Panasonic Connect has just announced a 4K PL-mount “Studio Camera for Live Cinematic Video with Shallow Depth of Field” (as Panasonic defines it). The new camera titled AK-PLV100GSJ 4K is equipped with a 5.7K Super 35 sensor and PL mount. More interesting is the fact that this camera inherits a lot of concepts from the acclaimed VariCam. You can think of it as the Studio version of the VariCam.

Panasonic AK-PLV100GSJ 4K: Studio camera with 5.7K S35 sensor

Panasonic Connect today announced that it will release its new AK-PLV100GSJ 4K studio camera with a 5.7K Super 35 sensor and PL mount in the first quarter of 2023. The camera was developed in order to grant high-quality video content for streaming platforms and to allow cinematic capture of sports broadcasts, and news segments. “The AK-PLV100GSJ studio camera will enter the market amid this proliferation of streaming to help production teams across industries make their content more exciting and engaging” Panasonic states.

This 4K studio camera is equipped with a 5.7K Super 35 mm sensor and PL mount, inheriting the design concept of our VariCam camera, allowing for powerfully expressive live cinematic video closer to the creator’s intention with a shallow depth of field.

Panasonic

Cine-live technology

Panasonic Connect claims to be a pioneer of cine live technology and to bring this expertise to its AK studio camera lineup with the release of the AK-PLV100GSJ studio camera. The camera is equipped with a large format, super 35 mm Imager, and PL Lens mount to accommodate cinema lenses for a shallow-depth look. According to Panasonic: “The camera also leverages Panasonic’s expertise in IP-based live production. It outputs 12G-SDI signals from the camera head and can interface with return, control, and other communications directly, or through ST 2110 when used without a CCU. With this combination of features, the AK-PLV100GSJ gives media and entertainment professionals flexibility & control, that doesn’t sacrifice production quality”.

Based on the VariCam

As mentioned, the AK-PLV100 4K incorporates a large format sensor and PL mount. Furthermore, The camera carries on the legacy of VariCam with a cinematic look, V-LOG, and Dual Native ISO, and streamlines multi-camera live shooting to deliver another purpose-built studio camera for easy CINELIVE production. As stated by Panasonic: “This 4K studio camera from Panasonic is equipped with a 5.7K Super 35 mm sensor and PL mount, inheriting the design concept of our VariCam camera, allowing for powerfully expressive live cinematic video closer to creator’s intention with a shallow depth of field”.

Key Features

• Equipped with a large format, 5.7K Super 35mm sensor, and PL Lens mount to accommodate cinema lenses for shallow depth of field.
• The capture frame rate is switchable to Cinematic 24p/30p on a 60p system, users can easily switch between a 24p/30p look and a standard broadcast 60p look.
• Outputs SMPTE ST2110 video directly from its camera head and merely requires an optical-fiber connection for return input, intercom input/output, PTP synchronization, trunk out, and tally input.
• Compatibility with Panasonic’s 2/3-inch studio camera system equipment allows the use of CCUs (UCU600 and HCU250), ROPs (HRP1010 and HRP1015), and other accessories
• V-LOG output for wide dynamic range and rich color gamut, along with Dual Native ISO for superb low-light performance.

Explore the specs sheet below:

Final thoughts

Although we’re less reporting on broadcast-related content, this is quite exceptional since this new AK-PLV100 4K broadcast camera is based on a pure cinema camera (VariCam), and it was designed to make live-event much more cinematic. The trend of cinematic broadcasting accumulates some solid acceleration, and as proof make sure to check our article regarding the newly announced FUJINON 25-1000mm F2.8-5.0 PL box lens, which can cover large sensors and owns a PL mount. It seems we are getting into a world of broadcasts based on large sensors and high-resolution cameras with PL mounts, that were developed to make live events and even news reporting much more cinematic. The AK-PLV100 4K will be available in the first quarter of 2023. There’s no info regarding the price. Nevertheless, it’s not going to be cheap, as it aims for certain broadcast missions.