Panasonic VariCam LT Cinema Camera AU-V35LT1G
£16,999.00 inc VAT
Warranty information available here
Out of stock
The VariCam LT is equipped with the same super 35mm single-chip MOS sensor as the VariCam 35, offering 4K and UHD resolution, high sensitivity, low noise, and wide dynamic range. This award-winning sensor has 14+ stops of wide latitude, ensuring accurate image rendering from dark areas to highlights. It also has a dual native ISO of 800/5000, allowing for high sensitivity without increased noise. The camera is also equipped with “V-Gamut” for an expansive colour gamut and “V-Log” for advanced colour grading in post production.
The VariCam LT has advanced shooting functions for filmmaking, including native 4K/60p shooting, 2K/HD 240p slow motion, and infrared shooting. It also has a detachable control panel with a built-in monitor for easy operation and a regular BNC connector for various HD monitors or viewfinders. The camera is built to be tough, durable, and reliable, with a stainless steel lens mount and a strong magnesium body.
2 reviews for Panasonic VariCam LT Cinema Camera AU-V35LT1G
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justin@shotwize.tv –
Panasonic now provide a smaller version of the VariCam S35 which is aimed squarely at the high end cinema market. The VariCam LT is Panasonic’s answer to the Alexa Mini and also competes with the Canon C300 Mark II and Sony F55 although at $18k for the body-only is a world away from the Sony FS7 pricing when it comes to the wider pro market for b-cameras and drones.
The VariCam LT looks to be a lovely Super 35mm 4K ProRes body for renting. Fantastic colour science, fantastic 14+ stop dynamic range with V-LOG and great codec. I like Panasonic’s professional cinema cameras. Sadly the VariCam line has not yet made the big splash in terms of attention that the RED cameras routinely enjoy. Very few big names use them and compared to Arri (a name synonymous with cinema) the Panasonic name is more associated with broadcast and video.
So the VariCam LT certainly has a few obstacles to overcome but I wish the cute camera well. And it certainly is cute.
If only Panasonic could have stripped it down even further and competed head on with the FS7 in the wider market under $10k.
The camera has an optional OLED EVF with optical zoom viewfinder piece, a nice touch.
The camera can record low res proxies to SD card for easier editing of 4K, though most machines can handle 4K ProRes these days.
The EF mount is swappable and a PL mount can be fitted to the camera instead.
Here’s what Panasonic have to say about the new camera –
“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.
“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 delivers superb image handling in multiple 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.
“Powerful color management capabilities combined with VariCam’s extended color gamut and support for the Academy Color Encoding System (ACES) workflow allow for full fidelity mastering of original source material. The VariCam LT offers in-camera color grading, with the ability to record an ungraded 4K master along with all on-set grading metadata. A new color processing feature is ‘V-LOOK,’ which acts as a blend of V-Log and video, and allows filmic documentary acquisition without the same need for intense color grading.”
justin@shotwize.tv –
Panasonic VariCam LT is a Lightweight High-End 4K Cinema Camera
by Sebastian Wöber
February 11th, 20167
News
Panasonic VariCam LT is a Lightweight High-End 4K Cinema Camera
Panasonic Varicam LT
Panasonic have just released the new Panasonic VariCam LT. A lightweight 4K cinema camera that inherits its sensor and processing technology from the high end Varicam 35 and comes with numerous qualities and features for professional shooters.
[UPDATE: See our hands-on video with exclusive 4K footage from the new VariCam LT]
What is the Panasonic Varicam LT?
panasonic-varicam-lt-2These last years new cinema cameras hit the market regularly. So the first question you might ask is: Should we care about this camera?
The answer is: Oh yes. Not only is this camera packed with really interesting and seemingly well thought through features, but it is actually also Panasonic’s first attempt in this market segment bringing a new camera vision to the field.
So far we’ve seen Panasonic offer low end mirrorless cameras (GH3, GH4), as well as the prosumer AF101 that preceded cameras like the C300 or FS7. After a long wait Panasonic introduced the Varicam 35 last year, packed with high end studio features, superb image quality and a unique native ISO 800 + ISO 5000 feature. The camera was priced quite high with an MSRP of $55,000.
In a nutshell, the Panasonic VariCam LT takes the Varicam 35 sensor, processing and codec and puts it in a smaller, lighter, more ergonomic and more affordable package.panasonic-varicam-lt-3
panasonic-varicam-lt-4
Features of the Panasonic VariCam LT
Instead of describing all features in detail, here’s a list of the most important specs the camera has to offer. We will later go over the details.
Same sensor as the Varicam 35
Active EF (+ optional PL mount, interchangeable)
Single Operator Ergonomics with a handle that looks like FS7
4K 10bit (AVC Intra) up to 30fps (422) / up to 60fps (LT)
2K 12bit up to 30fps (444) / up to 60fps (LT)
2K crop up to 240fps
Switchable ISO 800 / ISO 5000 native
Integrated removable IR cut filter (user removable)
P2 card media (currently 256gb max., soon 512GB)
weighs 2.7 kg
Timecode Genlock
Integrated ND filters
New optional Panasonic OLED. Alternatively: SDI out
Detachable menu lcd
Custom LUT files can be uploaded via WIFI
In-camera grading like on Varicam 35
3 simultaneous SDI outputs (including EVF)
Can record 6mbit long-gop HD proxy files to SD card (lets you quickly edit / test rushes on set)
Will compatible with Atomos & Convergent Design RAW recorders (likely also PIX-E). (Still unclear if both 3G-SDI outputs will be used for high data-rate RAW.)
panasonic-varicam-lt-handheld
This is a nice set of features, tailored to numerous kinds of production needs and clearly the professional workflow approach of the Varicam 35 is inherited. At this point you might ask yourself which advantages are left for the bigger brother, the Varicam 35. This graph shows how the two cameras compare:
VariCam LT vs. VariCam 35
First units of the Panasonic VariCam LT will start shipping in late March of 2016 and the camera has a suggested retail price of $18,000 for the camera body only.
If you are interested in the rest of the package, you will have to spend the following:
Panasonic viewfinder – $6,000 US
Shoulder pad – $1,500 US
Grip & arm – $1,250 US
PL mount option – $1,300 US
256 GByte ExpressP2 Card – $2,000 US
We have to admit that this isn’t cheap at all. The quality of the VariCam LT comes at a price. The body with a single 256GB card should get you started.
[UPDATE: See our hands-on video with exclusive 4K footage from the new VariCam LT]
more information at the Panasonic website