The RED Komodo X is a Filmmakers DREAM Camera

Get ready for the ultimate review of the RED Komodo X! In this video, I'll be sharing my honest experience with this highly anticipated camera, I'll also be comparing it to the RED V-Raptor and see whether it lives up to the hype.
Check out Cam Mackey's Review 🤠 on the Komodo X: • Is Komodo X the ULTIMA...
=============================
Products in Video:
=============================
1. RED Komodo X: bhpho.to/3KNUjCE
2. Kondor Blue RED Komodo X Cage: geni.us/kbredx
3. Kondor Blue RED V-Raptor Cage: geni.us/kbredr
4. Kondor Blue Trigger Wing Side Handle: geni.us/kbtwsh
5. Kondor Blue Nato to Nato Swivel Monitor Mount: geni.us/kbntnm
6. Mofage PL Lens Adapter: geni.us/mofage
7. Mondo Ties (Cable Management): geni.us/0e1Rs
8. Sachtler Flowtech 75 Carbon Fiber Tripod: geni.us/flowtech75
9. Sachtler aktiv8 Flowtech75 MS Tripod System: geni.us/FlowAV
10. DJI RS 3 Pro Gimbal Stabilizer Combo: geni.us/OXmh0W
11. Tilta Hydra Alien Car Mounting System: geni.us/tltcar
=============================
🎥 Gear I Use to Make Videos:
=============================
1. Sony FX3 ➡ geni.us/snefx3
2. Sony A1 ➡ geni.us/snea1
3. Favorite Prime Lens ➡ geni.us/sne50mm
4. Favorite Zoom Lens ➡ geni.us/SRNJ
5. Favorite Wide Angle Lens ➡ geni.us/sne20mm
6. Favorite Mic ➡ geni.us/HBlED
7. Complete Gear List ➡ geni.us/63wdV
=============================
💰 Best Deals for Camera Gear!
=============================
Amazon Top Deals ➡ geni.us/amzdeals
B&H Deal Zone ➡ bhpho.to/2JuarKS
=============================
🤓 Follow Me:
=============================
Twitter: / mondobytes
Instagram: / mondobytes
Facebook: / mondobytes
=============================
🎵 Music & SFX:
=============================
My go to for music + SFX: audiio.com/mondobytes get 70% (yes, 70%) off your first year of unlimited music + sound effects with my code MONDOBYTES
=============================
👕 Merchandise:
=============================
These are T-Shirt designs that I think look cool and love to wear, if you're interested in buying you can visit my store here ➡ teespring.com/stores/mondo-bytes
=============================
📜 Affiliate Disclosure:
=============================
Some of the links used in the description will direct you to Amazon, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
=============================
#RED #KOMODOX #RED6K
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Introduction and overview of the video
00:23 - Experience using the RED Komodo X camera
01:46 - Upgrades, improvements, and enhanced features of the RED Komodo X
02:33 - Modularity and versatility of the RED Komodo X
03:07 - Image quality and comparison to other RED cameras
04:08 - Red Komodo X cage by Kondor Blue
05:00 - Use of the Komodo X in a Porsche spec commercial
05:49 - Comparison of the Komodo X and the RED Raptor
06:38 - Workflow and benefits of using the RED Komodo X
07:28 - Value for money and cost-saving considerations
08:23 - Conclusion and recommendation for the RED Komodo X
09:52 - Closing remarks and farewell

[@cammackey]

Let’s goooooo 🔥🔥🔥 thanks for all the help on those shoots brutha 🤘🏽🪶⚡️

[@mondobytes]

We have to do it again bro 👊🏽

[@Fortytwoflat]

You guys are both amazing. And help me and my journey so much. We currently have an fx6 and a74 with gimbals and all that. And it’s works great for our flow. But gotta say, we are looking forward to getting that x in the future.

