CION™

Science of the Beautiful

CION has been discontinued.

CION was a 4K/UltraHD and 2K/HD production camera from AJA. Shoot direct 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. CION is the union of great design and functionality, an engineered aesthetic that we are proud to describe as the Science of the Beautiful.

Tech Specs

Print Tech Specs

User Interface

• 6 x Dedicated menu buttons
  (STATUS, CONFIG, MEDIA, FPS, EI and WB)
• 4 x Transport buttons
  (Play, Fast Forward, Reverse Playback, Stop)
• 1 x Media unmount button
• 1 x Record button
• 1 x User Interface control knob
• 1 x 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

Shutter Angles Available (by Format)
23.98 & 24 25 29.97 & 30 50 59.94 & 60 119.88 & 120
360 360 360 360 360 360
180 (default) 300 216 300 216 216
172.8 180 (default) 180 (default) 180 (default) 180 (default) 180 (default)
144 150 120 120 120 120
120 90 90 90 90 90
90 45 45 45 45 45
45 30 30 30 30 30
30 15 15 15 15 15
15  

Shutter Speeds Available (by Format)
23.98 & 24 25 29.97 & 30 50 59.94 & 60 119.88 & 120
1/24 1/25 1/30 1/50 1/60 1/120
1/48 (default) 1/30 1/50 1/60 1/100 1/200
1/50 1/50 (default) 1/60 (default) 1/100 (default) 1/120 (default) 1/240 (default)
1/60 1/60 1/90 1/150 1/180 1/360
1/72 1/100 1/120 1/200 1/240 1/480
1/96 1/200 1/240 1/400 1/480 1/960
1/192 1/300 1/360 1/600 1/720 1/1440
1/288 1/600 1/720 1/1200 1/1440 1/2880
1/576

Exposure Index

• 320, 500, 800, 1000

Color Correction

• Normal, Flat, Skin Tones, Video

Gamma

• None, Standard, Expanded, Video, Cine

Lens Mount

• Removable PL (positive lock) third party EF, B4 and G-Mount mounts are available.

Filtration

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

Removable Storage

• Pak Media, Pak-Adapt-CFast (only with qualified CFast media)

Video Output

• 4 x 3G-SDI main outputs
  (4 x BNC connectors, 3G/1.485 Gbps)
• 2 x 3G-SDI monitor outputs
  (1 x front mounted BNC connector,
  1 x rear mounted BNC connector, 3G/1.485 Gbps)
• 2 x HDMI outputs
  (1 x front mounted HDMI v1.3 Type A connector,
  1 x rear mounted HDMI v1.4 Type A connector)

Format, Frame Rate, Encoding and Output

4K

• (4K) 4096 x 2160p 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 and 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)


UltraHD
• (UltraHD) 3840 x 2160p 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 and 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) 2048 x 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60
• Apple ProRes 4444 or Apple ProRes 422 (all versions) up to and 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)


1080p
• (HD) 1920 x 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60
• Apple ProRes 4444 or Apple ProRes 422 (all versions) up to and 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)


1080i
• (HD) 1920 x 1080i 25, 29.97, 30
• Apple ProRes 422 (all versions) up to and including 30 fps
• SDI output up to and including 30 fps (SDI 1 YCbCr)

Audio Input

• 2 x Balanced Analog audio inputs
  (2 x 3-pin XLR connectors with dedicated line/mic/48v selection switch per input)

Audio Output

• 1 x Headphone jack
  (3.5mm stereo mini TRS)

Reference Input

• 1 x Reference input
  (BNC connector, analog color black)

Timecode

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

Start/Stop Trigger

• 2 x LANC
  (1 x 2.5mm top connector and 1 x 2.5mm side connector)

Network Interface

• 1 x LAN connector (RJ-45 connector, 10/100/1000)

Data Output

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

Size (w x d x h)

• 4.4" x 12.5" x 5.5" (112mm x 318mm x 140mm)

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

Environment

• Safe Operating Temperature: 0 to 40 degrees C (32 to 104 degrees F)
• Safe Storage Temperature (Power OFF): -40 to 60 degrees C (-40 to 140 degrees F)
• Operating Relative Humidity: 10-90% noncondensing
• Operating Altitude: <3,000 meters (<10,000 feet)

Software

CION Production Camera Firmware v1.3.0

(Release Date 4/18/2016, zip archive)

Direct Link

This maintenance update for the CION Production Camera offers new Gamma Modes and improved highlight handling.

Please reference the associated Release Notes for complete details.

