It has been rumoured for a long time, and at BVE I had a chat with a few reps about their plans for NAB. Wasn’t expecting for the to spill the beans, but they were choosing their words carefully when I asked them if a new AF-101 4K successor is coming at NAB. At the moment, Panasonic have a GH4 as a 4K camera on the lower end enthusiast/pro segment and a behemoth of a 4K beast – the Varicam 35 and HS on the highest end of the spectrum for big broadcasters and large cinema productions, but nothing in between in the sub-$10K camera market where the big money is. And just earlier today, Panasonic teased an imminent announcement of a new 4K camera they’ve been working on for a long time. In a recent tumblr post by Kunihiko Miyagi – Director of Panasonic, Professional Imaging, shared this:
Do you remember AG-DVX100? As a DV camera capable of film-like shooting with Cine-like gamma and a 24p mode, a groundbreaking camera in the industry. I am proud to say that it was a big hit for us, and it has been widely used and loved by customers around the world for over ten years.
Now, in a world where 4K shooting is fast becoming the norm, we’ve decided to go for a new breakthrough, and try to create another disruption in the industry and hit like the DVX100. I hope you’ll come to the Panasonic booth at NAB and see what we have in mind.
As a previous AF-101 owner, I tend to believe this camera will be a 4K replacement for the now ancient AF101, despite the fact the teaser refers to the DVX100, which was a breakthrough camera for Panasonic, in a similar sense the AF101 was briefly, but then it never really caught on as competitors quickly jumped on the large sensor camcorder band wagon.
My prediction is that it will have AVC-Ultra 4K internal, with simultaneous proxy recording, a Micro Four Thirds chip, LOG gamma from the Varicam, proper XLR inputs and redesigned body. Basically everything you could ask for from a GH4 version 2.0 today in a proper camcorder form factor.
Be sure to keep your eyes peeled on our NAB 2015 Live Blog here for the latest as the announcement approaches.
[via Cinescopophilia / Source: Panasonic]
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