What more or less started with Red, then further capitalized by other manufacturers like Blackmagic Design, Canon and Sony, the compact cine camera has become the more prominent (and affordable) option to the heavier, really expensive 35 mm sensor cams used on big Hollywood productions. Finally, Panasonic leaps into the fray with the new VariCam LT. Although Panasonic is coy when it comes to a suggested retail price, it will most likely be far less expensive than the popular VariCam 35 albeit lighter in heft. The VariCam LT does appear to one-up the 35 version in at least one aspect: you can push the frame rate to 240 fps in full HD.
Here are the specs:
• Format – 4K, UHD (up to 60p), 2K and HD (up to 240p)
• Codecs – AVC-Intra 4k422, AVC-Intra 4K-LT, AVC-Intra 2K444, AVC-Intra 2K-LT, AVC-Intra100, AVC-IntraLT, ProRes 4444, ProRes 422HQ
• Sensor – S35mm 1MOS (same as the VariCam 35)
• Approx. 6 lb (body only)
• Media – 1 expressP2 Card slot and 1 slot for SD.
• Mode – V-Log (over 14 stops of dynamic range)
• ISO – native 800/5000 push up/down
• EF and PL lens compatible
• Audio – 1 XLR 5 pin and 2 XLR 3 pin inputs. 4ch 48 kHz/24 bit LPCM (MAIN) and 2 ch 48 kHz/16 bit AAC (Proxy G6) audio recording formats.
Panasonic’s chart for the VariCam LT workflow.
The nice thing about the VariCam LT is the ability to color grade in camera. On most cine cams a log would have to be applied via a monitor/recorder like a Ninja Assassin. With Panasonic’s 3D LUT/CDL technology you can now render dailies on set rather than in post after the shoot is over. Another nice touch is offering the flexibility to use an EF rather than a PL lens, an option the VariCam 35 lacks. The LT does, however, contain the same 35mm sensor as its older (and bigger) sibling.
The Varicam LT and the Odyssey make a complete professional image capture package
The Panasonic Varicam LT will add RAW output in a firmware upgrade from Panasonic this summer. For those looking for monitors/recorders that support the camera’s RAW file format, Convergent Design announced yesterday that the Odyssey monitor/recorders will support: V-RAW, Canon Cinema RAW, Sony FS RAW, ARRIRAW and more via its RAW Bundle for the Odyssey 7Q and Odyssey 7Q+.
Convergent Design president, Mike Schell, announced, “The Odyssey supports RAW from more cameras than any other device in the industry…The VariCam LT is a great camera and an important one in the Panasonic line, and we’re proud to include it in the Odyssey RAW Bundle for the Odyssey7Q and OdysseyQ+.”
The bundle is truly the ultimate RAW recording solution.