[@GoZipper]

@@mondobytes What now?! Komodo X has just been dethroned! Blackmagic Design just announced the 6k Cinema and it has "Multifunction Grip with Fingertip Controls!" I mean come on man, it's a multifunction grip with FINGERTIP CONTROLS!! Name another camera that you can control with your fingertips?! I will wait!! BET YOU AN IPHONE APP YOU CAN'T! #BlackmagicDesign 😎

[@RyanKao]

Bro y’all killllled this. Excellent perspectives on the new system

[@mondobytes]

Appreciate it my dude! We need to work on a project together, especially now that you’re back in LA. Thanks for stopping by 👊🏽

[@madalin_truica]

ok so now the hype shifts from fx6 to komodo x, red's probably getting lower sales and decided to invest a bit in this youtube world of ''filmakers''. no hate for Armando, but this is how I think all of this work.

[@BrandonTalbot]

So RED paid Armando either in gifting him the Camera, or paid him to make the video? That's what you're insinuating?

[@lnz971]

sony fanboy is in pain rofl

[@DustinHarrelson]

Love the thought of having a kit that saves time ends up saving you money.

[@BrandonTalbot]

I'm the last person who should have one of these, but GOTDYUM I love it. Have the original too, but the workflow is so much quicker and smoother on the KX. Great video Mondo.

[@itsjoetorres930]

I have the OG Komodo and use it for weddings maybe I am the last person who should be owning a RED lol

[@Josiahx]

Man.. this video is getting me close to pulling the trigger on one for me. Thank you for the detailed breakdown and thoughts!

[@Obriezy]

Dope review Armando, but please don’t dog the OG Komodo, because there seems to be a clear bias to a lot of the guys who say the KX is the best thing as if Komodo didn’t set the standard when it came out. It all comes down to affordability and workflow. image wise the KX and OG image is so slight it doesn’t even matter, in the bigger scheme of things, with proper lighting and lensing you can match to the easily to V raptor. The one I would upgrade for is the frame rates. But the OG still is a very good red camera there is nothing medicate about it. You still get redcode raw files to work with eitherway. It’s how you use the camera at the end of the day and you. colourgrade.

[@mondobytes]

Not dogging it, just stating my opinion. There’s way better camera options IMO that I’d choose over the OG Komodo like the FX6 which has way more useful features and has a much easier workflow as a whole. But if someone likes using the OG Komodo for their job, hobby, etc it makes no difference to me, use what you enjoy the most and inspires you.

[@Obriezy]

Fair enough. I think the workflow is different between the FX6 and Komodo OG. At the end of the day it’s preferential IMO. We all have different needs and shoot different things. There are so many good cameras at the moment across the board image wise. But I think image wise OG KOMODO is still a very great camera across the board. Obviously the new updated version of red cam will always be better but it doesn’t necessarily render the previous version obsolete.

[@FelixCervantes]

Never thought I would see Armando with a RED but started seeing him on Instagram in other people’s post using one. Kondor Blue is great. I had issues with the original items they had for the Komodo and they corrected the problem. I had a question about compatibility with the new X products with a RED accessory and they ordered the part and verified it! Great company!

[@dukepham]

Thanks for sharing bro. As always, straight to the points.

[@HugoWill]

Awesome camera! Thanks for the review!

[@tuckerkanderson]

Great video Armando! Cool to see what you shot with the Komodo X - looks like a sweet camera!

[@PaulFeinberg]

Great thoughts as always! Another good one! Such a pro!

[@jmanchester]

So much good info in this video! I have a Komodo and have also rented the Raptor as well and what you said is spot on as far as images and matching. The Komodo is still a great camera but with all the updates to Komodo X, it makes sense to look toward the X for purchasing. I will say that I love the Red Raptor, but renting it is way cheaper than purchasing. Appreciate your videos. Straight facts

[@nicolas.elsaesser]

Thought the same about the original Komodo, but now with the Komodo x I think they gave this camera so much more value!! Looking forward to your grading video! 😍

[@dsdddsd4543we]

If I remember correctly, the Komodo was initially supposed to be a Gimbal/Drone/Crash Camera upon release. However, RED saw an opportunity and developed that form factor into a better camera system, which brought about the RED Raptor. The original Komodo sounds like a beta test for the now-available Komodo X.

[@angryrabbitproductions1690]

There will be a Komodo Mk2 per Jarred Land Red CEO. The Komodo X is not a replacement for the OG Komodo. It’s an different model.

[@theanswer3574]

⁠@@angryrabbitproductions1690so what’s the point then? What differences will there be between the MK2 Komodo and the X if at the end of the day the X is precisely an upgraded Komodo?

