RED V-RAPTOR XE Camera – Now Netflix Approved

Camera News

by Jeff LochFebruary 25^th, 2026

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Netflix has recently quietly added RED’s latest camera to their list of approved cameras: the V-RAPTOR XE. So, let’s take a closer look at the streaming giant’s recommended capture settings, as well as media, exposure settings, lens data, and color-matching best practices!

The RED V-RAPTOR XE was released in September 2025 and is one of the best bang-for-the-buck RED cameras since the OG Komodo. Indeed, the V-RAPTOR XE carries the same exact 8K Vista Vision Global Shutter sensor as its bigger brother, the original V-RAPTOR [X]. As you can’t have your cake and eat it too, the XE model – which stands for “Essentials” – has a couple of “limitations”, including lower maximum frame rates and the absence of Extended highlights and Phantom Track modes.

However, the V-RAPTOR XE is still a very capable camera that can capture 8K footage at 60 frames per second. If you need to shoot slow-motion content, you can drop the resolution to 4K at 120 fps or 2K at 240 fps. At CineD, we even gave the RED V-RAPTOR XE an award for the CineD Cinema Camera of the Year 2025 category.

Without any big surprise, the RED V-RAPTOR XE joins the long list of Netflix-approved cameras, next to the entire DSMC2 and DSMC3 lineup of cameras.

RED V-RAPTOR XE – Netflix approved

When Netflix approves a camera, they always publish a guide with best practices and recommended settings for shooting your next project. Here is what the company recommends for the V-RAPTOR XE:

• Format: R3D.
• R3D Quality: HQ or MQ. If you don’t have any other choice, LQ/ELQ are acceptable and still recommended over ProRes 422 HQ.
• Maximum resolutions and framerates: 8K60 (min LQ quality), 6K80 (min MQ quality), 4K120 (min HQ quality), 2K240 (min HQ quality).

Regarding workflow and shooting, Netflix also published multiple “best practices” guidelines for the RED V-RAPTOR XE, which include media, lens data, color matching with other RED cameras, ASC MHL, and exposure settings. Furthermore, that includes black shading recommendations.

Price and availability

The RED V-RAPTOR XE is available now in either Canon RF mount or Nikon Z-Mount for $14,995/€13,450.

Have you already shot with the RED V-RAPTOR X or V-RAPTOR XE? Are the specs of the V-RAPTOR XE enough for most of the projects you shoot? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!