CAMERA SENSOR COMPARISON: URSA CINE 12K vs RED V-RAPTOR vs ALEXA 35
This Camera Sensor Comparison is your guide to navigating the complex world of digital cinema cameras. Choosing the right one can feel like deciphering a foreign language: 12K, RGBW, global shutter – what does it all really mean?
We’ll break down the technology behind the Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF, RED V-Raptor, and ARRI Alexa 35, but we’re going beyond the specs. We’ll explore why each company made their design choices — the engineering decisions that shape your dynamic range, your color, your creative options. It’s not about numbers; it’s about finding the perfect tool to bring your cinematic vision to life.
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UNDERSTANDING CAMERA SENSORS
The sensor is the heart of any digital camera, the digital equivalent of film. It captures the light projected by the lens and converts it into a digital image. The sensor’s size, resolution, and underlying technology determine much about your final image. This includes detail, sharpness, dynamic range (the ability to capture detail in both highlights and shadows), low-light performance, and even the overall “look” of the image.
Two main sensor technologies dominate the cinema world: Bayer pattern sensors and RGBW sensors.
Bayer pattern sensors, the most common type, use a grid of tiny red, green, and blue filters over the sensor’s light-sensitive elements (photosites). There are usually twice as many green filters as red or blue, mimicking our eyes’ sensitivity to green light.
RGBW sensors add a white (W) photosite, capturing pure brightness information to boost light sensitivity and dynamic range.
BEST SENSOR FOR RESOLUTION FLEXIBILITY: BLACKMAGIC URSA CINE 12K LF
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Blackmagic is known for pushing boundaries, and the URSA Cine 12K LF continues that trend. Its sensor uses a unique RGBW approach. Instead of simply replacing some green pixels with white ones, Blackmagic employs a clever 6×6 grid pattern. Half the photosites are white, and the other half are evenly split between red, green, and blue.
Blackmagic URSA Cine 17K 65mm (left) vs 12K S35 (right) sensors
12K RESOLUTION AND DYNAMIC RANGE
This design offers incredible detail, as 12K resolution is massive. While it’s more than most delivery formats require, it provides incredible flexibility in post-production. You can crop, reframe, stabilize, and even create multiple shots from a single take without sacrificing image quality.
The white photosites are incredibly sensitive, capturing a lot of light. This contributes to the camera’s impressive 16 stops of dynamic range, allowing you to retain detail in both the brightest highlights and the darkest shadows.
IN-SENSOR SCALING AND PIXEL BINNING
The 6×6 grid also enables in-sensor scaling. The URSA Cine 12K LF can shoot in 12K, 8K, or 4K without cropping the sensor or changing your field of view. It achieves this through “pixel binning,” intelligently combining groups of photosites to create larger, more sensitive “super-pixels” at lower resolutions.
Imagine a mosaic made of tiny tiles. In 12K mode, you see every single tiny tile. In 8K or 4K, the camera groups those tiles together, creating a larger, but still incredibly detailed, picture. This also increases sensitivity in lower resolutions, improving low-light performance.
THE ROLE OF OVERSAMPLING
Even if you’re delivering in 4K, shooting in 12K or 8K on the URSA Cine 12K LF provides advantages through “oversampling.” Capturing more pixel data than needed and then intelligently downsampling results in a cleaner, sharper, and more detailed image with reduced noise.
It’s like having extra information to work with. It’s important to remember that it’s not just about the sensor. The camera’s internal image processing is crucial for handling the massive amounts of data from the 12K sensor and producing beautiful, usable footage.
BEST SENSOR FOR HIGH-SPEED ACTION & VFX: RED V-RAPTOR (GLOBAL SHUTTER MODEL)
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RED has long been a favorite for action and visual effects, and the V-Raptor continues that tradition. While the original V-Raptor used a rolling shutter, the newer V-Raptor [X] with Global Shutter is a game-changer. It uses a 35.4-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor (Bayer pattern) that shoots 8K.
The global shutter reads the entire sensor simultaneously, eliminating the motion distortion (“jello effect”) that can occur with fast-moving subjects or camera movements. This is crucial for action sequences, sports, and visual effects work.
