If you think Sony has released quite a few cameras this year, JVC has just upped the ante by announcing 4 new 4K camcorders comprising a new range of 4K capture devices for the company. The cameras in the new range from JVC can be identified by a new badge on the side “4KCAM” proudly showing the main feature of Ultra HD acquisition. Each camera features broadcast friendly Full HD 4:2:2 at 50Mbps as well as UltraHD recording.
Each one of the 4KCAM camcorders is geared towards a different segment of freelancers and video professionals, starting with budget shooters looking to get into shooting 4K without breaking the bank, all the way to professional videographers and cinematographers working in the corporate, event, documentary and pop promo fields.
It seems like every major manufacturer has joined the 4K party with a new 4K camera this year apart from Canon. Rumour is their C300 successor will do 4K (hopefully internally) and will be announced sometime in early 2015, we think around NAB in the Spring, if not much earlier. See the details and features of each of the 4 new cameras from JVC.
GY-HM170E Compact 4KCAM Handheld Camcorder – (US $2,495)
Compact in size, the GY-HM170E 4KCAM features built-in ND filters (1/4, and 1/16), 1 2/3 in sensor, a 12x Zoom lens and UltraHD 4K at 24/30p as well as Full 1080p HD 422 at 50mbps onto SDHC/SDXC cards. Aimed at freelancers who want to get into shooting 4K on a budget.
- Single 1/2.3-inch CMOS 12MP sensor (9.03MP active)
- Integrated 12x F1.2-3.5 zoom lens (35mm equivalent: 29.5-354mm)
- 24x Dynamic zoom in HD (via Optical zoom and pixel mapping without resolution loss)
- Internal 4K Ultra HD at 150 Mbps, 24/30p
- Recording UltraHD onto SDXC (UHS-I Speed Class 3) card
- 4:2:2 full HD recording at 50Mbps (24-60p)
- Live 4K UHD output via HDMI connector
- 2 position ND filter (1/4, 1/16)
- Built-in stereo microphone
- Dual SDHC/SDXC slots for Dual or Continuous recording
- 3.5-inch colour LCD display (920K pixel) with smart focus assist function
- 0.24-inch colour viewfinder (1.56M pixel) with smart focus assist function
- Wired remote control supported
- 9 user button assignable functions
- Includes BN-VF823U 7.2V battery, AC adapter
GY-HM200E 4KCAM features Live Streaming – (US $2,995)
Video professionals shooting for broadcast get the extra benefit of added professional features like 2 x XLR audio inputs with phantom power and innovative Live streaming capabilities as well as IP network remote control for transferring footage and proxies to editorial.
- Single 1/2.3-inch CMOS 12MP sensor (9.03MP active)
- Integrated 12x F1.2-3.5 zoom lens (35mm equivalent: 29.5-354mm)
- 24x Dynamic zoom in HD (via Optical zoom and pixel mapping without resolution loss)
- Internal 4K Ultra HD at 150 Mbps, 24/30p
- Recording UltraHD onto SDXC (UHS-I Speed Class 3) card
- 4:2:2 full HD recording at 50Mbps (24-60p)
- Live 4K UHD output via HDMI connector
- 2 position ND filter (1/4, 1/16)
- HD-SDI (3G) and HDMI outputs (4K output via HDMI only)
- 2-channel XLR audio inputs with phantom power
- Built-in stereo microphone
- Dual SDHC/SDXC slots enable dual, backup and continuous recording
- Advanced JVC streaming engine compatible with USTREAM, Zixi and Wowza Streaming Engine
- IP network remote control, remote viewing, metadata editing, FTP clips (requires appropriate network connection and adapter)
- 3.5-inch colour LCD display (920K pixel) with smart focus assist function
- 0.24-inch colour viewfinder (1.56M pixel) with smart focus assist function
- Wired remote control supported
- 9 user button assignable functions
- Includes handle unit and SSL-JVC50 7.4V battery, AC Adapter
- External microphone not included
GY-LS300E Super 35mm 4K Professional Camcorder with Micro 4/3 mount – US $4,450
This is an interesting development, sporting a Micro 4/3 mount on a Super 35mm CMOS sensor dubbed AlpaSens (possibly developed internally by JVC or sourced from Sony or another manufacturer) the GY-LS300E is a vary capable machine with Ultra HD recording at 150Mbps, which is higher than the 100Mbps on the GH4, as well as a 3 stage built-in Neutral Density filter, professional audio features like XLR inputs, as well as Streaming and IP transfer functions.
