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Panasonic today released a free firmware upgrade for the AU-EVA1 cinema camera that greatly enhances the camera’s recording capabilities, including ALL-Intra frame recording formats, RAW data output, timelapse recording, HD 4:2:2 interlaced formats and more. These additions expand the camera’s abilities so fundamentally that Panasonic refers to the upgrade as “EVA 2.0.” Released in late 2017, the EF-mount AU-EVA1 is a 5.7K cinema camera containing a Super-35mm sensor that features 14-stops of dynamic range, Dual Native ISO ratings of 800 and 2500, and the same colorimetry as the renowned VariCam camera system. Due to its small size and weight, the EVA1 is ideal for gimbal and drone work, as well as handheld shooting. The free firmware upgrade is now available for download from the Panasonic website at https://eww.pass.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/support/content/download/EN/ep2main/soft/upgeva1_e.htm “When the EVA1 was announced last summer, we promised a major expansion in its functionality in early 2018,” said Mitch Gross, Cinema Product Manager, Panasonic Media Entertainment Company. “EVA 2.0 fulfills that promise with features like RAW output and ALL-Intra recording as well as with such unannounced user-requested features as a 2K at 240fps RAW output and additional interlaced HD recording formats.” EVA 2.0 allows uncompressed RAW output via 6G SDI. Formats include 5.7K at 1fps to 30fps, 4K at 1fps to 60fps, and 2K at 1fps to 240fps. Atomos has announced that its Shogun Inferno and Sumo monitor/recorders will capture RAW-to-ProRes from the EVA1 in 4K up to 60fps and 2K up to 240fps. Additional announcements for RAW support are to be released soon. A key feature of EVA 2.0 is ALL-Intraframe (ALL-I) codec recordings, offering 10-bit 4:2:2 at up to 400Mbps. Intraframe recordings require less post processing than the LongGOP codecs also available in the EVA1, enabling real-time editing on more cost-effective high-performance computers. New ALL-I codecs and frame rates:

• 4K 400Mbps 10-bit 4:2:2 29.97p/25p/24p/23.98p
• UHD 400Mbps 10-bit 4:2:2 29.97p/25p/23.98p
• 2K/FHD 200Mpbs 10-bit 4:2:2 59.94p/50p
• 2K 100Mbps 10-bit 4:2:2 29.97p/25p/24p/23.98p
• FHD 100Mbps 10-bit 4:2:2 29.97p/25p/23.98p

• 4K/UHD VFR up to 400Mbps 10-bit 4:2:2 1-30fps
• 2K/FHD VFR up to 200Mbps 10-bit 4:2:2 1-120fps

• FHD (1920 x 1080) All-I 100Mbps 10-bit 4:2:2 59.94I/50I
• FHD (1920 x 1080) LongGOP 50Mbps 10-bit 4:2:2 59.94I/50I

“In our VariCam Cinema Cameras, Dual Native ISO sensor technology opened up a whole new world to cinematographers. It allowed them to shoot, light and work in new ways not possible before,” noted Rob Myers, National Sales Manager, Broadcast, Panasonic Australia. “The inclusion of that proprietary technology in the AU-EVA1 means that they will be able to shoot in bright sunlight or night exteriors without compromising the image quality.” The newly-designed AU-EVA1 sensor is Super-35 sized (24.60mm x 12.97mm) with 5.7K resolution. With an active resolution of 5720 x 3016, the AU-EVA1 delivers more than 17.25 million photosites, nearly double the 8.8 million for 4K DCI (4096 x 2160). By starting at a higher native resolution, the 5.7K sensor yields a higher resolving image when down-sampled to 4K, UHD, 2K, or even 720p. Additionally, the increased color information results in a finer, more accurate finished image.