Investing in filmmaking gear can get very expensive. So every year I do a camera shootout where I test various cameras I am interested in using. Then I do a blind test to see which camera I like the most, regardless of the price or brand name attached to it.

This year I decided to test out 5 drastically different cameras. Starting with the most affordable camera the ZCam E2-F6 Pro which retails for $4,000 dollars. Then the slightly more expensive Sony FX6 which costs $6,000 dollars. After that we got the Red Komodo-X which is a $7,000 dollar camera for the body only. In reality to get it working it will cost you more like $12,000. Next we jump to the Red V-Raptor X 8K VV camera which costs $30,000 for the body only, and finally we have the almost $90,000 dollar camera which is also a Hollywood favorite, the Arri Alexa 35. One camera that I also wanted to test out but couldn’t get in time for this test was the Blackmagic Design PYXIS 6K. I will however do a follow up where I test that camera next to the FX6 and ZCam F6 Pro.

To help me do this test I called on fellow filmmakers who brought some of these cameras and filmmaking gear. Our crew consisted of Ketak Dhiman, Craig Friebolin of UBIFIRE.com, Jon Weekes, Jonathan Edwards and Chad Dion. Last but not least is our main model, who is also a talented actress, Victoria Preston.

We filmed this test at the wonderful cinema facilities of AbelCine in New York City.

Red Komodo-X ($6,995 Body Only) – Get it from B&H https://bhpho.to/48vAfj7
Key Features:

• 19.9MP Super35 Global Shutter CMOS
• Compact KOMODO Line Design
• Locking Canon RF Lens Mount
• Up to 6K80p & 4K120p Video
• 12G-SDI, USB-C, 5-Pin Audio Ports
• 6K Streaming via RED Connect License
• Wireless Control, File Offload via Wi-Fi
• Integrated 2.9″ Touchscreen

Arri Alexa 35 ($82,880 Body Only) – Get it from B&H https://bhpho.to/4fzvJ5r
Key Features:

• 4.6K Super35 ARRI ALEV 4 CMOS Sensor
• Up to 4.6K 4608 x 3164, Cine License
• PL Mount (LBUS)
• BUD-1 Dovetail, B-Mount Battery Plate
• MXF/ARRIRAW & MXF/Apple ProRes 4444 XQ
• 17 Stops Dynamic Range
• Motorized ND Filters, Compact Design

Sony FX6 ($5,998) – Get it from B&H https://bhpho.to/4fwGR2R
Key Features:

• 4K Full-Frame 10.2MP CMOS Exmor R Sensor
• DCI 4K60p | UHD 4K120 | 1080p240
• 15+ Stops of Dynamic Range in S-Log 3 EI
• 1.3x and 2.0x Anamorphic De-Squeeze
• Compact Form Weighs Less than 2 lb
• Phase Detection AF/Face Tracking/Eye AF
• Base 800-12,800 ISO / 320-409,600 Max
• S-Cinetone, S-Log3, HLG Modes
• 10-Bit 4:2:2 XAVC-I/16-Bit Raw Output
• Dual CFexpress Type A/SDXC Card Slots
• Built in Electronic Variable ND Filter

Red V-Raptor X 8K VV ($29,995 Body Only) – Get it from B&H https://bhpho.to/4fyN3rh
Key Features:

• Global Shutter Full-Frame VV Sensor
• Lightweight & Compact DSMC3 Design
• Locking Canon RF Lens Mount
• Global Vision with Extended Highlights
• Phantom Track for Ghost Frame, Remapping
• Supports up to 8K120, 800 MB/s Video
• 17+ Stops of Dynamic Range
• Right-Side Assistant’s User Interface
• REDCODE Raw HQ, MQ & LQ | ProRes Options
• USB-C & Dual 12G-SDI Ports

ZCam E2-F6 Pro ($3,999) – Get it from B&H https://bhpho.to/4dNfjWE
Key Features:

• 6K up to 60 fps, 4K up to 120 fps
• Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
• Up to 15 Stops of Dynamic Range
• Interchangeable Canon EF Lens Mount
• Z-Log2, 10-Bit Color, ProRes 422/422 HQ
• 5″ Touchscreen Monitor, Camera Control
• Genlock and Timecode Support
• 12-G-SDI and HDMI Outputs
• CFast 2.0 or ZBlade Custom Media
• Integrated V-Mount Plate

Why I really do these camera tests?

Just as a disclaimer, when I do these tests each year, it’s not necessarily to see which camera is best. I think with the right skills they can all produce amazing image quality. I do these tests to see how it feels to actually operate and rig each camera. How fast I can navigate the menus and change settings. Also each sensor is different and so is the color science. In a way each of these cameras can look amazing but some are definitely better suited for certain types of work.

Just how each camera is built makes a huge difference in how they can be used. For example the Arri Alexa 35 is built really tough. It’s a durable and dependable camera but it’s also big and heavy. Once it’s fully rigged out it’s not a camera that I would recommend for a run and gun type of documentary film. Where this camera works really well is in a controlled environment or a job where you have a dedicated camera crew. This is not a camera you want one person setting up and operating.

For fast workflow you probably want a camera that has a lot of dedicated and customizable buttons and also a camera that has auto focus. In that case, from the cameras we have here the Sony FX6 is the way to go. In fact it’s the only camera that has auto focus and not only that, but really good autofocus.

Now if you want a camera that has true raw recording capability and also a global shutter then the two Red cameras are the way to go. 

However if you want the smallest camera and also the most affordable camera that comes with everything you need to record, aside from the lens and recording media obviously, then the ZCam F6 Pro is the best choice. Another great choice in that category would be the Sony FX3. I did not have the time to include it in this test but I did test it out along the ZCam F6 in my previous camera tests, which you can find on my website or by clicking the link below.

Test Setup

In this test each camera is marked only as CAM A, B, C, D and E. All cameras were shot in their native ISO and in the case where the cameras have dual native ISO I used the lowest one. I also did not color match the cameras or do any color grading on the footage other than applying the standard LOG to Rec709 LUT or image profile from each camera manufacturer. I used the same Zeiss CP2 PL mount lenses to make these tests as fair as possible. When you are watching, pay attention to the way each camera handles the shadows and highlight details. Also how well the cameras work when under or over exposed and how much of a color shift they introduce in those settings. Make your notes and then write down in the comments which cameras you think they are. Also let me know which cameras are your favorite.

Now here here the reveal of the tests where I show which cameras are the favorite!

If you liked this video then make sure you also check out my previous camera tests and see if you can guess those cameras. Here are the links to the 2021 Camera Tests, 2019 Camera Tests and 2017 Camera Tests.

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