AJA CION Production Camera

Description

CION™ is the new 4K/UHD and 2K/HD production camera from AJA. Unite production and post by shooting directly to edit-ready Apple ProRes 4444 at up to 4K 30fps, ProRes 422 at up to 4K 60fps, or output AJA Raw at up to 4K 120fps.

Sensor
CION features a 4K APS-C sized CMOS sensor with an electronic global shutter and 12 stops of dynamic range. Lenses designed for Super 35mm cover the sensor imaging area and the global shutter eliminates the undesirable qualities associated with rolling shutter-based sensors.

Pak media
CION uses AJA’s proven SSD-based Pak storage. The robust high speed compact storage mounts directly in-camera and allows recording of 4K/UHD and 2K/HD as ProRes 4444, ProRes 422 (HQ), ProRes 422, ProRes 422 (LT) and ProRes (Proxy). Choose from generous 256GB or 512GB capacities and by utilizing the AJA Pak Dock (sold separately) you can transfer your footage over high-speed Thunderbolt™or USB3.

AJA Raw workflows
CION is also fully capable of outputting frame rates up to 120 fps as either 4K or UHD from its 4 x 3G-SDI outputs as AJA Raw. AJA’s Corvid Ultra in conjunction with TruZoom™ software can take the AJA Raw output and replay it at up to 60 fps. Output up to 30fps AJA Raw via the Thunderbolt™ connector. CION can also record HFR 4K 50 and 60p to Pak media, as Apple ProRes 422.

PL Lens Mount
PL mount lenses are the industry standard for cinema and professional production cameras, and are widely available the world-over. In addition, CION’s lens mount has been designed to be removable so third parties may develop mounts for other lens types.

Optical Low Pass Filter andIR Cut Filter
An integrated OLPF (Optical Low-Pass Filter) reduces unwanted moiré effects while still retaining vital image detail. The Infra-red cut filter produces high quality colors within the image by blocking unwanted light wavelengths.

Mounting
Aluminum cheese plates are fitted to both the top and the bottom of the chassis to provide easy mounting of accessories from both AJA and third parties, with standard thread sizes to offer the widest range of compatibility.

User interface
All interface controls are found on the side of the camera facing the operator to provide easy single user functionality. The menu structure itself is elegant and free of cumbersome sub-menu navigation. Confidently dial settings with a robust selection knob that gives clear mechanical feedback as you adjust.

Conveniently Connected CION’s considered design brings ease of operation to both field and studio based productions. For single users, set up and operation is intuitive and straightforward. For more complex productions camera operators, camera assistants and digital imaging technicians may all interact with CION without conflict. In such a scenario, the camera operator can use one monitor output for framing, the camera assistant another monitor output for judging focus and the digital imaging technician can use yet another monitor output as well as the web UI to configure the unit.

LED VU meters are placed for easy and accurate audio monitoring. Control knobs for each audio channel allow adjustment of the input level. A headphone monitoring output and a headphone volume control knob are also provided.

Ergonomics
CION’s sleek chassis is formed of gravity molded magnesium which is lightweight but extremely strong. Integrated steel rosettes allow you to mount industry standard accessories including hand grips and handle extensions directly to the camera body. CION was designed to be comfortable, convenient and totally flexible for any shooting environment. A contoured shoulder pad fits comfortably to your shoulder for hand held use.

Tech Specs User Interface
6x Dedicated Menu Buttons
(STATUS, CONFIG, MEDIA, FPS, EI and WB)
4x Transport Buttons
(Play, Fast Forward, Reverse Playback, Stop)
1x Media Unmount Button
1x Record Button
1x User Interface Control Knob
1x User Interface Screen, 320x240 LCD

Sensor Type
CMOS, Electronic global shutter, 12 stops of dynamic range

Sensor Size
4K APS-C sized, 22.5mm x 11.9mm

Lens Mount
PL (positive lock)

Filtration
Optical Low Pass Filter (OLPF) and IR Cut Filter (combined)

