Can the Atomos Ninja V record raw?

Can the Atomos Ninja V record raw?

Atomos has just announced that the Atomos Ninja V will soon be able to record the Sony FX3’s 16-bit RAW output at up to 4K60P. ProRes RAW recording on the Ninja V for the FX3 will be available later this year via a firmware update.

Atomos is working hard to expand the range of cameras supporting ProRes RAW external recording in 2021. Indeed, only a couple of days ago, Atomos announced that the Sony Alpha 1 will support ProRes RAW recording onto the Ninja V.

The Sony FX3 is the company’s latest addition to its “Sony Cinema Line.” If you missed it, you could watch our full review of the camera here. Even if the FX3 is a new camera, it has many similarities with the Sony a7S III that already supports ProRes RAW external recording on the Ninja V.

Without big surprise, Atomos announced that their Ninja V would also be able to record the 16-bit RAW output coming from the Sony FX3.

Can the Atomos Ninja V record raw?
Image credit: CineD

This year, a firmware update will come for the Atomos Ninja V, allowing it to record data-rich 16-bit RAW from the Sony FX3. As you know, the FX3 doesn’t have a built-in viewfinder, so the Ninja V will also double up as a great on-camera monitor with all the monitoring tools you expect from it.

If your editing software fully supports Apple ProRes RAW – like Final Cut Pro – you’ll be able to adjust settings such as your white balance, and ISO/Exposure Offset in post.

ProRes RAW is fully supported within Adobe Premiere Pro and Avid Media Composer along with a collection of other apps, including ASSIMILATE SCRATCH, Colorfront, FilmLight Baselight, and Grass Valley Edius, but you have less room for adjustments like in FCPX.

Finally, according to Atomos:

The Ninja V and RAW recording also open the camera to the wider Atomos eco-system for enhanced on-set HDR and SDR monitoring. A video signal can be output from the Ninja V to the Atomos Sumo19, or the recently released NEON line of production monitors, for perfect HDR viewing by directors, clients, focus-pullers, or any crew member who needs access to an accurate view on-set.

Atomos

Price and availability

At the moment, we have no information about the availability of this firmware update, except that it should be available later this year. It’ll be a free firmware update for all Atomos Ninja V users.

What do you think about this ProRes RAW recording on the Ninja V for the Sony FX3? Do you often shoot projects in ProRes RAW? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!

Can the Atomos Ninja V record raw?

The new AtomOS 10.71 firmware update adds ProRes RAW support for additional cameras. The Ninja V+ can record raw video from the legacy Sony FS series cameras (FS5, FS5 II, FS700, FS700R, FS7, FS7 II) up to 2K 240fps, 4K 60fps, and 4K 120fps for 4s bursts. The Ninja V can now record up to 5K ProRes RAW from the Canon EOS R5. Both Ninja V and Ninja V+ can also record up to 5.9K ProRes RAW from the Panasonic LUMIX BS1H.

Today, Atomos releases the new AtomOS 10.71 firmware update for its NINJA V and NINJA V+ monitor recorders. The update includes ProRes RAW format recording options for the legacy Sony FS series, Canon EOS R5, and Panasonic LUMIX BS1H. The AtomOS update also includes new features for the AtomX CAST which got a separate article. Now, let’s take a look at what is new with the Ninja V and Ninja V+.

ProRes RAW with the Ninja V+ on Sony FS series cameras

The FS700 from Sony is almost 10 years old now, but that doesn’t keep Atomos from bringing new compatibility for the camera along with other legacy Sony FS models for the Ninja V+ recorder. Although the old Atomos Shogun was able to record raw video output from the FS7 and FS700 already six years ago, the addition of the Ninja V+ and Prores RAW compatibility does add some new capabilities.

Can the Atomos Ninja V record raw?
Sony FS5 II. Source: Sony

The Ninja V+ Pro Kit (or Ninja V+ with the AtomX SDI Unit and SDI RAW activation) now support the recording of ProRes RAW from the FS5 (requires paid RAW upgrade from Sony), FS5MKII, FS700 (requires paid RAW upgrade from Sony), and FS700r with continuous output directly from the sensor up to 2K 240fps, 4K 60fps and 4K 120fps for 4s bursts. RAW output at 4K 60fps and 2K up to 240fps can also be added to the Sony FS7 or FS7MKII with the addition of the XDCA-FS7 module.

