Last Updated on January 13, 2019
Previously teased at the NAB 2017, Panasonic has finally previewed their AU-EVA1 camera at the Cine Gear Expo held at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, California. With a 5.7K Super 35mm-sized sensor, the camera can provide superior images even when footage is down sampled to 4K, UHD, 2K, as well as 720p. The Panasonic AU-EVA1 aims to attract documentary, film, and live event filmmakers with a set of features capable of capturing true cinematic images.
Apart from equipping their camera with a range of rich features, Panasonic has also made sure the AU-EVA1 would be comfortable to use even when shooting handheld. As such, the camera only comes in at 2.65 pounds. In addition, filmmakers are also given the option for mounting the camera in different ways: on a drone, a gimbal rig, or jib arm.
Not only does the AU-EVA 1 feature a very high native resolution at 5.7K, it also features a Dual Native ISO seen in Panasonic’s very own VariCam 35, VariCam LT, and VariCam Pure models. Rather than adding gain or shifting the gamma of the output of the original signal to increase sensitivity while also ensuring a high signal-to-noise ratio is maintained, the acclaimed Dual Native ISO of Panasonic makes use of alternative circuitry within the sensor instead.
This particular method allows more information to be extracted from the sensor without distorting the image. With this feature in place, cameras can switch between standard sensitivity to high sensitivity while the resulting image remains largely noise-free. Increased sensitivity allows filmmakers to minimize the use of lights on set thus allowing them to save money and widen their artistic choices.
The AU-EVA1 also features V-Log/V-Gamut capture that allows delivery of high dynamic range and broad colors to capture colors that are accurate and film rich skin tones. With log curve characteristics, V-Log is rather similar to negative film while V-Gamut can provide color space that is larger than film. Panasonic’s AU-EVA1 also borrows the popular colorimetry feature present in the VariCam family.
The Panasonic AU-EVA1 will record on lower-cost SD cards and in various formats and compression rates. With a native EF-mount, users can choose from a wide variety of EF lenses to use with the camera.
The camera body will be available sometime in the fall of 2017 and will start at $8,000.
