Foxconn to form a joint venture with RED to make cheaper and smaller 8K cameras

Foxconn, also known as the Hon Hai Precision Industry, is collaborating with digital cinema pioneer RED to create an affordable and professional-quality camera for the masses. According to Chairman Terry Gou, the goal is to reduce both the price and the size of such camera systems by two-thirds.

Foxconn is focusing on building an ecosystem around displays and video technology, and working with RED is a part of its long term plan. The company acquired Sharp’s semiconductor business back in 2016 to get things started. This will act like a ground on which the company can move forward in its new direction. This move will help Foxconn diversify its business and compensate for the weakening smartphone demand. Both the companies are still working on the details of their venture, so the actual product may take a long time to reach the market.

One thing to consider here is even mobile phones can shoot 4K videos with their tiny sensors, so it won’t be a surprise to see the 8K video capability in the cameras by a major hardware manufacturer. Also Gou didn’t mention anything that could suggest the image quality would be worth it. But it could prove beneficial for directors and VFX artists who can make use of more and cheaper cameras shooting reasonably good footage.

RED cameras are considered as some of the best in the business and with a cheaper alternative to other cameras, they can allow for higher production values from budding movie industries.