Red release a hybrid motion picture and digital SLR camera

There's a lot of talk online about RED's new modular camera system. ePHOTOzine previously reported on the CEO of the company, Jim Jannard announcing plans to release a Digital Still and Motion Camera (DSMC) and now the company have released the pictures and specifications of the new system.

RED have said: "Scarlet and EPIC are the DNA of Red's new DSMC system. Using a DSMC allows you to shoot no-compromise still or motion images with the same camera. Well actually with over a trillion different cameras. Configure your camera to handle like a DSLR... or a cinema camera... or anything you can imagine."

You select a "brain" which is either the Scarlet Professional or EPIC Master Professional and from there you start to configure your camera. Sensor sizes begin at 2/3" and finish at 6x17cm and as technology advances you don't need to buy a new camera instead you just change the brain. Still image resolutions are said to range from 4.9MP to a huge 261Mp but this does come at a cost. The Scarlet brain alone ranges from $2,500  to $12,000 and the Epic starts at $28,000 and rises to $55,000. On top of this you have to buy your various components which could include Reds new lenses or if you want to save a little bit of cash, you can use your old Nikon and Canon ones with a special adaptor.

Red are heralding the DSMC as the "obsolescence to obsolete", no longer is there a reason to buy a new camera. If this is true we shall have to wait and see.

Jim previously said that more information about the 5D Mark II killer would be announced  at the start of 2009 and ePHOTOzine are contacting RED for more information.

You can see the full specifications on Red's website.