Apple’s innovative approach to filmmaking has led to the creation of a custom camera system, built from iPhone components, to capture stunning footage for the upcoming ‘F1: The Movie’. This massive project has seen an investment of almost $300 million. The camera system was designed to record high-quality video from the perspective of a Formula 1 driver, with a focus on aerodynamics to minimize interference with the car’s airflow.
The custom camera module features a 48-megapixel iPhone camera sensor, a series A image processing chip, and runs on iOS software tailored for the task. It’s powered by an iPhone battery and uses a neutral density filter to manage light without affecting image colors. Given the filming timeline, it’s likely that the A17 Pro chip, found in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, was used.
This special camera can record ProRES high-quality footage, supporting LOG video for capturing detailed colors and HDR lighting. The footage can then be edited professionally later on. The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max also support the Academy Color Encoding System (ACES), a standard used in professional film and TV production.
According to WIRED, the custom camera specs include a 48-megapixel camera sensor, an A-series image processing chip, and it draws power from an iPhone battery. It also utilizes a neutral density filter for managing light exposure. However, the camera lacks wireless control, requiring a USB-C connection to work with a custom iPad app for settings like frame rate, white balance, and start recording.
Apple continues to integrate its technology into content creation for Apple TV+, such as prominently featuring its devices in films and series. Despite this, Apple TV+ remains the only Apple service that doesn’t generate a profit, with reported annual losses of over $1 billion, even with 45 million subscribers. This is partly due to the limited content available and the significant investment in creating new material.
For more information, you can visit PhoneArena or WIRED.