Sony’s F65 CineAlta digital motion picture camera has been honoured with a Scientific and Engineering Award, presented by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The Genesis®, co-developed by Sony and Panavision®, has also been honoured, at a ceremony held Feb. 11, 2017 at the Beverly Wilshire hotel in Los Angeles.

CineAlta is a brand name for Sony’s digital motion picture cameras. It is named after “Cinema”, and “Alta” meaning “the best” in Italian, representing Sony’s commitment to elevating digital image quality in cinema production.

The F65 is Sony’s flagship large sensor acquisition camera. The 20-megapixel*¹ F65 is equipped with an 8K single CMOS image sensor and has achieved the industry’s highest resolution*² for a super 35mm camera. With a combination of peripherals, including recorders, the F65 is capable of recording high picture quality image data in selectable RAW modes that reduce file sizes. Since its introduction in 2011, the camera has been used to shoot everything in HD, 4K and beyond from motion pictures, episodic TV and documentaries to live entertainment and sports, commercials and visitor attractions.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognised the F65 for “its pioneering high-resolution imaging sensor, excellent dynamic range, and full 4K output” as well as Sony’s “unique photosite orientation and true RAW recording that delivers exceptional image quality."

The Genesis, co-developed by Sony and Panavision, is equipped with a super 35mm film-size single CCD of 12.4 megapixels, arranged in a 1950 by 1080 array. It was the first commercial available sensor with a direct attachment to a spherical 35mm film lens in 2005, the year it was introduced to the market. It was also recognised by the Academy with a Scientific and Engineering Award, as a pioneering digital motion picture camera “using a familiar form factor and accessories, the design features of the Genesis allowed it to become one of the first digital cameras to be adopted by cinematographers.”

“We are honoured to receive this award knowing that Sony’s strength in high-quality imaging technology and solution offerings have contributed to and been recognised by the cinema industry. The Genesis, co-developed with Panavision, opened up the era of digital motion picture cameras. The F65, uniquely developed by Sony, initiated 4K digital workflow from shooting to viewing and strongly promoted 4K content creation in digital,” said Toshihiko Ohnishi, Business Executive, Sony Corporation.

“The Genesis achieved very high technological achievement at that time, such as full HD resolution, full RGB large single CCD, capable of shooting maximum 50 fps, wide colour space and high dynamic range, as well as recording at variable speed by Sony’s SRW-1, VTR. The F65 not only realised further high sensitivity and high dynamic range with its 8K CMOS sensor, but also achieved an easy-to-use workflow by recording large capacity RAW images in a memory with variable speeds and ingesting it to a computer. Both cameras have long been used by professionals. I’m very pleased that our challenges and efforts for many years have been highly appreciated,” said Fumihiko Sudo, Senior General Manager, Product Design Division 2, Professional Products Group, Sony Corporation.

Since the 1980’s when HD development started, Sony has continued overcoming technological challenges with innovative offerings for the cinema industry. Since the year 2000, Sony has consistently pursued both high quality imaging and efficient production workflows under the brand of “CineAlta” given to Sony’s digital motion picture cameras.

Sony continues exceeding the evolving needs of the cinema industry and is committed to elevating image quality and maximising the visual experience with technology.
*¹ 8K horizontal pixels, effective 19 megapixels count *² At the time of press announcement on September 1, 2011