The v1.3.0 firmware is field-upgradeable, and easily uploaded to the CION camera via the built-in web UI from any standard web-browser. All CION users are recommended to update to this new v1.3.0 firmware.

Note: AJA recommends performing a Factory Reset under the CONFIG menu prior to performing the firmware update and then again after the firmware update has been installed.

Mirrors

Download

Software Archive

CION Production Camera Firmware v1.2.1

(Release Date 9/11/2015, zip archive)

Direct Link

This maintenance update for the CION Production Camera addresses several reported issues.

Please reference the associated Release Notes for complete details.

The v1.2.1 firmware is field-upgradeable, and easily uploaded to the CION camera via the built-in web UI from any standard web-browser. All CION users are recommended to update to this new v1.2.1 firmware.

Note: AJA recommends performing a Factory Reset under the CONFIG menu prior to performing the firmware update and then again after the firmware update has been installed.

Mirrors

Download

CION Production Camera Firmware v1.2

(Release Date 4/20/2015, zip archive)

Direct Link

IMPORTANT NOTE: 
A last-minute issue was found in the version 1.2.0.45 firmware, release on Monday April 13th, that could affect on-board recordings in certain rare cases.
This new version of the 1.2 release, version 1.2.0.46, addresses this issue. We strongly encourage all users who may have already updated to version 1.2.0.45 to download and install this new 1.2.0.46 firmware to ensure continued proper performance of the CION camera.

This updated firmware for the CION Production Camera adds new features and several image improvements such as:

  • Improved white balance behavior
  • A wider IRE range
  • More gamma and color correction options for the higher EI values.

For complete details on all the new features and improvements, please read the associated Release Notes.

The v1.2 firmware is field-upgradeable, and easily uploaded to the CION camera via the built-in web UI from any standard web-browser. All CION users are recommended to update to this new v1.2 firmware.

Note: AJA recommends performing a Factory Reset under the CONFIG menu prior to performing the firmware update and then again after the firmware update has been installed.

 

Mirrors

Download

CION Production Camera Firmware v1.1

(Release Date 2/5/2015, zip archive)

Direct Link

This updated firmware for the CION Production Camera increases the Exposure Index (EI) values to EI 320, EI 500, EI 800 and EI 1000, as well as offering improved highlight handling capabilities.

For complete details, please read the associated Release Notes.

The v1.1 firmware is field-upgradeable, and easily uploaded to the CION camera via the built-in web UI from any standard web-browser. All CION users are recommended to update to this new v1.1 firmware.

Mirrors

Download

CION Production Camera Firmware v1.0

(Release Date 12/17/2014, zip archive)

Direct Link

This is the firmware for the initial release of CION. Firmware is pre-installed at the factory - this file is provided in the event a firmware re-install is necessary.

Mirrors

Download

Manuals

CION Production Camera Operations Manual v1.2r6

(Release Date 12/13/2019)

Direct Link

CION Production Camera Operations Manual v1.2r6

Mirrors

Download

CION Production Camera Operations Manual v1.3r2

(Release Date 12/13/2019)

Direct Link

CION Production Camera Operations Manual v1.3r2

Mirrors

Download

CION Quick Start Guide v1.0 – 10 Helpful Hints To Get You Started Shooting With CION

(Release Date 7/11/2018)

Direct Link

These notes provide a simple introduction to setting up your CION camera for the first time. We strongly recommend that you expand your knowledge of CION by reading the full CION manual.

Mirrors

Download

CION Technical Notes - v1.3

(Release Date 4/18/2016)

Direct Link

These notes provide the latest technical reference for the various exposure settings on the CION camera.

Mirrors

Download

CION Technical Notes - v1.2

(Release Date 4/13/2015)

Direct Link

These notes provide the latest technical reference for the various exposure settings on the CION camera.

Mirrors

Download

Documents

AJA and QuickTime 7 on Windows

(Release Date 5/5/2016)

Direct Link

Please download the PDF for information on AJA and QuickTime 7 for Windows as of May 2016.

Mirrors

Download

Software License Agreement

Contact Support

180 Litton Drive, Grass Valley, CA 95945 USA
Phone: +1-530-271-3190, Fax: +1-530-271-3140
Email: support@aja.com

Ask us a question

Register Your Product

Register your AJA product to help us provide you with the highest quality technical assistance.

Register Now

X

Sign-up with AJA!

Receive the latest news and product update information

Submit and Download

Continue to Download without Sign-up

Your details will be registered with the AJA Video Systems database to receive occasional news of important software updates, new products and services. Please view our privacy policy for more information.

loading