14 DAY TRIAL // The 4K market is getting really crowded, as more and more manufacturers are launching 4K-ready products designed to tackle the deepest needs of videographers everywhere.
However, not everybody is stressing so much about 4K. For example, Canon and Nikon seem to have their minds elsewhere, but photo gear manufacturers such as Sony and Panasonic are trying to make 4K more accessible to everybody with an interest in this technology.
4K cameras for everybody thanks to crowdfunding
Even if 4K products aren’t usually the most affordable, pricing has been decreasing considerably since the advent of the first models. Something which is happening also thanks to crowd-funding projects.
One such project is the AXIOM, currently up on Indiegogo. The startup behind the concept is striving to bring the AXIOM Beta to life, which is a Linux-based open-source camera that can shoot high-resolution footage on a microSD card in RAW format.
Since the AXIOM Beta runs on a Linux distro, the door is opened to tweaking, so users will be able to change pretty much anything they want on the device, in order to build a camera perfectly suited to their needs.
AXIOM will be offering the camera in three versions but all models will come equipped with a Super 35mm 4K image sensor, a Micro Four Thirds sensor with 13-stop of dynamic range or a 16mm sensor. It depends on what you opt for.
On top of that, the camera is compatible with multiple lens mount options, including the Nikon F-mount, Canon EF-mount and Micro Four Thirds mount.
The specifications list if completed by a magnetometer, accelerometer and gyroscope, which should help with stabilization.
The camcorder supports full HD 4:4:4 output up to 60fps on three separate HDMI channels.
Philip Bloom is one of the backers of AXIOM Beta
Due to its open source status, the AXIOM Beta camera has drawn the attention of renowned filmmaker Philip Bloom and the Magic Lantern team, who have announced their support for the crowdfunding campaign.
The Indiegogo campaign ended October 8 and successfully raised the set amount of funds needed to bring this camera into production. But AXIOM is still accepting your contribution, so you still get the chance to be an early bird if you pledge €500 / $640 until October 23.
However, this is not the final price. When the camera ships out, you will have to pay about €2000 / $2560 for the product. If this sounds like a lot, consider the fact that the AXIOM will sell for €6000 / $7680 when it finally makes it to retail.
