4KSDI, Well-Suited for Shooting in Tight Spaces, Outputs 10-Bit 4:2:2 and Raw at Up to 60p via 3G-SDI

It's hard to imagine a decent 4K camera much smaller than the 4KSDI, the new one-piece camera head from IO Industries.

Making its first appearance at IBC, the 4KSDI is going all-in as a POV camera, measuring a bare 3.5 inches (90mm) square and less than 2.5 inches (60mm) deep. The camera weighs about 1 lb., 10 oz. (730g), not including interchangeable PL, F, and EF lens mounts, and has a 4K global-shutter CMOS sensor in an APS-C/Super-35 form factor (22.5mmx11.88mm).

"The mount is mechanically the same as the Red Epic/Scarlet, so you'll be able to use existing Red or third-party mounts if you have them, passively," IO Global Sales Manager Andrew Searle told StudioDaily via email. "We have our own active EF mount." Searle said the 4KSDI will be available for purchase as a camera head only or a head plus one mount, and the different mounts will be available for purchase individually. The "ballpark price" for the camera with one passive mount will be around $8,000, Searle said.

Front view of the 4KSDI with PL mount attached

The 4KSDI rigged up to feed an AJA Ki Pro Quad.

In this case, 4K means 4K — the camera is able to capture full DCI 4K (4096×2160) resolution as well as broadcast-ready UHD (3840×2160) for output to an external 4K-capable recorder. (There is no on-board recording.) You can output 10-bit 4:2:2 or raw at up to 60p via 3G-SDI, as well as 4:4:4 at up to 30p. IO is positioning it as a camera for production and live broadcast, with an emphasis on drones and other vehicles, as well as multi-camera VFX work.

IO Industries 4KSDI Resolution and Frame Rates

4:2:2/Raw Quad HD-SDI
UHD 4K (3840×2160) – 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30
DCI 4K (4096×2160) – 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30

4:2:2/Raw Quad 3G-SDI
UHD 4K (3840×2160) – 50, 59.94, 60
DCI 4K (4096×2160) – 47.95, 48, 50, 59.94, 60

4:4:4 Quad 3G-SDI
UHD 4K (3840×2160) – 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30
DCI 4K (4096×2160) – 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30

Source: IO Industries

Side and rear views

The camera is controllable via handheld remote or RS485 and will ship with PC control software.

The camera will be on display at the IO Industries booth: Hall 11, Stand D67.