VaricamLT: Panasonic VariCam LT

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combatentropy said:
Basically the Varicam 35 has been slashed to half its price and half its size, and yet it's still three times the price of the FS7 (the viewfinder costs more than an entire FS7). And for what exactly? And is that worth an extra $17,000?
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* Better Sensor
* Dual ISO
* Higher Frame rates
* More professional and reliable media
* Better Viewfinder (fully professional) the FS7 doesnt even have one.
* ACES support
* Live colour grading

IMHO those are well worth the extra $$$ over the FS7, which I can't see shooting a major TV drama or anything with a decent budget - in the UK the Varicam 35 has been making slow , but sure strides into higher end dramas and TV work, and so far from people who've worked on these shows, i haven't heard anyone say anything bad about the camera. Producers and post houses love it cause of the flexible workflow with the Dual Sub recording, the DP's love the images and reliability.
 
Looking back at earlier posts, it's pretty well exactly what I was expecting. And frankly, exactly what Panasonic should have come out with at least 4 years ago. Or given they read the whole large sensor/4K revolution completely wrong, at least what the previous Varicam should have been. The pricing is certainly more appropriate - the previous Varicam was/is ridiculously overpriced - the question is whether it's even now a bit too much?
IanTheM said:
Really interesting camera, definitely superior to the F55, but also late to the party considering how many people already have F55s.
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I don't see how it can be seen as "definitely superior to the F55"? Surely the opposite?

In several key areas (in this market sector) the F55 has the definite edge - such as global shutter, and the extended (cinema) colour gamut. Other facts remain to be seen - such as will it's power consumption be down from the high levels of the previous Varicam? Will it be able to handle compressed RAW in a way to rival the F55?

I'm sure it may sell better than the previous Varicam, but at the top end it still doesn't really challenge the F55, (let alone Arri et al), and if your budget is tight, then at the other end does it really offer enough extra to justify the premium over an FS7?
 
harddrive said:
... In several key areas (in this market sector) the F55 has the definite edge - such as global shutter, and the extended (cinema) colour gamut. Other facts remain to be seen - such as will it's power consumption be down from the high levels of the previous Varicam? Will it be able to handle compressed RAW in a way to rival the F55?

I'm sure it may sell better than the previous Varicam, but at the top end it still doesn't really challenge the F55, (let alone Arri et al), and if your budget is tight, then at the other end does it really offer enough extra to justify the premium over an FS7?
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As good as the F55 is, and I really love it, having shot with it on a few projects, and yes it does have the Global Shutter advantage but that Sony sensor is so old, in anything else but Slog3/S-gamut3.cine is such a nightmare to get decent skin tones without being a Resolve or Baselight magician. Plus it's such a noisy sensor. Global Shutter - that;s pretty much it in my book.

Oh, and with the Varicam LT you won't need a proprietary Raw recorder, the LT will do a Dual 3G SDI raw feed to an O7Q+ very soon. The 4K/60p Odyssey firmware last month was no coincidence with the LT announcement and a huge heads up on what's coming in the next firmware - I am betting my bottom dollar that the O7Q+ will support the Varicam LT RAW.
 
harddrive said:
.... I'm sure it may sell better than the previous Varicam, but at the top end it still doesn't really challenge the F55, (let alone Arri et al), and if your budget is tight, then at the other end does it really offer enough extra to justify the premium over an FS7?
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I think you're missing the point. The LT is not meant to be a top-end camera (Top end in my opinion meaning - Varicam 35, Alexa MINI, XT, Dragon and now Weapon, F65 and Film) - it's upper mid-tier - just where the F55 sits, I put it above it, you may put it below it. It's a preference thing really.

I'd like to think of it really like if the Varicam 35 is Panasonic's F65, then the Varicam LT is their PMW-F55.
 
k0bayashi said:
* Better Sensor
* Dual ISO
* Higher Frame rates
* More professional and reliable media
* Better Viewfinder (fully professional) the FS7 doesnt even have one.
* ACES support
* Live colour grading

IMHO those are well worth the extra $$$ over the FS7, which I can't see shooting a major TV drama or anything with a decent budget -
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Ummmm....like say The Wonder List on CNN??
 
alaskacameradude said:
Ummmm....like say The Wonder List on CNN??
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As what, a C- cam. PB is using the F55 as A-cam if I am not mistaken. I am referring to an FS7 as an A-cam on a Union show with a budget of at least $500K an episode. It's not meant to be used as such. the FS7 is really nice, no doubt bang for your buck, it's tough to beat.

But when it comes to nut-cuttin' time no producer/DP in their right mind would pick an FS7 as their A-cam over an AMIRA, Alexa XT, Vari, Dragon or a F55 on a show that has the money to afford any camera system on the planet. I just don't get why people thing that at the top level people camera about Price/Performance - I think they care mostly about

- Reliability/Build Quality - which the FS7 doesnt have
- Established post workflow - again, XAVC has not made a dent yet on most major shows
- Image Quality - everything gets benchmarked to the Alexa image and frankly, I don't think the F55/FS7 sensor cuts the mustard in that department either.

