Saturday 1 March 2014

Panasonic announce 4k flagship, VariCam 35

Panasonic-Varicam-35-perform-video


Panasonic have unveiled a professional 4K, Super 35mm monster, the VariCam® 35. The modular camera features a newly-developed MOS image sensor and the company’s AVC-ULTRA family of video codecs. You also get multiple video formats including 4K, UHD, 2K and HD.


Here are the main specs of the VariCam® 35


  • 4096 x 2160 Super 35mm CMOS sensor

  • 14+ Stops of Dynamic Range

  • PL Mount

  • Internal 4K up to 120fps

  • Records 4K & UHD in AVC-ULTRA 4K

  • Records 2K & HD in AVC-Intra 100/200

  • Capable of 4K RAW

  • 1.5 to 6 Mbps Proxies

  • Two expressP2 card slots (Record 130 minutes of 4K/24p with these cards)

  • Two microP2 card slots (for HD and 2K)

  • Four 3G-HD-SDI Outputs for 4K QUAD

  • Two 3G-HD-SDI Outputs for RAW

  • HD-SDI out for monitoring (down-converting from 4K)

  • Two XLR inputs can record four channels of 24-bit, 48KHz audio

  • Removable Control Panel

  • OLED Viewfinder with Optical Zoom

  • Availability: Fall 2014

  • Price: TBA

Panasonic confirmed that it would preview the camera — aimed at filmmaking, TV production and live event coverage — at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show, April 7-10 in Las Vegas.  Other planned NAB introductions from Panasonic include a new version of its P2 solid-state recording media, the expressP2 card, designed for high frame rates and 4K; the AJ-PX270, the company’s first P2 HD handheld camcorder with AVC-Ultra recording support; and the AV-HS6000, a 2 M/E switcher with 32 HD-SDI and two DVI-D inputs, and 16 HD-SDI outputs.


From the Press Release: 


With its innovative design, the 4K camera module unit  (AU-V35C1) is separate but dockable to the recording module unit (AU-VREC1), which is also interchangeable with Panasonic’s new 2/3” camera module unit (AU-V23HS1) (see separate news release). This system flexibility can be expanded with an umbilical cable between the s35mm 4K camera and the AVC-ULTRA recorder, providing “box” camera functionality for jibs, cranes and other “remote” camera needs.  This common recorder module is also interchangeable with Panasonic’s new 2/3” 1080p camera, enabling professionals to switch between s35mm and 2/3” camera heads to best suit their creative needs.


“Evoking the VariCam heritage of gorgeous, cinematic image rendition, this VariCam 35 establishes new standards for 4K production,” said Steve Cooperman, Product Manager, Panasonic System Communications Company of North America. “With its expanse of formats ranging from flawless 4K RAW output to more practical 4K, UHD, 2K and HD capture, the  VariCam 35 represents a matchless option for premier digital capture.”


The VariCam 35 utilizes a new Panasonic super 35mm MOS sensor for 4096 x 2160 (17:9) 4K image capture; this imager when combined with the AVC-ULTRA codecs for 4K enables very manageable and practical 4K production file sizes. The new imager boasts an impressive 14+ stops of latitude, and faithfully captures high-contrast, wide dynamic range imagery without compromise. Powerful color management capabilities provide a much extended color gamut for impeccable image fidelity, and permit support for an Academy Color Encoding System (ACES) workflow for full fidelity mastering of original source material.


Among the camera/recorder’s top-level production features are real-time, high frame rate, variable speed 4K recording up to 120fps, proving the capability for master level 2K/FHD recording; and advanced workflows with parallel simultaneous 4K/ UHD, reference 2K/HD and proxy recordings for in-camera on-set color grading and monitoring / editing ease.  The camera also features a newly-developed OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF) with optical zoom functionality. Lastly, 24-bit LPCM audio is added for in-camera audio master recording.


The VariCam 35 will deliver an unprecedented breadth of recording formats, including 4K and UHD in AVC-ULTRA 4K, and 2K and FHD in AVC-Intra 100/200.* Addressing the need for high-speed file exchange, the camera encodes high-resolution proxy files in parallel with 4K and 2K production formats, enabling fast, efficient offline editing, at bit rates from 6 Mbps down to 1.5Mbps. Wireless workflows for proxy streaming and metadata management will also be available.


The VariCam 35 will use Panasonic’s new expressP2 card for high frame rate and 4K recording (see separate news release).  The camera is equipped with a total of four memory card slots, two for expressP2 cards and two for microP2 cards. The new expressP2 card can record up to 130 minutes of 4K/24p content.  The microP2 card is designed for recording HD or 2K at more typical production frame rates.


Professional interfaces include:  3G-HD-SDI x4 for 4K QUAD output; 3G-HD-SDI x2 for RAW output; an HD-SDI out for monitoring (down-converting from 4K); and two XLR inputs to record four channels of 24-bit, 48KHz audio. A multi-connector facilitates docking the camera head to the recording module. In another striking design innovation, the VariCam 35 boasts a removable control panel to facilitate real-time control and easy access when the camera is in a fixed position. The VariCam 35 features a standard 35mm PL mount.


The VariCam 35 will launch fall 2014, with pricing to be announced. For further information about Panasonic professional video products, visit www.panasonic.com/broadcast.


*AVC-Intra200 is available only for FHD recording.


 


 



Panasonic announce 4k flagship, VariCam 35

No comments:

Post a Comment