IMAX teases its next-gen film camera: 30% quieter than existing IMAX film camera, and more

IMAX has unveiled its next-generation film camera, designed and built in-house by IMAX with the company saying its next-gen film camera is 30% quieter than existing IMAX film cameras.

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The next-gen IMAX film camera is also more stable and has even more film exposure, rocks an all-new multi-layer carbon fiber body and structure, and all-new technology and functionality improvements throughout the camera design. IMAX says that there is a new, brighter Optical Viewfinder in its next-gen film camera, designed by Panavision.

The next-gen IMAX film camera is metadata-capable, embedded data via SDI to on-set playback to allow for visible data overlays for both on-set and editorial use. IMAX includes gigabit ethernet (1GbE) and a newer USB-C interface, with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. There are also live on-set dailies from the new digital viewfinder in the glorious 4K resolution.

The 5-inch 4K-capable full-color LCD display has updated physical buttons for core functionality, with a new full-function remote enabled for increased shooting flexibility. IMAX includes User Profiles for custom screen functionality layouts, and "far more camera controls" and operational status than previously possible.

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I can imagine that Hollywood directors like Zack Snyder, Christopher Nolan, and Denis Villeneuve are all salivating at IMAX's next-gen film camera, as they've all got multiple film experiences working with IMAX cameras. You don't know what you're missing out on if you haven't seen a movie in 70mm IMAX. It might sound like hype, but 70mm IMAX on a gigantic screen -- I saw Interstellar in 70mm IMAX in Melbourne, Australia, which has the biggest screen in the southern hemisphere -- and it was life-changing.

IMAX is an incredible experience, and more and more movies are coming out in IMAX, one of the most recent being the Civil War and, before that, Dune: Part Two. Dune: Part Two had so much IMAX demand that the company saw people choosing late-night 3:15 AM sessions just to see the movie in IMAX.

Now that there are next-gen IMAX cameras being prepared, we should expect future movies from Snyder, Nolan, and Villeneuve to look even better... and they'll have a better experience using them. Especially with the next-gen IMAX film cameras being 30% quieter, which will make a big difference on a movie set.