It's a really nice little camera for just about any job - but not network TV, narrative drama or anything with a decent budget where a proven top tier system will do the job any day of the week without any problems.

At least the F55 now has the damn quick menus - good luck , changing anything quickly on an FS7. Worst menu system ever. Maybe after the FS700
 
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k0bayashi said:
As what, a C- cam. PB is using the F55 as A-cam if I am not mistaken.
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For Wonderlist 2 he's using FS7 as an a-cam and A7SII as a b-cam/gimbal-cam (previously for original Wonderlist FS7 & A7S mark I)
He is currently selling his F55 as he said he is not using it enough to justify holding it.
 
k0bayashi said:
As what, a C- cam. PB is using the F55 as A-cam if I am not mistaken. I am referring to an FS7 as an A-cam on a Union show with a budget of at least $500K an episode. It's not meant to be used as such. the FS7 is really nice, no doubt bang for your buck, it's tough to beat.

But when it comes to nut-cuttin' time no producer/DP in their right mind would pick an FS7 as their A-cam over an AMIRA, Alexa XT, Vari, Dragon or a F55 on a show that has the money to afford any camera system on the planet. I just don't get why people thing that at the top level people camera about Price/Performance - I think they care mostly about

- Reliability/Build Quality - which the FS7 doesnt have
- Established post workflow - again, XAVC has not made a dent yet on most major shows
- Image Quality - everything gets benchmarked to the Alexa image and frankly, I don't think the F55/FS7 sensor cuts the mustard in that department either.

It's a really nice little camera for just about any job - but not network TV, narrative drama or anything with a decent budget where a proven top tier system will do the job any day of the week without any problems.

At least the F55 now has the damn quick menus - good luck , changing anything quickly on an FS7. Worst menu system ever. Maybe after the FS700
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C camera? Maybe you should watch what Philip Bloom himself says about
what camera he switched over to from the F55 halfway through the first
season of The Wonder List.......

You don't like it? Fine. But claiming it's not good enough for 'network TV' or
'anything with a decent budget'? Apparently Philip Bloom and CNN disagree with this
sentiment.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7ibWoMiLyX8
 
alohype said:
For Wonderlist 2 he's using FS7 as an a-cam and A7SII as a b-cam/gimbal-cam (previously for original Wonderlist FS7 & A7S mark I)
He is currently selling his F55 as he said he is not using it enough to justify holding it.
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that may be... good for him. I don't follow his stuff anymore really, I am out of the loop. Portability of kit is really key for that show dont they have like 1000 locations. So i understand the usefulness of an FS7 in that case, but still an odd choice. Maybe glass was the reason in conjunction with travel.
 
and you take everything he says as gospel? He and CNN can use iphones for all I care. It's a show that hops from location to location they have to travel light i get it. He's the DP , he choices his kit, his producer gives his blessing and everyone is happy.

It's his choice I could care less. As I said before, I do not follow his work any longer , so I am not really interested in knowing what kit he uses or not. Sometime ago , there was something about the F55 being the A-cam on this show/ Apparently for S2 things change. Great for them.

1 show out of 1000 , doesn't really make a compelling arguement does it.
 
k0bayashi said:
and you take everything he says as gospel? He and CNN can use iphones for all I care. It's a show that hops from location to location they have to travel light i get it. He's the DP , he choices his kit, his producer gives his blessing and everyone is happy.

It's his choice I could care less. As I said before, I do not follow his work any longer , so I am not really interested in knowing what kit he uses or not. Sometime ago , there was something about the F55 being the A-cam on this show/ Apparently for S2 things change. Great for them.

1 show out of 1000 , doesn't really make a compelling arguement does it.
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That's fine, I'm kind of the same way in that I don't really care what big shots are using
to shoot with...as it doesn't mean much for me personally. But you said the FS7
'wasn't up' to shooting for national broadcast TV, I thought maybe it was worth pointing out
that yeah, it does actually meet all the technical specs (even for BBC) and it is used on
national TV shows. And for the record, it is used on more than 1 show. It may not
be 'the dominant player' but using your own argument, who really cares what other shows
use? The FS7 obviously CAN be used on national TV shows, and The Wonder List looks
great, so it's not like it's suffering because it is using a substandard camera.

That's not to say the Panasonic Varicam LT won't be worth the extra money over the
FS7 either. So hopefully you don't think I'm saying that. Usually, the cameras that
are more expensive.....are more expensive for a reason. Not always, but usually.
 
k0bayashi said:
Oh, and with the Varicam LT you won't need a proprietary Raw recorder, the LT will do a Dual 3G SDI raw feed to an O7Q+ very soon. The 4K/60p Odyssey firmware last month was no coincidence with the LT announcement and a huge heads up on what's coming in the next firmware - I am betting my bottom dollar that the O7Q+ will support the Varicam LT RAW.
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The road that led you there is wrong, but it's still a good bet. :-D

Odyssey7Q+ will support VariCam LT V-RAW in the Odyssey RAW Bundle. Press Release going out in a few minutes.
 
