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AJA CION 4K Cinema Camera

The AJA CION is a 4K (4096 x 2160) Super 35 cinema camera — with 4K video. Used copies start from $1,300 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.

AJA CION 4K Cinema Camera

AJA CION 4K Cinema Camera

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AJA CION 4K Cinema Camera
AJA CION 4K Cinema Camera

Excellent

$1,300.00

Camera OverviewAJA CION

The AJA CION is a professional cinema camera built around a 4K APS-C sensor capable of capturing footage at a native resolution of 4096 x 2160 pixels. Powered by an AJA Custom Processor, the camera records in a range of high-quality formats including AJA Raw, Apple ProRes 4444, and Apple ProRes 422, giving cinematographers meaningful flexibility across production and post-production workflows. Video output is available at up to 60fps, with supported frame rates spanning 24fps, 25fps, 30fps, 48fps, 50fps, and 60fps — covering both cinematic and broadcast standards.

All video is captured at 10-bit color depth, supporting richer tonal gradations in grading. The CION uses a PL mount, making it compatible with a broad range of professional cinema lenses. Storage is handled via AJA Pak Media, with CFast support available through an adapter.

The body is constructed from professional-grade alloy and weighs 2,900g, reflecting its studio and field production orientation. It requires external 12–18V DC power and offers an HDMI output and microphone jack for on-set connectivity. The camera operates with manual focus only and has an ISO range of 320 to 1000.

A 2.4-inch LCD monitor with 320 x 240 pixel resolution is included for on-camera monitoring.

Key FeaturesAJA CION

4K APS-C Sensor: Native 4096 x 2160 resolution Super 35 sensor captures full 4K cinema footage, sized comparably to APS-C with a ~1.5x crop factor for PL-mount cinema glass.

PL Mount: Industry-standard cinema lens mount provides compatibility with professional cinema lenses from ARRI, Zeiss, Cooke, and other major manufacturers.

Apple ProRes Recording: Records Apple ProRes 4444 and ProRes 422 directly to media, producing edit-ready files that integrate seamlessly into standard post-production pipelines.

AJA Raw Capture: Native AJA Raw recording preserves maximum image data from the sensor for the highest-quality grading and VFX workflows.

10-Bit Color Depth: All video is captured at 10-bit, providing richer tonal gradations and greater latitude when color grading in post.

Broad Frame Rate Support: Supports 24, 25, 30, 48, 50, and 60fps to cover cinematic, broadcast, and high-frame-rate production requirements.

Camera SpecificationsAJA CION

AJA CION full specifications
SpecDetail
Use CasesDocumentary, Video / Cinematography
TypeOther
SensorSuper 35
Resolution4K (4096 x 2160)
ProcessorAJA Custom Processor
ISO Range320 – 1000
AF SystemManual Focus Only
AF PointsManual Focus Only
Max Photo Resolution4K (4096 x 2160)
Burst RateN/A fps
Max Video Resolution4K
Max Frame Rate60fps

DescriptionAJA CION

The AJA CION is a professional cinema camera designed for high-end video production, built around an APS-C sensor with a native resolution of 4096 x 2160 pixels. Driven by an AJA Custom Processor, it records in three professional color profiles: AJA Raw, Apple ProRes 4444, and Apple ProRes 422, all at 10-bit color depth. Frame rate options include 24fps, 25fps, 30fps, 48fps, 50fps, and 60fps, covering both traditional cinematic and high-frame-rate production needs.

The camera uses a PL mount, and storage is handled via AJA Pak Media with CFast card support via adapter. The body is constructed from professional-grade alloy, measures 112 x 318 x 140mm, and weighs 2,900g. Power is supplied externally via 12–18V DC — no internal battery is used.

For on-set monitoring, a 2.4-inch LCD with 320 x 240 pixel resolution is built in, along with an HDMI output and microphone jack. The CION operates at manual focus only and has an ISO range of 320 to 1000.

ProsAJA CION

  • Records in multiple professional formats: AJA Raw, Apple ProRes 4444, and Apple ProRes 422 (videoSpecs.colorProfiles)
  • Supports 4K resolution at 4096 x 2160 pixels natively (sensor.resolution)
  • Wide frame rate support up to 60fps including 24, 25, 30, 48, 50, and 60fps (videoSpecs.frameRates)

ConsAJA CION

  • Manual focus only — no autofocus system of any kind (autofocus.system)
  • No built-in image stabilization of any type (imageStabilization.type)
  • Requires external 12–18V DC power; no internal battery option (battery.type)

Resources & DownloadsAJA CION

Manuals & Guides

Frequently Asked QuestionsAJA CION

What recording formats does the AJA CION support?+
The CION records in AJA Raw, Apple ProRes 4444, and Apple ProRes 422. These formats are recorded at 10-bit color depth, providing solid latitude for color grading in post-production.
What lens mount does the AJA CION use?+
The CION uses a PL mount, which is standard in professional cinema lens ecosystems. No other mount options are listed in the specifications.
What storage media does the AJA CION use?+
The camera records primarily to AJA Pak Media. CFast cards are also supported via an adapter, offering some flexibility in storage options on set.
What frame rates can the AJA CION shoot at?+
The CION supports 24fps, 25fps, 30fps, 48fps, 50fps, and 60fps. This covers standard cinematic, broadcast, and high-frame-rate shooting scenarios.
Does the AJA CION have autofocus?+
No — the CION is manual focus only. There is no autofocus system, eye tracking, or subject tracking. It is designed for use with professional cinema lenses operated by a focus puller.
What is the ISO range of the AJA CION?+
The CION has an ISO range of 320 to 1000 as listed in the specifications. This is a relatively narrow range suited to controlled lighting environments typical of professional production.