The VariCam LT 4K Super 35mm camera is the low-end version of their flagship VariCam 35, and while that camera retails in the $40,000-$50,000 range, this new one will be far more in the realm of affordability, especially as it comes standard with a Canon EF mount. Panasonic will not only be releasing a base package (if you want to use your own external monitor or viewfinder), but you'll be able to buy full packages that contain everything you need. In addition, while I mentioned that media cost was going to be an issue with this camera, the 256GB expressP2 cards that you'll need are going to retail for $1,150, a lot less than what they were initially. (One card lets you record up to 90 minutes of 4K/4:2:2 content at 24 fps.)
Here are the packages they are going to be offering, which will be available sometime next month:
- $16,500 — VariCam LT Base: Includes Canon EF Mount, Control Panel, Top Handle
- $21,600 — VariCam LT-VF: Includes Canon EF Mount, Control Panel, Top Handle, and OLED Viewfinder
- $25,100 — VariCam LT-PRO: Includes Canon EF & PL Mount, Control Panel, Top Handle, OLED Viewfinder, Shoulder Mount, and Grip
- $27,600 — VariCam LT-PROEX: Includes Canon EF & PL Mount, Control Panel, Top Handle, OLED Viewfinder, Shoulder Mount, Grip, 2 X 256GB Cards & Reader
On their own, here are the prices for the various accessories:
$5,400 — OLED Viewfinder
$1,400 — Cinema-Style Shoulder Mount
$1,200 — PL Mount Adapter
$1,150 — 256GB expressP2 Card
$460 — P2/expressP2 Card Reader
Footage from the VariCam LT
As we've said before, image quality with the VariCam LT will be essentially identical to the VariCam 35 as they share the same sensor, so the only real difference between the two is in the specs and maximum frame rates (4K 60fps vs 4K 120fps). Here is what we've seen so far that's been shot only with the VariCam LT:
Here's a look at stuff shot only with 5000 ISO, from Sandesh Kadur who was a part of the Africa shoot above:
