Atomos

Technical Details

Current Atomos models like the Ninja V+ support recording formats up to 8K30p and 4K120p in Apple ProRes RAW. The 5.2-inch HDR display achieves a brightness of 1000 cd/m² with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. The inputs process HDMI 2.1 and 12G-SDI with 10-bit color depth and Rec.2020 color space. Typical data rates for ProRes 422 HQ in 4K are around 880 Mbit/s, which is sufficient for approximately 2.5 hours of recording on a 1TB SSD.

The Shogun series offers larger 7-inch displays with 3000 cd/m² brightness and advanced HDR monitoring tools such as Waveform, False Color, and 3D LUTs. All devices operate with standard NP-F batteries and weigh between 320g (Ninja V) and 650g (Shogun 7).

History & Development

Atomos was founded in 2010 by Jeromy Young in Melbourne and launched the first Ninja recorder in 2011. This revolutionized video production by enabling professional recording quality for DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, which often only offered highly compressed H.264 codecs internally.

In 2014, the first 4K-capable Shogun followed, and in 2018, HDR recording became standard. With the Ninja V+, Atomos introduced the first affordable ProRes RAW recording for prosumer cameras in 2021. The partnership with Apple since 2017 enabled the integration of the ProRes codec directly into the recorder hardware.

Practical Use in Film

Atomos recorders are primarily used in documentary and indie productions, where they extract cinematic image quality from affordable cameras like the Sony A7S III or Canon R5. For "The Creator" (2023), Gareth Edwards used Atomos Ninja V recorders for mobile camera setups with the Sony FX3.

The typical workflow involves recording 10-bit ProRes 422 directly to SSD, while the internal camera recording serves as a backup. The SSD data goes directly into Avid or Final Cut Pro without transcoding. The integrated monitoring tools allow for precise exposure control without additional hardware.

Disadvantages include increased power consumption, additional weight on the rig, and dependence on the camera's clean HDMI output.

Comparison & Alternatives

The Video Devices PIX-E series offers similar functionality with a more robust housing for 2,500-4,000 Euros versus 600-1,200 Euros for Atomos. Blackmagic Video Assist focuses on more affordable entry-level models starting at 300 Euros but omits ProRes RAW.

Internal RAW recording on modern cameras like the RED Komodo or Arri Alexa Mini LF is making external recorders increasingly redundant. Atomos remains relevant for hybrid cameras and budget productions that require high image quality without expensive camera upgrades.