Cameras and Image Capture
Camera Requirements
4K UHD Resolution:
- Camera must have a true 4K UHD sensor (equal to or greater than 3840 photosites wide).
Recording Format:
- Minimum of 16-bit Linear or 10-bit Log processing
- Bitrate of at least 240 Mbps (at 23.98/24 fps) recording
- Recording format must be set to either:
- RAW (uncompressed or lightly compressed sensor data)
- COMPRESSED (Log Gamma - i.e. S-Log3, V-Log, CanonLog3, REDLogFilm, BMDLog, LogC, etc.)
- No looks or color corrections should be baked into the original camera files.
- Files must maintain all metadata (i.e. Tape Name, Timecode, Frame Rate, ISO, WB, etc.)
Spanned Clips:
- Allowing a camera to record spanned clips (single takes spread out on multiple camera cards) is inadvisable. Please avoid this recording method if it is not absolutely necessary.
Black Balancing:
- If applicable, black balancing of camera sensors should be done daily, when the camera is at normal operating temperature. See specific black balancing instructions in the camera operating manual.
Aspect Ratio / Framing:
- Aspect ratios greater than 2.00:1 must be evaluated and discussed with Netflix for approval.
- Framing chart must be shot before principal photography begins, and processed through the dailies pipeline which will be shared with editorial, post-production, and VFX.
Secondary Cameras:
- Any cameras other than the primary camera (crash, POV, drone, underwater, etc.) must be approved by Netflix.
- Test footage should be shot and provided to dailies and post-production to ensure compatibility with primary camera.
Film Cameras:
- For productions seeking to shoot any photochemical film, please contact prodtech.support@netflix.com or a relevant Netflix project lead.
Approved Cameras
The cameras listed below meet the minimum resolution and recording requirements listed above. This list is not exhaustive; additional approved cameras may be available.
ARRI
Note: Detailed production guides for ARRI cameras can be found here.
Canon
Note: Detailed production guides for Canon cameras can be found here.
Panasonic
Note: Detailed production guides for Panasonic cameras can be found here.
RED
Note: Detailed production guides for RED cameras can be found here.
Panavision
Note: Detailed production guides for Panavision cameras can be found here.
Sony
Note: Detailed production guides for Sony cameras can be found here. A Production Technology Advisory has been issued for the Sony Venice.
Blackmagic
Note: Detailed production guides for Blackmagic cameras can be found here.
Change Log:
2018-11-29
- Film Cameras: Added new language around use of photochemical film.
2018-10-15
- Camera Requirements: Added information regarding "Spanned Clips" and how this recording method should be avoided.
2018-08-30
- Canon: Canon C700 FF has been added.
2018-08-17
- Sony: Production Technology Advisory has been issued for the Sony Venice.
- Panavision: Added link to detailed camera production guide for the DXL2.
2018-07-30
- Canon: C500 - XF-AVC has been removed as a "Recording Format".
2018-07-03
- Camera Requirements: Instances of "4K" updated to "4K UHD"
- Sony: With the release of v2.0 firmware for Sony Venice the previously referenced PDF listing v1.0 limitations has been deprecated and removed from this article.
2018-06-06
- Panavision: Updated camera name from Panavision DXL to Panavision DXL2. Recording Format changed from REDCODE RAW (up to 6:1) to - REDCODE RAW (up to 8:1)
- Sony: Updated camera name from FS7 to FS7 / FS7 II
- Added links to detailed camera production guides under each table.
2018-05-24
- RED: All approved RED cameras are now on the list.
- Sony: PDF has been made available relating to firmware limitations (which are significant) on the Sony Venice.
2018-04-06
- Panasonic AU-EVA1 added to list.
2018-04-02
- Recording Format: Updated "Log color space (i.e. S-Log3..." to "COMPRESSED (Log Gamma - i.e. S-Log3..." for clarity.
2018-03-26
- Black Balancing: Changed "Black balancing of camera sensors..." to "If applicable, black balancing of camera sensors..."
- ARRI Alexa LF: Updated Recording Format from "ProRes 4444 XQ" to "ProRes 422 HQ (or higher)"