Sony FX6 vs Red Komodo
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Camera Comparisons

Sony FX6 vs Red Komodo

Is the Sony FX6 a Red Komodo killer?

In this article we’ll see how the new Sony FX6 (AmazonB&H) fares against the Red Komodo (B&H). We will cover a range of different specifications and features provided by the respective manufacturers.

If specs aren’t your thing you might want to look away. Things might get ugly around here.

Comparison of sensors and video features

Here’s how the camera sensors compare:

CameraResolutionShutterSensor Size
Sony FX64096 x 2160Rolling35.7 x 18.8mm
Red Komodo6144 x 3240Global27.03 x 14.25 mm

Sony FX6 claims to possess a fast readout which means the rolling shutter performance is exceptionally good. The Red Komodo is unique with its global shutter. You have to wonder how important it is, though. People got along just fine without it, so the global shutter is only useful in those fringe cases where perfection brings in more money.

That leaves out 99% of all shooters.

The Sony FX6 does have a bigger sensor but it doesn’t have the ability to shoot in 6K like the Red does.

CameraDynamic RangeISO RangeBuilt-in ND?
Sony FX615+up to 409,600Yes, Electronical Optical
Red Komodo16250 to 12,800*No

*Jarred has said the Komodo does well at least till ISO 3200, which makes it better than the Dragon in terms of low light performance. Still, that’s nothing compared to what the FX6 is capable of.

The Sony FX6 (AmazonB&H) has built-in ND filters from 2 to 7 stops. This is something that can and will save you time and money in the long run. Almost everyone who shoots anything outside needs ND filters.

What about frame rates?

CameraMax fps at 4KMax fps at 1080p
Sony FX6120 fps 240 fps
Red Komodo40 fps @ 6K FF, 50 fps @ 6k WS, 60 fps+ @ 4K120 fps @ 2K

The Sony FX6 can record 120 fps at 4K and 240 fps at 1080p. The Red Komodo only does 60fps in 4K and 120fps in 2K. Even at 6K, you only get a maximum of 40 fps at the time of this writing.

When it comes to codecs the Komodo shows its strengths:

CameraRAWBit depth
Sony FX6ProRes RAW 4K*, No RAW internally 16-bit^
Red KomodoCompressed Redcode RAW12-bit
*Using an Atomos Shogun 7 recorder
^It’s probably rewrapped 16-bit from 12-bit
CameraCompressed CodecsColor
Sony FX6XAVC-I/L10-bit 4:2:2
Red KomodoProres HQ (up to 4K)10-bit 4:2:2
*Using an Atomos Shogun 7 recorder

While the Sony FX6 (AmazonB&H) does not shoot RAW internally you can use an Atomos Shogun 7 (AmazonB&H) and record Prores RAW. Not a big inconvenience but an inconvenience nonetheless. Prores RAW doesn’t have a fully fleshed out workflow either.

Red Komodo (B&H) overshadows the FX6 here due to its ability to record RAW internally; and Prores HQ.

Finally, what you get externally:

CameraConnectionBest external resolution and fpsAudio
Sony FX612G SDI4K @ 120fps 2 XLR inputs, LPCM 24 bits, 48 kHz, 4 channels
Red Komodo12G SDI2K @ 60fpsNone*
*With accessories

The Sony FX6 gives you 4K at 120 fps. To add to that the FX6 also has two XLR inputs and four channels to manage your audio in the camera. The Sony FX6 is solo operator-friendly, whereas the Red Komodo is more of a “controlled environment” camera.

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Lenses

The Red Komodo (B&H) has an RF mount. Unfortunately it hasn’t been activated yet, so its utility is questionable. You need an EF-RF adapter to get some autofocus working, though it’s nowhere the performance of the FX6.

The Sony FX6 (AmazonB&H) has native E-mount lenses that give you great AF performance.

Sony lenses also bring image stabilization and complete compatibility with the camera – including the ability to manually focus on the fly. The lenses are focus by wire, though, so if you want manual focus, the field is more even.

CameraMountPrice
Sony FX6E-mount$0
Red KomodoCanon RF + EF adapter$599*

*I’ve assumed one would pick the ND adapter. You could go cheaper or more expensive.

Focus, monitoring and ergonomics

CameraVolumeWeight
Sony FX6123 cubic inches890g
Red Komodo64 cubic inches900g approx.

While the Sony FX6 (AmazonB&H) is lighter, the Red Komodo (B&H) is without protrusions. Then again, things might change drastically when you add accessories to both cameras.

Accessorizing the Komodo is going to get more expensive than the FX6. And possibly heavier, if you like how Red does things. The top handle is made of metal. You need additional modules for audio, etc.

Red uses two Canon BP-style batteries whereas Sony only uses one Sony battery and it lasts way longer than Red. More on that below.

What about the monitor?

CameraMonitor
Sony FX63.5 inch touchscreen, movable
Red KomodoFixed touchscreen

What about wireless?

Yeah Wireless is a pretty important part of Komodo…

…Our Engineers put the range increase to 300 feet. But they literally test in a perfect field in the middle of nowhere away from any other RF signals and no metal and no walls and no animals or people in the way and I am pretty sure they even cut the grass a little shorter on testing day to get that 300ft.

…You can control Komodo wirelessly from any phone ( in fact that was actually the only way to control the first komodo prototypes) , but you can not wirelessly monitor ( i.e. watch a video feed ) from your hydrogen or any other phone. 

Jarred Land

With the Red Komodo (B&H) you have to purchase a separate “Cradle” for Genlock, and it also has USB-C and wired control (CTRL). The FX6 has no option for genlock.

