Good times to be a filmmaker since the prices of most desired cinema cameras are getting lower. Let’s review the most significant cinema cameras price drops in 2019.
The competition is getting stronger. Camera manufacturers know that and put a lot of effort to adapt to cinema market needs by reducing the price of their flagships.
Panasonic AU-EVA1 5.7K: $1,000 price drop
In January this year, Panasonic has dropped the price of the EVA1 to $6,495. That is a $1,000 drop from the cameras original pricing, 18 months since its announcement. The Panasonic AU-EVA1 5.7K owns a Super 35 MOS sensor that captures V-Log with a wide dynamic range, features 800 and 2500 native ISOs, and can record and output 4K MOV or AVCHD, and up to 5.7K raw video.
Product Highlights
- Super 35 MOS Sensor
- Up to 5.7K Raw Recording
- MOV and AVCHD Formats
- Lightweight Body, Only 2.6 lb
- Supports 10-Bit 4:2:2 at 4K
- V-Log/V-Gamut, High Dynamic Range
- Dual Native 800 and 2500 ISOs
- 2 x SD Card Slots
- Simultaneous and Rollover Card Recording
Panasonic Cinema VariCam LT: $6,500 price drop
Later on this year (one month ago), Panasonic also has dropped the price of its high-end cinema camera, the VariCam by $6,500 bringing it below $10,000 price point. That is a significant reduction in price considering the camera has initially been retailing (3 years ago when announced) for around $18,000. The Panasonic’s Cinema VariCam LT 4K S35 is a single Super 35-sized sensor digital cinema camera with a lightweight magnesium body and interchangeable lens mount. It shares the same sensor as the Varicam 35, which features dual native ISO ratings of 800 and 5000. The camera is capable of capturing 14-stops of dynamic range when using V-Log and recording up to 60 fps at 4K, and up to 240 fps at 2K.
Product Highlights
- Single Super 35mm MOS Sensor
- Interchangeable Stainless Steel EF Mount
- Dual Native ISO 800/5000
- 14 Stops of Dynamic Range with V-Log
- 4K Up to 60 fps, 2K/HD Up to 240 fps
- Simultaneous Dual Codec Recording
- Selectable Gamma Curves
- Removable IR Cut Filter
- AVC-Intra, ProRes
- 3.5″ LCD Control Panel
Canon C200: $1,000 price drop
Last but not least, two days ago Canon announced about price dropping on its EOS C200 cinema camera, bringing the price down to $6,500, and under $5,000 for the C200B ($1,000 off). The C200 is one of the most popular Canon EOS cinema cameras, with the capability of recording the revolutionize Canon’s Cinema RAW Light internally.
Product Highlights
- Super 35mm CMOS Sensor
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF Technology
- Dual DIGIC DV 6 Processors
- DCI and UHD 4K, 1920 x 1080
- 59.94/50/29.97/25/24/23.98p & 120p in HD
- Canon RAW Light, MP4 Recording
- Rotating 4″ Touch-Panel LCD Monitor
- Integrated EVF, 2 x XLR Audio Inputs
- 1 x CFast Card, 2 x SD Card Slots
- SDI, HDMI, Ethernet Connectors
Final thoughts – No obsolescence
According to the manufacturers (Panasonic and Canon), there is not going to be any obsolescence here. These cameras are less than four years in the market and still are very relevant for modern filmmakers. The main reason for the price drops is to keep up with the competitors in the cinema cameras market, especially regarding independent filmmakers and small scale productions.
The cinema cameras market regarding independent filmmaking is divided into a few significant segments: $5,000 and below, $5,000-$10,000 and from $10,000 and above. Professional productions use high-end solutions which exceed $20,000 price point. All the options above are focusing on the independent filmmaking category; thus it is essential to eliminate the psychological barrier to buy those cameras. That’s probably the main reason for these significant price drops. One way or another, these are great times to be a filmmaker!
