Panasonic VariCam LT 4K Super 35mm Cinema Camera - EF Mount

The Panasonic VariCam LT 4K Super 35mm Cinema Camera features outstanding image quality and advanced grading tools, in-camera dailies and proxy recording capabilities. The VariCam LT has a compact and lightweight magnesium body and offers the same picture quality specifications as the larger VariCam 35 camera. The super 35mm image sensor, which is the same imager as VariCam 35, features wide dynamic range, an expansive color gamut, and high sensitivity for 4K image acquisition. 

The VariCam LT features a dual native ISO settings of 800 and 5000; the native 5000 ISO allows for clean shooting in very low light situations. Its size and design facilitate a wide array of shooting styles including comfortable ergonomic shoulder mounted operation, or use on gimbals and drones. A new feature that has been added to the VariCam LT is the EF lens mount* which offers a wide array of lens choices. The EF mount can be removed by the user and replaced with a PL mount (optional, not included). This allows for even greater versatility in lens selection when shooting with the VariCam LT.

The VariCam LT workflow is very similar to that of the VariCam 35. Both cameras have a dual codec recording function that allows the user to record a primary or "main" codec, as well as a smaller proxy file. In addition, each camera offers an in-camera color grading function and support for AVC-Intra 4K and Apple ProRes** codecs. 

*Panasonic does not guarantee the compatibility or performance of all EF lenses

**ProRes is licensed from Apple Inc. Apple ProRes codec is from Atomos under license

Specifications: 

General

• Power: 12V DC (11-17V DC)
• Power Consumption: 47W (body only), 77W (with all optional accessories connected and maximum power supplied from each output terminal)
• Operating Temperature: 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F)
• Storage Temperature: -20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F)
• Operating Humidity: 10% to 85% (relative humidity)
• Weight:
  • Approx. 2.7 kg (6 lb), excluding handle and accessories
  • Approx. 3 kg (6.6 lb), including handle, excluding accessories
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 184mm x 230.5mm x 247mm (7.25" x 9.09" x 9.75"); body only, excluding protrusion and accessories

Important Note: Ensure that the total current taken from the DC OUT terminal, LENS/GRIP terminal, DC OUT/RS terminal and USB HOST terminal does not exceed 30W.

Camera Unit

• Pickup Device: Super 35mm, MOS sensor
• Number of Pixels:
  • Total Pixels: Approx. 10.3 million pixels
  • Effective Pixels: Approx. 8.9 million pixels
• Lens Mount: EF mount
• Optical Filter: ND filter
  • CLEAR
  • 0.6 ND
  • 1.2 ND
  • 1.8 ND
• Gain Setting:
  • Native ISO: 800, 5000
  • 800 Base: 200 to 4000
  • 5000 Base: 1250 to 12800
  • [ISO] mode: ISO 200 to ISO 12800
  • [dB] mode: –12 dB to 14 dB (2 dB step)
• Shutter Speed:
  • [deg] mode: 1.0 deg to 358 deg (0.1 deg step)
  • [sec] mode: 1/24 sec. to 1/250 sec. (for 24p)
• Sensitivity:       
  • [GAIN MODE]=[NORMAL], [GAMMA]=[VIDEO45]
  • F7 (2000 lx, 3200k, 89.9% reflection, 1080/59.94p)
  • F8 (2000 lx, 3200k, 89.9% reflection, 1080/50p)

