If, however, you hold the ISO shares for more than a year before selling, all your profit is taxed as long-term capital gains at a current top rate of 15%.

FORBES: Poof! A Tax Credit

Among changes that might work in consumers' favor are liability protection for certain claims and coverage for mold more generous than that of the typical ISO policy, says Mr. Schwarcz, who also serves as a consumer representative at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, an organization of state regulators.

WSJ: Dodging a Home-Insurance Trap

It also touted a sensitivity gain as another advantage, asserting that the Monochrome will have a native ISO of 2, 000 (while using the retro-sounding "ASA" term), more than double that of the Epic-M or X.

ENGADGET: Red introduces $42K Epic-M Monochrome cinema cam, on sale October 1st