[@FelixCervantes]

The update for sure will be the Komodo X sensor.

[@BOOSETO]

@@angryrabbitproductions1690 RED would never call a camera a "Mk2"

[@alessandrovalentino3406]

Great review. Very candid. Thank you!

[@kinoromantic]

What's funny is that as soon as I've received my Ursa Mini 12K OLPF the RED Komodo X comes out and I was like - "Oh well, RED, I guess next time!" 😄 I have full kondor cage for the 12k and it's amazing, by the way )

[@Audaucity]

The image that comes off the 12k is beautiful. Access to higher frame rates without cropping is just awesome too.

[@Eyeofkamau]

@@Audaucityyour camera is better than this one to be honest. Totally different workflow though

[@zygote8888]

Great video along with explanation Armando 👍🏼

[@KaceyBakerFilms]

That KX footage looks amazing.

[@MatthewDangyou]

love this video armando! One of your best reviews yet!

[@mondobytes]

Thanks brother! 🙏🏽

[@MatthewDangyou]

Also that Kondor Spy like scene what even?! That looked so cool!@@mondobytes

[@mondobytes]

@@MatthewDangyou that was from our John Wick shoot, you should check it out 😉

[@FamilyofTech]

Looking forward for the Komodo workflow video !!

[@ShervinShares]

the sound design on this video is NEXT LEVEL

[@topicruben]

There IS something about the RED Komodo X; there’s something about RED cameras that makes some of us go crazy in love! Loved the video, Armando and can’t wait to see the ones coming up about the color grading! Thanks 🙏

[@mondobytes]

Thanks for stopping by Ruben, yes this camera is fun to use!

[@alexiscuarezma]

Great review Aemando! The Komodo X looks amazing

[@mondobytes]

It really is! Thanks for stopping by brother 👊🏽

[@cobymarcum1442]

I agree on the original Komodo’s image quality. People were raving about this new “affordable” RED camera called Komodo, but the footage looked below par to me. At the time I thought, “The original Komodo is so popular that I’ll wait for Komodo II to see what it has to offer because I feel it’s likely to happen due to the first Komodo’s popularity.” Here we are with the Komodo-X and the image quality is a huge upgrade over the original Komodo.

[@sheawilliamvanderpoort5472]

From an owner of both the OGK and the KX, I can attest the KX image is a step up! More range in the shadows! But I strongly disagree that the OGK images are as far behind the KX as comments make it seem. Don't forget you're talking about a camera that is 3 years older and $4,000 cheaper. My personal experience is they're equidistant in terms of V Raptor to KX as KX to OGK.

[@sebastian_paul]

I really like this camera from what I have seen so far. I have recently decided to step away from client based work and step into the world of narrative cinematography and I think this could be the camera for me.

[@iEditProjects]

Great post! I own the Komodo X and the Raven (mostly retired). Every time I ingest my R3D files from the KX I'm like yeah....I shot that 🤣😂

[@rajatkrishnan7745]

Hey armando ! Would love to know where you got the blur transition from in the beginning of the video

[@BrendanEvan]

Appreciate the hot take!

[@mechakoush]

7:26 well said! I 100% agree with this, workflow matters a lot and this is why with Sony I feel like the workflow is just not as smooth compared to Komodo.

[@yreyes1451]

WOW! The show @ 3:48 with the Raptor looks terrific! Is that the Red standard 709 conversions? (High contrast/ Soft rolloff) of a third party LUT? Looks great!

[@mondobytes]

Custom LUT I built

[@yreyes1451]

Looks terrific! @@mondobytes

[@Director_S]

As much as I want a Komodo. I still love and faithful to my Blackmagic Pocket 6k camera

[@simongentry]

Armando, have you pulled stills from any shoot yet? quality? ty!

[@whousefilms]

Good review. Your image quality looks really good. Do you upload in UHD 4K?

[@mondobytes]

2:1

[@iceprofilms]

Thank you so much !

[@baekmedier]

How is the filesystem? Meta data files and so on.. How does it look from emptying the cards to your computer folder and into lets say premiere pro? How much space does an hour of filming take up?

