We are eager to investigate which camera was used to film The Outer Banks series and why it is garnering so much attention this year. Discover all this in our article, which includes lens recommendations to achieve a similar look to the video.
Introduction:
Netflix has been releasing TV series in unprecedented numbers lately, but among all of them from the last few years, Outer Banks (released in 2020) has garnered the attention of viewers and the videography community for its distinctly vibrant and sun-drenched visual aesthetic.
Filmed largely in South Carolina, the series impressed viewers with its compelling visual style and sparked considerable curiosity among camera enthusiasts and aspiring filmmakers, hence the query: What camera is used to film Outer Banks? Before we answer that, it is worth mentioning that the visual look was not solely due to the camera itself, as many other tools and production skills also play a significant role in the final results for this series.
What Camera is Used to Film Outer Banks?
The Sony Venice was used as the primary camera for shooting Outer Banks, the company’s large-format cinematic camera. This information about the primary camera is listed in the IMDb database, but media reports suggest that the production team also used a prototype Venice 2 for later episodes, which was significantly smaller than the original model.
The use of this Sony camera garnered significant attention from professional Hollywood cinematographers, as it performed exceptionally well in low-light conditions and produced stunning color profiles for various scenes in the series.
The Venice features a full-frame 6K advanced camera sensor, which offers 15+ stops of dynamic range and a dual base ISO system for enhanced low-light versatility. Next-generation color science, modular design, and support for anamorphic lenses are also there. In short, it’s a beast of a camera for video shooting.
Reasons Behind Selecting This Camera
The Sony Venice’s full-frame sensor earned its reputation for high dynamic range and a filmic look that is consistent in dynamic lighting conditions, from bright exteriors to dramatic night scenes with low lighting. Its capabilities are put to use when shooting different regions of North Carolina, featuring dynamic environments such as reflective water surfaces, fast-moving scenes, and intense sunlight.
The camera is designed with high dynamic range, which came in handy during the shooting of such environments and also retained color fidelity in the series by reproducing the cool blues of ocean scenes and warm tones of sunsets. The camera also produced ultra-crisp video for night shots and interior scenes, which received a lot of praise from the audience and the camera community.
Achieving a Similar Look to the Outer Banks?
The Sony Venice is a true masterpiece and a remarkable piece of hardware produced by the company. In fact, the camera also gained a lot of praise for movies like The Crown, Avatar: The Way of Water, and Top Gun: Maverick. Having said that, the camera lenses also played a crucial role in achieving the perfect look for each scene.
Not officially published, the lenses used in the shooting process were anamorphic lenses for wide, cinematic aspect ratios and a set of prime lenses, likely 35 mm, 50 mm, and 85 mm, as this is a standard trio used by professionals. Having said that, you don’t need to spend $50,000 to achieve similar cinematic visuals, as new camera lenses from SIRUI can provide, and mainstream cameras can yield almost identical results.
We recommend considering the all-new SIRUI AURORA Series 35mm F1.4 Full-frame Autofocus Lens, a starter kit for filmmakers that shoots almost the same quality video as what you saw in Outer Banks without a Hollywood price tag.
The lens is built with an ultra-fast f/1.4 aperture, which renders dreamy bokeh and low-light shooting, just as you saw in the TV series. The optics can shoot ultra-sharp detail with its wide aperture, providing strong low-light performance and a shallow depth of field. It also features solid weather resistance for outdoor shoots, making it a must-have piece of hardware for filmmakers.
Wrapping Up:
When people search for what camera is used to film Outer Banks, they’re usually looking for ways to achieve that same cinematic look—vivid colors, deep contrast, and immersive storytelling visuals. The SIRUI Aurora makes this possible without the high-end studio budget. With its outstanding image quality, smooth focus control, and rich tonal depth, it allows filmmakers and content creators to capture the same cinematic atmosphere seen in productions like Outer Banks at a remarkably accessible price.
