Cinelux SIXTEEN prototype uses hybrid sensor to modernize Super 16 workflows

The SIXTEEN addresses the primary logistical barrier to analog production: the delay between shooting and viewing developed scans. By integrating a high-resolution digital pipeline directly into the film camera body, Cinelux enables film capture to coexist within fast-paced digital post-production and remote monitoring environments. This shift is critical as brands and streamers increasingly lean into the 'analog aesthetic' but remain unwilling to sacrifice the speed of metadata-rich digital workflows. Watch for Cinelux to finalize its targeting of the 'under $65,000' price point, which would undercut the current resale market for pre-owned ARRI 416 packages.

The debut of the Cinelux SIXTEEN follows a significant multi-year resurgence in the analog market. According to reports from Market Growth Reports in January 2026, global sales of photographic film increased by 15% in 2023 alone, while internal Kodak financial data from May 2026 confirms three consecutive quarters of revenue growth driven largely by its Advanced Materials and Chemicals segment. To address the resulting shortages, Kodak previously committed $60 million to expand its Rochester film coating facility, an investment that boosted production capacity by 18% per company statements in March 2026. This industrial momentum has stabilized the ecosystem for new hardware entrants like Cinelux to challenge decades-old legacy platforms.

Competitive pressure in the film camera market has also intensified at both the consumer and professional levels. In 2024, Ricoh/Pentax released the Pentax 17, marking the first major-brand film camera launch in nearly 20 years, which subsequently won the R&D Prize at the Camera Grand Prix 2025. Per Digital Camera World in May 2025, the success of such niche analog products has signaled a viable path for specialized hardware. Meanwhile, the secondary market for high-end cinema equipment remains tight; used ARRI 416 Plus HS packages were listed at approximately $73,000 as of May 2026 via FJS International. By positioning the SIXTEEN below these resale prices, Cinelux is attempting to capture a growing cohort of cinematographers who prefer the texture of 16mm but require modern digital conveniences like CFexpress Type B recording and sound sync.