EVA1: EVA1 8/3/17 Press Release and Specifications

Barry_Green

Moderator
Press release below.
Specifications sheet PDF available here.

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

NEWARK, NJ (August 3, 2017) – 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 Fall with a suggested list price of $7,495.

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 EVA1’s 5.7K Super-35 sensor has almost twice as many photosites as 4K,” noted Mitch Gross, PMEC Cinema Product Manager. “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.”

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 color 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 artifacts. 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 colors and rich skin tones is a must for any filmmaker. The EVA1 features full V-Log/V-Gamut capture to best utilize high dynamic range and broad colors. V-Log has log curve characteristics that is HDR ready and V-Gamut delivers a color space that will cover BT.2020.

Weighing only 2.65-lbs (1.2Kg, body-only) with a compact form factor (6.69” H x 5.31” W x 5.23” D) and a removable handgrip, the EVA1 can be used for efficient handheld shooting applications. Because of its compact form factor, 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 top accessory makers to allow further customization 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 utilizes 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 Stabilization (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.

Behind the lens mount, 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. Unique photographic effects and night vision imagery are possible with this control over infrared.

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.

Ideal for indie filmmakers, the EVA1 records to readily-available, lower-cost SD cards. With two SD card slots, you can 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). In a future firmware upgrade, EVA1 will offer ALL Intra compression for in camera recording and 5.7K RAW output to 3rd 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.

As a professional video production tool, EVA1 contains several professional imaging tools, including Peaking, Expand (Image Zoom), Waveform, Zebras, and Spotmeter (Y-Get). EVA1 also utilizes Focus Squares, an array of green squares that grow in size when their local area appears to be sharp, to enable shooters to achieve critical focus.

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.

For more information about the AU-EVA1, visit http://business.panasonic.com/products-professionalvideo.

About Panasonic Media Entertainment Company
Panasonic Media Entertainment Company specializes in creating technology solutions for the entertainment, integrated resorts, sports, and professional AV markets including house of worship, education, broadcast and cinema. The company’s customized systems and technologies incorporate high-performance projectors and professional displays; large screen LED video displays; broadcast, cinema and pro video equipment; professional audio systems, and energy-saving lighting equipment. A division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, Panasonic Media Entertainment Company is based in Newark, NJ, with offices in Denver, CO; Los Angeles, CA; Orlando, FL; and Coppell, TX.

About Panasonic Corporation of North America
Newark, NJ-based Panasonic Corporation of North America is a leading technology partner to businesses, government agencies and consumers across the region. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Corporation, and leverages its strengths in immersive entertainment, sustainable energy, automated supply chains and connected mobility to provide integrated solutions for B2B customers. Panasonic was featured in Fortune Magazine’s 2016 ranking of 50 companies that are changing the world and doing well by doing good. Specifically cited were its smart and sustainable technologies, including its contributions to smart cities and the electric vehicle revolution. Learn more about Panasonic’s ideas and innovations at www.PanasonicMovesUs.com.

AU-EVA1_02_SIDEVIEW.jpgAU-EVA1_03_TOP.jpgAU-EVA1_04_REARVIEW.jpgAU-EVA1_01_SLANT.jpg
 
So no continuous auto-focus, how it will work with Canon lenses when you switch on the lens autofocus? It will not focus on nothing? I hope that Mitch will clarify this issue, I've hoped that it could work similar to C200 in the same price class, but not the same of course...
 
Are those 14 stops measured the same way as the Varicam? Just checking because of how Canon and Red come up with their numbers!
 
Mitch, thanks for making yourself available.

1) How is the "expand" function on the touch screen operated? Is there any way to trigger it with a hand still on the focus ring? e.g. from the hand grip on the right? From there is it possible to move the center point around without the touch screen?
2) What are the codecs exactly? EDIT: Found it.Panasonic-AU-EVA1_spec1-640x318@2x.jpg
3) LCD is 3.5" rather than the 3.2" of the GH5. Does this mean it is a different screen than the GH5 counter to what Nela previously stated?
4) EIS is still not given much description. Can you confirm that this performs better than software "warp stabilizers" that editors use but that are thwarted by foreground elements intersecting with background elements?
 
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Is this going to cut into Varicam LT sales? Seems to check off a lot of boxes. Should certainly pull in a lot of Canon C buyers as the feature set is pretty impressive.

Will it fit a 15mm LWS rail system and meet the 85mm center of rod to center of lens spec.? Looks like it should since the lens mount is pretty low, but worth asking.

Phantom power by physical switch or menu?

Headphone connection?

A little shoulder rig with a remote control handle would be a decent accessory. Would need a real eyepiece style viewfinder but I'm guessing you are leaving that to third parties with the hdmi and sdi outputs being configurable (as mentioned in the press release).
 
Is this going to cut into Varicam LT sales? Seems to check off a lot of boxes. Should certainly pull in a lot of Canon C buyers as the feature set is pretty impressive.

Def...I think Panasonic came pretty close to blowing it. These specs make the C200 much less appealing (sorry) and if that camera was shipping full-blast, I think they would have lots of missed opportunities. Still, a lot of Canon preorders might not be easily cancelable at some places, so this information should have really been released in the beginning.

What do I know though, I don't care, ha...both cameras will fly off the shelves.
 
will it power power-zoom lenses like the canon cn-e 18-80mm ?

will the 5.7k RAW / 400 mbps firmware update be free?

how much will it cost in europe?
 
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Note that $7495 is MSRP; one could reasonably expect that street pricing will be $6995 or lower based on prior Panasonic offerings. But, that's obviously subject to the law of supply and demand; if they're in short supply you can expect that the street price will be closer to the MSRP.
 
For those that complained about the lack of 4k 60p 10bit the EVA1 does have 2k 60p 10bit. Thats a really good option unless you absolutely have to have 4k. Or just buy an external recorder.
 
"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". Future? What?
 
The smallest battery looks set to drive the camera for a bit over two hours, the largest battery will offer four hours of continuous use, and the batteries charge about as fast as they discharge. I believe Mitch said the camera will include a dual charger; I would guess it would be the same unit as included with the UX180/UX90. If so, that should mean charging should take about the same time as discharging; with one battery on the camera and two on the charger you should be set for all day use (and probably overkill; you could probably go all day with one on the camera and one on the charger).
 
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