EVA1: Panasonic AU-EVA1! Announcement and latest updates

[Jason R. Johnston]

I think the message is pretty clear from Panasonic. M43 handheld pro cameras are a dead issue, at least for now. If you want M43, you are buying a GH5.

...which is why EVA1 isn't AF200. That would imply a M43 sensor and an EVF on an affixed top handle.

I'm pretty stoked that Eva One is much more than, say, a DVX200 with a lens mount. As much as I would have liked a lens mount with a shorter flange distance, I have a bunch of Canon glass so that's one less adapter to buy.

 

[puredrifting]

...which is why EVA1 isn't AF200. That would imply a M43 sensor and an EVF on an affixed top handle.

I'm pretty stoked that Eva One is much more than, say, a DVX200 with a lens mount. As much as I would have liked a lens mount with a shorter flange distance, I have a bunch of Canon glass so that's one less adapter to buy.

I've noticed that M43 camera owners seem to be really offended that the market desires S35 imagers, not M43. Better low light, less noise, shallower DOF, and an easier to work with FOV for obtaining wide angle shots, makes sense to me. I am not sure if M43 will ever be a desirable imager size to more than a small audience of fans. Panasonic is obviously more interested in poaching C100 MKI, MKII, C300 MKI, FS-5 and Ursa Mini owners into buying EVA1 than trying to get people who stretched to spend $2k on a GH5 into spending four times that for a digital cinema camera. From a marketing position, that is a smart business move and while technically, I know E-Mount and the M43 mount have cooler options with speed boosters, there are tens of millions of EOS lenses out there, making the mount on the EVA1 EOS also makes total business sense. If I were them, I would have done the same, although it would have been perhaps more prudent to reverse engineer making Canon IS on IS lenses work and give the user a choice to use the built-in EIS OR the IS on the EOS lens. I am wary of how well EIS will work and if it will degrade the pristine images the camera, with some good glass, will be capable of.

 

[vanvideo]

EVA1, C200 and FS5 body size comparison, according to B&H:

EVA1 - 6.7 x 5.3 x 5.2" 2.6 lb
C200 - 5.7 x 6 x 7" 3.2 lb
FS5 - 4.50 x 5.13 x 6.88" 29.2 oz

The FS5 is slightly smaller and lighter, for reference. But this may be the stripped down weight for all cameras.
It's possible the EVA may even compete with the FS7. In that case, it's substantially smaller and lighter.

 

[sean007davis]

It's what the non-M43 market wants, so why not give them what they want.

If I buy the EVA1 I won't sell my GH5 cameras, as they will still be useful for lots of things.

Exactly. I own a varicam Lt and still have my GH4 and Now a GH5. the GH cameras will get into a lot of places the Varicam LT and the EVA-1 wont. And are great for car mounts and crash cams. I'll be sad if I lost a GH4 or GH5 as a crash Cam but I won't shed tears. I'll pick Up and EVA-1 as a b cam for my Varicam LT, but If I lost and EVA-1 I'd probably shed a few tears (until the insurance check shows up)

 

[fboonzaier]

I've noticed that M43 camera owners seem to be really offended that the market desires S35 imagers, not M43. Better low light, less noise, shallower DOF, and an easier to work with FOV for obtaining wide angle shots, makes sense to me. I am not sure if M43 will ever be a desirable imager size to more than a small audience of fans. Panasonic is obviously more interested in poaching C100 MKI, MKII, C300 MKI, FS-5 and Ursa Mini owners into buying EVA1 than trying to get people who stretched to spend $2k on a GH5 into spending four times that for a digital cinema camera. From a marketing position, that is a smart business move and while technically, I know E-Mount and the M43 mount have cooler options with speed boosters, there are tens of millions of EOS lenses out there, making the mount on the EVA1 EOS also makes total business sense. If I were them, I would have done the same, although it would have been perhaps more prudent to reverse engineer making Canon IS on IS lenses work and give the user a choice to use the built-in EIS OR the IS on the EOS lens. I am wary of how well EIS will work and if it will degrade the pristine images the camera, with some good glass, will be capable of.

Of all the objections to the EF mount I can remember exactly 1 person advocating for a M4/3 sensor...everyone else wants a m4/3 mount and loves the s35 sensor...the continuous lecturing re the S35 sensor of owners of m4/3 systems (not including you here!) seems to deem it necessary to patiently explain to people using M4/3 cameras how superior s35 is, which is of course true and also a completely unnecessary bit of information...there's no great reveal there...everyone knows this...what's pertinent for me in this mount, is I own over 30 FF and S35 lenses...all pristine and carefully chosen...and in there lies the beauty of the mount...the wonderful collection of glass available...again...I understand this system does not suit your style of shooting, but it's used by many....including professionals...the M4/3 system is not for fans, and Canon or S35 for pros...I worked with one of the best Director/DPs for years...all on Arriflexs35, and any time a camera went on his shoulder it was a s16 Aaron..so for me, the mount does not work...I understand Panasonic's marketing choice...and not that it means much for them, but with this mount, they won't get my business

 

[Run&Gun]

I would venture to say that for every one m4/3 person screaming "this is stupid, this sucks! I won't buy this camera!", there are 100 people applauding EF/s35.

