Here’s a list of cinema cameras that have received the prestige iF Design Award 2021 in the Product category. From the boxy BGH1 to the full-frame beasts C500 Mark II and  FX6. Also, there’s one cinema lens in the picture. Read below.

iF Product Design Award: Cinema cameras

The iF Product Design Award was introduced in 1954 and is annually conferred by the iF International Forum Design, which is the Hanover-based organization providing design-related services. The award, which spans multiple disciplines, has thousands of entries from around 59 nations every year. As defined: “The iF Design Award rests on independence, rigorousness, and integrity, and the aim is to raise awareness of design among the public and the role it plays in our lives”. Recently we’ve reported that the forthcoming Kinefinity MAVO Edge 8K won this prestigious award among almost 10,000 submissions from 52 countries. Furthermore, after a bit of investigation, we’ve found four other cinema cameras that won as well: Panasonic BGH1, Canon EOS C500 Mark II, and EOS C300 Mark III, and e Sony FX6.

Cinema cameras: Definitions of manufacturers

Let’s explore how the manufacturers define their cinema cameras in the iF Award Product Design Guide:

Panasonic BGH1

• Date of launch: 2020
• Development time: 13 – 24 months
• Design by: Kenji Nishiwaki – Panasonic

“The demand for video has been increasing in the areas of social media and web content. Video content is diversifying to meet the demand for multi-angle shooting and online distribution. However, spending on equipment and manpower is decreasing, and a single camera must satisfy multiple demands. This multi-purpose camera can be used in a variety of video production sites and supports various shooting styles including the use of gimbals and drones”. 

Canon EOS C500 Mark II / EOS C300 Mark III

• Date of launch: 2019
• Development time: Not specified
• Design by: Takashi Mori, Hiroaki Ohashi, Yusuke Hokari – Canon

“The EOS C500 Mark II/EOS C300 Mark III are digital cinema cameras that combine high-quality imaging and compact body size. In recent years, digital cinema cameras have come to be used not only for movies and TV dramas but also for broadcasting and news-gathering. To support such a wide variety of uses, a cubic-shaped modular design is employed. Increased freedom of visual expression is made possible through various shooting styles, such as drone shooting, handheld shooting, and shoulder-mounted shooting”. 

Sony FX6

• Date of launch: 2020
• Development time: Not specified
• Design by: Takumi Suzuki – Sony

“Today, small production studios and young creators are increasingly seeking cinematic quality even for the production of short commercial films and online videos. The FX6 comes equipped with a highly sensitive full-frame image sensor in a compact body, delivering low noise, a wide dynamic range, and a shallow depth of field that achieves stunning bokeh effects essential to cinematic expression. Its high-performance autofocus feature and high-speed shooting capabilities give creators the powers of expression, mobility, and flexibility equal to cinematographers”. 

What about cinema lenses?

The only cinema lens we could find that won the iF Design Product Awards is the FUJINON Premista 19-45mm T2.9. Here is the data according to the manufacturer.

• Date of launch: 2021
• Development time: 13 – 24 months
• Design by: Makoto Isozaki – Fujifilm

“The 19-45mm T2.9 is the third model in the Premista range, a series of wide-angle zoom lenses of cinema cameras that support large-format sensors. In recent years, shooting for movies and other types of high-quality video production has seen the continued adoption of cameras featuring large-format sensors capable of expressive images with beautiful bokeh and rich gradation. While fixed focal length lenses are widely used, there is increasing demand for zoom lenses, which increase efficiency by reducing the need for lens replacement. The 19-45mm T2.9 meets this need by providing seamless, high-quality visuals with a single wide-angle zoom lens”. 

Summary

Although we’re pretty sure that more products and camera manufacturers are deserved to win an iF Product Design Award, the list above presets truly innovative cinema products, that are aimed at the higher point of the mainstream graph, and the professional market as well. Also, this Award is our way to congrats the inventors themselves, and remember that behind every successful design, there’s a person that designed it.

Products List

• Camera: Panasonic LUMIX BGH1. Price: $2,000 [maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://adorama.rfvk.net/WDydKA” ]
• Camera: Canon EOS C500 Mark II. Price: $16,000 [maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://adorama.rfvk.net/EaEeV2″ ]
• Camera: Canon EOS C300 Mark III. Price: $11,000 [maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://adorama.rfvk.net/2ra5Y7″ ]
• Camera: Sony FX6. Price: $6,000 [maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://adorama.rfvk.net/vnPjbv” ]