[@mugendocs]

Why would you load red files to premiere?

[@genxtechguy]

When shooting in the 4K ProRes formats does the camera downsample from the full 6K of the sensor?

[@nomadic_robot]

Loved the video! What is the bridge plate at 9:53?

[@KevinNuge]

My take away from the video is, "Go buy a Red Komodo X" lol great review!

[@TimDatMan]

MKBHD watching this rubbing his hands

[@brokecitizen4934]

Hi great video I need advice on suction mount for car with pocket 6k g2 18-35 lens and Rokinon 35

[@damiencooper]

awesome grades! What I would like to know is how you got those counterweights on top of the camera. Balancing the X is an absolute nightmare with heavier lenses...

[@mondobytes]

The weights have a 1/4 bolt so we just screwed it into the cage, works great and makes balancing much easier.

[@damiencooper]

@@mondobytes oh nice. Didn’t see the cage having mounting options that far back. Mine doesn’t 🫠

[@mondobytes]

@@damiencooper Time to go Kondor Blue ;)

[@damiencooper]

@@mondobytes 😅 nah, I like my bright tangerine. But the counter weight option seems need

[@CraigAndersonn]

I wanna take my company to the next level.. Currently coming up with a plan/strategy for this I’m only 20 years old and really wanna start filming narrative projects along with my corporate videos this will be awesome 🙏🏽

[@Shauny_D]

You mentioned it isn't a stills camera but it probably is much better at stills than you think. Shooting a frame rate redraw and pulling raw still from ANY frame is very powerful. Especially for fast action, or wildlife.

[@mondobytes]

You’re not wrong but I wouldn’t want to use this as a photo camera. For the same reason that it makes shooting photos more cumbersome.

[@tbip2001]

Any idea what canon has planned for its cinema line up? They seemed to start a ‘reboot’ with the c70 and then stopped….

[@bwashmedia]

Hey bro great job on the video. We need to get together on the next one.

[@mondobytes]

Yes sir!! It’s been a long time since we last collaborated.

[@Ivisonphoto]

What is that purple/blue lens adapter?!

[@kelvinchua5434]

Is it easy to match KX footage with the OG ones?

[@colinthomas2525]

Great video Armando , and amazing camera I bet but I say we boycott Red for holding the industry back with raw patents.

[@chrislycarvalho4723]

Great content like always armando I’m planning to purchase Komodo & planning to give it on rent I’m really happy with my fujifilm xt-4 but still planning on getting this but at the same time I’m scared it’s costly & will i recover the price of it just help me

[@mugendocs]

Have you tried the xh2s?

[@chrislycarvalho4723]

@@mugendocs yes, but red is top priority in the film industry i love fujifilm but it’s not prioritised in the film industry

[@zakaroonetwork777]

9:35 Cut Cut Cut! The Steer Looked right into the Camera… 😂

[@BrandonTalbot]

Armando, how do you like the tiny RED amount?

[@BowlersRant]

What song was used in the beginning?

[@Shuttterbugg]

I 100 percent agree..say what u want about red. The raw fiasco and the color science is spotty, but they do whst they do best and that's video and low to medium high productions it exceeds above on its weight class period

[@zakaroonetwork777]

Do you think the Komodo could survive Burning Man, Heat and Dust with those open fan ports? I have many a Red One covered in Black Rock Silica Dust back in the day…

[@picxlmedia7856]

Kondor Blue should have made the cage that you can use the DSMC3 monitor with

[@mondobytes]

You can use the DSMC3 Monitor with their cage.

[@definitionxmk]

I like it but I guess I'll wait until used ones come out at like half the price x_x' I love RED but damn the resell value of these cameras are insane.

[@angryrabbitproductions1690]

Good review, but the Komodo X is not the successor to the OG Komodo… it’s a new model altogether. Jarred Land CEO of Red has been abundantly clear that their will be a Komodo Mk2. That’s the camera I’m planning to purchase when it is announced next year.

