Apple has introduced Final Cut Camera 2.0, making the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max the first smartphones to support ProRes RAW. The update brings features like Genlock, open-gate recording, an improved Center Stage front camera, and new manual controls. This transforms Final Cut Camera from a handy companion for content creation to a serious tool for professional film production.
The original version of Final Cut Camera was designed to make the iPhone's camera system usable for creative video productions. With version 2.0, Apple is now going significantly further. ProRes RAW, genlock synchronization, and full-sensor utilization open up possibilities previously reserved for professional cameras. Together with updates for Final Cut Pro on Mac and iPad, this creates a seamless workflow suitable for film projects as well as journalistic content or social media productions.
ProRes RAW on the iPhone
Final Cut Camera 2.0 introduces ProRes RAW—a format previously used exclusively in professional film production. The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are the first smartphones to capture RAW data directly from the camera sensor. This allows for freely adjusting exposure, color temperature, hue, and demosaicing in post-production. ProRes RAW combines the flexibility of RAW with the performance of ProRes, powered by the Media Engine in Apple Silicon. This results in smaller files that export faster while still offering plenty of scope for creative editing. This material will be supported with expanded customization options in the upcoming versions of Final Cut Pro 11.2 and Final Cut Pro for iPad 2.3.
Open-gate recording for more image area
Another innovation is Open Gate Recording. This utilizes the entire camera sensor to capture a larger field of view and resolutions beyond DCI 4K. This allows for greater flexibility in post-production for reframing, stabilization, and setting aspect ratios. Image quality and performance remain unchanged.
Genlock synchronization
With Genlock support, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max can be precisely synchronized with other cameras and capture devices. Every frame is captured with the same reference signal, allowing for perfect synchronization of footage. Time-consuming, manual post-production, frame by frame, is eliminated. The Genlock API is also available to third-party developers and is already being used by Blackmagic Design with the new Camera ProDock.
Center Stage front camera
The new Center Stage front-facing camera is featured on the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. It offers a wider field of view, higher resolution, and, for the first time, a square sensor. Videos can be recorded horizontally or vertically without rotating the iPhone. Final Cut Camera 2.0 offers manual controls for additional creative control.
Other new features
In addition to the major innovations, Final Cut Camera 2.0 brings a number of other practical features. These include support for Apple Log 2, which enables recording in an even wider color space in ProRes or HEVC. In Final Cut Pro, suitable LUTs can be applied to edit the material with all the details and colors. Also new is the timecode function with the options "Time of Day," "Record Run," or external timecode for precisely identifying shots in post-production. Furthermore, Final Cut Camera 2.0 supports video recording with the new 200mm telephoto camera on the iPhone 17 Pro in ProRes up to 4K 60 fps. For multicam productions, there is seamless integration with Final Cut Pro for iPad, allowing multiple cameras to be controlled and synchronized directly in a session.
Final Cut Camera 2.0 sets professional standards on the iPhone
Final Cut Camera 2.0 transforms the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max into powerful cinematic cameras for use in professional workflows. With ProRes RAW, Genlock, open-gate recording, and an improved front-facing camera, Apple brings technologies previously reserved for studio cameras to smartphones. The update will be available for free in the App Store later this month. It requires an iPhone Xs or later with iOS 18.6, while certain features require an iPhone 17 Pro with iOS 26. Final Cut Camera 2.0 sets a new standard for mobile video production. (Image: Apple)
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