The OCTOPUS camera now has 8K RAW output

We first heard about the OCTOPUS back in 2019 when it was announced there was a new Micro Four Thirds camera featuring a global shutter and 5K full frame black & white capture. Then news broke it would film in color, but things have been quiet. Now the company has finalized specs, including an update allowing 8K RAW capture via output to SSD and more new features. 

The OCTOPUS CAMERA LF is an open-platform system powered by Linux, with an Intel NUC processing board. The company promises the compact cinema camera is completely upgradeable, such as adding a new board as they come out.

OCTOPUS imaging sensor

More importantly, the new XIMEA CMV50000 imaging sensor (7920 x 6004) can also be upgraded, including 35mm full-frame plus, global shutter, native monochrome (if you wish), and much more. Essentially this is a modular camera, able to be upgraded when the owner wishes.

The OCTOPUS CAMERA LF will also feature up to 14 stops of dynamic range, removable Canon EF Mount (with a potential option for other mounts, including LPL and PL), and a proprietary full-frame RAW oversampling algorithm. It will record in 12-bit lossless 8K to an external SSD Thunderbolt drive (up to 42 fps in 8K, up to 60 fps in 4K), along with 10-bit uncompressed and Compresses RAW. In 14-bit lossless RAW, it'll record 4K up to 30 fps.

Their 4K option features a XIMEA Sony IMX253 M4/3 sensor with global shutter, 12.5 stops of dynamic range, a removable M4/3 mount, and records lossless 12-bit 4K internally in CinemaDNG to CFast cards (up to 30 fps in 4K). Plus, 12-bit lossless RAW via USB-C (up to 70 fps in 4K), 10-bit compressed, and compressed RAW.

Other features include 3G-SDI in/out, USB-C Thunderbolt 3, and HDMI ports, LEMO power, and WiFi. The body is CNC aluminum in a striking white finish (bringing to mind the RED KOMODO Stormtrooper), and designed and built in London. 

The company is promising footage from the OCTOPUS CAMERA LF, but here is some video from their April 2020 update:

There's no word on pricing or when the camera will be released, other than a promise of 2021. You can check out the full specs here, and also the update on the company's Instagram page.