NAB 2016: Panasonic expands camera lineup
Panasonic is significantly expanding its studio camera offerings with the immediate availability of the AK-UC3000 4K system, and the AK-HC5000, with output of up to 1080p at 239.76p.
Panasonic’s AK-UC3000 made its debut at NAB this week.
Targeted at studios and productions requiring high-end functionality at an affordable price, the UC3000 is equipped with a large, full-UHD resolution single MOS sensor with an internal conversion lens that outputs a UHD signal up to 3840/2160/59.94p, while also delivering superior picture quality in HD. The camera’s B4 mount accommodates the gamut of existing 2/3-inch lenses to maximize customers’ return on their investment in existing lenses, and allowing a wider and more economical choice of glass for sports, concerts and similar applications. The UC3000 also enables shooting with high sensitivity (F10/2000lx), low noise (S/N 60dB+), high resolution (1800 TV lines/UHD) and a wide dynamic range of 600%(-6dB～36dB).
The UC3000 boasts new and innovative functions that enhance the camera’s ease-of-use and flexibility. These include Advanced Focus Assist Functions, shockless Gain (-6~36dB), a User Gamma setting, Black Gamma Correction tracking pedestal, and multi-step Digital Noise Reduction (DNR). The camera reduces skew using a high-speed scan from the MOS sensor. Dynamic Range Stretch (DRS in HD Mode) reduces the blocked shadows and blown highlights in scenes where extremely bright and dark objects coexist, and CAC compensates for chromatic aberration at the lens periphery. High Dynamic Range (HDR) will be supported with a future firmware update.
Output formats of the UC3000 (with UCU500) include HD (3G-SDI): 1080/59.94p,50p,59.94i,50i, 29.97psF, 25psF,23.98psF, 23.98p over 59.94i, 720/59.94p,50p, in 4K outputs include 4K (3G-SDI×4): 3840ｘ2160/59.94p, 50p, 29.97p, 25p and 23.98P, and in SD, 480/59.94i and 576/50i.
A new Camera Control Unit, the AK-UCU500, provides power up to 6600 feet over hybrid fiber, and outputs 4K signals and HD simultaneously. Two new remote operation panels, the AK-HRP1000 and AK-HRP1005, both with color LCD readout displays, provide IP controls. A new 9-inch, Full-HD LCD viewfinder is also available.
The fast, high resolution AK-HC5000, capable of high-speed output up 1080/239.76p, becomes Panasonic’s flagship studio model. The camera incorporates new 2/3” 2.2M 3-CMOS sensors with high sensitivity (F11/2000lx), low noise (S/N 60dB+), and resolution measured at 1100 TV lines.
The HC5000 shares many characteristics with the UC3000 including Advanced Focus Assist Functions, shockless Gain (-3~36dB), a User Gamma setting, Black Gamma Correction tracking pedestal, multi-step Digital Noise Reduction (DNR), reduced skew and, DRS and CAC. The HC5000’s Flash Band Compensation corrects for the “flash band” effect that can be experienced by most MOS-based imagers.
When used with the HC5000 camera, the AK-UCU500 CCU provides power up to 6600 feet, and outputs signals up to 1080/239.76p/200p. The AK-HRP1000 and AK-HRP1005 remote panels provide IP controls. The new 9-inch, Full-HD LCD viewfinder also works with the HC5000.
The AK-UC3000 camera, AK-UCU500 CCU, AK-HRP1000/1005 ROPs, and AK-HVF100 viewfinder have suggested list prices of $37,000, $19,000, $6,000 and $8,000, respectively. The AK-HC5000 camera and additional accessories, including the AK-HBU500 build-up kit and the AK-MSU1000 master set-up unit, have suggested list prices of $42,000, $23,000 and $23,000, respectively.
Panasonic also announced a new UX series of professional 4K camcorders, successor to the company’s AVCCAM series of professional AVCHD camcorders. Two models are currently under development and scheduled for release in the fall of 2016: the UX Premium Model AG-UX180, with a 1-inch (effective size) MOS sensor, optical 20x zoom and UHD 60p recording capability; and the UX Standard Model AG-UX90, featuring a 1-inch (effective size) MOS sensor, optical 15x zoom and UHD 30p recording.
“With an increasing demand for 4K video content, Panasonic is introducing the UX series to make 4K acquisition even more accessible to video professionals,” said Steven Cooperman, Senior Product Manager, Panasonic System Communication Company of North America. “UX camcorders will provide high-mobility shooting and workflow equivalent to our existing professional integrated-lens handhelds.”
The UX series will support recording up to 4K (4096×2160, 24p only) and UHD (3840×2160). (The AVCCAM series allowed recording up to FHD/1920×1080.) UX camcorders will use the SD Memory Card1 as recording media. The UX Premium Model AG-UX180 supports, in addition to 4K and UHD, dual codec recording (UHD2/FHD), IR recording in low light, and 3G SDI/HDMI2.0 output. The UX camcorders’ 1-inch (effective size) MOS sensor ensures sensitivity equivalent to that of conventional handheld cameras. Variable frame rate (VFR) recording functionality (2-60 fps) is planned in FHD mode.
The suggested list price (SLP) of the AG-UX180 is expected to be under $4,000.00, and the SLP of the AG-UX90 under $3,000.00. The availability of these new UX models later this year will bring the company’s line-up of professional 4K cameras to six, including the flagship VariCam 35 and VariCam LT cinema cameras for HDR production in 4K resolution, the AG-DVX200 4K, 4/3” large-sensor camcorder and AK-UC3000 4K camera system.