Memory Card Recorder

• Recording Media:
  • Main slot x 1: expressP2 card, P2 card
  • Sub slot x 1: SD memory card
• Recording Resolution
  • 4096 x 2160 (4K), 3840 x 2160 (UHD)
  • 2048 x 1080 (2K), 1920 x 1080 (HD)
• Recording Frame Rate:
  • 4K/UHD: Maximum 60 fps or 50 fps
  • 2K/HD: Maximum 240 fps or 200 fps
• System Frequency: 59.94p, 50p, 29.97p, 25p, 24p, 23.98p, 59.94i, 50i
• Recording Format (Main Recorder):
  • AVC-Intra4K422, AVC-Intra4K-LT, AVC-Intra2K444, AVC-Intra2K422,
  • AVC-Intra2K-LT, AVC-Intra444,AVC-Intra422, AVC-Intra-LT, AVC-Intra100, ProRes 422 HQ, ProRes 4444
• Recording Format (Sub Recorder): AVC-LongG6Recording
• Video Signal:
  • 4096 x 2160/59.94p, 50p, 29.97p, 25p, 24p, 23.98p
  • 3840 x 2160/59.94p, 50p, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p
  • 2048 x 1080/59.94p, 50p, 29.97p, 25p, 24p, 23.98p
  • 1920 x 1080/59.94p, 50p, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p, 59.94i, 50i
• Recording Time* (Main Codec):  
  • When using expressP2 card 512 GB and when [FREQUENCY]= [23.98p]
  • AVC-Intra4K422, 23.98 fps: Approx. 180 min.
  • AVC-Intra4K422, VFR ON, 30 fps: Approx. 146 min.
  • AVC-Intra4K-LT, VFR ON, 60 fps: Approx. 128 min.
  • AVC-Intra422, VFR ON, 60 fps: Approx. 260 min.
  • ProRes 422 HQ VFR
• Recording Time* (Sub Codec): AVC-LongG6: Approx. 655 min.

Digital Video  

• Quantizing:
  • AVC-Intra2K444, AVC-Intra444: 12 bit
  • Others: 10 bit
• Video Compression Format :
  • AVC-Intra4K422, AVC-Intra4K-LT, AVC-Intra2K444, AVC-Intra2K422,
  • AVC-Intra2K-LT, AVC-Intra444,AVC-Intra422, AVC-Intra-LT,
  • AVC-Intra100: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 Intra Profile ProRes 422 HQ,
  • ProRes 4444: Apple ProRes**

Digital Audio

• Recording Audio Signal: 48 kHz/24 bit, 4 ch
• Headroom: 18 dB/20 dB switchable menu

AVC Proxy

• File Format: MOV
• Video Compression Format: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 Intra Profile
• Audio Compression Format: AAC
• Recording Time***: Approx. 655 min. (when using a 64 GB SDXC memory card)

Video Input/Output

• SDI OUT1/ SDI OUT2:  HD (1.5 G)/3G-SDI, 0.8 V[p-p], 75 Ω
• VF SDI: HD (1.5 G)/3G-SDI, 0.8 V[p-p], 75 Ω

Audio Input/Output

• INPUT 1/2: XLR x 1, 5-pin
• INPUT 3/4: XLR x 2, 3-pin (supports menu switching to select LINE/MIC or enable/disable the power supply of the microphone)
• Headphones: Stereo mini jack
• Speaker: 20mm diameter, round

Other Input/Output 

• Genlock In: HD (1.5 G) /3G-SDI, 0.8 V[p-p], 75 Ω
• Timecode In/Out:
  • 1 x BNC, Input/Output switching
  • Input: 0.5 V [p-p] to 8 V [p-p], 10 kΩ
  • Output: 2.0 V [p-p] ± 0.5 V[p-p], low impedance
• DC In: XLR x 1, 4-pin, DC 12 V (DC 11.0 V – 17.0 V)
• DC Out/RS: 4-pin, DC 12 V (DC 11.0 V – 17.0 V), maximum output current 1.0 A
• DC Out: 2-pin, DC12 V (DC 11.0 V – 17.0 V), maximum output current 1.0 A
• Lens/Grip: 12-pin
• LAN: 100BASE-TX/10BASE-T
• USB Device: USB2.0 devices : Type B connector, 4-pin
• USB Host: USB2.0 host : Type A connector, 4-pin
• Control Panel: 20-pin, control panel contact terminals
• EF Mounting Contact:  8-pin

Control Panel

• Control Panel Display: LCD, 3.5-type QHD color monitor, approx. 1.56 million dots

*Figures are for continuous recording as one clips. Depending on the number or clips, the overall recording time may be shorter than the above.

**ProRes is licensed from Apple Inc. Apple ProRes codec is under license from Atomos. Atomos is a trademark and copyright of Atomos Global Pty. Ltd.

