Panasonic’s AU-EVA1 Camera to Debut

With new 5.7K Super 35 sensor and 4K resolution at 10-bit, 4:2:2, Panasonic has released new details on the upcoming Panasonic AU-EVA1 camera. Offered as a “compact cinema camera” with EF-mount, at a base weight of 2.64 lbs and dimensions of only 6.69” x 5.31” x 5.23”, nonetheless the imaging engine within is capable of up to 14 stops of dynamic range as well as HFR abilities with 4K at up to 60fps and cropped area at up to 240fps. 

At 24.60mm x 12.97mm, the sensor has an effective pixel count of 5720 x 3016 for nearly twice the image information of the DCI 4K standard at 4096 x 2160. “By starting at a higher native resolution,” says Panasonic, “the 5.7K sensor yields a higher resolving image when down-sampled to 4K, UHD, 2K, or even 720p. Additionally, the increased color information results in a finer, more accurate finished image.”

Codecs will be available in 4:2:2 10-bit and 4:2:0 8-bit LongGOP with bit rates of up to 150 Mbps. A promised update will bring 4:2:2 10-bit Intra as well as 400 Mbps capture when using SD cards with the latest Video Speed Class V60 (60 MB/s) or V90 (90 MB/s) ratings. Most importantly, Panasonic has also listed raw output as an update in the near future, with delivery for the AU-EVA1 cameras themselves this autumn at $7,495.

Like the VariCams, the AU-EVA1 also has a dual native ISO that starts at an ISO of 800, as well as a secondary base ISO of 2500, half the dual-base ISO rating of the VariCam line at ISO 5000. Panasonic says that they approach readout from the sensor in two fundamentally different ways to achieve this dual ISO with minimized noise and artifacts. 

With colorimetry based on the same color science as the historic Panasonic VariCam lineage, V-Log is provided for plotting the conventional log curves of film negative scans, and V-Gamut will capture the highest amount of color information, enough to cover the BT.2020 color space. For run n’ gun, Electronic Image Stabilization is provided for motion compensation. 

The detachable handle and rotary grip, and numerous threaded mounts along the body have also been designed to make the Panasonic AU-EVA1 suitable for drones, rigs, jibs and gimbal usage. The IR infrared-ray cut filter can be disengaged through button-press. There is also internal, electrically-driven ND filtration in clear, 0.6ND, 1.2ND, and 1.8ND stops. 

“The EVA1’s 5.7K Super-35 sensor has almost twice as many photosites as 4K,” Mitch Gross, PMEC Cinema Product Manager, is quoted as saying in the press release. “That means the 4K videos recorded in the camera will be crystal clear with rich color 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.”

Positioned by Panasonic as an affordable but advanced solution for videographers and advanced amateurs taking the step into professional video and filmmaking, the Panasonic AU-EVA1 has much better options for audio than a still-shooter solution, including dual XLR and Dolby Audio encoding. With standard timecode, the HDMI and SDI outputs can channel 4K as well as HD stream for using external recorders, viewfinders, and monitors. 

The Panasonic AU-EVA1 comes with the AG-VBR59 battery (7.28V 5900mAh/43Wh) for approximately an hour and a half of continuous operating time. There is an optional AG-VBR118 (7.28V 11800mAh/86Wh) battery to extend that operation to more than three hours. The touch panel LCD monitor provides peaking, image zoom, waveform, zebras, spot-meter, “Focus Squares” focus-assist and more. 

Find out more information about the Panasonic AU-EVA1 and sign up for more information as it becomes available at the Panasonic site here. Follow Panasonic Professional Video on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Download the complete specs here.

8/23/17 UPDATE:

New York City and Los Angeles-area cinematographers and filmmakers are invited to attend an exclusive first look of Panasonic’s new AU-EVA1 cinema camera. The events will include the screening of short films shot with the new cinema camera and a question-and-answer session with the films’ cinematographers who will discuss shooting with the EVA1.

The New York City event will be held on Monday, September 11 at the Angelika Film Center (18 West Houston Street, New York, NY 10012) from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm. The Los Angeles event will be held on Thursday, September 14 at The Linwood Dunn Theater (1313 Vine Street, Los Angeles, CA 90028) from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

These events represent the first time shooters will be able to get hands-on with the EVA1; Panasonic cinema specialists will be on hand to answer questions.

While these first-look events are free, an RSVP is required. To register, click on the link below for the event you wish to attend:

NYC – Angelika Film Center
Los Angeles – Linwood Dunn Theater