Cameras and Image Capture

Approved Cameras

90% of the total runtime of a final program should be captured on approved cameras. For nonfiction content, this threshold may be more flexible. Any exceptions must be discussed with the relevant Netflix project lead.

The cameras listed meet the Netflix capture requirements as described below. This list is being continually updated as new camera systems are evaluated.

 

ARRI

Canon

Panasonic

RED

Panavision

Sony

Blackmagic

 

CAPTURE REQUIREMENTS

• Resolution Requirements

  • Camera must have a true 4K UHD sensor (equal to or greater than 3840 photosites wide)

• Capture Formats:

  • RAW (e.g. X-OCN, REDCODE, Arriraw etc.) or COMPRESSED (e.g. XAVC, AVC-Intra, ProRes, or other I-Frame capable formats)

  • Minimum of 16-bit Linear or ≥ 10-bit Log processing

  • Minimum data-rate of 240 Mbps at 10-bit UHD 23.98 fps

• Capture Transfer Function

  • S-Log3, Log-C, V-Log, Log3G10, etc.

• Capture Color Space

  • S-Gamut3.cine, RED Wide Gamut RGB, Alexa Wide Gamut, 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.).

 

Please note, not all cameras that meet these capture requirements will be approved. These requirements are the minimum specifications necessary for consideration. Other attributes must be taken into account such as dynamic range, form factor, stability, workflow compatibility etc.

 

Use of Non-Approved Cameras:

• Limited use of non-approved cameras is allowable in certain circumstances (e.g. crash, POV, drone, underwater, Pan-Tilt-Zoom/Robocam etc). In all cases, such cameras must be explicitly approved by Netflix for a specific project. Use of a non-approved camera on one project does not constitute blanket approval of that camera for other projects. 
• Footage from non-approved cameras will count towards the total allotment of non-approved capture. The allotment is based on content used in the final edit (per episode if applicable) and not on the total captured content.
• When the limited use of a non-approved camera is authorized, test footage should be shot and provided to dailies and post-production to ensure compatibility across other camera sources.

 

Technical Considerations & Best Practices

Black Balancing

• If applicable, black balancing of camera sensors should be done regularly, when the camera is at normal operating temperature. Please refer to the black balancing instructions in the specific camera’s operating manual.

 

Framing

• A framing chart should be shot before principal photography begins, and processed through the dailies pipeline which will be shared with editorial, post-production, and VFX.

 

 Aspect Ratio

• Aspect ratio is a creative decision and must be evaluated and discussed with Netflix for approval.

 

Anamorphic Lenses

• If anamorphic lenses are being considered, camera selection must take into account the extra resolution required for capture. Contact your Netflix project lead to discuss implications or concerns.

 

Color Management

• It is important to test the color space transformation of each camera format into the working color space in order to ensure compatibility with the project’s color pipeline.

 

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.

 

Film Capture

• For productions seeking to shoot any photochemical film, please contact your relevant Netflix project lead.

 

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Change Log:

2021-01-29

• Language changed around aspect ratios to clarify that choice of aspect ratio is not a technical decision but a creative one. Removed words "primary" and "secondary" when used to describe approved and non-approved cameras. Clarified that allowed used of non-approved cameras on one title does not constitute blanket approval of that camera for other projects.

2020-06-29

• Approved Cameras: Canon C300 MKIII has been added.

2020-01-21

• Approved Cameras: The following cameras were added to the "Approved Cameras" list.
  • Canon C500 MKII
  • Sony FX9

2019-11-08

• Approved Cameras: Updated the acceptable "Recording Formats" for both the Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 4.6K and Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 to "Blackmagic RAW (up to 5:1)".

2019-10-23

• Approved Cameras: Added Panasonic S1H.

2019-10-15

• Approved Cameras: The Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 had previously been added to the list September 4th 2019, however table image was not updated correctly. This issue has been addressed and the table updated.

2019-10-14

• Approved Cameras: Added the RED RANGER GEMINI and RED RANGER HELIUM.

2019-10-10

• Approved Cameras: Added the ARRI Alexa Mini LF.

2019-09-30

• Explicitly listed "AVC-Intra" as an option within the "Capture Requirements" section in order to provide additional clarity.
• Removed the 80% hard limit for nonfiction content on unapproved cameras however any exceptions must be discussed with the relevant Netflix project lead.

2019-04-24

• Rearranged article so that "Approved Cameras" are listed first.
• Updated guidance listed under "Film Cameras".

2019-04-02

• Approved Cameras: Added wording outlining minimum thresholds for content amount captured on approved cameras.
• Minor editoral changes.

2019-04-01

• Panasonic: Panasonic UC4000 added.

2019-03-05

• Approved Cameras: Wording added to clarify the distinction between a camera being able to meet the capture requirements vs being an approved primary camera.

2019-02-25

• RED: RED Dragon-X and RED Ranger added.

2019-02-15

• Sony Venice Firmware Advisory has been removed.

2018-12-18

• Recording Format: Renamed to Capture Requirements and reformatted for clarity.
• Anamorphic Lenses: Added section covering use of anamorphic lenses.
• Secondary Cameras: Added additional information relating to their use.
• Spanned Clips: Section moved, no change in information.
• Approved Cameras: Added new language around use of broadcast cameras.

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)"

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