[3][4] Jannard dates the idea to a time when he bought a Sony HDR-FX1 video camera and learned that the files had to be converted with software from Lumiere HD and were not viewable on Mac OS.

[5] The early team members engaged in undisclosed research on how to make a digital camera feasible for Hollywood productions.

Part of Red's solution to this problem was developing a sensor with a physical size comparable to that of analog film.

[3] A short documentary, Che and the Digital Revolution, was made about the Red camera technology that was used in the film's production.

"[5] In 2010, 5% of the top 100 grossing domestic films that were shot on digital video used Red cameras as their primary system.

[10] On August 19, 2013, Jim Jannard announced his retirement from Red, leaving Jarred Land as president.

[11] On March 7, 2024, Red Digital Cinema accepted a takeover of the company by Japanese camera equipment manufacturer Nikon Corporation for an undisclosed amount;[12] this may be part of a growing interest of Nikon to expand into the digital cinema camera market.

[13] On April 12, 2024, Nikon announced that it had acquired 100% of the outstanding membership interests of Red Digital Cinema.

Keiji Oishi, of Nikon's imaging business unit, assumed the role of CEO and Tommy Rios, the executive vice president of Red Digital Cinema, became co-CEO.

[14] On May 9, 2024, Nikon Corporation released their financial results report of the year ended March 31, 2024[15] and disclosed the amount paid, reported as "the deal of the century" in the camera industry:[16] 13,167 million yen, approximately $87 million US dollars (the currency exchange rate on April 8, 2024[17]), which represents 1-2% within the Nikon Group Companies.

After this a new camera line called Scarlet was introduced that provided lower end specifications at a more affordable price.

The Komodo camera features 6K video, super 35 sensor, a Canon RF lens mount, a dual BP battery plate, and a global shutter.

In 2017, Red announced their intentions to enter the smartphone market including planned features such as a 5.7" holographic display and integration with existing camera products.

"[39] On release, the smartphone was a critical disappointment and was even cited as a contender for the worst technology product of 2018, arising from outdated hardware and a lack of capabilities.

[40] Similarly, the phone was a commercial flop, and in 2019, promised modular add-ons vanished from Red's website, with Jannard announcing the company was "currently in the middle of radically changing the Hydrogen program".

[49] On September 23, 2011, Jannard announced that his personal email account was compromised by former Arri executive Michael Bravin.

[51] On June 27, 2012, Red sued Wooden Camera, a manufacturer of third party accessories, for patent infringement.

[52] In February 2013, Red filed for an injunction against Sony, claiming that several of its new CineAlta products, particularly the 4K-capable F65, infringed on patents the company held.

[55] Videos posted on the Jinni.Tech YouTube channel have accused Red Digital Cinema Cameras of lying to their customers and possibly obtaining their patents by deceiving the USPTO.

[56] In May 2019, Apple Inc. filed a lawsuit against Red.com, LLC over several patents relating to digital cinema cameras and sensor processing.