Today’s free update includes the following:

AJA Cion is AJA’s first and only cinema camera. The Cion features an ergonomic shoulder-mount design, global shutter, and ProRes recoding (or AJA Raw with an external recorder). It’s primary shortcoming is poor low-light performance.

Arri Alexa Mini LF incorporates nearly all the features of the Alexa LF into the small and lightweight design of the Mini. In addition to the large format sensor, it features improved cooling, a 24V power option, and new Codex Compact Drives, compared to CFast 2.0 in the Super35 Mini.

Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro G2 is an update to the Ursa Mini Pro. The G2 uses the same body design and offers the same filmic, high dynamic range image. An updated sensor features increased frame rates and reduced rolling shutter, and a USB-C port allows for external SSD recording. Like all Blackmagic cameras, it records raw and ProRes internally.

Digital Bolex D16 was designed to emulate 16mm film cameras; its unique body design features a pistol grip, and its color science and global-shutter sensor make for a remarkably film-like image. It is criticized for low-light performance and lack of slow-motion frame rates. A monochrome-only model was released in 2014.

GoPro Hero 7 is known for its exceptional image stabilization. It also adds voice control and a new HDR photo mode. Like it’s predecessors, its primary limitations are its small sensor and its fixed, wide-angle lens; as a result, third-party services to attach cinema lenses have become available. 

iPhone XR/XS feature a larger sensor and improved image processing, which result in less noise and increased dynamic range (though the increased range is limited to 30p). Despite the large ecosystem of third-party apps and accessories, many obvious limitations still exist for filmmaking, including the still-small sensor size and inability to accept professional lenses natively.

Nikon D810 is part of Nikon’s high-resolution, full-frame DSLR lineup. It offers a new sensor with no low-pass filter, faster autofocus, uncompressed HDMI output and a flat picture profile for grading.

Red Ranger is an integrated, shoulder-mount camera with the same sensor and performance as the DSMC2 Monstro. While most Red cameras focus on modularity, the Ranger is an all-in-one design with I/O, power distribution ports and battery plate built in. Like all Red cameras, it primarily records to a proprietary raw format, but also offers ProRes/DNxHD recording at up to 4K.

ZCam E2 is compact but capable. The E2 can record ProRes at up to 120 fps or H.265 at up to 240p, in a body less than 4 inches square. It also offers live preview and control via ethernet, and a wide dynamic range mode for up to 16 stops. Resolution quality is reduced at 240p.

This version also includes updates to the Blackmagic Pocket Camera 4K, Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro, and ArriRaw.

As always, I’d love to hear your ideas for new cameras and features! You can email me, send me a message on Twitter or Facebook, or vote for new cameras here.

// Zak and the team at Gray Hour