Compact and lightweight, the AU-EVA1 is tailor-made for handheld shooting, but also well suited for documentaries, events, commercials, and music videos. With its compact size and a new 5.7K sensor, the EVA1 is positioned between the VariCam LT and the LUMIX GH5, making it ideal for a variety of filmmaking applications and cinema-style acquisition.

Weighing only 2.6 lbs. (1.2 kg / body) with a compact form factor (6.69” L x 5.31” W x 5.23” H) and a removable handgrip, EVA1 can be used for efficient handheld shooting applications and can also be mounted on a drone, gimbal rig, or jib arm for complex yet smooth camera moves. There will also be numerous mounting points and Panasonic is currently working with top accessory makers to allow further customization with the EVA1.

The newly-designed EVA1 sensor is Super 35 sized (24.60mm x 12.97mm) with 5.7K resolution. With an active resolution of 5720 x 3016, the EVA1 delivers more than 17.25 million photosites, nearly double the 8.8 million for 4K DCI (4096 x 2160). By starting at a higher native resolution, the 5.7K sensor yields a higher resolving image when down-sampled to 4K, UHD, 2K, or even 720p. Additionally, the increased color information results in a finer, more accurate finished image.

A key feature of the VariCam cameras, Dual Native ISO utilizes a process that allows the sensor to be read in a fundamentally different way, extracting more information without degrading the image. This results in a camera that can switch from a standard sensitivity to a high sensitivity with almost no increase in noise or other artifacts. Dual Native ISO has allowed cinematographers a greater variety of artistic choices as well as the ability to use less light on set, saving time and money. The EVA1’s Dual Native ISOs are 800 and 2,500, which will allow cinematographers to shoot in almost any lighting environment.

Dynamic range measures the luminance range that a digital camera can capture. The EVA1 delivers 14-stops of Dynamic Range, enabling fine gradation in exposure from bright to dark.

The ability to capture accurate colors and rich skin tones is a must for any filmmaker. Like the VariCam lineup of cinema cameras, the EVA1 contains V-Log/V-Gamut capture to deliver high dynamic range and broad colors. V-Log has log curve characteristics that some would say are reminiscent of negative film and V-Gamut delivers a color space even larger than film. The EVA1 will also import the celebrated colorimetry of the VariCam line.

For lensing, the camera utilizes a native EF-mount, giving shooters access to the broad EF lens ecosystem, including dozens of cinema-style prime and zoom lenses from numerous manufacturers. There will be full Iris Control, One-Push Auto Focus, and Lens Data.

EVA1 employs Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) to compensate for camera shake and blurring, which will help smooth out handheld or shoulder-mount shots on documentary or run-and-gun projects. Behind the lens mount, an integrated ND filter wheel in 2, 4, and 6 stops allows for precise exposure control. The EVA1 also allows the IR Cut filter to be swung out of the path to the sensor at the push of a button. Unique photographic effects and night vision imagery are possible with this control over infrared. The ND filter and IR Cut filter operate electronically, which will allow wireless remote control from smartphones and tablets.

Ideal for indie filmmakers, the EVA1 records to readily-available, lower-cost SD cards. With two SD card slots, you can capture footage either with Simul Rec (simultaneous dual record) or Relay Rec (continuous record). There’s also One Shot Record, which enables single frame video for stop-motion capture. The camera can record in several formats and compression rates, and offers up to 10-bit 4:2:2 even in 4K. For in camera recording, you can capture in 4K (4096 x 2160), UHD (3840 x 2160), 2K (2048 x 1080), Full HD (1920 x 1080), and HD (1280 x 720). For high-speed capture, the EVA1 offers up to 59.94fps/50fps for 4K/UHD, up to 120fps/100fps for 2K/Full HD, or 240fps/200fps (cropped area). In a future firmware upgrade, EVA1 will offer ALL Intra compression (400Mbps) for in-camera recording.

EVA1 offers dual balanced XLR audio inputs with Dolby Audio encoding. The HDMI and SDI video outputs are both 4K-capable and each can be adjusted separately, allowing HD to be fed to a viewfinder or other third-party monitor while 4K is sent to an outboard recorder or monitor. The camera is also equipped with standard Timecode functionality. In a future firmware upgrade, EVA1 will offer 5.7K RAW output to 3rd party recorders.

Bundled with the EVA1 is the AG-VBR59 battery (7.28V 5900mAh/43Wh), which should give you approximately 1 hour 30 min of continuous operating time and a charge time (with bundled dual battery charger) of approximately 3 hours 20 min. With the optional AG-VBR118 (7.28V 11800mAh/86Wh) battery, you will have approximately 3 hours 5 min of continuous operating time and a charge time of approximately 4 hours 40 min.

As a professional video production tool, EVA1 contains several professional imaging tools, including Peaking, Expand (Image Zoom), Waveform, Zebras, and Spotmeter (Y-Get). EVA1 also utilizes Focus Squares, an array of green squares that grow in size when their local area appears to be sharp, to enable shooters to achieve critical focus.