A relative newcomer to the professional video world Sharp today announces an 8K 33 million pixels Super 35 CMOS sensor 60p camcorder. Sharp claims it’s a world’s first, integrating capabilities for video shooting and recording, playback, and line output. The camera was developed with technical cooperation from Tokyo based Astrodesign, Inc. A company possessing 8K image technologies.

Sharp explains the Grass Valley HQX Codec utilizes a coding method that is easier on the cameras CPU enabling efficient 8K (60p) image capture with approximately 40 minutes of continuous recording when using the bundled 2-TB SSD pack.

Because it allows real-time output of 8K uncompressed images at the same time that recording is taking place, the 8C-B60A can be used for live transmissions as well.

If you want to check out the 8C-B60A 8K professional camcorder it will be on display at the Sharp booth at the International Broadcast Equipment Exhibition 2017 (Inter BEE 2017) at the Makuhari Messe in Mihama, Chiba, Japan from November 15 to 17, 2017.

Major Features

1. World’s first camcorder integrating capabilities for video shooting and recording, playback, and line output for 8K (60p).

2. Compatible with 8K (60p) shooting thanks to a large, Super 35-mm-equivalent CMOS image sensor with 33 million pixels.

3. Realizes 4:2:2 sampling* 6 and 10-bit recording of 8K (60p) images. A compression method that exerts low burden on the CPU makes editing more efficient and allows approximately 40 minutes of continuous recording (when using 2TB SSD pack).

and 10-bit recording of 8K (60p) images. A compression method that exerts low burden on the CPU makes editing more efficient and allows approximately 40 minutes of continuous recording (when using 2TB SSD pack). 4. Real-time output of uncompressed 8K (60P) images can be performed simultaneously with recording (equipped with quad-link 12G-SDI output terminal), making possible live 8K transmissions and replay output after recording.

5. Built-in SSD back slot for recording media. Realizes one-person operation at 8K shooting with V-mount battery drive.

*1 As of July 2017. (based on Sharp survey)

*2 Displays 60 frames per second (progressive).

*3 The 8C-B60A requires a commercially available lens, viewfinder, microphone, etc.

*4 Business fields: Design, manufacture, and sale of video and still image peripherals and software, HDTV studio peripherals, digital-broadcast-related peripherals, and display measuring instruments; sale of modules and systems related to communication, control, and measurement.

*5 Grass Valley HQX Codec

*6 One of the standardized methods for sampling digital video signals.

A lot of missing info on this new Sharp camcorder but it sure looks interesting. At first glance, I like the body style. Looks easy to operate with the longer body and added shoulder setup. The camera uses the Grass Valley HQX Codec (7680×4320 4:2:2 10-bit) Video compression rate is 6 Gbps (8K 60p: approx. 1/7 compression) I’m not familiar with this codec and would like to see some samples soon. It’s somewhat surprising it’s not recording a 4:4:4 12-bit codec. The camera is a PL mount and no word on whether it’s swappable. Using SSD media instead of proprietary types could save the end user a lot of money. I would imagine at 8K capture you will need a lot of them.

Don’t get too excited yet. The 8C-B60A retails for 8,800,000 yen or $77,352.00 US.

Is 8K a thing? As 4K becomes more of the standard for delivery it’s a natural progression to have a higher resolution for post-production. I personally would like to see better pixels over more of them but like the megapixel race, we are going to see more “K’s” coming our way.