RED V-RAPTOR [X] – First Look by CVP, Plus Extended Highlights Explanation by RED

Camera News

by Francesco AndreolaJanuary 29^th, 2024

Our friends at CVP recently had the privilege to get their hands on RED’s newly launched 8K Vista Vision Global Shutter camera, the RED V-RAPTOR [X]. They summed up their early impressions in a 5-minute “First Look” video that includes footage shot on the brand-new sensor.

Combining the 8K Vista Vision sensor of the original V-RAPTOR with the global shutter performance of the KOMODO line, the new RED V-RAPTOR [X] truly seems to be a camera that ticks most – if not all – boxes. In case you missed it, make sure to check out our initial coverage of the camera here as well as CPV’s video below before you go on reading.

RED V-RAPTOR [X] – 8K VV global shutter sensor

The RED V-RAPTOR [X] definitely has a unique selling position in the market. Indeed, it’s the first camera of its kind to unify 8K resolution, high frame rate capture (up to 120fps in 8K), large-format, and a global shutter sensor design under the same roof.

To be honest, the rolling shutter performance of the original V-RAPTOR 8K VV sensor (8 ms in full-frame mode) isn’t that bad overall. In the cinema camera ranking, the OG V-RAPTOR still holds a solid 3rd place in our rolling shutter lab test, beaten only by the Sony Venice 2 (<3 ms) and almost on par with the Alexa Mini LF (7.4 ms).

However, shooting on a global shutter camera is a whole different game, especially with virtual production rapidly taking hold. And while, historically, global shutter sensors don’t shine when it comes to dynamic range, it looks like RED has found a way to crack the code and master global shutter technology after the KOMODO experience.

Now, without falling into a potential marketing trap, let’s wait for real-life results. The guys at CVP will release an in-depth overview of the camera and, hopefully, we’ll also be able to conduct our in-house lab test of the new sensor. But, undoubtedly, the graded footage in CVP’s video looks gorgeous and very promising.

Extended highlights – RED explains

Among the most discussed features of the new V-RAPTOR [X] are those branded under the name of Global Vision technology, particularly the Extended Highlights protection feature.

RED states that Extended Highlights protection is indeed a “re-imagined” version of the good old HDRx feature found on DSMC2 bodies. Since the hypothesis of how this is performed in the [X] cameras is already circulating on the internet, RED answered with a dedicated post. But CVP’s video is also insightful in this regard.

To begin with, the Extended Highlights mode can be toggled on/off both in-camera and in post. According to RED, this allows you to still monitor the extended dynamic range image on your monitor while shooting, although post-processing should provide far better results. Moreover, this function is only available when shooting .R3D raw files (or .R3D + ProRes proxies), as it is a capture mode that belongs to the “RAW domain”. So it remains off if you’re only shooting in Apple ProRes.

Additionally, Extended Highlights doesn’t come without tradeoffs. Indeed, it limits the ISO range to a maximum of 1600, while also halving the camera’s frame rates and doubling data rates. Moreover, it will be interesting to see if RED has found a way to minimize the motion artifacts derived by the process of combining multiple exposures, even though they state the following:

“There may be additional motion blur or “ghosting” in the image if excessive motion is present in the region of reconstructed highlight detail”.

RED Support

Subsequently, it will be intriguing to verify whether or not the camera can even approach the 20-stop dynamic range barrier using this special capture mode. I’m sure my colleague Gunther is impatiently waiting for such a “historical moment”, so he can replace our Xyla 21 dynamic range test chart and go back to the drawing board to re-design our Lab Test procedure. But that moment might still be far off.

Price and availability

The new RED V-RAPTOR [X] and V-RAPTOR XL [X] are available to order on RED’s website and are shipping now. They retail for $29,995 and $44,995 respectively. Lastly, RED offers an upgrade path for V-RAPTOR and V-RAPTOR XL owners. The sensor and internal board update will cost you $12,500.

For more information, please visit RED’s website (V-RAPTOR [X] / V-RAPTOR [XL] X).

Final note: we’d like to say “congrats” to Jake and the rest of the CVP team for the effort they put into curating their YouTube channel. It’s an invaluable, insightful source of education within our industry.

Featured image credit: CVP (YouTube)

What do you think of these first sample images shot on the V-RAPTOR [X]? Is the new sensor worth the upgrade? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!