Red unwraps "DSLR Killer"

In September, Jim Jannard, CEO of Red Cinema, bragged his company would have a product by the end of this year that would have digital SLR makers shaking in their running shoes. Today, while not quite making good on that boast, Red did reveal some specifics about its DSMC--Digital Still and Motion Camera.

At the center of the DSMC system is a "brain" that can be configured in numerous ways depending on a user's needs. Eight brains are being offered by Red. They range in price from $2500 to $55,000 and in sensor size from 10.1 x 5.35mm (about the size of a 2/3 sensor in a digital still camera) to 186 x 56mm. Four of the units have mounts compatible with Canon and Nikon lenses; another accepts Mamiya medium format lenses.

Once you've got your brain, then the real fun begins. Everything needed to convert the brain into something that might be used to shoot pictures or movies is interchangeable and upgradable.

The whole approach by Red, while designed for maximum flexibility and to combat needless obsolescence, is reminiscent of the early days of personal computing when everything was "extra," including keyboards and mice.

The first DSMC systems could reach users' hands by next spring, but that could be an optimitsic prediction. "Specificatiolns and delivery dates are subject to drastic changes," Red warns at its Web site. "Count on it and you won't be disappointed."