[@mondobytes]

When you name the product the same name it’s the successor. The camera design and a style is almost the same. It’s like Ford coming out with the Mustang X and saying it’s not a Mustang 🤔

[@angryrabbitproductions1690]

It’s a Komodo series… but not the replacement for the OG Komodo. There will be a Komodo Mk2. The OG Komodo is better suited for it’s intended purpose… crash cam, gimbal cam etc…

[@TJ-po9ol]

Every car has generations and sub models, how do you not know this while trying to use that as an example?@@mondobytes

[@smalldeekgeorge]

There is no more green tint in the shadows, better low light more useful ports!

[@frontfoot1035]

Everything Red is hype

[@swanvictor887]

have RED fixed their reliability issues?

[@michael_dalessandro_lena]

No gold mount 😢

[@zakaroonetwork777]

Can an Alexa mini be on set with Reds? Image similarities…

[@annekedebruyn7797]

It was pretty clear that the original Komodo had one purpose and that was being everything BUT being an A-cam. They pretty much fixed that with the X.

[@kylehalim5957]

What's the dynamic range for the Komodo-X? The OG Komodo was 13 stops.

[@codebus]

Red claimed 16 but was only 12.

[@kylehalim5957]

@@codebus goddamn. Is it gonna affect the image quality?

[@ronaldvelasco85]

Every camera and review is the best until the next one comes out.

[@mondobytes]

Did you even watch the video 🤔

[@avx111]

it's hard to be a R5C owner, catching strays left and right.

[@doylelacrua]

That's it. I'm selling all my gear and getting a Komodo X.

[@cogmission1]

I want one (this year), but tell me honestly, how does one step onto a set these days and justify not having a redundant recording backup? I don't understand why there's no redundant recording option in a "professional" camera... 🙂 (I'm still working on this one in my head)

[@mondobytes]

Need redundant recording get an Atomos recorder, solutions exist lol.

[@cogmission1]

@@mondobytes Hey Armando! Thanks for responding... Well... One more comment then I'll get out of your hair... LOL But THAT'S at the cost of having to use an external recorder AND only recording ProRes, isn't it? (Can you record 16-bit RED raw on an external recorder?)

[@cogmission1]

@@mondobytes I mean, but don’t we all need redundant recording, isn’t it a matter of professionalism?

[@mondobytes]

@@cogmission1 But what other camera can dual record 16bit RAW eh? You’re making it seem like others are doing it and RED isn’t.

[@cogmission1]

@@mondobytes I don’t know of any other brand of camera that doesn’t have dual recording (very few high-end at least)? Maybe not at 16 bit raw though that’s true? Still, who do you know that uses the Komodo with an external recorder (in a totally responsible practice)? I don’t see any content providers talking about the mandatory inclusion of an external recorder, in their workflow? I see a lot of people talking about how they have redundant everything, but when it comes to redundant recording, somehow they look past that? LOL Anyway, I don’t wanna beat a dead horse :-) because I really appreciate you engaging with me about this, I’m just wondering what the professionals really think about that one point? (with regard to the Komodo) Maybe the Komodo is so well engineered people don’t really see it as a gamble ?

[@kevindud333]

Some people can't afford a photo cam and a video cam. Hybrid is the only choice they have. Would love to have photo, film and video cameras...just not in the cards right now.

[@zakaroonetwork777]

If I sold my Horse I could afford one of them Atlas Anamorphic. 😊

[@randallburgess6393]

So how would rate the Sigma fp vs the X? How do the image quality compare between those two

[@DmitroDubskiy1248]

it's been 9 months :D where is grading video? :(

[@pumpum000]

u make me wanna sell my fx3 and fx6 for a komodo x

[@TJ-po9ol]

C70 is going to be better for most people

[@robojim4000]

Does it still take like 2 minutes to turn on

[@mondobytes]

Nope it’s about 20 seconds

[@robojim4000]

@@mondobytes I struggled with the 8 seconds of the c200 when I had it

[@mondobytes]

@@robojim4000 I feel you.

[@TracyDavis904]

FX6

[@mondobytes]

FX3 😏

[@zakaroonetwork777]

But Seriously…. I’m a broke Artist with years of Still Photography under my Belt. If I were to invest in myself and show up on set with my Own rig like this. How much could I expect to earn as a 2nd D.P.?

[@RichsBrainless]

Intern ND?

[@itsjoetorres930]

No internal ND on the KX

[@KofiYeboah]

this collab between you Cam is unreal, great job y'all !

