Panasonic is set to unveil the AG-DVX200G 4K broadcast camcorder, a 4/3-sensor large format camcorder with an integrated zoom lens. The company has also announced the release of an innovative ‘tap-assist’camera control system, the AW-HEA10, that dramatically simplifies and enhances remote control shooting when used with next-generation Panasonic pan/tilt/zoom cameras.
Mathew Alexander, Product Marketing Manager, Broadcast, Panasonic, said: “Delivering a shallow depth of field and a wide field of view, the DVX200 is the ideal companion camera to our groundbreaking VariCam 35 4K camera/recorder. With an integrated lens design, the DVX200 will excel in independent film and documentary production, as well as event videography.”
The AG-DVX200G captures imagery by virtue of an advanced large format 4K imager combined with a cutting-edge 4K video processing engine and a LEICA DICOMAR 4K 13x zoom lens, 12 stops of dynamic range and VariCam style V-Log L processing. The camcorder also has a woven carbon fibre-like finish, and the recording section is distinctively styled with crimson shading.
Panasonic’s new control assist camera, the AW-HEA10, offers a panoramic view of any scene with its super wide angle, while its HDMI output can be used as an image analysing tool to control a main camera installed on top of it. The AW-HEA10 is able to control such models as the AW-HE40, AW-HE60 and AW-HE130 simply through an iPad app.
The iPad app ‘PTZ CNTRL’ is free to install and can be found in the app store. This app allows full wireless control of the camera through an easy-to-use interface, making the product a perfect tool for non-professional camera applications — in education, corporate and government environments, for example.
AG-DVX200G
The AG-DVX200G offers many top-end features including 4K/60p recording, a 13X optical zoom and a V-Log L gamma curve (12 stops of latitude, target). It is optimised for 4K/HD production, and shares the esteemed VariCam family characteristics of filmic tonality and colourimetry, with natural, subtle rendering of skin flesh tones, and a V-Log curve emulating the natural grey-scale rendition of the VariCam 35. The camcorder incorporates a newly-developed 4/3” large-format MOS sensor and offers variable frame rate recording up to 120fps in FHD mode, enhancing its utility in sports and VFX production.
The new handheld 4K camcorder has an array of professional features including a newly-designed Leica Dicomar 4K F2.8~F4.5 zoom lens (4K/24p: 29.5 mm ~ 384.9 mm, HD: 28 mm ~ 365.3mm, 35 mm equivalent), time-code in/out, 3G HD-SDI and HDMI 2.0 (4K) video outs, easy focus and zooming, and programmable user buttons. The DVX200 will record 4K (4096 × 2160)/24p, UHD (3840 × 2160)/HD (1920×1080) 60p/50p/30p/25p/24p in either MP4/MOV file formats. There are two SD card slots, facilitating backup and relay recording. For professionals working worldwide, the camera’s master frame rate is selectable between 59.94Hz (23.98Hz) / 50.00Hz / 24.00Hz.
The AG-DVX200G’s three manual operation lens rings—13x zoom (Cam driven), focus and iris—provide a comfortable manual control similar to an interchangeable lens camera, but without the need for actual lens changes. The zoom ring’s solid feel and smooth action allow delicate ultra-slow zooming. In addition, the camera’s multi-step zoom control provides fast response and smooth zoom action, yielding the creative freedom every camera operator desires. The zoom control on the handle enables variable speed zoom, allowing fine zoom control even for low angle shots.
The AG-DVX200G also features an enhanced Image Stabiliser, including a five-axis Hybrid Image Stabiliser and 4x correction-area Image Stabiliser that produces clear images without blurring, and a micro-drive focus unit that improves focus speed, tracking and capture performance, facilitating 4K focusing and shallow focus shooting.
The new Leica Dicomar 4K zoom lens with F2.8 aperture is an optimal choice for 4K video, with the ability to produce elegant imagery and subtle ‘bokeh’. Also, Leica’s exacting quality standards serve to suppress the occurrence of ghosting and flare to a minimum. As the AG-DVX200G is an integrated-lens camcorder, there is no need to perform the flange back adjustments or shading corrections when changing lenses. Even with a large diameter lens, the AG-DVX200’s weight and balance have been optimised to facilitate agile, mobile 4K acquisition. With superb centre-of-gravity balance, the camcorder will be ideal for such flexible shooting applications as mounting on today’s popular stabilised camera rigs.
The AG-DVX200G utilises a front element lens/filter diameter of 72mm, a very common size. It is expected that many third party lens accessory manufacturers will announce items such as close-up lenses and other desired options. The AG-DVX200G features next-generation ergonomics, with the battery positioned in the rear so as not to interfere during handheld shooting.
HEA10
The complete HEA10 solution includes either an HE130 or HE40 camera, mounted on top of an HEA10 tap-assist module, plus an optional tablet and network connection. When shooting with the primary HE40 or HE130 PTZ camera, a super wide-angle video image is simultaneously captured by the HEA10 and displayed on the tablet screen. Tapping the desired area of the image on the tablet allows the user to move the PTZ quickly and smoothly to capture the selected shot.
Remote camera operation is thus significantly simplified and accelerated by allowing instant selection of a new shooting angle, eliminating the need to manually zoom out and reposition the camera. Zooming can be controlled via the familiar ‘pinching’ motion, or via an on-screen control. Up to nine pre-set main-camera shots can also be selected via dedicated on-screen buttons. Because the primary HE40/HE130 camera can be controlled using the HEA10’s wide-angle view as a reference, the PTZ can be operated even when selecting a shot that can’t be viewed in the primary camera’s frame. This ability makes the system especially effective for remote seminars, sports, medical education, news, panel discussions and similar applications. Even non-technical personnel can easily select appropriate shots with this system, while experienced camera operators can use the HEA10 to expand the scope of their remote video production.
When using traditional camera controllers, the operator may sometimes miss action that happens outside the primary camera frame. With the tap-assist camera system, these changes in the action can be previewed in the wide-angle tablet view, and instantly responded to by simply tapping the tablet. Even when shooting rapidly changing circumstances, nothing is missed. The very wide-angle horizontal view of the HEA10 is also available via an HDMI output, and can be used for input to a local production switcher for a wide-angle POV shot or other uses. POE+ compatibility simplifies integration and expands the range of uses. The AW-HEA10 is offered in either black or white, to match the colour of the main PTZ camera.
The new products will be available from specialist Panasonic Broadcast distributors and resellers.
More info, check: www.panasonic.com.au
Excerpts from Press Release
