Panasonic announces technical specs for AU-EVA1 Compact Cinema Camera

The EVA1’s 5.7K Super-35 sensor has almost twice as many photosites as 4K. That means the 4K videos recorded in the camera will be crystal clear with rich colour information.

Panasonic disclosed additional information, including pricing and specification data, about the upcoming AU-EVA1 5.7K handheld cinema camera. The camera will ship this autumn with a suggested list price of 7.495 dólares (7.290 euros).

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 Luc Bara, Technical Product Manager for Panasonic. “That means the 4K videos recorded in the camera will be crystal clear with rich colour 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 colour information results in a finer, more accurate finished image.

Dual native ISO

A key feature of the VariCam cameras, dual native ISO utilises 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.

Weighing only 1.2Kg (body-only) with a compact form factor (17cm H x 13.5cm W x 13.3cm 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 customisation 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 utilises 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 Stabilisation (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.

Formats and compression

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.

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 utilises 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.

EVA1 offers dual balanced XLR audio inputs with Dolby AudioTM encoding. 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.

Panasonic’s EVA1 notable features

• Dual Native ISO ratings of 800 and 2,500
• 10-bit 4:2:2 4K (4096 x 2160)
• UHD (3840 x 2160)
• 2K (2048 x 1080)
• Full HD (1920 x 1080)
• HD (1280 x 720)
• High-speed capture up to 59.94fps/50fps for 4K/UHD
• Up to 120fps/100fps for 2K/Full HD
• 240fps/200fps (cropped area)
• Pixel count of 5720 H x 3016 V (17.25 million)
• 14-stops of dynamic range
• Super-35 sensor (24.60mm x 12.97mm) with 5.7K resolution
• Compact form factor: 2.65 pounds and 6.69” H x 5.31” W x 5.23” D
• Adjustable/removable handgrip
• 3.5″ touch panel LCD screen with adjustable backlight
• Native EF-mount with Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS)
• Full Iris Control, One-Push Auto Focus, Lens Data
• Integrated ND filter wheel in 2, 4, and 6 stops
• Peaking, Expand (Image Zoom), Waveform, Zebras, and Spotmeter (Y-Get)
• Dual balanced XLR audio inputs with Dolby Audio encoding
• Remote control app for smartphones and tablets