The V-Raptor also boasts impressive high frame rates (e.g., 120fps at 8K), perfect for stunning slow-motion footage. The V-Raptor XL adds a built-in, motorized ND filter system (2 to 7 stops), which is incredibly convenient for run-and-gun shooting. This allows you to quickly adjust to changing light without external filters. There is also an 8K S35 version for Super35 lenses.
BEST SENSOR FOR CLASSIC “FILM LOOK” & COLOR ACCURACY: ARRI ALEXA 35
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ARRI is a legendary name in cinema, and the Alexa 35 is their latest flagship. It uses a 4K Super 35 sensor (Bayer pattern). While it doesn’t have the highest resolution, the Alexa 35 prioritizes image quality and a “film-like” aesthetic.
ARRI completely redesigned its color science for the Alexa 35, resulting in an incredibly accurate and natural-looking color rendition with beautiful skin tones and subtle tonal gradations. This is known as “REVEAL Color Science.”
ARRI also claims 17 stops of dynamic range, and the Alexa 35 is renowned for its ability to hold detail in both highlights and shadows. The camera features “ARRI Textures,” which are essentially in-camera “looks” that you can apply to your footage, offering more creative control over the image before post-production.
The Alexa 35 is also known for its user-friendly design, robust build quality, and sophisticated cooling system to keep everything running smoothly. ARRI emphasizes that dynamic range isn’t just about seeing into shadows and highlights. It’s also about accurately capturing saturated colors. The Alexa 35 is designed to handle bright, vibrant colors without clipping or distortion.
CAMERA SENSOR COMPARISON: URSA CINE 12K LF, RED V-RAPTOR, ALEXA 35
How do these impressive cameras really compare? The table below breaks down the key specifications – resolution, dynamic range, sensor size, and more – allowing for a direct, side-by-side comparison of the URSA Cine 12K LF, RED V-Raptor, and Alexa 35.
| Camera | Sensor Technology | Resolution | Dynamic Range | Sensor Size | Max Frame Rate | Key Features |
| Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF | RGBW (6×6 grid) | 12K (12,288 x 6480) | 16 stops | 36 x 24mm | 120 fps (12K 2.4:1) | Efficient in-sensor scaling, oversampling, high dynamic range |
| RED V-Raptor | CMOS (Full-Frame) | 8K VV (8192 x 4320) | 17+ stops | 40.96 x 21.6mm | 120 fps (8K 17:9) | Global shutter (V-Raptor), high frame rates, compact form factor |
| RED V-Raptor 8K S35 | CMOS (Super35) | 8K (8192 x 4320) | 16.5+ stops | 26.21 x 13.82mm | 120 fps (8K 17:9) | Optimized for Super35mm lenses, high frame rates |
| ARRI Alexa 35 | CMOS (Super 35) | 4K (4608 x 3164) | 17 stops | 27.99 x 19.22 mm | 120 fps (4K 16:9) | REVEAL Color Science, ARRI Textures, high dynamic range, compact form factor |
THE BOTTOM LINE
There is not any single camera sensor that works best since they all have distinct features. The Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF is a very versatile camera that can be used for many styles. However, the RED V-Raptor excels in capturing action and movement. Whereas the ARRI Alexa 35 is known for its exceptional image quality.
The key takeaway? Understand your project’s needs, your creative vision, and the strengths of each camera system. Choose the tool that best helps you tell your story. Don’t get lost in the numbers; focus on the images.
GET READY FOR AN IN-DEPTH LOOK: FILMMAKERS ACADEMY REVIEWS THE URSA CINE 12K
Want to see the Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF in action before anyone else? Filmmakers Academy and Blackmagic Design are hosting a free, live, interactive demonstration on Tuesday, March 25th, 2025.
Shane Hurlbut, ASC, colorist Dave Cole, and Cinematography Product Specialist Tor Johansen will lead a comprehensive camera test, covering everything from setup and recording to image quality and workflow. You’ll get expert insights, see real-world examples, and have a chance to ask questions live.
Plus, there will be giveaways, including a Blackmagic Design Pyxis Camera, a Pyxis Monitor and Filmmakers Academy gift cards!
Register now for this free event: Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF “Official Demo.” The live stream and on-demand video will be available after the event, with exclusive access on the Filmmakers Academy platform for one month before it’s posted publicly on our YouTube channel.
