Pro video blog…Produced by Philip Johnston DoP/Editor

 

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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.

It has built-in ND filters (clear, 0.6, 1.2 and 1.8 strength) and has a Canon EF lens mount fitted as standard instead of the PL mount found on the Varicam35. A optional PL mount is also available. Panasonic is quick to point out that they can’t guarantee the compatibility or performance of all EF lenses…so buy with caution !

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.

Camera head list price $18,000 (£12,472)
Panasonic viewfinder $6,000 (£4,157)
Shoulder pad $1,500 (£1,039)
Grip and arm $1,250 (£866)
PL option $1,300 (£900)
256GByte ExpressP2 Card $2,000 (£1,385)

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Needless to say even with the above specs Panasonic are sitting side by side with the Canon C300 Mk11 price wise, sadly they should have taken Sonys FS7 into account when pricing their VariCam LT…which turns out to be £4K dearer (body only)!

The quality and build is actually closer to the Sony F5 rather than the FS7, though a lot of DP’s would have preferred it to be closer to the price of the FS7.

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Just been sent these pictures from a shoot in Barcelona using the new Panasonic VariCam LT.

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A full frame from the VariCam.

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100% crop from the frame above.

author

Having been working in the video business since 1988 I have amassed a great amount of knowledge of both the kit and production values over the last 30 years.

2 thoughts on “Panasonic’s new VariCam LT $18,000 body only

  1. Sadly looks like another ergonomic disaster needing Meccano bits bolted on. Why do manufacturers not listen to cameramen on issues of balance and ergonomics? How do you operate the switches when you are on the shoulkder (especially tricky if you have a beard – switches will be buried in it)! I’m sure the images will be lovely, but the fumbling bumps will have to be edited out 🙁

  2. Nice …. would be even nicer if I had an extra $30,000 lying around 😉

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