Panasonic just announced a brand new Varicam LT - lightweight and more compact version of the Varicam 35. The new camera incorporates the same Super 35 4K sensor from the bigger Varicam 35, as well as the massive 14+ stops dynamic range and the unique dual-native ISO features on its bigger brethren. Estimated cost for the body only is around $18K.
A few weeks ago Panasonic teased the banner below and today they have finally unveiled the camera details, which you can read below.
![new varicam](https://www.visuals.co.uk/images/blog/uploads/2016/01/new-varicam.png)
There is also package available with the Varicam viewfinder, which will sell for approximately $24,000 in the US. UK pricing is yet to be confirmed but we'll let you know what that is as soon as we know.
![02_VaricamLT_SlantPL](https://www.visuals.co.uk/images/blog/uploads/2016/02/02_VaricamLT_SlantPL-e1455205652434.jpg)
The new Varicam LT comes in to complement the existing VariCam 35, but with significant reductions in size, weight and price.
The new Varicam LT carries the Varicam 'DNA' in a more compact rendition, the VariCam LT (model AU-V35LT1G) delivers 14+ stops of dynamic range with V-Log, and the esteemed cinematic VariCam image quality and color science, as well as the VariCam 35's breakout innovation, dual native ISOs of 800/5000.
"AFRICA" The Sample Footage of Panasonic's New Cinema VariCam LT from
Cinema VariCam™ on
Vimeo.
![05_VaricamLT_onShoulder](https://www.visuals.co.uk/images/blog/uploads/2016/02/05_VaricamLT_onShoulder-1024x855.jpg)
Weighing just under six pounds and having superior capability to similar sized cameras, the VariCam LT will be the ideal camera for handheld, SteadiCam, jib, crane, drone, gimbal and overall cinema verité work. The VariCam LT is likewise tailor-made for owner/operators, independent filmmakers, documentary makers and corporate production creators.
The VariCam LT features a multitude of recording formats ranging from 4K, UHD, 2K and HD, and like the VariCam 35, is fully capable of High Dynamic Range (HDR) field capture. The new 4K camcorder offers Apple ProRes 4444 (up to 30p) and ProRes 422 HQ (up to 60p) support for HD recording, as well as Panasonic's AVC-ULTRA family of advanced video codecs.
New codecs introduced in the VariCam LT include AVC-Intra LT and AVC-Intra 2K-LT, both designed to offer capture rates up to 240fps in imager crop mode, ideal for sports and other fast motion footage.
VARICAM LT FEATURES
- Super 35 4K CMOS Sensor (Same as on Varicam 35)
- Dual Native ISO 800/5000
- 14+ Stops Dynamic range
- V-LOG Gamma; V-Look and BC-Look New Presets
- 4K/2K/HD recording in AVC-Intra LT and 2K-LT Codecs
- ProRes 4444 and ProRes 442 HQ in Full HD
- Slow Motion up to Full HD 240fps in sensor crop mode
- Canon EF mount
- IR filter and PL mount swappable (via user)
- ACES/CDL support
- 4-channel Audio 24bit/48kHz
- RAW upgrade to be available soon
- Odyssey7Q+ 4K Raw support
- ExpressP2 Card slot for 4K/2K/HD recording
- Proxy Recording in LongG6 Codec available
Recording Formats
- 4K/UHD
- AVC-Intra 4K422: up to 30p
- AVC-Intra 4K-LT: 30p to 60p
2K
- AVC-Intra 2K444: up to 30p
- AVC-Intra 2K422: up to 60p, up to 120p (cropped)
- AVC-Intra 2K-LT: 120p to 240p (cropped)
HD
- AVC-Intra444: up to 30p
- AVC-Intra422: up to 60p, up to 120p (cropped)
- AVC-Intra100: 50i/59.94i
- AVC-IntraLT: 120p to 240p (cropped)
- ProRes 4444: up to 30p
- ProRes 422HQ: up to 60p
Proxy
The VariCam LT differs from the VariCam 35 in being a one-piece, short-bodied camcorder vs. a two-piece camera head plus recorder. While the VariCam LT does not feature parallel sub-recording, it does have an SD slot for high-resolution proxy recording. Proxy files can be wirelessly uploaded via FTP, which facilitates wireless color grading. Variable frame rates are available with LongG6 recording.
Other features new to the VariCam LT are power hot swap, IR shooting (further enhancing the camcorder's extreme low-light capture at ISO 5000), 23.98 PsF output, and image presets as scene files.
Among the camcorder's top-level production assets are ND filters (CLEAR, 0.6, 1.2, 1.8), an optional OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF) with optical zoom functionality, 24-bit LPCM audio for in-camera audio master recording, Focus Assist, anamorphic lens de-squeeze, special REC functions (PreRec, interval, one-shot), IP control via Panasonic's AK-HRP200 camera remote controller, and built-in GPS.
Pricing for the Body Only version at this stage is set at £13,110 + VAT in the UK. The Varicam LT is expected to be available in March.
We expect this camera to be in very high demand and we urge you to place your pre-order as soon as possible by calling our
Sales Team at 0208 977 1222.
[source:
Panasonic US]