What’s the goal of the newly announced RED Komodo-X? We all know the purpose of the 1st Komodo (Baby Dragon/RED’s first action cam/crash cam). However, the new Komodo-X seems a bit tricky to define. Let’s take a guess.
The 1st Komodo
The first Komodo was born as a valid need to replace GoPro cameras. RED Digital Cinema’s goal was to develop an action/crash cam that can be utilized for the big screen. Of course, there’s GoPro. However, investigations showed that the GoPro couldn’t hold on to the big screen (movie theater). In fact, the audience could notice a significant reduction in image quality when the shot/sequence passed 20 frames captured by GoPro. Thus, a small and affordable camera needed to be developed. The intention was to build a camera that can shoot compressed raw, has a big sensor, and can integrate into professional industry standard workflow. Hence, the Komodo was born. Defined as Baby Dragon, the camera gained traction, and was (and still is) one of the best-selling cameras of RED Digital Cinema, since it allowed onset usage that other DSMC2 cameras couldn’t give, at an affordable price.
From crash-cam to A-cam
The affordable price tag of the Komodo, caused many junior filmmakers to enter into the RED ecosystem. Like the ARRI ALEXA Mini, which was developed as a ‘gimbal-cam’ and turned into a major A cam, the Komodo underwent the same cycle. Content creators have utilized the Komodo as their main camera. High-end Hollywood productions have been using Komodo as an FPV drone camera. In fact, the RED Komodo has a major credit for evolving aerial FPV in cinema applications (we call it Cinema FPV). When you need high-quality aerial FPV imagery, Komodo can be your best bet. The camera opened a huge amount of possibilities for anyone, with any budget. Of course, shooting raw demands knowledge of color pipeline, correct workflow, and skill in cinematography. You can shoot fantastic imagery with the Komodo, and you can shoot terrible footage as well. You just need to know what you’re doing. Anyway, that was the main purpose of the Komodo. It was born due to a specific demand.
And then Komodo-X was introduced
Many think that the newly announced Komodo-X is the successor of the 1st Komodo. A part of this might be true. However, the Komodo-X is a similar camera for different purposes. It has the same size sensor, better audio options, a new sensor that performs better in the shadows, X2 fps in 6K resolution, and better I/O. Nevertheless, the 1st Komodo can fit better as an action cam. For instance, the 1st Komodo is smaller, the antenna is located in a strategically protected location, and most importantly, it’s almost half the price compared to the Komodo-X. Price can be a crucial factor if you want the camera to be lifted by a crazy FPV drone. Furthermore, you would think twice before throwing a Komodo-X on a fast, sensitive, and dangerous spot. Therefore, the Komodo-X has a whole different purpose. It’s not an action-cam per se. It’s just a cam you can afford, that is better integrated into the DSMC3 ecosystem, and without breaking the bank.
Komodo-X: Entry-level RED camera
If so, the Komodo-X seems to have developed as a better entry-level camera in the RED DSMC3 ecosystem. The Komodo-X suits better in high-end production than the 1st Komodo. With improved I/O, reduced black-shading time, and more features, the Komodo-X will allow you to shoot faster, and with an improved onset implementation. However, the Komodo-X is not suited for the main purpose the 1st was created — to be utilized as a crash cam. It’s just a Mini DSMC3.
The original Komodo was such a great camera; take a sensor made by some other company in Japan, “engineer” a box around it with a self-destructing SDI port, top pins that aren’t functional, bottom threaded mounts that are too close together, lame pseudo military graphics, an unprofessional 1/8″ mic jack, one already outdated media slot, and have it assembled in Mexico. Then patent troll other companies so they can’t implement the already existing tech you used. A few years later, complain that you want to charge more for it.
Fast forward to today, do it all again for twice the price. They’re using the battery and media they should have from the start now, but you’ve entered into the RED ecosystem – memory cards are rebranded at a premium. Rest assured all that money goes to the legal team. Frivolous lawsuits aren’t cheap. Pretty rich from a company that overstates dynamic range so egregiously.
Agreed.
AGREED ON ALL COUNTS But
The Komodo does habe a fantastic image. Cined Clocked it at around 12.5 stops in Dynamic range which is still great.
Also zero problem with rolling shutter.
Getting it into small places is a huge plus
R3D is great to work with.
Red Sucks but they still make great cameras.
The Gemini is probably the 2nd best digital camera behind the Alexa Mini (For me)