 

[Matt Gottshalk]

I would venture to say that for every one m4/3 person screaming "this is stupid, this sucks! I won't buy this camera!", there are 100 people applauding EF/s35.

Agreed.

And Panasonic has done a similar market analysis, hence the EF/S35 mount.

 

[dcloud]

it won't use AF-100 batteries it will use the same batteries the DVX200 uses. The AF-100 used the VW-VBG batteries the DVX200 used the AG-VBR which is an updated version of the classic Panasonic batteries from the HVX, etc. From what I can tell They are no longer making the AF-100/ HMC series camera batteries

which is sad cuz i have like 3 of those lol

 

[sean007davis]

Of all the objections to the EF mount I can remember exactly 1 person advocating for a M4/3 sensor...everyone else wants a m4/3 mount and loves the s35 sensor...the continuous lecturing re the S35 sensor of owners of m4/3 systems (not including you here!) seems to deem it necessary to patiently explain to people using M4/3 cameras how superior s35 is, which is of course true and also a completely unnecessary bit of information...there's no great reveal there...everyone knows this...what's pertinent for me in this mount, is I own over 30 FF and S35 lenses...all pristine and carefully chosen...and in there lies the beauty of the mount...the wonderful collection of glass available...again...I understand this system does not suit your style of shooting, but it's used by many....including professionals...the M4/3 system is not for fans, and Canon or S35 for pros...I worked with one of the best Director/DPs for years...all on Arriflexs35, and any time a camera went on his shoulder it was a s16 Aaron..so for me, the mount does not work...I understand Panasonic's marketing choice...and not that it means much for them, but with this mount, they won't get my business

I don't think The mount is a closed case. I'd advocate a mount like the one on my Varicam LT. Now I suspect this would add to the cost of the camera as the LT mount is designed to support Cooke-i And ARRI LDS when you switch to the PL mount. But MTF services does make cheaper mounts for the LT

https://www.lensadaptor.com/pl-panasonic-varicam-adaptor
https://www.lensadaptor.com/nikon-panasonic-varicam-adaptor
https://www.lensadaptor.com/panavision-panasonic-varicam-adaptor

I personally would be willing to pay a bit more for an EVA-1 with some form of IMS system. particularly one that allows me to Use my Vintage PL glass.
And No you can't just use a PL to EF adapter

https://thecinelens.com/2012/02/09/canon-ef-to-pl-is-it-possible/

Again these are my personal and professional preferences. I'd like to use Proper cinema and vintage cinema glass on the EVA-1 and would be willing to pay for an IMS version of the camera.
I don't foresee Panasonic going to Sony for a mount but Leica has a perfectly serviceable Mirror-less mount that already has a PL adapter and Canon EF adapters (wink wink) and it's even future prof. it'll support a vista-vision sensor.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1295947-REG/novoflex_let_pl_pl_mount_lens_adapter_to.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1265614-REG/novoflex_sl_eos_canon_ef_lens_to.html

I like MFT and I think it has its place in Hybrid cameras and stills camera. The Mount is great and a lot of us already own adapters to other lens mounts for the system.
I get the EF mount on the EVA-1 albeit a bit limiting but I'm not complaining, I am absolutely stating that I'd be willing to pay a bit more for an EVA-1b with some sort of mirror-less or IMS lens mount and all the Lensing flexibility that it would provide.

 

[Thomas Smet]

I would venture to say that for every one m4/3 person screaming "this is stupid, this sucks! I won't buy this camera!", there are 100 people applauding EF/s35.

The vast majority of those m43 users would never pull out their credit card and actually purchase a m43 sensor EVA either. Raising a voice is very different then market research of those actually willing to fork over the cash for a camera in this league. We all want an Alexa but what matters is the amount of people actually willing to pay for that.

Using an EF mount means the serious GH4/5 users who have long ago used EF lenses on a Speedbooster can move to a new camera easily. Those are the shooters more likely to invest in a larger camera body and in fact many of them may have abandoned m43 a long time ago to move to the C100 or BMD. It means Canon DSLR, C100 or c300 users can make the move easily. It also means those who were fed up with DSLRs and moved to BMD can make the move to EVA. Thats a pretty significant market share vs the 1% of m43 users who would be ok spending this much money on a camera vs the $2,000 they can get a GH5 for.

We have to be realistic and the EF on the EVA makes 100% perfect sense.

Besides m43 lenses make sense on a small form factor camera that is handheld. m43 works because you can carry a small body and a tiny backpack full of lenses and travel through the most remote regions of the world. m43 glass of a compact size and weight no longer make a lick of sense on a larger form factor camera. m43 lenses still have a market and they make perfect sense for those who will likely never move on beyond a GH4/5/6. It makes sense for those that want IBIS and like to shoot stills as much as they shoot video. If a user views a GH5 as a stopgap to the big league then perhaps they are better off starting with a SpeedBooster and some EF lenses. Like it or not but EF is now the unofficial industry standard for lenses. Sorry Sony, your turn.

