Ποιες κάμερες περιμένουμε πως και πως το 2019

Another new year, another round of juicy camera conjectures. Here’s your officially unofficial 2019 camera rumor roundup!

2018 was a relatively solid year of new camera releases. We saw big releases from Canon, Blackmagic, Nikon, Panasonic, and others. So what’s in store for 2019? We rounded up all the latest camera rumors for you to dig through.

Keep in mind, there are no guarantees here — these are only hopes and dreams. That said, here are the best rumors for cameras we may see released in 2019.

ARRI

The Alexa Mini is still going strong, even as it’s heading into its fourth year on the market. So that makes us wonder if we will see an update to this model in 2019. It’s unlikely, as the Mini continues to exceed ARRI’s expectations.

While originally built to be a smaller B or C-camera to use alongside the Alexa SXT, ARRI has seen quite a few productions use the Alexa Mini as an A-camera.

Image via ARRI.

In 2018, ARRI released the ALEXA LF (large format) camera, their first true 4K camera. Consumers everywhere have wondered if the company would create a MINI LF to go along with it. While the Alexa Mini’s product manager has admitted they faced quite a few technical challenges to build a worthy companion camera, it’s likely the company is well into R&D. That said, it’s likely not a 2019 camera, but we’re just here for the rumors.

ARRI ALEXA MINI LF

Large Format ARRI ALEV III (A2X) CMOS sensor.
4.5K up to 60fps.
14+ stops.
ARRIRAW/ProRes.
8 lbs.

Blackmagic

For years, and years, and years, and years, we’ve talked about a Pocket Cinema Camera II. 2018 saw the much-anticipated release of the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K (our review here). Now that we finally got what we wanted, do we start the Pocket Cinema Camera 8K rumors?

Image via Todd Blankenship.

Realistically speaking, 2019 will likely see the announcement of another variation of the URSA Mini (our URSA Mini Pro review is here and URSA Mini 4.6K is here). Or will Blackmagic announce a return to a larger camera body and try to revive the URSA? Unlikely.

URSA Mini Mark II

6K up to 60fps.
4.6K up to 120fps.
Built in ND.
EF, PL, F, and B4-Mount.
Dual side display.

Canon

It’s not crazy to say that Canon’s DSLR market has fallen off the map in terms of video production. Their DSLR line has been continuously beat out by Sony’s mirrorless cameras over the past few years. Rumors also suggest the Canon has already abandoned a DSLR in-development (allegedly another variation of the 5DS). Canon has been making a big push into the mirrorless market with the EOS M and EOS R line. It looks like that’s were they will continue to push hard in 2019.

Image via Canon.

In 2018, Canon tried once again to capitalize on the commercial television and cinema market with the release of the Canon EOS C700 FF, but at its price point, it seems to struggle to compete with the likes of the Panasonic VariCam and Sony CineAlta. If you’re going to pay that much more, it makes more sense to jump to ARRI or RED.

The middle-tier Cinema EOS series still holds on strong with documentary and ENG markets, and for those looking for a new C300, we’ve got the rumors for you.

Canon Cinema EOS C300 Mark III

8K recording up to 30fps.
6K up to 60 fps.
4K internal recording up to 120 fps.
4:4.4.
Currently being tested.
May be announced at NAB.

Rumor via The New Camera/Canon Rumors/Additional Sources

Canon XC ILR

New XC camera with interchangeable lenses.
RF-Mount.
DSLR-style hand grip.
top LCD screen.
Looks unlike any other Canon camera models.

Rumor via Canon Rumors/Rumors Dot Camera/Additional Sources

Canon EOS R (1 or 2 New Models)

Canon released the EOS R in 2018, their new full-frame mirrorless camera. They’re investing serious time into developing the mirrorless line, and they even said EF lenses will not be a focus — RF lenses will get the most attention in the coming years.

There is no naming structure in place yet for these R-series cameras, but 2019 may see a new entry-level R camera and new professional R camera. Here’s what you might see in 2019.

75MP (professional version), 50MP (entry-level).
5-axis image stabilization.
4K up to 30fps.
1080p up to 60fps.
720p up to 120fps.
10-bit 4:2.2.
Canon Log.
Headphone jack.
3.5mm microphone input.
4-7 new RF Lenses:
- 16-35mm f/2.8.
- 24-70mm f/2.8.
- 70-200mm f/2.8.
- 105mm f/1.4L.
- 85mm f/1.8 IS STM.
- Macro lens.
- RF non-L kit lens.

