Sharp is just entering the circle of the exclusive 8K family with a new professional Super 35mm camcorder that shoots 8K at 60 FPS.
When it seems that 4K has already become obsolete, the hottest jargon in today’s race to the top of cinema technology is 8K thanks to RED – the company that started the 4K race – convincing everybody that this is the most desirable resolution for professional filmmaking.Well, it appears that Sharp also wants to be a part of the 8K family. It has introduced, in cooperation with Astrodesign, its new 8K camera: the 8C-B60A 8K (60p) professional camcorder. It features a PL lens mount, and is as described by Sharp as: “a world’s first, integrating capabilities for video shooting and recording, playback, and line output“.
According to the press release, the camera is equipped with “Super 35-mm-equivalent CMOS image sensor with 33 million pixels… enabling efficient 8K (60p) image editing and approximately 40 minutes of continuous recording (when using the bundled 2-TB SSD pack). Because it allows real-time output of 8K uncompressed images at the same time that recording is taking place, the 8C-B60A can be used for live transmissions as well.”
By the way, this camera might be used in the 2020 Summer Olympics, since it’s an ENG (Electronic News Gathering) style camera that has the potential to broadcast super stunning 8k image to the viewers.
CODEC – (7680×4320 4:2:2 10-bit)
The camera makes use of the Grass Valley HQX codec, an intermediate codec available for both Windows and Macintosh platforms. It can handle many different video resolutions up to and including 8K (DCI), and is available in 8-bit and 10-bit versions.
Pricing and Availability
The camera is expected to start shipping the first half of 2018 with a price tag of 8,800,000 yen (around $77,000).
8C-B60A 8K Professional Camcorder With battery pack and the commercially available lens, viewfinder, and microphone attached
Although there isn’t any sample footage available just yet, it will be interesting to see how the quality of the footage stacks up to other heavy competitors out there, like RED.
Personally, I think that there is currently an absurd pursuit of technological innovation at the expense of art. Higher resolution will not make your film better!
Specifications:
What do you think about this camera. Would you consider using it when 8K resolution is needed? Could it be a worthy competitor to RED 8K line? Tell us in the comments below!
