Panasonic Gives Sneak Peek of NAB Offerings

Panasonic today unveiled a new pair of high-end cameras that will highlight its offerings at the NAB in April — a 4K VariCam built around a newly-developed super 35mm MOS image sensor and a third-generation, two-thirds-inch VariCam that features high-speed 1080p image capture of up to 240 fps.

The modular VariCam models — the VariCam 35 and VariCam HS — employ Panasonic’s AVC-ULTRA family of advanced video codecs.

The “modular design will deliver unprecedented flexibility to users, who can move between the worlds of sports, documentary and other content creation with extraordinary ease and efficiencies,” said Steve Cooperman, product manager, Panasonic.

The VariCam models will be available this, with pricing to be announced.

Other NAB introductions include a new generation of P2 solid-state recording media, the expressP2 card, specifically designed to accommodate high frame rate recording as well as 4K capture; the AJ-PX270, the company’s first P2 HD handheld camcorder with AVC-ULTRA recording; and the AV-HS6000, a 2 M/E switcher with 32 HD-SDI plus two DVI-D inputs and 16 HD-SDI outputs.

The VariCam 35 handles multiple formats, including 4K, UHD, 2K, making it suitable for high-end filmmaking and commercials and episodic production as well as live 4K events.

The camera comes with a Panasonic super 35mm MOS sensor for 4096 x 2160 (17:9) 4K imager. The imager boasts 14+ stops of latitude, and faithfully captures high-contrast, wide dynamic range imagery without compromise, Panasonic says.

The VariCam HS utilizes three newly-developed, 1920 x 1080p MOS imagers with an 14 stops of dynamic range, providing full control over wide range lighting conditions for 1080p native recording/operation.

Among the camcorder’s key features are real-time high frame rate and off-speed recording to 240 fps in 1080p (using AVC-Intra Class100), plus the ability to ramp/change frame rates during record.

The VariCam HS will features a range of recording formats including AVC-Intra Class100 (recording as 1080/24p, 30p or 60p format with VFR (up to 240p), AVC-Intra Class200 (up to 30p/60i) and AVC-Intra Class4:4:4 (up to 30p).

The 4K  and two-thirds-inch VariCam will both use Panasonic’s new expressP2 card for high frame rate recording; each camera is  equipped with four total card slots, for two expressP2 cards and two microP2 cards.

Combining the high quality and incredible efficiency of low bit rate recording and the flexibility of 3G/4G/LTE wireless mobility, the five-pound PX270 provides all the key functionality of Panasonic’s high-end, shoulder-mount camcorder (the AJ-PX5000 with AVC-ULTRA).

It also features newly-developed high-sensitivity, low-noise 1/3” 3-MOS imagers for use in low-light conditions.

With its innovative AVC-ULTRA codec, the PX270 features a wide range of recording modes.

For high-quality recording, the camera records in 100Mbps AVC-Intra100, as well as optional 200 Mbps AVC-Intra200.

For applications where file size is critical, the camcorder incorporates a choice of AVC-LongG quality levels. These 10-bit, 4:2:2 sampled codecs record in much smaller file sizes, saving storage cost and transfer time while maintaining equal or better video quality to existing legacy codecs.

Addressing the need for high-speed file exchange, the PX270’s high-resolution AVC-Proxy encodes in parallel with higher bandwidth production formats, enabling fast, efficient offline editing, Panasonic says.

 A newly designed, compact, 22X zoom lens offers a wide 28 mm to tele 616 mm (35mm equivalent) zoom range.

The camcorder will be available in March at a suggested list price of $6,495.

The latest in Panasonic’s series of live video switching products, the new AV-HS6000 is a cost-effective 2 M/E switcher with 32 HD-SDI plus two DVI-D inputs, 16 HD-SDI outputs, 16 keyers, four independent MultiViewers, expandable clip storage, a Web server and many other advanced features.

Easily customizable for diverse workflows, the HS6000 is designed for advanced production in houses of worship, sports, broadcast, staging, and education.