Rumor via Canon Rumors/Canon Watch/Additional Sources

Canon EOS 1D-X Mark III

8K up to 30fps.
4K up to 60fps.
Announced end of 2019, released early 2020.
Will ship for 2020 Olympics.

Rumor via Canon Rumors/Additional Sources

Canon EOS 7D Mark III

4K up to 30fps.
1080p up to 120fps.
EF, EF-S Mount.
Single-lens reflex camera.
APS-C.
Wi-Fi · Bluetooth installed.
Battery level indication is displayed in 4 levels (same as 9000 D etc.).
Maximum image size of test machine: 6000 × 4000.
Released early 2019.

Rumor via The New Camera/Canon Rumors/Additional Sources

Now there are plenty of other rumors for entry-level cameras, but we’re not here to talk about that. The only other crazy rumor worth noting is a bizarre multiple-lens camera system not drastically different the from the lackluster Light L16. While Canon has filed for a patent, it’s more likely that this will remain in the research and development division. That or maybe Canon has some crazy 360-camera up their sleeve.

2019 seems to be more of an expansion year with updates to popular lines, as seemingly all camera manufacturers have their sights set on 2020. The Tokyo Olympics have set an 8K UHDTV standard for broadcast. Canon does not seem to be up to 8K, as their competition at Sony has already announced several upcoming 8K cameras.

Sony

Sony has been reigning supreme with their mirrorless camera line and their camera sensors. They don’t seem to be slowing down, as we expect to see updates to many of their popular models — many of them rumored to feature 8K video recording ahead of the Tokyo 2020 summer games. Note: that’s 8K recording, not necessarily 8K output. The current line of alpha series record in 6K but output in 4K.

Image via Sony.

And remember: for Sony, the Tokyo games means big money. The company has spent years preparing for 8K televisions to be in homes ahead of the Olympics. Just don’t expect to enjoy 8K at home in the U.S. though, as only Japan has officially announced an 8K broadcast standard.

Don’t forget: Sony’s sensors are in a variety of other cameras and smartphones, so expect to see 8K recording coming to other cameras like the Panasonic Lumix G-series and Fujifilm X-T series.

Sony FS7 Mark III

Super 35-Sized CMOS sensor.
E-Mount.
8K up to 60fps.
Internal 4K up to 120fps.
12-bit 4:4.4.
Supports Rec. 709 and BT-2020.
Dual XQD Memory Card Slots.
Late 2019 Announcement.

Rumor via DVXUser/Additional Sources

Sony a7R IV

60MP (54MP) full-frame sensor.
8K up to 60fps.
4K up to 480fps.
10-bit / 12-bit / 14-bit / 16-bit 18-parallel fast A/D conversion.
4:4.4.
Q3 2019 release.

Rumor via The New Camera/Additional Sources

Sony a7S III

8K up to 60fps.
4K up to 480fps.
36.4MP full-frame sensor.
Dual based ISO.
4:2.2.
10-bit.
Increased battery performance.
Improved AI auto-focus.
Announced January 2019.

Rumor via The New Camera/Sony Rumors/Additional Sources

Sony a9 II

8K up to 60fps.
4K up to 480fps.
36MP full-frame sensor.
10-bit/12-bit/14-bit/16-bit 18-parallel fast A/D conversion.
Improved AI auto-focus.
Announced end of 2019, 2020 release.

Rumor via Sony Alpha Rumors/EOSHD/Additional Sources

Sony a6700 / a7000

26MP sensor.
4K up to 60fps.
10-bit.
Announced January 2019.

Rumor via The New Camera/Sony Alpha Rumors/Additional Sources

Panasonic

While Pansonic does use Sony sensors in the GH5S, the company has also been working on their own sensors. One that will debut early this year is the already-announced S1 ans S1R. Official specs aren’t out yet — we expect a press release in early 2019.

They plan to come out strong with new 4K cameras, and they are already developing an 8K micro 4/3 camera — which they admitted was not an easy task here: “8K on Micro 4/3 is complicated, if not impossible.”

Panasonic has apparently admitted that their 8K developments will not be released in time for the Olympics, so don’t expect 8K from them until 2021 or beyond.

