If you needed any proof that the Panasonic camera division is dying, then search no more. Just watch the Panasonic CES 2022 Press Conference. That presentation takes 54 Minutes long focusing on B2B products, and only 5 Seconds dedicated to the next LUMIX (GH6?). Moreover, there’s no mentioning whatsoever regarding its cinema lineup. R.I.P Camera Division?
Panasonic CES 2022 Press Conference: Only 0.15% about cameras
Panasonic has crafted a very impressive CES 2022 press conference, talking about its business, roadmaps, future innovations, and partnerships. As stated by Panasonic North America: “Learn about exciting developments in EV battery technology, Immersive Experiences, Smart Mobility, Battery & vehicle performance management, and new Lifestyle Technology innovations for consumers”. However, since we’re an online resource that is dedicated to covering innovations in the cinema world, we’ve searched after the juicy camera info…And we found it. Unfortunately, from 54 minutes of detailed presentation, only 5 seconds refer to consumer imaging devices (0.15% from the whole deck), and that’s the next mirrorless.
As for that camera that shall not be named, we can assure you you’ll be releasing specs before spring arrives.
Panasonic North America
5 seconds talking about the GH6(?)
The part in the Panasonic CES 2022 Press Conference that elaborates on the GH6, starts at minute 52. They’re a couple of footage, and a statement that says: “As for that camera who shall not be named, we can assure you you’ll be releasing specs before spring arrives”. Panasonic doesn’t want to reveal the model of the camera. However, it’s LUMIX for sure. It might be the GH6 (Panasonic’s next mirrorless flagship). Nevertheless, there’s no mention of the name of the model or specs. It must be noted that Panasonic Japan has already issued a statement that the release of its LUMIX GH6 mirrorless camera has been delayed into 2022. However, it turns to be delayed even further. Let’s be reminded that this ‘flagship’ is supposed to own a new micro four-third sensor. You can watch the Panasonic CES 2022 Press Conference below:
I was expecting a camera, but instead, I got a microwave oven.
Panasonic’s enthusiasts are disappointed
“I find it a bit strange that they spend the first 39 minutes on all their B2B activities and only the remaining 15 minutes on actual consumer electronics during a consumer electronics show,” says a commenter. “I was expecting a camera, but instead, I got a microwave oven” complains another. Also, another commenter wonders about the structure of the presentation: “Why does Panasonic insist on being the main presentation at CES if they are just going to do this? They spend almost the entire hour talking about their corporate responsibility, and then their B2B business. And then just a few minutes talking about actual consumer products?”. By judging from the CES deck, Panasonic invests only a fraction of its resources in imaging devices, especially cameras. That can constitute a solid indicator that the company intends to sell that part of its business.
Abandoning the cinema camera lineup (VariCam and EVA1)
About a month ago, we wrote an article that demonstrates the thesis which Panasonic might be abandoning its cinema cameras (VariCam and EVA1). We presented a few indications for that assumption: The Varicam LT and EVA1 price drop, not updating the ‘Shot on Varicam’ magazine, not updating the social channels, and more. Make sure to read it here (Is Panasonic Abandoning its Cinema Camera Lineup (VariCam and EVA1)?). Hence, the recent press conference strengthens the prediction that Panasonic slowly but firmly is getting out of the camera business.
Summary
By connecting all the dots, it clearly seems that R&D-ing cameras are far from being Panasonic’s main business, nor any important segment of the company. Yes, there’s probably an MFT mirrorless on the horizon, but it might be the last camera, at least under Panasonic. The brand (LUMIX) might be further developed though. As for the cinema (Pro) division, it’s hard at this stage to see it grow.
Product List
Here’re the products mentioned in the article, and the links to purchase them from authorized dealers.
- Panasonic Cinema VariCam LT 4K S35 Digital Cinema Camera
- Panasonic AU-EVA1 Compact 5.7K Super 35mm Cinema Camera
- Panasonic Lumix BS1H Box Cinema Camera
Luckily you aren’t a policeman otherwise you will arrest many people without any proof and without know anything about a culture and behavior.
Maybe you are right but really not for the reason you believe. ?????
Panasonic has great future. They are switching to manufacturing of AI noodles.
You spot a few things going on, but come to a strange conclusion.
Firstly, there is no ‘camera division’. The consumer image division (Lumix) and pro av division (Varicam and EVA1) are different entities inside the company. They share technologies, but have separate goals and leadership. As long as the divisions make money, they’re safe. The pro av division has the studio, ENG an PTZ cameras under its wing as well. And vision mixers, pro displays, … Panasonic absolutely owns the PTZ market and is still a big name in ENG. They are not getting out of the camera business. But it is a huge company and cameras is only a very small part of their business.
It’s clear the Varicam 35 is nearing EOL. Panasonic clearly states limited stock for the 35 and Pure on it’s website and the HS camera head is out of production for a while now. The LT lives on, is used on quite a few tv shows and with the addition of CineLive can be used in multicam as well. So it’ll be along for a bit longer.
Both the EVA1 and the VaricamLT are a great cameras, but they never gained much traction. They were a bit late to the party. People who use them love them, but there’s no point in keeping expensive sociale media and other campaigns and websites alive at this point. The models are to old to get much marketing attention, other than getting the price down. Which was apparently doable for the LT but not for the 35, although bot are hand built to order and over-engineered tanks.
But the market has gone to full frame, where Panasonic has put the S1H and the box variant BS1H. The sensor in these cameras builds upon the sensor tech in the Varicams, but Panasonic was already developing their next big thing. The 8k organic sensor. My guess is they will develop full frame and S35 variants of this and come with ENG and pro cinema styled cameras from this sensor tech.
BTW, even 7(!) years after being released, the Varicam S35 sensor still shoots great images with fantastic colour information and fidelity.
Thank you, Oliver. What a wonderful comment! Full of useful insights.
Yes… we know about the divisions but we wanted to make it more clear for our readers.
As you said, Panasonic is a huge company and the cinema cameras are just a fraction. But this is our focus. Our readers are interested in the cinema solutions of Panasonic, and not the PTZ, ENG, and so on.
What you said about the 8K organic sensor is very interesting. We wrote about it a bit. Also, you are right about the LUMIX full-frame as well. Let’s hope there will be more cinema cameras from Panasonic since the competition is a MUST.
Thx again,
Yossy
Excellent analysis. I totally agree.
My Varicam LT is still going strong, no issues imagewise, there is hardly a finer image. But it was from the beginning too big and bulky, as Panasonic cameras tend to be. So the S1H is now doing more and more jobs as it is so capable, small, IBIS, etc. – it is a Varicam mini imagewise, but not quite functionally.
My seller speculated that the Varicam LT has enough space left to accommodate hardware updates. Would have loved to pay for that. And why not offer an L-mount upgrade at least for the LT… speed boosters work well, no need for FF at all.
My guess is Panasonic will implement the essential Varicam functionalities into a BS2H/S2H very soon, providing two great solutions on the same platform. Once they have prerecord and internal NDs, I’ll be happy enough to use these as A-cameras.
The S1H sensor already works so great both in FF and S35, I was expecting an EVA2 with exactly that technology. If they finally released the long promised 8K organic sensor, great. If not, great, too.
As long as most of the competition screws it the way they do at the moment, there is a bit more time for Panasonic.