Features:

• Added new recording mode: "ZRAW (Bayer CFA)" - it's an old (true) ZRAW with Bayer RAW data, that can be used in our converter or original Z CAM ZRAW VideoSuite

• Original current ZRAW is now renamed to "ZRAW (HEVC)" - it still can be used if you need it

WARNING! Firmware is for E2-M4 ONLY!!! DO NOT setup it on any other camera models!

WARNING 2! IT CAN BE DANGEROUS! YOU USE THIS FW AT YOUR OWN RISK!

How to install the firmware:

1. Rollback your E2-M4 to 0.98.0 version (take image file from the original Z CAM website)

2. Prepare usb-stick/disk with our new image file (WARNING! ALL DATA ON THIS DISK WILL BE ERASED):

• connect flash to PC

• open balenaEtcher program (it's free, you can find it in the internet)

• choose zip file from this post (download zip file by link down there)

• choose your usb-stick/disk

• start process by pressing "Flash!" button and wait

• eject your usb-stick/disk after successful flashing process

3. Install FW to E2-M4:

• turn off your E2-M4

• connect your usb-stick/disk to your E2-M4

• press record button and power button simultaneously

• wait until you see Z CAM logo on the screen

• wait for 1-2 seconds and release buttons

• camera will update to our new firmware

If all is done correctly, after reboot camera will start using new firmware.

You can always rollback to the original Z CAM firmware without any problems.

BalenaEther can be found here (it's free):

https://www.balena.io/etcher/

Link to the firmware image with new features (that you choose in balenaEther):

https://drive.google.com/file/d/18BHAqMg6at47HqWfkrDi-7cbxiMOozbV/view?usp=sharing

Facebook group with all info and links to ZRAW to DNG Video Converter:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/storyboardcreativity

Finally, I managed to figure out all my code and make a hack with Panasonic-like recording indication based on firmware v0.93!

My first changelog:

• Added automatic non-switchable red Panasonic-like recording indication along the edges of the HDMI-output

All the source code of the added patches is here:

https://github.com/storyboardcreativity/Z-Camera-E2-Firmware-Hack

The instructions for self-assembly of the firmware are described by me in general form here:

https://github.com/storyboardcreativity/Z-Camera-E2-Reverse-Engineering

I draw your attention that this firmware is NOT OFFICIAL, and also remind you that you do any manipulations with the camera at your own peril and risk! From now on, I disclaim responsibility for possible problems with the camera if you decide to use the assembled firmware! Be extremely careful!

IMPORTANT! The hack is based on Z-CAM E2 firmware v0.93. Therefore, it will work ONLY in conditions where the official firmware v0.93 is running. For example, if you already have firmware v0.95 or higher on your camera, then installing firmware v0.93 (according to the assurances on the official Z-CAM website) is impossible! Consider this! The easiest way is to first roll v0.93 onto the camera, and then on top of it install my hack. So you can be sure that if the camera does not start after the first firmware installation process, this has nothing to do with the hack itself.

How to start using hack:

1. Your camera must be flashed to the official version 0.93.
2. Download the firmware file from the link.
3. Put the downloaded update.zip file in the root of your camera's disk.
4. Flash in the standard way as if it were an official firmware.

Custom firmware file link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GijjGMIjitrbCn3K4gdk3OxCYkQl__Sf

https://github.com/storyboardcreativity/zraw-parser/releases/tag/v0.3.4-alpha

It supports new ZRAW versions (extracts pure HEVC bitstream without reencoding) and old ZRAW versions (reconstructs Bayer CFA).

Code is very draft, but it works.

https://github.com/storyboardcreativity/ZRAW-Parser

The Pocket 4k and the Zcam attract me for similar reasons.

4k Video up to 60p (160 for the zcam) Much higher dynamic range than my Em5 Mark II Options for recording to an external ssd Much better lowlight capabilities than my Em5 Lots of rigging options

I plan to rig either one with a handheld rig. So cage, monitor, handle and battery and get them up to a size that would be suitable for handheld shooting and could be quickly throw onto a tripod, or be reworked into a shoulder rig. I currently use 2 of the voigtlanders and will be focusing manually for everything so their AF abilities don't matter at all.

As far as I can tell the bmpcc 4k advantages are 12 bit raw up to 40k 60p bRAW 12:1 compression is small enough to go on standard sd cards and the quality is good enough for my uses. An SD card slot. Comes with the full version of Davinci 10,050 Chinese RMB

Bmpcc 4k cons battery life is terrible and needs an external to work for any period of time strange form factor 1080p raw and 1080p prores 61-120 fps is windowed at a 3.8x crop factor

and the Zcam 4k up to 120 with no crop and 160 with a slight crop Takes sony batteries which are cheap and easy to find No fans and block shape for easy modularity Can use phone or tablet as monitor with a usb C cable Supposedly more dynamic range than the bmpcc 4k but I haven't seen this demonstrated anywhere.

Cons- 15,000 Chinese rmb video is all 10 bit and no raw available yet (I know a firmware is in the works to introduce raw) No Sd card recording option No built in screen, so any setup needs either a monitor or a phone/tablet monitor.

I'm about to make about 22,000 rmb working on a documentary next week. Combined with my normal pay It would be enough for me to buy and rig out a BMPCC 4K with a monitor, cage, and battery. But the zcam is also really tempting with its 120p 4k mode. I think the black magic files would be more flexible and easier to edit and it also comes with davinci too!

For the same price as the Zcam body only I could probably buy the Bmpcc 4k, build a handheld rig with external power and a monitor and have enough left over to pick up a gimbal (second hand at least if not new). Is that the way to go? Or is the Zcam the way most people would lean?