Panasonic has unveiled the VariCam LT camcorder, representing the next generation of 4K cinema cameras. The VariCam LT inherits the same super 35mm sensor and superb imaging capabilities that distinguish the award-winning VariCam 35, but with significant reductions in size, weight and price.
Mathew Alexander, Product Marketing Manager, Broadcast, Panasonic Australia, said: “The VariCam LT camcorder incorporates the imaging ‘DNA’ of the VariCam 35 in a more compact rendition. Its size and design facilitate a wide array of shooting styles from comfortable shoulder-mounted operation, to use on gimbals and drones.”
The VariCam LT (model AU-V35LT1G) delivers 14+ stops of dynamic range with V-Log, and the esteemed cinematic VariCam image quality and colour science, as well as the VariCam 35’s breakout innovation, dual native ISOs of 800/5000.
Weighing just under 2.7kg and having superior capability to similar sized cameras, the VariCam LT will be the ideal camera for handheld, SteadiCam, jib, crane, drone, gimbal and overall cinema verité work. The VariCam LT is likewise tailor-made for owner/operators, independent filmmakers, documentary makers and corporate production creators.
The VariCam LT and accessories will be available in Australia in April 2016.
AU-V35LT1G Varicam LT Camera $29,739.00 RRP (inc GST)
AU-VCVF10G Varicam LT OLED Viewfinder $9,055.00 RRP (inc GST)
AU-VSHL2G Varicam Low Profile Shoulder Mount $2,494.00 RRP (inc GST)
AU-VGRP1G Varicam LT Grip Module $2,326.00 RRP (inc GST)
AU-VMPL1G Varicam LT PL Mount Module $2,413.00 RRP (inc GST)
The VariCam LT delivers superb image handling in multiple formats ranging from 4K, UHD, 2K and HD, and like the VariCam 35, is fully capable of High Dynamic Range (HDR) field capture. The new 4K camcorder offers Apple ProRes 4444 (up to 30p) and ProRes 422 HQ (up to 60p) support for HD recording, as well as Panasonic’s AVC-ULTRA family of advanced video codecs.
New codecs introduced in the VariCam LT include AVC-Intra LT and AVC-Intra 2K-LT, both designed to offer capture rates up to 240fps in imager crop mode, ideal for sports and other fast motion footage.
Powerful colour management capabilities combined with VariCam’s extended colour gamut and support for the Academy Colour Encoding System (ACES) workflow allow for full fidelity mastering of original source material. The VariCam LT offers in-camera colour grading, with the ability to record an ungraded 4K master along with all on-set grading metadata. A new colour processing feature is “V-LOOK,” which acts as a blend of V-Log and video, and allows filmic documentary acquisition without the same need for intense colour grading.
The VariCam LT differs from the VariCam 35 in being a one-piece, short-bodied camcorder vs. a two-piece camera head plus recorder. While the VariCam LT does not feature parallel sub-recording, it does have an SD slot for high-resolution proxy recording. Proxy files can be wirelessly uploaded via FTP, which facilitates wireless colour grading. Variable frame rates are available with LongG6 recording.
There is one expressP2 card for all formats including high frame rate and HD/2K/UHD and 4K recording (the 256Gbyte expressP2 card can record up to 90 minutes of 4K/4:2:2/23.98p content). RAW output from SDI is planned to be supported by a firmware upgrade in mid 2016.
The VariCam LT features an EF mount (vs. the VariCam 35’s PL mount), suitable for the wide array of lenses available for smaller cameras.* The EF mount can be switched out to a robust standard PL mount, expanding the range of compatible lenses that can be used. The control panel can be separated from the camera body to facilitate real-time control and easy menu access. The camcorder has a production-tough magnesium body to assure durability and reliability in challenging shooting locations.
Other features new to the VariCam LT are power hot swap, IR shooting (further enhancing the camcorder’s extreme low-light capture at ISO 5000), 23.98 PsF output, and image presets as scene files.
Among the camcorder’s top-level production assets are ND filters (CLEAR, 0.6, 1.2, 1.8), an optional OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF) with optical zoom functionality, 24-bit LPCM audio for in-camera audio master recording, Focus Assist, anamorphic lens de-squeeze, special REC functions (PreRec, interval, one-shot), IP control via Panasonic’s AK-HRP200 camera remote controller, and built-in GPS.
Professional interfaces include: 3G-HD-SDI x 3 (SDI-OUT X 2 and VF), LAN, genlock in, timecode in/out, USB2.0 Host and USB2.0 Device (mini B), and three XLR inputs (one 5-pin, two 3-pin) to record four channels of 24-bit, 48KHz audio.
The new products will be available from specialist Panasonic Broadcast distributors and resellers. For more information on on Panasonic’s range of broadcast and ProAV products, please visit www.panasonic-broadcast.com.au.