***Reference value for continuous recording. The recording the may differ depending on the scene or the number of clips.

Firmware Updates Ver. 6.0

Panasonic VariCam LT Ver. 6.0 Firmware provides broadcast shading and multi-camera control, plus tally and return video management. Employ the cinematic look and low-light performance of your VariCam LT in your live production recordings with CineLive Workflows.

The VariCam LT Ver. 6.0 Download is free to all registered VariCam LT owners.

Why CineLive with VariCam LT benefits your event or live production shoot:

• Deliver VariCam image quality and color science to multi-camera environments
• Create cinematic shallow depth of field with VariCam's award-winning Super 35mm sensor
• Capture with 14+ stops of dynamic range
• Shoot with Dual Native 800/5,000 ISOs
• Record brilliant images in low-light environments
• Compensate for stop loss when shooting with long zooms and ⅔-inch optical adapters

This Firmware Update provides you with (2) new ways to shoot:

Live Broadcast

• Cover sports, concerts and more
• Control multiple VariCam LTs and shade color remotely
• Run silent with live-mode fan setting
• Output dual live signals: one clean for broadcast and recording; one for status check, markers and menus
• Output via fiber using third-party transport systems (DTS, ERECA, Multidyne, Telecast and more)

Near-Live

• Record live performances (theater, sitcoms, concerts, stand-up, fashion) that aren't broadcast live
• Shade color and switch live between multiple VariCam LTs
• Stream live, color-shaded footage to projectors and displays in the venue
• Record in 4K or HD 4:4:4 in AVC-Ultra or ProRes internally on each VariCam LT and match back to the live switch

VariCam LT ver. 6.0 offers and supports (2) color workflows:

Broadcast Color Shading

Uses paint settings (black, white, chromas, iris, gain, etc.) to ensure the picture stays consistent across multiple cameras. 

Cinematic Color Grading

Uses LUTs (Look Up Tables) and CDLs (Color Decision Lists) to manage color in-camera and create a precise color palette across all the shots that go into a feature.

These color workflow options allow you to shade livestream footage via remote control, capture V-Log in-camera, and grade color live in-camera and via your computer, all at the same time. 

Download Version 27.98-00-0.00 released February 19, 2018

• Enhancement of usability in the state of being connected with ROP (AK-HRP1000/1005/HRP200 *)
  
  • AK-HRP1000/1005 (It will be supported by updating.)
  • AK-HRP200 Ver.4.01.00 or higer
• On the premise that the camera is used at live events, specifications and functions are added.
  
  • Items are added to MENU.
    
    • SHADING is added to GRADING in V-Log mode selected for MAIN COLOR.
    • SHADING is added to MAIN COLOR.
  • Some of the specifications related to the connection with ROP are changed.
    
    • GAIN, PED, GAMMA, BLACK GAM, KNEE, SCENE FILE etc.
    • Support for ROP 5600K SW
  • If 5600K SW is turned on, W/B works as PRESET 5600K regardless of its list.
    
    • Specification change of the camera’s GUI
  • To simplify the setup process of connecting AK-HRP1000, this ROP’s IP connection account is added to the default account settings.
  • Support for RETURN input
  • TALLY light up according to the commands from ROP On AU-VCVF10.
• The time required for displaying GUI at boot-up is reduced.
• SYSTEM MODE can be changed by selecting the preset item.
• ISO BASE ([800B] / [5000B]) is displayed. (VF, MON OUT, LCD (VIEW))
• Support for the playback of multiple clips in succession as well as in order of selection
• RESTART button is added so that the camera can be rebooted, after NETWORK SEL is changed.
• For the following settings where VFR is possible, VFR ON/OFF Switching feature is provided.
  
  • REC FORMAT: LT codec
  • PIXEL: CROP mode
• The function of changing TCP/UDP port for IP control by ROP is added.
• The setting value for the fan’s rotational speed reduction is added.
• The following compatible wireless LAN module is added.
  
  • D-Link DWA171 (Australia)
• The following compatible EF lenses are added.　 　　
  
  • CANON CN-E70-200mm T4.4L IS KAS S 　　
  • CANON CN-E18-80mm T4.4L IS KAS S
• Support for SHADING RAW output
• LongGOP50 and LongGOP25 are added to the supported formats for HD CROP mode.