DXL2

Millennium DXL2

16 Stops. 35 Megapixels.
1600 Native ISO.

Panavision’s DXL2 8K camera with the RED Monstro sensor offers 16bits of color across 35 million pixels at up to 60 frames per second. One of the quietest signal-to-noise ratios on the market, Monstro delivers unprecedented dynamic range and color with unmatched sensitivity. DXL2 and Panavision large format lenses offer the optimum system for creating the unmatched aesthetic of large format cinematography. Attributes such as a shallower depth of field, greater magnification and a wider field of view produce a softer, pleasing, more natural image—an aesthetic closely attuned to the way the eye sees.

Explore the Millennium

 DXL2 Ecosystem

The Millennium DXL2 ecosystem offers full end-to-end solutions from 8K capture and large-format optics to streamlined 8K and proxy workflows. Achieve, maintain and realize your vision from production all the way through post.

DXL2’s unique look was developed by collaborating with cinematographers, creating a new palette that blend the digital and celluloid worlds. With a 16bit imager, DXL2 presents two forms of color which are easy to apply in-camera and replicate in post. Light Iron provides variations on 33 and 65 point cubes for use in camera and post.

Panavision is renowned for our full line of top-quality optics. With the biggest selection of large format lenses and anamorphic glass, cinematographers have more choices than ever before to create their signature look. All Panavision’s large format optics are designed for optimal performance with the 8K DXL2 sensor.

The simplicity of the DXL2 ecosystem is just as important as the quality of the images created with it. Working with 8K is fast, easy, and inexpensive due to the simultaneous online and offline capture process. Along with an 8K RAW file, users can capture ProRes or DNxHR on the same SSD for use in speedy transcodes or even direct-to-edit files.

DXL2’s 46mm sensor has over 35 million pixels which enables it to translate all resolutions regardless of the exhibition format. From cinema screens to smartphones, the benefits of supersampling ensure almost every component capture in 16bit large format 8K is visible when scaled down to any exhibition format.

The Millennium DXL2 is not just a computer with a lens mounted onto it; it’s set up like a true production camera. You can take it into the heart of a production with all the modules and inputs that make shooting so much easier.

— Shelly Johnson, ASC

Millennium DXL2

Rethink what a camera can be

John Schwartzman ASC talks about shooting with the DXL2

Experience the First

 Modular Electronic Camera

DXL is the first camera with built-in electronic and interchangeable Flexible Modules that allow you to customize the body shape, design, and function.
DXL2 includes integrated and interchangeable MDR modules for wireless lens control. By partnering with the leading FIZ control companies the DXL2 creates a completely integrated system that delivers all the functionality and control with standard MDR systems in a virtually invisible module.
DXL2 was designed as a modular camera with independent electronic functions. The Comms module compartmentalizes the elements of communication and isolates them from video, power and menu, and uses full-size ports instead of adapters. The SDI module can be configured for different monitoring paths. The monitor matrix page offers easy viewing of configuration choices.
The DXL2 Hot Swap Module offers 2x 24v and 3x 14v and USB. It also contains a secondary power port (an additional power port lives on the camera body) as well as color-coded LED indicators and a battery elevator. In conjunction with the Hot Swap Module, DXL2 offers built-in power negating the need for external power supplies.
The cheek pad module allows camera operators to remove one menu and replace it with a soft pad for extended hand-held work. With the combination of cheek pad, battery elevator, and 360-degree eyepiece, DXL2 consistently receives high marks for hand-held flexibility and comfort.
DXL2 Control is an iOS and Android app that allows DXL2 full menu access including RUN/STOP from a smartphone. A real-time visual histogram may be accessed, as well as the ability to remotely program up to eight shortcuts. DXL2 Control can be tethered to a single camera or control multiple cameras from a single device. Available free on the iTunes App Store and Google Play.
Watch a Demo of the Built-in MDR Module

Explore Ergonomic

 and Efficient Design

Create Your

 Signature Look

Primo 70 offers a rounded, defined focus, natural down-scaling, pleasing flesh tones and uniform bokeh across the field of view.

Sphero 65 offers a moderate focus roll-off with subtle aberrations; blended layers of contrast; pleasing flesh tones and rounded out-of-focus properties; and classically soft, glamorous images.

