14 DAY TRIAL // 4K isn't quite new in the world of media professionals, and it is actually being used almost on a daily basis with different cameras that will or will not let you swap lenses.
Compact form factor for 4K cameras is something pretty common these days, with even smartphones being able to film at such high resolutions without any hassle. Compact professional cameras with 4K abilities, however, are less than common. This is where a company called Z came up with an idea on Kickstarter to create a camera for filmmakers who want a cheap 4K camera in a compact form factor. Called E1, it is the smallest 4K camera using interchangeable lenses.
Wrapped in magnesium, the camera is twice the size and weight of a GoPro and has an impressive number of features crammed in that small housing. It has Wi-Fi, Low Energy Bluetooth, it has a Panasonic image sensor and Ambarella A9 image processor for capturing 4K footage (4096 x 2160) at 24 fps and can have that framerate amped up to 30fps for UHD video (3840 x 2160).
1080p resolutions will be filmed at 60fps, while the company plans to amp that framerate as well to 120fps, and shoot 16 megapixel RAW (DNG) and JPG images. Apparently, the ISO noise filtering is also something Z managed to improve in order to have an excellent image quality even at 6400 ISO out of a total 102,000 ISO.
Handy, useful but won't beat your DSLR
However, you can't have an extremely compact camera and beat everyone else at their game with their much larger DSLRs, this way its major draw is the camera's Micro Four Thirds sensor which is bigger than your amateur or smartphone sensor but smaller still than what you'd usually find in a DSLR.
You can, however, interchange all sorts of lenses from Sigma, Panasonic and Olympus with ease. Another not so great feature is the screen which underwhelmingly has a 320 x 240 resolution, although it's clear that this was Z's last thing on their list of priorities as you can install the company's mobile app to view the image on your smartphone.
The camera will sell at around $700 and will come in a bundle containing a 14mm f2.5 Panasonic lens on Kickstarter. Continuous firmware updates will also follow after launch and delivery.