Another late entry by Panasonic into another crowded market sector. Looks like a nice camera but certainly nothing world-changing here, especially at that price point.
I do agree the comparison to the F65/55 seems about right. Would I trade up my "old" F5 for that? Nah.
 
Odyssey7Q+ to Support New Panasonic VariCam LT RAW Output


(Colorado Springs, CO - February 10, 2016) Convergent Design today announces that Odyssey monitor/recorders will support the Panasonic VariCam LT digital cinema camera's RAW file format. VariCam V-RAW is the newest format to be supported in Convergent Design's Odyssey RAW Bundle for Odyssey7Q and Odyssey7Q+ monitor/recorders along with Canon Cinema RAW, Sony FS RAW, ARRIRAW and more. The Panasonic VariCam LT, announced today, will add RAW output in a firmware upgrade from Panasonic this summer.


"The Odyssey supports RAW from more cameras than any other device in the industry."said Mike Schell, President, Convergent Design. "The VariCam LT is a great camera and an important one in the Panasonic line, and we're proud to include it in the Odyssey RAW Bundle for the Odyssey7Q and Odyssey7Q+. Odyssey will support all frame rates and resolutions available for output from the Varicam LT. In addition to our RAW record capabilities, we can integrate the Odyssey's Image Analysis Tools for focus, color and exposure, as well as its accurate OLED monitor and comprehensive Odyssey LUT System. Together the VariCam LT and the Odyssey make a complete professional image capture package."
 
JCummings said:
Another late entry by Panasonic into another crowded market sector. Looks like a nice camera but certainly nothing world-changing here, especially at that price point.
I do agree the comparison to the F65/55 seems about right. Would I trade up my "old" F5 for that? Nah.
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True, no big reason for existing F5/F55 owners to buy a Varicam LT.

But if you had neither and are buying a new camera today... would you get a Sony F5 or a Varicam LT? I think the Varicam LT!
 
Mitch Gross said:
Odyssey7Q+ to Support New Panasonic VariCam LT RAW Output


(Colorado Springs, CO - February 10, 2016) Convergent Design today announces that Odyssey monitor/recorders will support the Panasonic VariCam LT digital cinema camera's RAW file format. VariCam V-RAW is the newest format to be supported in Convergent Design's Odyssey RAW Bundle for Odyssey7Q and Odyssey7Q+ monitor/recorders along with Canon Cinema RAW, Sony FS RAW, ARRIRAW and more. The Panasonic VariCam LT, announced today, will add RAW output in a firmware upgrade from Panasonic this summer.


"The Odyssey supports RAW from more cameras than any other device in the industry."said Mike Schell, President, Convergent Design. "The VariCam LT is a great camera and an important one in the Panasonic line, and we're proud to include it in the Odyssey RAW Bundle for the Odyssey7Q and Odyssey7Q+. Odyssey will support all frame rates and resolutions available for output from the Varicam LT. In addition to our RAW record capabilities, we can integrate the Odyssey's Image Analysis Tools for focus, color and exposure, as well as its accurate OLED monitor and comprehensive Odyssey LUT System. Together the VariCam LT and the Odyssey make a complete professional image capture package."
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Can it support DCI 4K 60p raw?
 
IronFilm said:
Can it support DCI 4K 60p raw?
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I don't recall if the camera outputs true DCI 4K as well as UHD. I think it does but that's a Panasonic question I'm sure they're answering right now at their big event in LA (I let Dan go instead of me). It will output 60p in RAW and we will record it.
 
Mitch Gross said:
I don't recall if the camera outputs true DCI 4K as well as UHD. I think it does but that's a Panasonic question I'm sure they're answering right now at their big event in LA (I let Dan go instead of me). It will output 60p in RAW and we will record it.
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awesome job you guys
 
Mitch Gross said:
Odyssey7Q+ to Support New Panasonic VariCam LT RAW Output


(Colorado Springs, CO - February 10, 2016) Convergent Design today announces that Odyssey monitor/recorders will support the Panasonic VariCam LT digital cinema camera's RAW file format. VariCam V-RAW is the newest format to be supported in Convergent Design's Odyssey RAW Bundle for Odyssey7Q and Odyssey7Q+ monitor/recorders along with Canon Cinema RAW, Sony FS RAW, ARRIRAW and more. The Panasonic VariCam LT, announced today, will add RAW output in a firmware upgrade from Panasonic this summer.


"The Odyssey supports RAW from more cameras than any other device in the industry."said Mike Schell, President, Convergent Design. "The VariCam LT is a great camera and an important one in the Panasonic line, and we're proud to include it in the Odyssey RAW Bundle for the Odyssey7Q and Odyssey7Q+. Odyssey will support all frame rates and resolutions available for output from the Varicam LT. In addition to our RAW record capabilities, we can integrate the Odyssey's Image Analysis Tools for focus, color and exposure, as well as its accurate OLED monitor and comprehensive Odyssey LUT System. Together the VariCam LT and the Odyssey make a complete professional image capture package."
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You guys are doing a great job of making
the Odyssey into THE recorder/monitor to buy,
no matter which camera you use. Nice job!
 
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