RED Digital Cinema 6K sensor with native ISO 320/800, 16-bit linear, up to 100fps at 6K. Used in Epic/Scarlet/Weapon Dragon cameras from 2013–2019.
Technical Details
The Dragon sensor operates with native ISO values of 320/800 and achieves frame rates from 6fps to 100fps at 6K, up to 150fps at 5K, and a maximum of 300fps at 2K resolution. The color depth is 16-bit linear, while the REDCODE compression is variable between 2:1 and 22:1. The sensor measures 30.7mm x 15.8mm and offers a crop factor of 1.3x compared to Super35mm. The Dragon was available in the RED Epic Dragon, Scarlet Dragon, and Weapon Dragon camera models with different body variants and connectivity options.
History & Development
RED introduced the Dragon sensor in 2013 as the successor to the Mysterium-X, initially in the Epic Dragon. The development aimed for higher resolution and improved low-light performance while simultaneously reducing image noise by up to 2 stops. In 2014, it was integrated into the more compact Scarlet body, and in 2015, into the modular Weapon platform. The Dragon era ended in 2017 with the introduction of the Helium 8K sensor, although Dragon cameras continued to be produced until 2019.
Practical Use in Film
Films such as "Guardians of the Galaxy" (2014), "The Martian" (2015), and "Deadpool" (2016) utilized the Dragon for their principal photography. The typical workflow involves shooting in 6K REDCODE, debayering using RED's Rocket-X cards or software, followed by color grading in DaVinci Resolve or Avid. The 6K recording allows for flexible reframing in post-production and 4K deliverables with oversampling quality. Disadvantages include the large data volumes (up to 275 MB/s at the highest quality settings) and the reliance on RED's proprietary codec system.
Comparison & Alternatives
Compared to its predecessor, the Mysterium-X, the Dragon offers double the resolution and better low-light characteristics, but it falls short of the subsequent Helium 8K. Contemporary competition came from Arri Alexa (2.8K), Sony F65 (8K), and Canon C500 (4K). Modern alternatives include RED Komodo (6K Global Shutter), Arri Alexa Mini LF, or Sony Venice. The Dragon is particularly suitable for productions requiring 6K resolution on moderate budgets and already established in RED workflows.