Apple Unveils Its 8K 3D Cinematic Camera

Apple wants to change the future of filmmaking, and has introduced its first 8K 3D cinema camera developed to make movies for the Vision Pro. The camera can shoot 180-degree in high resolution, and record spatial audio for cinematic immersive content. All known details are below.

Apple new 8K 3D Cinema Camera

Based on the patent application from 2021

YMCinema was the first to report about Apple patent from 2021 titled “Camera apparatus and method”. The patent describes a double sensor camera that is dedicated to capture spatial content for the Vision Pro. The camera has high-resolution capabilities (8K) and is armed with two large sensors. As stated by the article: “It’s important to mention that although the sensor units are presented multiple times in the application, a size specification is not defined. However, by examining the dimensions described in the applications, we can conclude that it’s a big sensor since the dimensions of the filters are about 5 centimeters. So we assume these are two sensors of Micro-Four-Thirds or Super 35 each! That would be considered large sensors, especially for a stereoscopic camera.” Yesterday, Apple introduced the camera to the public.

Collaboration with Edward Berger

Apple has teamed up with Academy Award-winning filmmaker Edward Berger to make their first short film, Submerged, using their brand-new immersive camera, which could change the way people watch things at home forever. The camera allows filmmakers to utilize the near-limitless possibilities of Apple Immersive Video, a brand-new storytelling format that lets its users create 3D video in 8K with a 180-degree view. It’s a specially designed stereoscopic camera with microphones that are also multidirectional to record spatial audio. When shooting with the camera, everything is in focus.

Specifications and Availability

Apple has not released any specs yet, nor availability and price. Nevertheless, from analyzing the BTS, we see that the base structure is very similar to the patent application explained above. The camera is a high-resolution device, reminding us of the IMAX, Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive 8K 3D, Sphere’s Big Sky, and the ACHTEL 9X7. However, this camera is dedicated to producing content for the Vision Pro, unlike those which focus on dome screening and huge canvases. It appears that Apple is not going to release it to the public.

Alternative Camera System

If you want to make movies for the Vision Pro, you can shoot with the “World’s First Commercial Camera System for Apple Immersive Video,” which is the Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive 8K 3D. While the technology is an achievement, there are concerns that watching movies with the Vision Pro headset might isolate viewers from the social experience of cinema.