Panasonic Firmware Update for EVA1 Features ALL-I recording and 5.7K RAW Output

Last year Panasonic released their powerful Panasonic AU-EVA1 which has slowly become a popular camera amongst video shooters and filmmakers. Taking the price range and specs into consideration, it was quite obvious that the camera was targeted at videographers and film professionals who were looking to buy “similar-style” cameras such as the Canon C200, C300 Mark II, Sony FS7, FS5 and so on. The AU-EVA1 has an impressive 14-stops of dynamic range and uses a newly developed 5.7K super 35mm image sensor that downsamples to 4K, 2K, UHD and 720p.

The firmware update Version 2.0 adds some notable features to an already great camera, namely ALL-I codec recording, RAW output via SDI (up to 5.7K!), and improved broadcast codecs. The ALL-I intraframe codec will definitely fulfill most camera operator’s requirements on the field since it allows for internal 4K or UHD recording in 10-bit 422 at 400Mbps amongst other options.

ALL-I 10-bit 422 codecs:

• 4K/UHD up to 30p at 400 Mbps

• 2K/HD up to 60p at 200 Mbps

• 2K/HD up to 30p at 100 Mbps

Camera operators filming news segments that require a fast turnaround oftentimes have to shoot in an interlaced codec in order to avoid transcoding. Panasonic apparently realized this need in the video broadcast world and will enable the following recording codecs with the firmware update:

• Full HD (1920x1080) 59.94i/50i ALL-I 100Mbps 10-bit 422

• Full HD (1920x1080) 59.94i/50i LongGop 50Mbps 10-bit 422

There are plenty of other features added such as LCD signal cloning for the HDMI output, the ability to do interval recording, and full support for many popular Sigma Art Lenses. Panasonic informs the upgrade will be available as a free download by the end March, which is a great treat for video shooters and filmmakers who already own the camera. You can read the full firmware specifications on their website.