Getting Up Close & Personal with Panasonic's Less Expensive 4K Super 35mm VariCam LT

With only slightly reduced specs compared to its big brother, the 4K VariCam LT features a Super 35mm MOS sensor, 14 stops of dynamic range, and Dual ISOs of 800 and 5000. According to Panasonic, the LT was designed specifically with indie filmmakers in mind. The size and weight allow it to be mounted onto drones and gimbals, and the $16.5K price tag is a far cry from the VariCam's, which is upwards of about $55K.

Our own Andy Zou spoke with Panasonic's VariCam expert Doug Leighton about the VariCam LT.

Technical Specifications

• Same 4K Sensor as the VariCam 35
• 14+ Stops of Dynamic Range
• Dual ISO: 800 and 5000
• Removable Canon EF or PL Mount Option ($1,300)
• 4K-UHD — AVC-Intra 4K422: up to 30p
• 4K-UHD — AVC-Intra 4K-LT: 30p to 60p
• 2K — AVC-Intra 2K444: up to 30p, AVC-Intra 2K422: up to 60p, up to 120p (cropped), AVC-Intra 2K-LT: 120p to 240p (cropped)
• HD — AVC-Intra444: up to 30p, AVC-Intra422: up to 60p, up to 120p (cropped), AVC-Intra100: 50i/59.94i, AVC-IntraLT: 120p to 240p (cropped)
• HD ProRes: 4444 up to 30p, ProRes 422HQ up to 60p
• One expressP2 card Slot
• SD Slot for Proxies — AVC-Proxy G6 (6Mbps): up to 60p
• RAW Output from SDI Coming in Summer 2016
• ND filters (CLEAR, 0.6, 1.2, 1.8)
• 256GB expressP2 card — 90 minutes of 4K/4:2:2/23.98p content
• 3G-SDI OUT x3 (SDI OUT 1/ SDI OUT2/VF SDI)
• Genlock IN, TC IN/OUT, LAN
• USB HOST (for Network Connect), USB DEVICE (miniB)
• XLR 5 pin x1, XLR 3 pin x2
• DC OUT 4 pin Hirose x2
• Lens/Grip Connector 12 pin
• 12 V DC-IN 4 pin
• Head Phone x1 3.5 mm Stereo Mini Jack
• Proxy FTP
• Can use Panasonic AU-VCVF10G viewfinder and 3rd party viewfinder solutions
• Weight: Under 6 Pounds Body Only
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 184 mm x 230.5 mm x 247 mm (7-1/4 inches x 9-1/8 inches x 9-3/4 inches)
• Power Consumption: 47 W (body only), 77 W with all ports maxed out
• Price: $16,500

No Film School's complete coverage of NAB 2016 is brought to you by My RØDE Reel, Shutterstock, and Blackmagic Design.

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