The available resolutions and framerates:

Sony FS5 (with RAW Upgrade) / FS5 II

  • 4K (4096 x 2160) at 24p, 25p, 30p, 50p, 60p, 100p, 120p
  • 2K (2048 x 1080) at 100p, 120p, 200p, 240p

Sony FS700 (with RAW Upgrade) / FS700R

  • 4K (4096 x 2160) at 24p, 25p, 30p, 50p, 60p, 100p, 120p
  • 2K (2048 x 1080) at 100p, 120p, 200p, 240p

Sony FS7 (with XDCA-FS7) / Sony FS7 II (with XDCA-FS7)

  • 4K (4096 x 2160) at 24p, 25p, 30p, 50p, 60p
  • 2K (2048x 1080) at 24p, 25p, 30p, 50p, 60p, 100p, 120p, 200p, 240p

Please note that 4K at 100/120p is available in an S&Q burst mode which is buffered in the camera and output as a 60p signal. The burst duration is ~4 seconds. WB & ISO Controls in FCP are not available in this release.

Canon EOS R5 and Panasonic LUMIX BS1H

In addition to the Sony FS series, Atomos also adds compatibility with the Canon EOS R5 and Panasonic LUMIX BS1H cameras. In the case of the EOS R5, the Ninja V now offers up to 5K ProRes RAW video, whereas the more powerful Ninja V+ can record the full 8K ProRes RAW from the camera which Atomos released already in summer.

Can the Atomos Ninja V record raw?
Sony FS5 and Canon EOS R5 with Ninja V and V+ recorders. Source: Atomos

When it comes to the LUMIX BS1H, the combo with the Ninja V and V+ recorders allows for up to of 5.9K 30fps, 4.1K 60fps, and 3.5K 50fps anamorphic 12-bit ProRes RAW video.

ProRes RAW Recording framerates and resolutions – LUMIX BS1H with Ninja V or Ninja V+:

  • 5.9K (5888 x 3312) at 23.98p, 25p, 29.97p
  • 4.1K (4128 x 2176) at 23.98p, 25p, 29.97p, 50p, 59.94p
  • 3.5K Anamorphic (3536 x 2656) at 23.98p, 25p, 29.97p, 50p

WB and ISO Controls for FCP Settings slider adjustments are available.

Can the Atomos Ninja V record raw?
Panasonic LUMIX BS1H with Ninja V+. Source: Atomos

Ninja V and Ninja V+ known limitations

Atomos also published a list of known limitations regarding the Ninja V and V+ recorders:

  • The following video signals from the DC-GH5S are not supported on the Ninja V for ProRes, DNx, and H.265 modes: (C4K 8bit 150M 60p, C4K 8bit 150M 50p, 4K 8bit 150M 50p.)
  • In some cases, the Ninja V may not lock to a RAW video signal from the Olympus OM-D EM1 Mark III for ProRes RAW, when the Ninja V is switched between playback and record modes.
  • Ninja V may not recommence recording automatically when momentarily losing video signal lock from the Sony Alpha 7SIII or Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III due to a faulty cable connection.
  • Non-RAW Dual Link SDI video cannot be monitored when in ProRes RAW mode. To monitor and record Dual Link SDI modes please use either ProRes or DNx modes.
  • In some cases, dual-link video from the Panasonic Varicam LT may not lock when switching from single link video mode. Please reboot the Ninja V if this occurs.
  • If switching between different camera models whilst HDMI Compatibility mode is selected, ensure that you reboot the Ninja V before connecting a new camera.

Price and Availability

The AtomOS 10.71 firmware update is available now free of charge from the Atomos website. The Ninja V monitor recorder sells currently for $499 and the Ninja V+ costs $999.

Edit: in a previous version of this article 59.94p was listed for 3.5K Anamorphic mode on Panasonic BS1H, but that’s not correct so we removed it

Do you still use any of the Sony FS series cameras for your work? Would you pair the camera with the Ninja V or the Ninja V+ to record ProRes RAW? Let us know in the comments section underneath the article.

What format does Atomos Ninja V record?

The Ninja V supports recording of ProRes RAW up to 6K at up to 30 fps and 3K at up to 60fps from the Canon R5 C mirrorless camera.

What does the Ninja V record to?

The Ninja V has an integrated 5”, 1980x1080p resolution touchscreen monitor with a 4K HDMI Input. This can record internal 10-bit HDR video in Apple ProRes, ProRes RAW, Avid DNx, and H. 265 (HEVC) codecs, at up to 60fps. The Ninja V captures its internal recordings using a slot on its backside.

Can I use Atomos Ninja V without SSD?

When you get the Atomos Ninja V it does not come with an SSD, or an HDMI cable to connect to your camera. So if you want to use it as a monitor and recorder you will have to purchase a compatible HDMI 2.0 cable that can pass through 4K 60P 10 bit 4:2:2 hdr data and you will have to purchase an SSD.

Can Sony FX6 record raw?

FX6 and Ninja V / V+ or Shogun Connect Add to this the ability to record data-rich 16-bit RAW, which is then compressed and recorded in the device as 12-bit ProRes RAW, creating an opportunity for filmmakers to mix and match ProRes RAW recording between different camera setups across the Sony Cinema line.