Panasonic Announces Pricing, additional Technical Specs For AU-EVA1 Compact Cinema Camera

Panasonic today disclosed additional information, including pricing and specification data, about the upcoming AU-EVA1 5.7K handheld cinema camera. Previewed this spring at Cine Gear Expo, the EVA1 will ship this autumn with a suggested list price of €7,290.

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, nearly double the 8.8 million for 4K DCI (4096 x 2160). By starting at a higher native resolution, the 5.7K sensor yields a higher resolving image when down-sampled to 4K, UHD, 2K, or even 720p. Additionally, the increased colour information results in a finer, more accurate finished image.

A key feature of the VariCam cameras, dual native ISO utilizes a process that allows the sensor to be read in a fundamentally 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 greater 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. The ability to capture accurate colours and rich skin tones is a must for any filmmaker. The EVA1 features full V-Log/V-Gamut capture to best utilise high dynamic range 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.

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). In a future firmware upgrade, EVA1 will offer ALL Intra compression for in camera recording and 5.7K RAW output to third party recorders. 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). On first release, available bit rates will range from as low as 8Mbps up to 150Mbps, depending on frame rate, resolution, and codec. In a future firmware update, 400Mbps recording will be added.