Comparison of movie cameras

This article summarized the comparison of movie cameras.

35 mm The 35 mm film gauge has long been the most common gauge in professional usage, and thus enjoys the greatest number of cameras currently available for professional usage. The modern era of 35 mm cameras dates to 1972, when Arri's Arriflex 35BL and Panavision's original Panaflex models emerged as the first self-blimped, lightweight cameras. Another distinguishing characteristic of modern cameras is the adoption of stronger lens mount seatings secured with a breech lock – namely the Arri PL and PV mount, both of which were designs descended from the BNCR mount of Mitchell cameras.

General Camera model – specific camera body models and variants, usually officially authorized Camera line – either the body family (similar bodies) or system family (complementary design) Manufacturer – company of origin Introduced – first year of known usage Weight – usually just the body, but may include accessories as mentioned MOS/sync – Sync-sound cameras are able to both maintain a constant speed (usually crystal lock) and run quietly enough not to be heard by the sound recordist. MOS cameras do not meet either one or both of these requirements, and are usually used either for applications where camera noise is not a concern, or non-standard camera speeds are required. A camera is also deemed MOS if it cannot hold a constant speed, regardless of its noise levels. Noise level – measured noise made by the camera, dB(A), with film and at a given distance from the film plane, usually one meter. MOS cameras do not have a measured noise level since they are not intended to be used with recorded sound and thus are much louder.

A limited number of cameras prior to the modern period are listed due to their prevalence in special applications. Camera model Camera line Manufacturer IntroducedWeight MOS/sync Noise level Eyemo 71K Eyemo Bell and Howell 1925 MOS N/A Arriflex 35-2C Arriflex 35 II Arri 1964 , with empty magazine MOS N/A Arriflex 35BL-1 Arriflex 35BL Arri 1972 , with empty magazine Sync 26 dB Panaflex-X Panaflex Panavision 1974 Sync <24 dB Arriflex 35BL-2 Arriflex 35BL Arri 1975 , with empty magazine Sync 26 dB Panaflex Gold II Panaflex Panavision 1976 , with short eyepiece Sync <24 dB Arriflex 35BL-3 Arriflex 35BL Arri 1980 , with empty magazine Sync 22 dB Arriflex 35-3C Arriflex 35 III Arri 1982 ; , with empty magazine MOS N/A Moviecam SuperAmerica Moviecam SuperAmerica Moviecam 1984 Sync 20 dB Arriflex 35BL-4 Arriflex 35BL Arri 1986 , with empty magazine Sync 22 dB Panaflex Platinum Panaflex Panavision 1986 Sync <22 dB Panaflex Panastar II Panaflex Panastar Panavision 1987 MOS N/A Arriflex 35BL-4s Arriflex 35BL Arri 1988 , with empty magazine Sync 20 dB Arriflex 535 Arriflex 535 Arri 1990 , body only; , with finder; , with finder and empty magazine Sync 19 dB Moviecam Compact Moviecam Compact Moviecam 1990 Sync <20 dB Arriflex 535B Arriflex 535 Arri 1992 , with empty magazine Sync 19 dB Arriflex 435 Arriflex 435 Arri 1995 , without magazine MOS N/A Arriflex 435ES Arriflex 435 Arri 1995 , without magazine MOS N/A Moviecam SL Moviecam SL Moviecam 1995 Sync 25 dB Aaton 35-III Aaton 35 Aaton 1997 , with full magazine and onboard battery Sync 30 dB (4 perf), 26 dB (3 perf) Panaflex Millennium Panaflex Millennium Panavision 1997 Sync <19 dB Panaflex Millennium XL Panaflex Millennium Panavision 1999 Sync <23 dB Arricam LT Arricam Arri 2000 , body only; , with finder Sync <24 dB Arricam ST Arricam Arri 2000 , body only; , with finder Sync <20 dB Arriflex 435 Advanced Arriflex 435 Arri 2001 , without magazine MOS N/A Aaton 35-3P Aaton 35 Aaton 2002 , with full magazine and onboard battery Sync 30 dB (4 perf), 24 dB (3 perf) Arriflex 235 Arriflex 235 Arri 2004 , with viewfinder MOS N/A Arriflex 435 Xtreme Arriflex 435 Arri 2004 , without magazine MOS N/APanaflex Millennium XL2Panaflex MillenniumPanavision2004 Aaton Penelope Aaton Penelope Aaton 2008 , with full magazine and onboard battery Sync 23 dB (3 perf), 22 dB (2 perf)

Lens and gate aperture Lens mount – the type of mount required for using the camera. Certain lenses may not be able to be used with particular cameras if the mounts are incompatible. The lens mount must be shifted to be centered to accommodate the Super 16 format from standard 16. Aperture size – the size of the aperture of the gate. Aperture plate – is the gate removable for inspection and what accessories may it have? Lens interface – electronic information system located in the lens mount to communicate lens data to the camera and accessories. Ground glass – interchangeable ground glasses allow for the viewfinder to display whichever aspect ratio is being framed for. Frameline glow – can the camera make the framelines glow for easier viewing in low-light conditions?