[@jujufactory]

No XLR inputs.

[@mondobytes]

You can add XLR

[@IntertropicalConvergence-gf3bm]

Hype…..

[@alloriginaltone]

What I am about to say might ruffle some feathers and I have a thing that I say...pay me now, or pay me later...but you WILL pay me to advertise this Komodo to my 500k subscribers...but don't worry I won't tell anyone you've compensated me to ensure that it looks objective. You know it's true. You make it seem like Kondor Blue is the sponsor...ok....them too. Nice job.

[@mondobytes]

You caught me!

[@alloriginaltone]

Great. Do you penance by pinning it @@mondobytes

[@mondobytes]

@@alloriginaltone Nah you're not as cool as Cam Mackey, he owns the Pin

[@wilismatrix9847]

the depth of field and color science that is produced by high end cameras cannot be matched with any low end camera, only real professional colorists who can maybe make the footage look high end.

[@JaymesMedia]

Also depends how that footage was shot as well. Preproduction is still king

[@ozzozz3529]

😂

[@picxlmedia7856]

This man just said the Komodo X is a half priced Raptor!?? Nah Nah Nah....... Naaaaaahh Nah Nah Nah lol

[@mondobytes]

I knew it would ruffle a few feathers 🤣 in terms of image quality, there’s no other camera out in the market that comes close to matching Raptor footage, this is so close they should of just called it Baby Raptor 😂

[@AdrianBond]

A capable camera, for sure, suitable for tasks like corporate videos; but cinematographic it isn't, sadly. For that, Arri or at least Blackmagic is the way to go.

[@greentokyo]

Blackmagic above Red? Lolllllllll

[@theanswer3574]

You have 0 clue my guy. This thing shoots 16-bit RAW. Also, the entire 22 minute long action sequence from “Extraction 2” (Netflix movie starring Chris Hemsworth) was shot on the OG Komodo and it looks nothing short of stunning.

[@mugendocs]

Why?

[@Alexpalproduction]

Looks like they paid you a lot now)

[@mondobytes]

Who paid?

[@Alexpalproduction]

RED@@mondobytes

[@Alexpalproduction]

don't care - i am kidding ) @@mondobytes

[@ZvilgantisKailis]

Meh! I will skip it easily, RED is not in my budget range.

[@utooboobnoob]

Yes, it’s “Meh” because you can’t afford it. I think you meant to say: “Thanks for continuing the great content, Armando.”

[@ZvilgantisKailis]

@@utooboobnoob Yes, I can't afford it. I said that myself by claiming that this is not in my budget range. I have no idea what you want.

[@johnpatricklim4509]

You mean a Nikon Komodo X.....

[@germanmairen]

A friend of mine purchased the Komodo 6k. One of the connections broke: 2000 eur to fix it. Red is totally overrated. These days que image quality from any camera is similar for 1/10 of the price and you don't have to sell your soul to pay for those issues.

[@scon1425]

Honestly, the colors seem pretty bad… all the footage looks so brown and muggy. Not very flattering or appealing to my eye. The couple Sony shots you threw in there stood out to me as better, but even Sony tends to look a bit odd color wise, so that’s saying something about how red is still struggling with their color science.

[@juancroxatto5939]

RED Komodo X is in fact a nice piece of gear. The fact that you claim NEEDING an expensive camera to REALLY become a filmmaker is nothing but the dirty bait trick to generate clicks on your video and, by the way, send an awful message that if you don't spent 10k (just on a body), you're not a real filmmaker. C'mon dude, you can do better.

[@mondobytes]

You're right, I changed the title appreciate the feedback.

[@zakaroonetwork777]

Seriously thought. Why does it take 10 People on set to Film a girl sip a cup of tea? Are there any funny Film Crew Jokes?

[@sixsoxsex1]

I had tried the Komodo some time ago and it seemed to me to be more of a medium level documentary camera and with images absolutely not comparable to my very old 12 years Alexa with a 16 bit true color sensor which still remains unattainable. Komodo X with its 14 bit color sensor and ProRes 444 12 bit hope be a step in right direction... I dont believe in pixel resolution but only in deep color definition and dynamic range