The Sony FX6 (AmazonB&H) has a mobile app that they claim is capable of replacing or at least substituting for remote controls. The Sony FX6 comes with a Content Browser Mobile app. The FX6’s Wi-Fi function will allow you to monitor the camera remotely and have full control of the zoom, iris and the focus.

And then there’s this:

CameraContinuous Autofocus
Sony FX6Phase Detection AF with Real Eye tracking
Red KomodoPDAF – Kindergarten Class

Having some autofocus is good, but is hardly professional if you can’t rely on it. Sony is the only contender for professional autofocus other than Canon.

Batteries and media cards

Here’s a look at the media options:

CameraDual card slotsPrice per GBCard ReaderMax Data Rate in 6K/4K
Sony FX6Yes, CFexpress Type A$2.5/GB$11875 MB/s
Red KomodoNo, CFast 2.0$1.1/GB$49.5280 MB/s

With the FX6 you only get around 30 minutes of footage on a 160 GB CFexpress Type A card (at the highest possible quality). Right now the largest size you can get is 160 GB, and the costs are higher.

On the other hand, the Komodo has only one card slot, and it’s an older CFast 2.0 technology.

For two hours, the costs work out in this fashion:

CameraCost for two hours*
Sony FX6$1,436
Red Komodo$1,132
*Including reader

What about battery life?

The Red Komodo (B&H) uses two Canon BP-style batteries, and I believe the Canon BP-955 (AmazonB&H) is currently the sweet spot. The Sony FX6 (AmazonB&H) uses Sony’s BP U70 72wh battery, and lasts more than twice the Komodo.

CameraBattery life with 2 batteriesCost of two batteriesCost of 6 hours of operation
Sony FX67 hours $640$640
Red Komodo3 hours*$498$996
*Total guesswork on my part here. Based on reports with the BP-975

You can hot swap the batteries from the back on the Red Komodo, and this might be important for continuous shoots. You can also use the larger Canon BP-975 batteries for even more juice.

The Sony FX6 (AmazonB&H) has DC 19.5V for DC input. The Red Komodo (B&H) has a 14.4V DC port as well as an AC adapter.

The Red Komodo would need a top handle but the Sony FX6 comes with a top handle in the bag thus saving the user the added cost.

Audio Inputs

The Sony FX6 (AmazonB&H) comes with two XLR inputs in the top handle. This will definitely be more useful than the 3.5mm mic input the RED Komodo has.

Which is cheaper to own?

Shall we?

CameraRed KomodoSony FX6
Camera body$5,995$5,998
Lens adapter/mount*$599$0
Media (for two hours)$1,200$1,436
Batteries (for 6 hours of operation)$996$640
Top Handle $150$0
Total$8,940$8,074
*To make it somewhat of a fair fight.

There is a difference of about $866, though if you want RAW recording, you’ll have to factor in the price of the Atomos Shogun 7 (AmazonB&H)and SSDs, batteries, etc.

Now, you can obviously buy the starter kit that the Red Komodo (B&H) provides. You get quite a lot of accessories in that kit for an additional $1,200:

  • KOMODO 6K Camera System
  • Canon Drop-In Filter Mount Adapter EF-EOS R with Variable ND Filter
  • KOMODO Wing Grip
  • RED PRO CFast 512 GB
  • RED CFast 2.0 Card Reader
  • RED EXT-to-Timecode Cable 3′
  • RED PTap-to-Power Cable 6′

The Canon drop in filter adapter will be a very valuable addition to the Red Komodo. It will give you a whole world of lenses to choose from and the additional benefit of a variable ND filter.

However, the Sony FX6 (AmazonB&H) has a few advantages going for it:

  1. Auto Focus
  2. Economic Battery Consumption
  3. ND filters
  4. Audio XLR inputs
  5. Low light performance
  6. Dual card slots

Verdict

First, a recap:

FeatureWinner
Dynamic Range and colorsRed Komodo
ISO and Low LightSony FX6
MotionRed Komodo
Frame RatesSony FX6
Variety of LensesSony FX6
MediaSony FX6
ErgonomicsDepends, Tie
Battery lifeSony FX6
WirelessRed Komodo

For my projects personally, these are the features that really matter to me:

  1. Global shutter (4K 60fps is good enough for me)
  2. Wireless ability
  3. Image quality and color science (the videos I’ve seen shot on the Komodo appear much more filmic to my eyes)
  4. Internal RAW

So, the Red Komodo (B&H) definitely appeals to me more.

However, to the average shooter, in this economic climate, the Sony FX6 (AmazonB&H) will appeal more. It can handle more types of projects than the Komodo can, for less money, and that means more food on the table. Who can argue with that?

What do you think?

6 replies on “Sony FX6 vs Red Komodo”

RE:
Red Komodo Compressed Redcode RAW 12-bit
Was this a type o ?

In the KOMODO OPERATION GUIDE 955-0190, REV 1.2 | Page 2
Red indicated that ..

In the R3D file format, the digital image received from the sensor is formatted as a pixel-defect corrected (but in all other aspects unprocessed) 16-bit per pixel RAW data frame.

Have you found something to be different from this ?

Thanks !

It’s 16-bit image is “formatted”. Is it a true 16-bit sensor? A lot of companies take 12-bit and 14-bit data and rewrap them as 16-bit images. It’s nothing new.

Hey thanks for the response but I guess I’m more confused in the end. So is the red sensor employing the data re-wrap method you mentioned? Is the fx6 also employing such a method ? How can I find out what method companies employ for there sensor ?

Thanks .

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