Camera model Lens mount Super 35? Aperture size Aperture plate Lens interface Ground glass Frameline glow? Eyemo 71K Eyemo mount, many conversions No, but conversions exist Full frame fixed none interchangeable No Arriflex 35-2C Arri standard and Arri bayonet No, but conversions exist Academy ratio fixed none interchangeable No Arriflex 35BL-1 Arri bayonet No Academy ratio, custom sizes exist removable none interchangeable No Panaflex-X PV mount; Yes Full frame removable; interchangeable format masks none interchangeable Yes Arriflex 35BL-2 Arri bayonet No Academy ratio, custom sizes exist removable none interchangeable No Panaflex Gold II PV mount Yes Full frame removable; interchangeable format masks none interchangeable Yes Arriflex 35BL-3 Arri PL or BNCR mount No Academy ratio, custom sizes exist removable none, but Lens Data Archive (LDA) can be used interchangeable No Arriflex 35-3C Arri PL No Academy ratio removable none, but Lens Data Archive (LDA) can be used interchangeable No Moviecam SuperAmerica Arri PL and BNCR mount Yes full range available removable none, but Lens Data Archive (LDA) can be used interchangeable Yes Arriflex 35BL-4 Arri PL Yes Academy ratio, custom sizes exist removable none, but Lens Data Archive (LDA) can be used interchangeable Yes Panaflex Platinum PV mount Yes Full frame removable; interchangeable format masks none interchangeable Yes Panaflex Panastar II PV mount Yes Full frame removable; interchangeable format masks none interchangeable Yes Arriflex 35BL-4s Arri PL Yes Academy ratio, custom sizes exist removable none, but Lens Data Archive (LDA) can be used interchangeable Yes Arriflex 535 Arri PL Yes full range available removable; interchangeable format masks and filter holders none, but Lens Data Archive (LDA) can be used interchangeable Yes Moviecam Compact Arri PL and BNCR mount Yes full range available removable none, but Lens Data Archive (LDA) can be used interchangeable Yes Arriflex 535B Arri PL Yes full range available removable; interchangeable format masks and filter holders none, but Lens Data Archive (LDA) can be used interchangeable Yes Arriflex 435 Arri PL, PV mount Yes full range available removable; interchangeable format masks and filter holders none, but Lens Data Archive (LDA) can be used interchangeable Yes Arriflex 435ES Arri PL, PV mount Yes full range available removable; interchangeable format masks and filter holders none, but Lens Data Archive (LDA) can be used interchangeable Yes Moviecam SL Arri PL Yes full range available removable none, but Lens Data Archive (LDA) can be used interchangeable Yes Aaton 35-III Arri PL, PV mount, or Nikon Yes full frame fixed none, but Lens Data Archive (LDA) can be used interchangeable Yes Panaflex Millennium PV mount Yes full frame removable; interchangeable format masks none interchangeable Yes Panaflex Millennium XL PV mount Yes full frame removable; interchangeable format masks none interchangeable Yes Arricam LT Arri PL Yes full frame removable; interchangeable format masks and filter holders Lens Data System (LDS) contacts; integrated Lens Data Box (LDB) interchangeable Yes Arricam ST Arri PL Yes full frame removable; interchangeable format masks and filter holders Lens Data System (LDS) contacts; integrated Lens Data Box (LDB) interchangeable Yes Arriflex 435 Advanced Arri PL, PV mount Yes full frame removable; interchangeable format masks and filter holders Lens Data System (LDS) contacts; usable with FEM-2 unit interchangeable Yes Aaton 35-3P Arri PL, PV mount, or Nikon Yes full frame fixed none, but Lens Data Archive (LDA) can be used interchangeable Yes Arriflex 235 Arri PL Yes full frame removable none, but Lens Data Archive (LDA) can be used interchangeable Yes Arriflex 435 Xtreme Arri PL, PV mount Yes full range available removable; interchangeable format masks and filter holders Lens Data System (LDS) contacts and integrated electronics interchangeable Yes

Shutter Reflex – is the shutter a reflex mirror design? Design – rotary disc shutters have two common designs – a "half-moon" disc of 180° or "butterfly" of two e.g. 90° segments opposite each other which spin at half-speed. Location – where the shutter is centered Adjustment – how the shutter angle can be adjusted. Most manual designs can only be adjusted when the camera is not running, often with the lens removed. All electronic shutters allow adjustment at all times, including when the camera is running. Angles – shutter angles available and in what increments or stops, if not continuous.