Grass Valley has unveiled the LDX 180, cinematic camera designed specifically for live production environments.

“The LDX 180 is the only large imager camera that delivers cinematic storytelling without compromising speed, connectivity, or workflow integration,” explains Paul de Bresser, Product Manager for Cameras at Grass Valley. “This is not just another retrofitted cinematic camera, the LDX 180 has been purpose-built for the realities of live workflows, bringing greater emotional depth to live productions and enabling broadcasters to unlock new capabilities in cinematic storytelling for sports, concerts, and drama productions.”

Developed entirely in-house and based on the LDX 100 Series platform, the LDX 180 features a new 51.8MP Super 35mm CMOS sensor with global shutter technology, capable of capturing 10K resolution. This high-resolution imagery is oversampled to produce a 4K output, delivering cinematic image quality with the speed and precision required in fast-paced live broadcasting.

The camera represents Grass Valley’s strategic entry into a segment where companies like Sony, ARRI, and RED are already active—merging cinema-grade visuals with the robustness of live production tools. While prior LDX versions included traditional film qualities like as 24p frame rates and restricted shutter angles, the new LDX 180 includes the large Super 35mm sensor to better manage depth of field in live environments.

A standout feature of the LDX 180 is its global shutter, useful in avoiding motion artifacts in scenarios involving LED walls or AR/VR applications. The camera also offers full integration with Grass Valley’s Creative Grading system, allowing real-time visual feedback on shading adjustments via graphical controls. Its new Xenios CMOS imager enhances UHD oversampling and supports HDR workflows including PQ, HLG, and S-Log3.

The LDX 180 maintains compatibility with the rest of the LDX camera lineup, including the LDX 135 and LDX 150, allowing consistent colorimetry and simplifying multi-camera workflows across different models. The system is also fully compatible with Grass Valley’s XCU base stations and NativeIP infrastructure, enabling seamless integration into both SDI and SMPTE ST 2110 environments.

The LDX 180 offers both PL and B4 lens mount options, making it suitable for both cinematic and ENG-style shooting. The camera also supports native 2x and 3x high-speed capture for uncompromising slow-motion performance.

In terms of workflow flexibility, the camera supports JPEG XS compression and NativeIP operation, alongside optional daily and perpetual licensing models. A built-in NFC status display and user-friendly interface ensures quick setup and monitoring. Moreover, the LDX 180 is fully compatible with Grass Valley’s GV Media Universe software ecosystem.

Announced at NAB Show, the LDX 180 is expected to be available during summer 2025, though pricing has yet to be disclosed.