Apple's elusive 3D cinema camera reappears for 'Submerged'

Apple’s 3D cinema camera used to record immersive video has been revealed in detail, with the rig capable of 8K-resolution recording for the Apple Vision Pro.
On Thursday, Apple released Submerged, a 16-minute short film viewable on the Apple Vision Pro. One day later, details about Apple’s camera used to film the immersive video have surfaced.

The camera, so far unnamed, is shown as a stereoscopic device that can capture spatial content for the Apple Vision Pro. It’s an Apple-designed imaging device, using a pair of large sensors that could record at up to an 8K resolution in a 180-degree field of view, according to YMCinema, which is using patents as a reference point.

Much like the name, Apple hasn’t offered specifications, nor the availability nor pricing for the hardware.

It is believed that the sensors are the equivalent of Micro-Four-Thirds or Super 35 in size. This would be generally considered large for sensors, let alone for stereoscopic recording.

The camera is also built with a set of microphones that could record multidirectional audio. This is especially useful for recording spatial sound, to enhance the visual experience.

This is not the first time the camera has appeared in public. In May, shots of the cameras appeared on Reddit, with the rigs used to capture footage from an MLS game.

While Apple isn’t rushing to release the camera itself, videographers have other options available. The best is arguably the Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive Camera, part of Blackmagic’s end-to-end solution for shooting immersive video.