RED Officially Announces Nikon-Z Mount to V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X Camera Systems

The Nikon acquisitions of RED adds a new chapter today as RED Digital Cinema has officially announced that two of the company’s most powerful cameras—the V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X—will add native Nikon Z mount offerings to provide adjustable AF speeds, fluid iris controls, and customizable lens responses.

Let’s look at what this news means for the future of both companies and the conjoining of the brands closer together. Plus, explore why these RED powerhouses with Nikon Z mounts might be right for you.

Nikon and RED’s Collaboration Heats Up

Since the acquisition was first announced, there has been endless speculation about what it would eventually mean for both brands. For now, we’ve seen a slow but steady increase in this partnership, with this being one of the more notable updates.

“This marks the beginning of RED and Nikon's collaborative products and it is the exciting first step in a new Z Cinema Series. By integrating the Z Mount, RED is providing more lens choices than ever before, empowering filmmakers with greater artistic flexibility. This development grants filmmakers the versatility of Nikon’s innovative Z lineup and PL options, as well as access to F Mount glass and many popular vintage lenses.” — RED Digital Cinema CEO Keiji Oishi.

The announcement promises that the RED V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X camera systems will also now be available with Nikon’s premier Z Mount, which should provide filmmakers specifically with more flexibility in lens choice and a complete capture solution from lens to sensor to codec.

RED DIGITAL CINEMA V-RAPTOR [X] 8K VV Camera

As a continuation of the company’s latest digital cinema advances, the V-RAPTOR [X] 8K VV Camera pairs the strengths of the RED DIGITAL CINEMA V-RAPTOR line with the global shutter of the KOMODO camera and a native Nikon Z mount offering adjustable AF speeds, fluid iris control, and customizable lens responses.

This powerful, all-purpose V-RAPTOR [X] Z Mount incorporates 8K resolution, crisp global shutter, optimal low-light performance, and high frame rate functions in a compact, feature-rich body weighing just over 4 lb.

The V-RAPTOR [X] is also notable for the camera’s large-format global shutter that can accurately capture a subject's motion, no matter how fast they're moving, with no distortion or Jello-like effects sometimes found with a rolling shutter. With the global shutter, shooters can capture every movement, flash, and burst without compromising image quality, dynamic range, or flexibility in post-production.

Here are the full specs and purchase options for this new Nikon Z mount version:

• Global Shutter Full-Frame VV Sensor
• Reinforced, Locking Nikon Z Lens Mount
• Adjustable AF, Smooth Iris Control
• 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
• DSMC3 Design, USB-C & Dual 12G-SDI Ports

RED DIGITAL CINEMA V-RAPTOR [X] 8K VV Camera (Nikon Z)

Continuing to provide the latest digital cinema advances, the V-RAPTOR [X] 8K VV Camera pairs the strengths of the RED DIGITAL CINEMA V-RAPTOR line with the global shutter of the KOMODO camera and a native Nikon Z mount offering adjustable AF speeds, fluid iris control, and customizable lens responses.

RED DIGITAL CINEMA KOMODO-X

The KOMODO-X Z Mount is also here and is set to feature a native Nikon Z mount offering adjustable AF speeds, fluid iris control, and customizable lens responses. It shares the global shutter 6K S35 sensor, powerful IP workflow, and advanced interfaces of the RF-mount KOMODO-X.

While sized the same as the original 6K S35 global-shutter KOMODO sensor, RED shares that the KOMODO-X Z Mount sensor has been redesigned from the ground up, offering key architectural improvements while producing excellent image quality and color science. Other notable features include enhanced shadow detail and color and frame rates up to 80 fps in 6K and up to 120p in 4K.

The other most interesting selling point about the KOMODO-X Z Mount camera is its select DSMC3 features with the notably ultracompact KOMODO form. The KOMODO-X Z Mount has a built-in plate that enables the direct use of Micro V-mount batteries and is compatible with the PRO I/O Module for auxiliary power and full-size Gold and V-mount battery use. The KOMODO-X also incorporates a full-size, 4-pin 11-17 VDC power input.

Here are the full specs and purchase options for this new Nikon Z mount version:

• 19.9MP Super 35 Global Shutter CMOS
• Reinforced, Locking Nikon Z Lens Mount
• Adjustable AF, Smooth Iris Control
• Compact KOMODO Line Design
• 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
• Includes AC Adapter

RED DIGITAL CINEMA KOMODO-X Z Mount 6K Digital Cinema Camera (Nikon Z)

RED continues to expand its line of digital cinema cameras with the KOMODO-X Z Mount featuring a native Nikon Z mount offering adjustable AF speeds, fluid iris control, and customizable lens responses. It shares the global shutter 6K S35 sensor, powerful IP workflow, and advanced interfaces of the RF-mount KOMODO-X.