Atomos has announced the latest generation of the NINJA series of camera-mounted monitor recorders: the “New NINJA” and “NINJA ULTRA.”
The original Atomos NINJA was announced in 2010. This model combined an HD disk recorder with a handheld touchscreen monitor that could capture directly from a first-generation DSLR camera onto a removable SSD.
The new Atomos NINJA base model is said to support video sources with nine times the resolution of the first generation, has a 5-inch HDR screen, records ProRes RAW, and can connect to most cameras in the world.
The main component of the new NINJA is the completely revamped “AtomOS 11” operating system. Optimized hardware performance for AtomOS 11 makes it cleaner, fresher and faster. In addition, many new functions are installed, such as color images with reference to EL zone exposure, ARRI false color, new schedule playback & recording functions.
Both models have a distinctive “camo” colored polycarbonate body and come standard with more codecs. In addition to 6K ProRes RAW, ProRes, and DNxHD, now coming standard is the H.265 codec. This was previously a paid option, but now is standard to the NINJA.
While NINJA is primarily targeted at DSLR and mirrorless camera users, the new NINJA ULTRA takes full advantage of camera-to-cloud technology and supports Atomos Connect cinematic workflows. Cinematographers can record full quality files in ProRes RAW up to 4K60P, while simultaneously recording HD60P in H.265. It supports automatic filename and timecode matching and recording from ARRI, Canon and RED cameras, with more camera support coming soon.
About the Atomos Ninja Ultra
NINJA ULTRA’s new 4K camera-to-cloud mode can record and upload H.265 video with higher quality bitrates at higher frame rates. H.265 files are half the size of H.264 media. It’s large enough for camera-to-cloud workflows and perfect for immediate use in social media, sports coverage, and news gathering.
By adding the Atomos Connect expansion module to the new NINJA or NINJA ULTRA, cinematographers can use “Atomos RemoteView.” Atomos RemoteView is a new technology that wirelessly shares the live view from your Atomos screen with other Atomos monitors, iPads, Macs and Apple TVs. With Atomos RemoteView, you can monitor what’s happening on set from anywhere in the world and see what’s happening with your connected cameras.
Only for NINJA ULTRA, Atomos Connect module provides low latency, high throughput and stable connection with Wi-Fi 6E.
Both the new NINJA and NINJA ULTRA are backwards compatible with the previous NINJA V and NINJA V+, so all ATOMOS and third party accessories can be used.
Atomos CEO Trevor Elborn commented:
While we continue to innovate, we are always listening to our customers. The new NINJA continues to be the perfect ProRes monitor-recorder for individual content creators and freelancers. It’s totally fine if cloud connectivity isn’t your immediate priority. You can add this option depending on your business.
NINJA ULTRA, on the other hand, is tuned for cinematic workflows, not just in the cloud. We highly recommend pairing it with Atomos Connect modules to maximize its potential in studios and broadcast facilities. Dual recording of 4K60P ProRes RAW and H.265 has been the most requested feature since we launched our cloud-ready product in 2022.
Both the new NINJA and NINJA ULTRA are scheduled to ship from early September 2023. Both will also be exhibited at the IBC ATOMOS booth (11.D25) in Amsterdam from September 15th.