System 65 offers organic focus roll-off; pleasing flesh tones; rounded bokeh; and warm, contouring “classic” 65mm images.

Super Panavision 70 offers a distinct focus roll-off; low contrast; a uniquely contoured bokeh; glamorous, softer "vintage" images with a smooth texture.

Ultra Panavision 70 offers an ultra-wide 2.76:1 aspect ratio; organic focus roll-off; anamorphic artifacts, flares, and elliptical bokeh; and soft, glamorous, classic-looking images.

View Panavision's full selection of large-format optics

Panavision is renowned for our full line of top-quality optics. With the biggest selection of large format lenses and anamorphic glass, cinematographers have never had more choices to create their own signature look. And all are designed for optimal performance with the 8K DXL2 sensor.

DXL2 8K Sensor

Smooth 8K Resolution

When starting with an 8K resolution image, magnification increases. With increased magnification, perspective cues become more pronounced and a wide dynamic range allows greater transition from highlights to shadows within the scene. This allows for a more gradual blending of complex colors. With greater color transition and increased dynamic range, contrast is reduced and the resulting image appears smoother and less sharp.

With a native base ISO of 1600, DXL2 gives ultra-clean low-light sensitivity without compromising clarity, dynamic range, or undesirable noise.

Pixel Pitch

The number as well as the size of the pixels, is what differentiates DXL2 from other large format cameras. The smaller the pixel, the larger the number of pixels that can be packed together. This combination of size and number eliminates the edge sharpening seen in lower resolution cameras. With a 5u (micron) pixel pitch, DXL2 has over 35,000,000 tiny pixels that work together to create an 8K image similar to large format still cameras.

The sharpness or softness of an image can now be controlled through Panavision’s vast inventory of large format optics.

Sensor Size

DXL2’s 8K sensor is 40.96mm wide and 21.6 millimeters tall capturing images at nearly twice the area of standard S35 sensors. There are three main benefits that a larger sensor size offers:

  • Larger sensors decrease depth of field. With shallower focus planes, cinematographers have more control with z-depth cues.
  • Optics are able to contract with faster T stops. Panavision has lenses faster than a T1 which further decreases depth of field.
  • Images have an increase in magnification. The larger sensor allows for a more magnified perspective which creates more dimension.

Dynamic range

DXL2 captures an impressive 16 stops of dynamic range, providing greater flexibility for HDR or SDR delivery. The native 1600 ISO provides ultra-clean low-light sensitivity without compromising clarity, dynamic range, or undesirable noise.

Bit Depth

Similar to dynamic range, sensors can apply all their color to only the areas of the frame they can clearly resolve. DXL2 comes equipped with a 16bit RAW imager which allows for more color to be applied to finer areas of the frame. The best skin tone is achieved through complex tertiary color transition. The combination of 16bit sampling, 16 stops of dynamic range, and 35,000,000 pixels allows for the best color reproduction and the most flexibility in color correction.

IMAX Certified

The Millennium DXL2 is an approved camera for the “Filmed in IMAX” program, which allows filmmakers to originate in the IMAX format while shooting digitally with the highest-end, IMAX-certified cameras. Through this program, filmmakers planning on an IMAX release can take advantage of DXL2’s large-format 8K sensor, ergonomic design and best-in-class features, knowing that what they capture on set will perfectly pair with IMAX screens, and avoiding the need for post-production conversion. DXL2 is further bolstered by Panavision’s industry-leading inventory of large-format optics, all of which are approved for IMAX capture.

Illuminate Your Image

 with DXL Color Science

DXL2 takes full advantage of RED’s 3G10 log encoding envelope, which delivers smooth, full-range pictures in a wrapper that contains up to 20 stops. Log3G10 provides the ideal log-encoded package, which is optimized for high dynamic range (HDR) finishing and future proofing. Log3G10 presents images in a familiar way, offering easy integration into traditional workflows.