Removable Storage
AJA Pak media

Video Output 4x 3G-SDI Main Outputs
(4x BNC connectors, 3G/1.485Gbps)
2x 3G-SDI Monitor Outputs
(1x front mounted BNC connector,
1x rear mounted BNC connector, 3G/1.485Gbps)
2x HDMI Outputs
(1x front mounted HDMI v1.3 Type A connector,
1x rear mounted HDMI v1.4 Type A connector)

Audio Input
2x Balanced Analog Audio Inputs
(2x 3-pin XLR connectors with dedicated line/mic/48v
selection switch per input)

Audio Output
1x Headphone Jack
(3.5mm stereo mini TRS)

Reference Input
1x Reference Input
(BNC connector, analog color black)

Timecode
1x LTC
(BNC connector, 0.5 to 4.5Vpp)

Start/Stop Trigger
2x LANC
(1x 2.5mm top connector and 1x 2.5mm side connector)

Network Interface
1x LAN connector (RJ45 connector, 10/100/1000)

Data Output
AJA Raw via 3G-SDI up to 120 fps or Thunderbolt™ up to 30 fps

Weight
6.4 lbs / 2.9 kg (without top handle attached)
7.4 lbs / 3.4 kg (with top handle attached)

Power
AC Range: 100-240 VAC 50/60Hz (AC adapter)
DC Range: 12-18Vdc, 5A maximum
(4-pin XLR connector or 2-pin input connector)
Consumption: 38-42W typical, 45-47W maximum
(Note: does not include power draw from 2-pin output connector)
Output: 2-pin power output connector, 10W recommended maximum

Temperature Range
Safe Operating Temperature Range: 5C to 40C
Safe Storage Temperature Range (power OFF): -20C to 60C

Format, Frame Rate, Encoding and Output 4K

• 4K (4096x2160) progressive 23.98/24/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60/119.88/120
• Apple ProRes 4444 or Apple ProRes 422 (all versions) up to/including 30 fps
• Apple ProRes 422 (or a lower data rate ProRes version) for 50/59.94/60 fps
• SDI output support for 23.98/24/25/29.97/30 fps
• (SDI 1-4 YCbCr, SDI 1-4 RGB or SDI 1 Raw)
• SDI output support for 50/59.94/60 fps (SDI 1-4 YCbCr or SDI 1-2 Raw)
• SDI output support for 119.88/120 fps (SDI 1-4 Raw)

Ultra HD

• Ultra HD (3840x2160) progressive 23.98/24/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60/119.88/120
• Apple ProRes 4444 or Apple ProRes 422 (all versions) up to/including 30 fps
• Apple ProRes 422 (or a lower data rate ProRes version) for 50/59.94/60 fps
• SDI output support for 23.98/24/25/29.97/30 fps
• (SDI 1-4 YCbCr, SDI 1-4 RGB or SDI 1 Raw)
• SDI output support for 50/59.94/60 fps (SDI 1-4 YCbCr or SDI 1-2 RAW)
• SDI output support for 119.88/120 fps (SDI 1-4 Raw)

2K

• 2K (2048x1080) progressive 23.98/24/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60
• Apple ProRes 4444 or Apple ProRes 422 (all versions) up to/including 30 fps
• Apple ProRes 422 (all versions) for 50/59.94/60 fps
• SDI output support for 23.98/24/25/29.97/30 fps
• (SDI 1 YCbCr, SDI 1-2 RGB, or SDI 1 RGB)
• SDI output support for 50/59.94/60 fps (SDI 1-2 YCbCr or SDI 1 YCbCr)
• 1080 progressive

1080 HD

• (1920x1080) progressive 23.98/24/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60
• Apple ProRes 4444 or Apple ProRes 422 (all versions) up to/including 30 fps
• Apple ProRes 422 (all versions) for 50/59.94/60 fps
• SDI output support for 23.98/24/25/29.97/30 fps
• (SDI 1 YCbCr, SDI 1-2 RGB, or SDI 1 RGB)
• SDI output support for 50/59.94/60 fps (SDI 1-2 YCbCr or SDI 1 YCbCr)
• 1080 interlaced
• 1080 HD (1920x1080) interlaced 25/29.97/30
• Apple ProRes 422 (all versions) up to/including 30 fps
• SDI output up to/including 30 fps (SDI 1 YCbCr)