A Closer Look at the Panasonic EVA1 Prototype

by Fabian ChaundyOctober 6^th, 2017

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We caught up with Luc at IBC 2017 to see how the Panasonic EVA1 is coming along ahead of its release later this month.

The release date for the Panasonic EVA1 is approaching soon, and many are anxiously expecting more information about the camera. At Cinegear 2017 we had a chance to chat to Luc about the EVA1, but back then Panasonic only had mockups on display. IBC 2017 saw the showcase of working prototypes, and Luc was kind enough to run us through some of the features.

Dual Native ISO

One of the biggest selling points of the Panasonic EVA1 is its Dual Native ISO settings. This means that the camera sensor offers two levels at which it can achieve its optimum performance in colour, contrast, dynamic range and noise. Both the 800 and the 2500 ISO settings will give you Native ISO performance, and you can of course add gain at any of those stages, going up to a total of 25,000 ISO. You can change Native ISO through the menu, but there is also a dedicated switch on the camera body to quickly change settings.

Panasonic EVA1 Codecs

Currently the Panasonic EVA1 supports a Long GOP codec, although an upcoming firmware update will also add an All-INTRA option. In any case, the EVA1 will be capable of 4K 422 10 Bit at 100 or 150Mbps.

The Panasonic EVA1 will record true 4K resolution thanks to its 5.7K sensor, similarly to how cameras with a 2.8K sensor record true 2K. Depending on the required frame rates, the camera will offer three different modes.

• 4K up to 60p using the 5.7K to capture a Super 35mm area of the sensor.
• 2K up to 120p by “mixing” pixel information, turning the sensor into essentially a 2.8K imager. This will also be in Super 35mm.
• 4/3 mode crops the sensor to slightly larger than the Micro Four-Thirds standard at 19mm, but allows you to use a combined pixel information of 2.2K to record 2K up to 240p.

Menus & Gamma Curves

Luc also demonstrated navigating though the menu structure of the Panasonic EVA1 thanks to the touchscreen LCD. Unlike the Panasonic Varicam LT, the EVA1 does not support importing of LUTS. It does, however, offer an on-board Rec.709 display assist to facilitate shooting in flatter picture profiles.

We also saw the various gamma curves that the camera offers, including video Rec.709, as well as the high dynamic range HLG.

Additionally, Luc showed us the removable IR filter, which is accessed via a regular filter wheel just like an ND filter, making it a handy tool for documentary filmmaking when the need arises to shoot at night.

In terms of output, the HDMI port on the Panasonic EVA1 is capable of sending 4K 422 10 Bit up to 60p, making it easy to pair up with something like an Atomos recorder.

Luc also showcased the EIS (Electronic Image Stabilizer) on the Panasonic EVA1. Much like stabilising footage with software in post, the EVA1 is capable of applying an image crop of around 15% to compensate for camera shake in camera.

The Panasonic EVA1 is currently around 90% ready, but will be fully-developed and ready to ship by the end of October. The recommended retail price is €7,290, and you can pre-order it from the links below.

Will the Panasonic EVA1 dominate the entry-level cinema camera segment? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!