In addition to built-in image mapping for Rec709 and HDR, users are able to load custom 33-point .cube LUTs, which are then saved as sidecar files with every take. When it comes to customizing looks on a shot-by-shot basis, DXL2 is fully equipped with an internal CDL engine, which allows users to create, import, export, and recall unlimited CDLs locally or remotely. CDL values are automatically saved into R3D RAW files as metadata and can be baked into proxy files for a perfectly seamless set-to-post color workflow.

Move the slider between the full dynamic range of Log3G10 (left) and the standard 10 stops of Rec709 (right).

Workflow Any Way

 You Want It

8K for all projects and budgets

As resolution continues to increase, the need for efficient and cost-effective storage becomes even more important. This is one of the key reasons Panavision teamed up with RED and licensed REDCode into DXL2’s image capturing architecture. RED’s patented compression technology affords users the largest array of pixels without the penalty of larger file sizes. A perfect balance between speed and quality is available through REDCode, making an affordable 8K workflow possible.

RAW

8K

  • REDCode
  • 8K RAW
  • 5:1 vista vision
  • 60fps
  • 72@7k
  • 80@6k
  • 96@5k

RGB

4K

  • ProResHQ
  • ProResLT
  • ProRes Proxy
  • DNxHR
  • DNx220x

2K

  • ProRes XQ
  • ProRes444
  • ProResHQ
  • ProResLT
  • ProRes Proxy
  • DNxHR
  • DNx220x

DXL2 is a dual-recording system allowing proxy files a faster and more streamlined workflow for editorial. DXL2 has 3 options for recording codecs so users can decide exactly which file type fits their editorial pipeline. When editing is complete, proxy file metadata matches RAW file metadata for a simple and streamlined final conform in 2K, 4K, or 8K.

RAW Power with ProRes Speed

8K RAW
16bit REDCode RAW
1 TB per hour @ 24fps
60 fps max 8K framerate
4K RGB
ProRes / DNxHR
500GB per hour @ 24fps
60 fps max 4K framerate
2K RGB
ProRes / DNxHR
250GB per hour @ 24fps
120 fps max 2K framerate
Check out DXL's Quick Guide

Simultaneous Dual Workflow

Dual workflow enables RAW to go to the RAIDS and LTO while Proxy goes to editorial and web. This happens simultaneously on the OUTPOST cart and makes 8K acceptable for projects of all sizes and budgets.

VFX

DXL2’s internal gyro and accelerometer measures XYZ in orientation and movement through Z space.

In addition, DXL2 is equipped with the industry standard "smart" lens /i communication for metadata tracking in RAW image capture. Metadata is captured on a per-frame basis and a database can be output that shows the performance for use in post-production. No more guesswork in post.

Timecode

DXL2 is the first camera to have a built-in Ambient lockit box and wireless timecode using the ACN system.

No more external lockit box. Track more metadata. Keep all your cameras in-sync with no drift slip-sync free dailies. The ACN antennae eliminates the need for TC jamming. It is a constant, consistent pulse delivered from the Master Lockit.

DXL2 Magazine

  • The efficiency of data management is key in the DXL2 ecosystem.
  • SSDs are able to capture 8K RAW with a ProRes or DNxHR proxy file on the same magazine.
  • 1 TB mags hold up to 60 minutes of 8K or 5 hours of ProRes HQ 2K (24fps).
  • Download using OTS RED SSD readers over USB-C for inexpensive and readily available data management.

Panavision Link HDR Logo

Monitor DXL2 footage in HDR — live from camera, right on set.

Panavision LINK HDR On-Set includes a plug-and-play mobile village system optimized to bring familiar post-production-quality HDR images right on the set. With a unique modular design, this mobile system can be configured for large and small monitors, with several customizable footprints.

Technical Specifications

Sensor Type
16-bit, 35.4 Megapixel CMOS
Resolution
8192 x 4320
Sensor Size
Large Format: 40.96mm x 21.60mm (Diagonal: 46.31mm)
Dynamic Range
16 Stops
Max Frame Rate
60 fps at 8K Full Frame (8192 x 4320), 75 fps at 8K 2.4:1 (8192 x 3456)
Recording Codec
R3D raw
ProRes
DNxHR
Recording Media
SSD (up to 1 hour on a single magazine)
File Types
.R3D, .mov, .mfx
Weight
10 lbs.