Top Cameras Used in the 2025 Awards Season
Filmmaking is like magic—you take a vision, add the right tools, and boom! You’ve got cinematic gold. But let's be real, no wizard (or filmmaker) can cast a great spell without the perfect wand. In 2025, the cameras available to filmmakers are more powerful and advanced than ever, allowing storytellers to push the boundaries of visual storytelling. Whether you're an indie dreamer, a blockbuster visionary, or just love geeking out over gear, these top cameras are must-haves for any filmmaker aiming for gold. These are this year’s 2025 award-season favorites—that put these cameras to work!
1. ARRICAM LT & ST – The beauty and texture of super 16mm and 35mm film
There’s a reason so many directors and cinematographers are drawn to shooting on film—it’s not just about the color, the beauty, or that signature grain. It’s about capturing a feeling, a texture that digital just can’t quite replicate.
Why Filmmakers Love It:
Classic film quality.
The grainy texture.
Unique exposure characteristics to different lighting sources.
Optical viewfinder.
Versatility across all film stocks, gauges, and aspect ratios.
Notable Films Shot on the ARRICAM LT & ST:
🏆 The Brutalist – Academy Award Nominated for Best Picture and Best Cinematography. In addition, the filmmakers shot certain sequences with the ARRIFLEX 235 and Beaumont VistaVision cameras.
🎥 Lenses: Cooke S4/i, Leica R Lenses. Watch Trailer
Cinematographer: Lol Crawley, BSC
🏆 Maria – Academy Award Nominated for Best International Feature Film; winner of the ASC Award of Theatrical Release.
Cameras: ARRICAM 3perf, ARRIFLEX 416, Kodak Super 8 Camera.
🎥 Lenses: Ultra Baltars, Cooke S4/i, Angenieux 8-64. Watch Trailer
Cinematographer: Edward Lachman, ASC
🏆 Nosferatu – Academy Award Nominated for Best Picture, Best Production Design, and Best Cinematography.
🎥 Lenses: Original Baltars, Goerz Dagors, and Panavision Ultra High Speed. Watch Trailer
Cinematographer: Jarin Blaschke
2. Sony VENICE 2 – The 8K Digital Workhorse
The Sony VENICE 2 has solidified itself as one of the most sought after cameras in the industry. It offers high versatility and an 8.6K full-frame sensor that provides stunning clarity and dynamic range. Filmmakers love its dual-base ISO for seamless shooting in all lighting conditions.
Notable Films Shot on the Sony VENICE 2:
🏆 Emilia Pérez – Nominated for Best Picture, Best International Feature Film (Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards).
🎥 Lenses: Blackwing Tribe 7, ARRI Signature Prime. Watch Trailer
Cinematographer: Paul Guilhaume, AFC
🏆 Nickel Boys – Nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay (Academy Awards).
🎥 Lenses: Panavision VA large-format spherical. Watch Trailer
Cinematographer: Jomo Fray
3. ARRI ALEXA Mini LF – Big Format, Small Package
Another filmmaker favorite is the ARRI ALEXA Mini LF is the perfect mix of high-end image quality and a compact, easy-to-handle design. With its large-format sensor, it gives filmmakers incredible depth of field and rich, natural colors. Even Roger Deakins, ASC, BSC, was an early fan, using a prototype to bring 1917 to life
Notable Films Shot on the ARRI ALEXA Mini LF:
🏆 The Substance – Nominated for Best Picture (Academy Awards)
🎥 Lenses: Canon K35 zoom, Angénieux Optimo zooms (36-435mm and 22-60mm), Leitz Thalia 24mm, Cooke FF 60mm and 90mm macro, ARRI Macro 100mm and 200mm, Leitz M 0.8
Cinematographer: Benjamin Kracun, BSC
🏆 Dune: Part Two - Nominated for Best Picture, Best Cinematography (Academy Awards, BAFTA Awards).
🎥 Lenses: Prime DNA, Ironglass, Optica Elite.
