Panasonic Announces Specs For AU-EVA1

Panasonic has published further information regarding the AU-EVA1 compact camera. The camera, which was previewed at Cine Gear Expo earlier this year, will ship this autumn.

It has a suggested list price of £6,215 and technical specifications now include a pixel count of 5720 H x 3016 V (17.25 million), confirmed dual native ISO ratings of 800 and 2,500, and 14-stops of dynamic range.

The newly-designed EVA1 sensor is Super-35 sized (24.60mm x 12.97mm) with 5.7K resolution. With an active resolution of 5720 x 3016, the EVA1 delivers more than 17.25 million photosites. By starting at a higher native resolution, the 5.7K sensor yields a higher resolving image when down-sampled to 4K, UHD, 2K, or 720p. Additionally, the increased colour information results in a finer, more accurate finished image.

Dual native ISO utilises a process that allows the sensor to be read in a different way, extracting more information without degrading the image. This results in a camera that can switch from a standard sensitivity to a high sensitivity with almost no increase in noise or other artefacts. Dual native ISO has allowed cinematographers a wider variety of artistic choices as well as the ability to use less light on set, saving time and money. The EVA1's dual native ISOs are 800 and 2,500, which will allow cinematographers to shoot in almost any lighting environment.

The EVA1 delivers 14-stops of dynamic range, enabling fine gradation in exposure from bright to dark. It features full V-Log/V-Gamut capture to utilise HDR and broad colours. V-Log has log curve characteristics that is HDR ready and V-Gamut delivers a colour space that will cover BT.2020.

Weighing 1.2kg (body only) with a compact form factor (17cm H x 13.5cm W x 13.3cm D) and a removable handgrip, the EVA1 can be used for handheld shooting applications. It can also be mounted on a drone, gimbal rig or jib arm for complex yet smooth camera moves. There will also be numerous mounting points and Panasonic is currently working with accessory makers to allow further customisation with the EVA1.

The included adjustable handgrip offers several controls, including Menu, REC start/stop, Iris and Two User Buttons. The EVA1's LCD screen is a 3.5” touch panel for menu selections, expand (image zoom) positioning and playback controls. The LCD has an adjustable backlight control, including a Power LCD mode for bright viewing conditions.

For lensing, the camera utilises a native EF-mount, giving shooters access to the broad EF lens ecosystem, including dozens of cinema style prime and zoom lenses from numerous manufacturers. Electronic Image Stabilisation (EIS) within the camera will counterbalance camera shake and blurring, enabling smooth movement for handheld shooting. There will also be full Iris Control, One-Push Auto Focus, and Lens Data.

An integrated ND filter wheel in 2, 4, and 6 stops allows for precise exposure control. The EVA1 also allows the IR Cut to be swung out of the path to the sensor at the push of a button. Photographic effects and night vision imagery are possible with this control over infrared.

In addition, the ND filter and IR Cut filter operate electronically, allowing wireless remote control from smartphones and tablets. EVA1 will have a remote control app for a tablet (iOS, Android) that enables users to control an EVA1 when the camera is on a camera crane, or remote location.

There are two SD card slots with the camera, allowing users to capture footage either with simul rec (simultaneous dual record) or relay rec (continuous record). There's also one shot record, which enables single frame video for stop motion capture.

The camera can record in several formats and compression rates, and offers up to 10-bit 4:2:2 even in 4K. For in camera recording, you can capture in 4K (4096 x 2160), UHD (3840 x 2160), 2K (2048 x 1080), Full HD (1920 x 1080), and HD (1280 x 720).

For high-speed capture, the EVA1 offers up to 59.94fps/50fps for 4K/UHD, up to 120fps/100fps for 2K/Full HD, or 240fps/200fps (cropped area).

EVA1 offers dual balanced XLR audio inputs with Dolby AudioTM encoding. The HDMI and SDI video outputs are both 4K-capable and each can be adjusted separately, allowing HD to be fed to a viewfinder or other third party monitor while 4K is sent to an outboard recorder or monitor. The camera is also equipped with standard TimeCode functionality.

Luc Bara, Technical Product Manager for Panasonic, said: "The EVA1's 5.7K Super-35 sensor has almost twice as many photosites as 4K. That means the 4K videos recorded in the camera will be crystal clear with rich colour information. The EVA1 also inherits the unique dual native ISO sensor technology from our cinema VariCam line, allowing it to shoot in bright sunlight or night exteriors without compromising the image quality. And the 14 stops of dynamic range capture a huge scope of exposure detail."

business.panasonic.co.uk