Latin America. Panasonic introduced the 4/3 camcorder with a large 4K sensor, the AG-DVX200, initially announced at NAB 2015. The DVX200 offers many high-performance features including 4K/60p recording, 13x optical zoom and V-Log L gamma curve (12 stops latitude).
Offering an impressive depth of field and a wide field of view, the DVX200 will perform excellently in independent film, documentary production and event videography.
The DVX200 is optimized for 4K/HD production and shares features of the well-known VariCam family, such as film hue and colorimetry, with natural display of skin tones, and a V-Log curve that emulates the grayscale performance of the VariCam 35. The camcorder incorporates a newly developed large-format MOS sensor and offers variable frame rate recording up to 120fps in FHD mode, improving its usefulness in sports and VFX production.
The new 4K camcorder will offer a wide range of professional attributes including the recently designed Leica Dicomar 4K F2.8-F4.5 lens (4K/24p: 29.5mm~384.9mm, HD: 28mm~365.3mm, 35mm equivalent), time-code in/out, 3G HD-SDI and HDMI 2.0 (4K) outputs, easy focus and zoom, and user-programmable buttons.
The DVX200 can record in 4K (4096 × 2160) / 24p, UHD (3840 × 2160) / HD (1920 × 1080) 60p / 50p / 30p / 25p / 24p in MP4 / MOV file format. It has two SD card slots**, which makes it easy to record in relay. For professionals working around the world, the master frame rate of the camcorder is selectable between 59.94Hz (23.98Hz) / 50.00Hz / 24.00Hz.
The DVX200's three manual rings – 13x zoom, focus and iris – provide comfortable manual control similar to interchangeable lens cameras but without the need to actually change the lens. The approach ring performs its function in a soft and delicate way that allows an ideal approach. Additionally, the camera's multi-step zoom control provides quick response and subtle action, allowing the creative freedom the operator desires. The DVX200 also features an improved image stabilizer, including five-axis Hybrid Image Stabilizer and Image Stabilizer with four times the correction area, which produces sharp images without blur, and a focus unit that improves the speed of focusing, tracking and capture, facilitating recording in 4K and with shallow depth of field.
The new Leica Dicomar 4K lens with F2.8 aperture is an optimal choice for 4K videos, with the ability to produce elegant images and subtle bokeh. Leica's high quality standards also serve to suppress the occurrence of ghosts and flashes to their minimum expression. Since the DVX200 is a camcorder with an integrated lens, there is no need to make adjustments and corrections of lens change. Even with a large diameter lens, the DVX200's weight and balance have been optimized to facilitate agility in 4K acquisition. With superior balance per center-of-gravity, the camcorder is ideal for flexible applications such as mounting on stabilized camera platforms.
The AG-DVX200 has the ergonomics of future generations, with the battery positioned in the back so as not to interfere with hand recording. In addition, the camcorder comes with a fiber-like finish and the recording section is distinctively stylized with a reddish shading.
The AG-DVX200 is available in The Fall of 2015 with a suggested retail price below $5000.
