The Cameras Used in the 2018 Oscar-Nominated Films

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by Yossy MendelovichMarch 9^th, 2018

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Today we’ll take a look at the cameras used in the Oscar-nominated films in the Cinematography and Best Picture categories. The results may surprise you… or not!

One of the most interesting questions that may strike your curiosity when watching a movie – and especially one nominated for an Oscar – is “what camera was that shot on?” For us filmmakers, when it comes to choosing the right camera, these films can serve as a sort of reference, especially in a time when there are so many cinema cameras, sensors and ultra high-resolution goodies to choose from.

So, we had a look at the Tech Spec section of all of these movies’ IMDB page. Check out the list below to find out what cameras were used for this year’s Oscar-nominated films:

Blade Runner 2049 :Arri Alexa Mini, Arri Alexa Plus, Arri Alexa XT Studio

Darkest Hour: Arri Alexa Mini, Arri Alexa SXT Plus

Dunkirk: IMAX MKIV, IMAX MSM 9802, Panavision 65 HR Camera, Panavision Panaflex System 65 Studio

Mudbound: Arri Alexa Mini

The Shape of Water:  Arri Alexa Mini, Arri Alexa XT Plus

Call Me by Your Name: Arricam LT

Get Out: Arri Alexa Mini

Lady Bird: Arri Alexa Mini

Phantom Thread: Panavision Panaflex Millennium XL2

The Post: Panavision Panaflex Millennium XL2

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri: Arri Alexa XT Plus

So, what can we learn from this? First, no RED! Not even as a B cam. It turns out that the ARRI ALEXA still dominates the cinema market (excluding the IMAX cameras in Dunkirk), and it’s the preferred camera for many DPs – likely because of its pedigree and color science. Furthermore, the favorite camera here is the ALEXA Mini, a more budget-friendly option than the other ARRI beasts.

Another interesting fact: most of the source formats were under 4K! The most common format this year was ARRIRAW (3.4K), meaning we are still quite a long way from shooting Oscar-winning projects in 8K. Then again, does it matter at all?

Does this data surprise you? Did you expect to see RED in this list? Let us know your thoughts!