical Low-Pass Filter) that will prevent the glares and reflections from entering into the sensor.
Additionally, you have the option to purchase two separate OLPFs. One of them is DSMC2 S35 Low Light Optimized OLPF that aims to preserve colors and tones in dark environments. And the other one is DSMC2 S35 Skin Tone Highlight OLPF that preserves skin tones.
Audio
Just like other RED cameras, DRAGON-X 6K S35 will capture uncompressed 24-Bit 48 kHz audio via integrated dual stereo channel microphones. For additional connectivity, you can make use of the DSMC2 expander module that will provide 2 more audio channels with the same settings.
Software Compatibility
Up to date, only a few major NLE applications seamlessly support R3D files. Some of these video editing software are Adobe Premiere Pro, Avid Media Composer, DaVinci Resolve, Edius Pro, Final Cut Pro, and Vegas Pro.
Pricing and Availability
RED DRAGON-X 6K S35 Camera costs $14,950 USD and is available to ship now. Bear in mind that you will need additional accessories such as lens mount, display, expanders, and more, which will drive the price up.
You might like this article on the world’s first full frame mirrorless camera that can shoot in 5k.
