If you’re a fan of the Mission Impossible movies, you might be interested to know that while the latest installment was mostly shot on IMAX cameras, some of the action scenes were actually captured using a Z CAM E2-F6.
This camera, which comes from China, is not only affordable at just $3,000, but it’s also capable of delivering high-quality performance.
Despite being relatively new to the film industry, Z CAM has gained recognition and acceptance among high-end productions.
The company initially focused on developing virtual reality cameras but shifted its attention to more accessible options in 2018. The Z CAM E2 was released as a budget-friendly 4K camera capable of shooting at 160 frames per second with enhanced color processing.
Following its success, Z CAM launched other models, including the Z CAM E2-F8, which shoots stunning 8K footage.
While independent filmmakers have been utilizing Z CAM cameras for a few years now, the company reached a significant milestone when its E2-F6 camera was employed to shoot various action scenes for Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1.
According to YM Cinema, the crew opted for the compact and affordable Z CAM as a “crash cam” because it was more practical and less risky than using an expensive IMAX camera in compromising situations.
Theoretically, the Mission Impossible team could have chosen a similarly sized RED Komodo camera.
However, YM Cinema reports that the crew specifically sought a full-frame system, as the Komodo operates on a Super35 format. Given that the Z CAM E2-F6 is both affordable and full frame, it perfectly matched the requirements of the filmmaking crew.
According to YM Cinema, “The main model of Z CAM utilized on MI7 is Z CAM E2-F6. The E2-F6 was used on car pursuits, real train crashes, and the famous motocross skydiving stunts.”
These stunts required a lot of preparation – Tom Cruise practiced over 500 skydives and performed over 13,000 motocross jumps to ensure the accuracy of these scenes.
The base model Z CAM E2-F6 costs just $3,000. It has the ability to shoot full-frame 12-bit ProRes RAW through HDMI output to an Atomos Ninja V monitor recorder.
It can capture 6K footage at 60 frames per second and 4K at 120 frames per second. The camera also supports Z CAM’s ZRAW format, promising an impressive dynamic range of 15 stops.
It comes with a standard Canon EF mount, but optional accessories enable shooting with Leica M, Micro Four Thirds, or PL mounts.
For an additional $1,000, you can opt for the “pro” version of the camera, which adds a five-inch touch monitor for camera control and includes Z-Log2, 10-bit Color, ProRes 422, and ProRes 422 HQ recording options.
Considering the level of performance it offers, this is still an excellent deal. The highest resolution format of the Z CAM E2-F6 is 6,064 by 4,040 at 30 frames per second (open gate), and it supports various frame rates and resolutions.
It’s worth mentioning that, as of now, the Pro version does not support RAW over HDMI external recording. Instead, Z CAM provides custom media called ZBlades with options ranging from 1TB to 4TB in capacity.
Given its successful use on the Mission Impossible set, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Z CAM gaining popularity among other film productions.