Is resolution THAT important?

[leebrandt33]

I just saw the movie DRIVE with Ryan Gosling. It was shot with the Alexa and let me tell you, the images were stunning. STUNNING.
Even though the camera only outputs 2k, at no point that I go "hey, I wish I had more resolution". In fact, the resolution was pretty amazing folks. Very, very detailed. Even more so, the color science was spectacular.
So I ask, is having ultra high resolution that important? (for feature film that is. I'm not interested in corporate or wedding videos). Don't get me wrong, I'm a Red supporter and I like their cameras. However, I get the feeling that certain manufacturers really push ONE aspect of shooting, when in my opinion, it's the camera that does several things well. It's not just about resolution, it's about resolution plus DR plus compression (or lack of).
The images I see coming out of the Sony F3 s-log are impressive. And think of this: if you're recording 444 s-log, you're getting 2k out of every single channel. The resolution with that type of recording ought to be fantastic.
I know Red is great with resolution, but it seems that when it comes to DR it's a bit behind on the Alexa and Sony F3 s-log. I'm starting to believe that although resolution is important, dynamic range could be even more. I mean, a Scarlett at 3k resolution ought to be more than enough, considering that I just viewed a 2k film and it looked sufficiently detailed for a 50 foot screen.

[leebrandt33]

But I'm sure that the new Monstro sensor upgrade will be fantastic in all these areas.

[Kemalettin Sert]

how was the movie??

[Stephen Aldridge]

I haven't seen "Drive" but the trailer looks fantastic! I would have to say though, that it really comes down to preference and using the right tool for the job. If you like the options that the Alexa gives you, more than the options the Red can provide, then go with the Alexa. For me, I come from a stills and motion background so the added resolution is a huge factor for me. I also shoot a lot of action which means the higher frame rates on the Epic are essential. (I'm speaking as though I had an epic, which I don't, but someday I will.) I really think Jim wanted a camera that would do it all and give you the most options; resolution, RAW imaging, frame rates and modularity are some of the biggest areas where I think Epic is ahead of the game.

[David Rasberry]

Both the Sony F3 and the Alexa use single chip Bayer pattern sensors that are higher than HD/2k pixel resolution and scale their output down. You are already seeing the benefits of over sampled resolution in their HD/2k outputs.
There are not massive differences in native sensitivity and DR between RED Epic MX sensor and these cameras, they are very close to each other.
4:4:4 S-log is just a file format. Color resolution is limited by the original Bayer pattern raw sample resolution before processing, but as you can see from finished imagery from any of these cameras, Red, Alexa, or F3, color resolution at HD/2k is not a problem. Red 4k/5k Bayer raw has superior Bayer color sample resolution due to its significantly higher pixel density since Alexa and F3 are both sub 3k Bayer resolution for recorded HD format output.

[Clint Lealos]

HDRx.

[Kemalettin Sert]

http://thefilmstage.com/features/int...refn-on-drive/

[leebrandt33]

I dunno man, I'm not willing to concede that Red One has a better color sample than the Alexa. Not after what I saw last night, and after watching The Great Camera Shootout 2011:
http://vimeo.com/24334733

It sounds like I'm rooting against Red, which I'm not. Far from it. They are imcredible cameras. But it is a known fact that Alexa and upgraded Sony F3 have slightly better dynamic range than Red MX. Really, I'm just speculating about needing super high 5k sensors if a 2k sensor looks fantastic, and that more DR gives sunning images. Maybe it's a matter of preference.

[Francesco Bonomo]

....or maybe the fact that there was a very good cinematographer like Newton Thomas Sigel (amongst other trivial things like directing, story, performances, etc) matters more than the tools they used?

[leebrandt33]

I meant "stunning"