LAS VEGAS - Monday night at NAB, Dalsa Corp. www.dalsa.com unveiled a prototype of its Origin 4k x 2k digital cinematography camera before several hundred cinematographers, motion picture executives, post production professionals, and other digital cinema stakeholders.
The camera incorporates a 35mm film-sized, scientific-grade, CCD image sensor designed specifically for cinematography. At a resolution of eight million pixels (4k x 2k), the Dalsa-designed sensor offers four times the resolution of HD, and offers 68dB of dynamic range. It is designed to operate at variable frame rates (1-48) at full resolution and full image quality, offering cinematographers the ability to use undercranking and overcranking techniques.
In attendance at the event was Steven Poster, ASC, who commented, "No matter where [Dalsa] goes with this, [the company] has raised the bar.
It is not ready for market, but they have a concept that [included the input] of cinematographers."
Testing of the camera will follow in the months ahead. The Origin is expected to be available through reseller channels in early 2004.