 

[Bern Caughey]

EVA would be a much sexier proposition mated to Fuji's T2.9 MK zooms rather than Canon's T4.4 hybrids.

 

[Barry_Green]

Right. Over on the DVX200 side this question was asked and Barry Green came in and said "nope", they're (read: the old DVX100, HVX200, or AF100 batteries) incompatible. For my DVX200 I have one of the new AG-VBR118G 86Wh 11,800mAh batteries and two of the older VW-VBD58 5,800mAh ones, and I can shoot all day with the big one and finish with one of the small ones. The new VBR series will quick charge on a AG-BRD50, which is very handy.

For clarification, they have three different batteries:
1) the old CGA-D54 series. Those worked on the DVX100, HVX200, HPX170, HPX250, and AC90.
2) the AVCCAM batteries. Those worked on the AC-130, AC-160, and AF100.
3) the new DVX200 batteries - these work on the PX270, HC-X1000, DVX200, UX180, and UX90.

The interesting thing is that the new DVX200 battery cameras are backward-compatible to the CGA-D54 batteries EXCEPT for the DVX200. So a UX180, UX90, HC-X1000 etc can use the old batteries dating all the way back to 2002. Those batteries are forward compatible to the newest cameras they make. Except the DVX200; they physically won't fit in a DVX200.

The newest (DVX200-style) batteries won't generally work in the older cameras because they're physically wider, I know the new battery won't fit in the HPX250's battery compartment.

I don't think they've introduced a new camera that takes the AVCCAM battery since probably the AC160A. I doubt they're a current battery design being considered for new cameras. That means that the new camera is almost certainly going to use the DVX200-style batteries. Which is good, because a) the batteries come in regular, extended, and hugely extended battery life models, and they also ship with a dual speed charger (at least on the UX90/UX180); the charger fits two batteries at a time and charges them twice as fast as they discharge. And it is possible (but remains to be seen, of course) that the new camera may retain compatibility with the DVX100/HVX200 series of batteries, since the UX90/UX180 have that compatibility.

 

[Jason R. Johnston]

EVA would be a much sexier proposition mated to Fuji's T2.9 MK zooms rather than Canon's T4.4 hybrids.

I agree, buuuuut....it's not coming out with an EF mount.

For clarification ... since the UX90/UX180 have that compatibility.

That's great info, Barry. Thanks so much!

We have to be realistic and the EF on the EVA makes 100% perfect sense.

I would venture to say that for every one m4/3 person screaming "this is stupid, this sucks! I won't buy this camera!", there are 100 people applauding EF/s35.

Exactly. Bigger sensor = better image. Can't be a Luddite in this biz.

 

[Dom.G]

Exactly. Bigger sensor = better image. Can't be a Luddite in this biz.

Shh.. Mitch will hear you, and there will be more crying when EVVA comes out in 2019 with a 35MP VistaVision sized sensor, just in time for Panasonic to get on the 8k hype train they have going in Japan for the 2020 Olympics.

 

[Thomas Smet]

Shh.. Mitch will hear you, and there will be more crying when EVVA comes out in 2019 with a 35MP VistaVision sized sensor, just in time for Panasonic to get on the 8k hype train they have going in Japan for the 2020 Olympics.

GH6 will get there first.

 

[Dom.G]

GH6 will get there first.

Heh, the DR and low light on the GH5 is already nothing to write home about, cramming even more pixels on a sensor that size would be a step back in overall image quality, unless they manage to whip out a MFT sensor using the fabled Fuji-Pana organic sensor.

 

[Jason R. Johnston]

Heh, the DR and low light on the GH5 is already nothing to write home about, cramming even more pixels on a sensor that size would be a step back in overall image quality

...speaking of cramming pixels, I thought ~16 MP was about as far as you could reasonably go with 4/3" sensors without harming image quality. Nowadays I'm seeing 20+ MP 4/3" sensors (GH5 comes to mind). Isn't that pretty much the limit?

 

[puredrifting]

I agree, buuuuut....it's not coming out with an EF mount.

Actually heard a rumor that they might come out in EF mount. Of course, it's a rumor so who knows but why miss 50-70% of the market? Two of the hottest selling cameras of 2017 will undoubtedly be the C200 and the EVA1, Fujinon would be dumb to not cash in.

 

[Mike Harvey]

I would venture to say that for every one m4/3 person screaming "this is stupid, this sucks! I won't buy this camera!", there are 100 people applauding EF/s35.

I would have preferred an option for an m4/3 mount. Also a cup holder. And a pony. We can't always get what we want.

Market realities are market realities... and Panasonic has to pay their power bill (which I'm assuming as pretty darn big).

 

[morgan_moore]

Actually heard a rumor that they might come out in EF mount. Of course, it's a rumor so who knows but why miss 50-70% of the market? Two of the hottest selling cameras of 2017 will undoubtedly be the C200 and the EVA1, Fujinon would be dumb to not cash in.

I don't think it is or isn't a desire to cash in its the geometry of the huge FFD - it seems to me though you could get round that by protruding the rear elements?