Cinematographer: Greig Fraser, ASC, ACS
4. ARRI Rental ALEXA 65 – Large Format Excellence
When filmmakers want truly breathtaking visuals, large-format cinematography is the way to go—and the ARRI Rental ALEXA 65 is the camera they turn to. The massive sensor captures an incredible level of detail, from sweeping landscapes to the most intimate close-ups, all with stunning depth and clarity. The visuals allow for a cinematic look that feels richer, more immersive, and full of life—one of the many reasons filmmakers love shooting in large format. It’s no surprise that this year's top blockbuster hits “Wicked” and “Dune: Part Two,” relied on these powerhouse cameras to bring their stunning visuals to life.
Notable Films Shot on the ARRI Rental ALEXA 65 and the new ARRI 265:
🏆 Dune: Part Two – Nominated for Best Picture, Best Cinematography (Academy Awards, BAFTA Awards).
🎥 Lenses: Prime DNA, Ironglass, Optica Elite.
Cinematographer: Greig Fraser, ASC, ACS
🏆 Wicked – Nominated for Best Picture (Academy and Golden Globe Awards), nominated for an ASC Award for Best Theatrical Release.
🎥 Lenses: Custom Panavision Ultra Panatar II.
Cinematographer: Alice Brooks, ASC
5. Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K & Pocket Cinema Camera 4K – Indie & Documentary Go-Tos
Blackmagic cameras continue to be a favorite among independent filmmakers and documentarians, thanks to their affordable high-resolution capabilities and RAW recording. This year’s Academy Nominated documentary film, Porcelain War chose to use the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K. . Filmmaker Andrey Stefanov shared why, stating, 'We chose this camera due to its small size, ease of use, and incredible RAW recording. We found that we could faithfully capture the colors of Ukraine—from sunsets to night scenes—and create amazing results with careful color grading.'"
Notable Films Shot on Blackmagic Cameras:
🏆 Porcelain War – Academy Award Nominated for Best Documentary Feature.
🎥 Lenses: Sony FX-30, Leica 12-60mm.
Cinematographer: Andrey Stefanov
6. RED V-Raptor 8K VV – The High-Resolution/High-Frame powerhouse
For high frame capability and dynamic range, another filmmaker favorite is the RED V-Raptor 8K VV. This powerhouse camera delivers stunningly detailed images with its 8K VistaVision sensor, making it an excellent choice for visually striking narratives and VFX. “Conclave” Cinematographer Stephanie Fontaine explained “One consideration was how to represent humans in context of the Sistine Chapel. I used the widescreen 2.40:1 aspect ratio to do this, often using framing characters in negative space that reminds you of the scale of their environment.”
Notable Films Shot on the RED V-Raptor 8K VV:
🏆 Conclave – Academy Award Nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay, nominated for an ASC Award for Best Theatrical Release.
🎥 Lenses: Tribe7 Blackwing7, ARRI Signature Prime, Angenieux Optimo Ultra.
Cinematographer: Stéphane Fontaine, AFC
7. Other Notable Cameras – Magic and Ponderance, no matter the screen size
While ARRI and Sony dominate this year’s award season, compact, documentary-focused and single-shooter cameras such as the Panasonic Lumix GH5 and Canon cinema cameras played a crucial role in capturing some of the most compelling real-life stories in the documentary category.
Lauded Documentaries & The Cameras they used:
🏆 No Other Land – Nominated for Best Documentary Feature (Academy Awards).
🎥 Camera: Panasonic Lumix GH5 4K.
Cinematographer: Rachel Szor
🏆 Sugarcane – Nominated for Best Documentary Feature (Academy Awards).
🎥 Camera: Canon C500 Mark II, Canon C300 Mark II
Cinematographer: Christopher LaMarca
Closing remarks:
This awards season proves that whether it's the classic charm of film or the cutting-edge technology of digital, the right camera is an essential part of the storytelling process. Some films transport us to otherworldly landscapes, like Dune: Part Two, while others bring us deep into the human experience, like The Brutalist or Anora.
At the end of the day, a camera is just a tool—but in the hands of the right cinematographer, it becomes a portal to unforgettable worlds. No matter what you shoot on, great storytelling and craft comes first. 🎬✨
Sources:
https://www.cinelenses.com/blog/444/Oscars-2025-Which-Film-Will-Win-the-Best-Cinematography-Award
American Cinematographer Magazine Issue- November 2024
American Cinematographer Magazine Issue- December 2024
American Cinematographer Magazine Issue- January 2025
American Cinematographer Magazine Issue- February 2025
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