SECAUCUS, NJ — At NAB in April, Panasonic will introduce two new Varicam models, both of which the company hopes to deliver this fall. The Varicam 35 is designed for 4K production and features a Super 35mm MOS sensor that captures native 4,096 (17:9) 4K images. Its AVC-Ultra support allows the camera to record in a range of formats, including 4K, UHD, 2K and HD.
Users can shoot in a 4K raw format to capture pristine images, which can later be put through a full color grading process. The Varicam 35 has a modular design, with a camera head and separate recorder that are connected by a cable. The camera offers 14 stops of latitude, advanced color management capabilities (ACES), and wireless control. It’s capable of shooting 4K at variable speeds (up to 120fps) without sacrificing quality. The unit features an OLED electronic viewfinder. Its 35mm PL mounts allows it to take advantage of high-end cine lenses.
I/O includes four 3G HD-SDI outputs, two 3G SDI outputs, and an HD out for monitoring. At press time, pricing had not been announced.
Panasonic will also introduce the Varicam HS at NAB, a high-speed Varicam that’s well-suited for sports applications. The unit can record AVC Ultra 12-bit/4:4:4 or 10-bit/4:2:2. Using AVC-Intra Class 100, the Varicam HS can capture 1080p footage at up to 240fps. In addition, the camera allows for ramps and frame rate changes during recording. Like the Varicam 35, it offers 14 stops of dynamic range.