NAB 2025!

NAB 2025: Unveiling the Future of Camera, Cinema, and Post-Production Gear

Every April, the NAB Show in Las Vegas transforms into the epicenter of innovation for content creators, filmmakers, and broadcast professionals. Hosted by the National Association of Broadcasters, NAB is the premier stage where the future of production technology takes shape—spanning cinema cameras, lighting, media management, workflows, and editing software. If CES caters to consumer tech enthusiasts, NAB is the beating heart of the professional production pipeline, serving directors of photography (DOPs), digital imaging technicians (DITs), post-production teams, and digital creatives. From groundbreaking launches like the RED Komodo to Frame.io’s camera-to-cloud integration, NAB has a storied history of unveiling tools that redefine the industry.

This year’s NAB 2025, held on April 10, did not disappoint. With cutting-edge gear announcements, AI-driven advancements, and robust panel discussions—including a notable visit from Padmashri Kamal Haasan—the event showcased a thrilling blend of creativity and technology.

Here’s a deep dive into the standout reveals.

Fujifilm GFX ETERNA: Medium Format Cinema Powerhouse
Fujifilm dropped jaws with the GFX ETERNA, a medium format cinema camera built on the GFX100 II sensor. This long-anticipated release brings large-format filmmaking to new heights with features like:

– Electronic variable ND filter(ND4 to ND128 / 2–7 stops)
– Dual card slots: CFexpress Type B and SD UHS-II
– Hot-swappable NP-W235 batteries or DC input with pass-through charging
– Built-in Frame.io integration for real-time cloud uploads
– TASCAM XLR handle support
– Dual base ISO (800 and 3200 in F-Log2)
– 4:3 open gate sensor readout, perfect for tall aspect ratios

For filmmakers already tapping into Fujifilm’s GFX system for video, the ETERNA is a game-changer, positioning itself as a serious contender among cinema-grade tools. Expect it to hit shelves in 2025.

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DaVinci Resolve 20: AI-Powered Post-Production Revolution
Blackmagic Design unveiled DaVinci Resolve 20, packing over 100 new features with a heavy emphasis on AI-driven editing. Highlights include:

– AI IntelliScript Edit timelines directly from a script
– AI SmartSwitch: Automatic multicam cuts based on dialogue
– AI Audio Assistant: Auto mixing and level balancing
– AI Set Extender: Generate backgrounds and set extensions
– 3D dome lighting tools for immersive and VR projects
– Chroma Warp color correction
– Safer cut page with overwrite protection
– Enhanced Blackmagic Cloud collaboration

Available in a free version, with the Studio edition priced at $295 USD, Resolve 20 is currently in public beta. It’s a must-watch for editors looking to streamline workflows with AI precision.

Blackmagic PYXIS 12K: Compact High-Resolution Brilliance
Blackmagic also stole the spotlight with the PYXIS 12K, a compact, large-format cinema camera designed for gimbal operators, studio rigs, and drone cinematographers. Key specs include:

– 12K RGBW full-frame sensor (12288 x 8040)
– PL, EF, and L-Mount options
– Dual CFexpress card slots and 10G Ethernet for rapid data offload
– 4” touchscreen with customizable rigging plates
– Up to 60fps at 12K, 112fps at 8K
– Price: Starting at $4,995 USD, shipping in July

This lightweight, high-resolution beast proves you don’t need bulk to achieve cinematic excellence.

KIPON CINESPEED65: Medium Format Cine Lens for GFX
KIPON turned heads with the CINESPEED65mm T1.4, a medium format cine lens tailored for the GFX sensor. Offering full GFX coverage and a blazing T1.4 aperture for shallow depth of field, it’s designed for hybrid large-format cinema workflows. While pricing and release details remain under wraps, this ultra-fast prime is a tantalizing addition for GFX filmmakers.

Lexar Armor Gold SD Cards: Rugged Speed for the Field
Lexar’s Armor Gold UHS-II SDXC cards debuted as a rugged, high-performance storage solution. Features include:

– Read speeds up to 280MB/s, write speeds up to 205MB/s
– V60 rating for 6K and high-frame-rate capture
– Stainless steel housing, IP68 waterproofing, and rib-less design
– Available up to **1TB**

Outpacing the Silver series (exclusive to Amazon), the Gold line is built for shooters braving extreme conditions.

Beyond Gear: Panels, Visitors, and Awards
NAB 2025 wasn’t just about hardware. The event hosted compelling panel discussions, including “Hybrid Production with AI Track: The Future of Hybrid Production On-Set with AI, ICVFX, and More,”moderated by Vivek Kandaswamy. Speakers included Colin Ritchie (Co-founder, Voyage Audio), Nick Nordquist (CPO, Advanced Image Robotics), and Pablo Quintana (Founder, Avonso).

Sony unveiled its HDC-F5500V and HDC-P50A cameras, while Verizon introduced a pioneering portable Private 5G Network framework to ease live broadcast challenges.

The Best-of-Show Awards celebrated innovation across categories like AI, audio, cameras, and lighting. Standouts included:

– AI Innovation: HeyEddie.ai, simplifying assistant editor tasks
– Camera Innovation: Blackmagic’s PYXIS 12K, lauded for its compact 12K sensor performance

The Takeaway
NAB 2025 cemented its status as the launchpad for production tech’s next wave. From Fujifilm’s cinematic medium format leap to Blackmagic’s dual triumphs in camera and software, and DJI’s potential mirrorless disruption, the event blended raw power with AI ingenuity. Whether you’re a filmmaker, editor, or broadcaster, these tools signal an exciting, boundary-pushing future. Stay tuned for pricing updates and hands-on reviews as these innovations roll out!

Article drafted by

CJ Rajkumar

Author/ Cinematographer