Metabones adapters, or other smart or mechanical adapters, will allow shooters to adapt almost any other lens onto the LS300. For me personally the most intriguing feature is the Variable Scan Mapping – which would technically allow for a variety of other format lenses such as Super 16mm, C-mount, MFT and any other with a smaller image circle than Super 35mm to keep its native FOV.
- Newly developed 4K Super 35mm CMOS image sensor
- Micro Four Thirds System Lens Mount
- Variable Scan Mapping maintains native angle of view for a variety of lenses including Super 35, MFT and Super 16.
- Adapters available for PL and EF mount lenses
- 4K Ultra HD recording (150 Mbps, 24p/30p) to SDXC(UHS-I Speed class3) card
- 4:2:2 Full HD recording at 50Mbps (24p-60p)
- 3 position ND filter (1/4, 1/16 and 1/64)
- HD-SDI (3G) and HDMI outputs (4K output via HDMI only)
- 2-channel XLR audio inputs with phantom power
- Shotgun microphone included
- Dual SDHC/SDXC slots enable Dual, Backup and Continuous recording
- Advanced JVC streaming engine compatible with USTREAM, Zixi and Wowza Streaming Engine
- IP Network Remote Control, Remote Viewing, Metadata editing, FTP clips (requires appropriate network connection and adapter)
- 3.5-inch colour LCD display (920K pixel) with smart focus assist function
- 0.24-inch colour viewfinder (1.56M pixel) with smart focus assist function
- Wired remote control supported
- 10 user button assignable functions
- Includes handle unit, SSL-JVC50 7.4V battery, AC Adapter and shotgun microphone
GW-SP100E Remote Head 4KCAM Camera system (no pricing yet)
Taking on action shooters and those requiring 4K in tight spaces, the 4KCAM remote head comes to the rescue. Similar to the IO Industries 4KSDI albeit with a dedicated recorder, this little 4K wonder can come quite handy in a variety of shooting scenarios such as being mounted to gimbals, cranes, or on quad/hex copters.
- Super 35mm 13.6 Megapixel CMOS sensor
- Micro Four Thirds mount
- Connection to camera head via optional 1m, 5m or 15m wired cable
- Separate recording and playback device
- Separate RCU controller
- Up to 4K Ultra HD 50/60p recording at 4:2:2 150 Mbps
- 4K single file recording at 150Mbps
- SD recording
- 2x dual slot recording (4 slots) for continuous or back up recordings
- SDHC / SDXC memory card support
- AVDHD / AVC H.264 / MPEG-4
- 7-inch full HD LCD display
- HDMI outputs up to 4K Ultra HD at 50/60p
- 4x 3G SDI outputs (4K UHD)
- 1 x HD-SDI output (HD)
- Video output for control (3.5mm)
- 2x XLR for mic or line input
- 3.5mm headphone socket / 2.5mm LANC control
- 6-pin interface for RCU
Wow, it’s 4K overload here, and while Canon are asleep at the wheel (or probably working hard on getting the 4K C300 ready) hopefully the avalanche of 4K camera announcements gets them to see the light quicker, and spill the beans on their new 4K cameras…
It’s 2015 already and it’s either go 4K or go home time, as corny as it sounds it’s the reality of the game today. It is a good feeling to see JVC pushing the 4K technology, I just wish they’d not stuck with the handycam design on the Super 35mm LS300 and give it a better viewfinder and better ergonomics, but hey its 4K for $4K so I am not complaining…
The 4KCAM range cameras above are expected to hit the market sometimes in Spring 2015. Pre-order is available from B&H via the links below:
GY-HM170 4KCAM Compact Professional Camcorder
GY-HM200 4KCAM Compact Handheld Camcorder
GY-LS300 4KCAM Handheld S35mm Camcorder (Body Only)
[via Red Shark]
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