Not too many rumblings about any new additions to the VariCam lineup as of now, so we’re not expecting any big news there.

Image via Panasonic.

Panasonic Lumix S1R

47MP full-frame sensor.
4K up to 60fps.
Panasonic sensor.
Dual IS.
Dual card slots (1 XQD, 1 SD).
Shipping April 2019.

Rumor via The New Camera

Panasonic Lumix S1

24MP full-frame sensor.
4K up to 60fps.
L-mount.
Dual IS.
Dual card slots (1 XQD, 1 SD).
Shipping April 2019.

Rumor via The New Camera

Panasonic Lumix GH6

6K up to 24fps.
V-Log.
Summer 2019 announcement, 2020 release.

Rumor via 43 Rumors/Mirrorless Times/Additional Sources

Pansonic Lumix G90

Same GH5S sensor.
4K up to 60fps.
Full HD 1080 up to 240fps.
Built-in 5 axis IS.
Dual Native ISO 400 and ISO 2500.
Dual UHS-II SD Slots; Wi-Fi & Bluetooth.
Advanced DFD AF System.

Rumor via The New Camera/43 Rumors/Additional Sources

Panasonic Unnamed L-Mount Video Camera

Panasonic is allegedly developing a video-specific camera. We don’t know many details, other than that it will be an L-mount.

Per DPreview: “One of our assets is our experience of professional video, over more than 40 years. This is one of the areas where we contribute to the market, so in the future it’s possible that [our L-mount lineup] will expand to include such products”

Fujifilm

In terms of video recording, the Fujifilm X-T3 was just released, so we’re not expecting anything major in 2019. If anything, there will be slight improvements to the X-T20 in a new update

Fujifilm X-T30

4K up to 30fps.
$1000 or less.
Similar specs to X-T20.

RED

In 2018, RED announced they were aiming to simplify their camera lineup. Their latest step in doing so was announcing the just-released DSMC2 DRAGON-X. There are also fresh rumors circulating on the first Hydrogen One accessory.

Image via RED.

RED DSMC2 DRAGON-X

“Entry-level” 5K S35 camera.
16.5 stops of dynamic range.
DSMC2 BRAIN.
5K resolution up to 96 fps in full format, 120 fps at 5K 2.4:1.
300 MB/s data transfer speeds and simultaneous recording of REDCODE® RAW and Apple ProRes or Avid DNxHD/HR.
Kit Includes the following:
- 480GB RED MINI-MAG.
- Canon lens mount.
- RED DSMC2 Touch LCD 4.7” monitor.
- RED DSMC2 Outrigger Handle.
- RED V-Lock I/O expander.
- Two IDX DUO-C98 batteries with VL-2X charger.
- G-Technology ev Series RED MINI-MAG reader.
- Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM Art Lens.
- Nanuk heavy-duty camera case.
Shipping now.
DSMC2 DRAGON-X BRAIN starts at $14,950.
DSMC2 DRAGON-X KIT starts at $19,950.

RED LITHIUM 3D/4V Camera

Image via RED Hydrogen.

RED’s Hydrogen One phone was released (with mixed review) in 2018, and 2019 gives us a glimpse at the first accessory. RED partnered with Lucid Camera on the development of the first 8K 3D/4V camera.

RED’s Jim Jannard shared the following in the h4v forums:

Lithium is a standalone camera that uses HYDROGEN as the UI and monitor device. It shoots dual 4K stream images and converts to 4-view. You can save the dual stereo pair images as the master. It has variable I/O and 6x zoom with everything in sync. It will support AF and hand controller manual focus, iris and zoom. I should be posting more specs pretty soon along with a realistic delivery date.

The 8K dual camera will convert to 4V in real time, also allowing users to adjust the distance of the lenses simultaneously. This allows for 3D focus and zoom similar to a traditional camera.

Other Rumors

These are all the big rumors in the video world. Nikon isn’t a big player in this space, but 2018 gave us Nikon’s first full-frame mirrorless bodies. Olympus will have a new photo flagship on the way.

Don’t expect any major new products from the likes of GoPro other than the traditional update to the HERO cameras. DJI has already announced their Osmo Pocket, and they will likely have new drones on the horizon soon. We are interested to see if DJI makes a splash with a new Hasselblad in the coming months.

Cover image via Sony.