Panasonic Rolls Out EVA 2.5 Firmware Update & “Share Your Vision” Video Contest at Cine Gear 2018
An interview from the 2018 Cine Gear Expo at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles with Steve Cooperman of Panasonic. Panasonic offers leading products to acquire, transmit and view high-quality video, over both video and IP networks. Professional products include VariCam cinema cameras, P2 HD camcorders, 4K and HD handheld cameras, Pan/Tilt/Zoom cameras, studio and box cameras, switchers and monitors. In this interview Steve talks with us about the new EVA 2.5 firmware update for the AU-EVA1 Cinema Camera, adding a new SMOOTH noise reduction mode, more lens support expansion and menu improvements.
The EVA1 received the major EVA 2.0 firmware update at the end of March 2018, adding All-I recording codecs, RAW output, time lapse recording, expanded lens support and more. Released in late 2017, the EF-mount 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.
“The EVA1 is being used for all sorts of productions,” explained Mitch Gross, Cinema Product Manager, Panasonic System Solutions Company. “While some productions prefer to shoot in V-Log, do careful color grading in post and apply noise reduction to sensitive shots as necessary in the finished edit, other jobs simply do not have that post schedule available. They pick a Scene File, expose accordingly and wish to apply noise reduction in camera to avoid the time-consuming steps later."
While the EVA1 already features two levels of noise reduction in its menu – along with an OFF position for no NR – the new SMOOTH mode is a more aggressive setting designed for use with higher ISO settings. Clients indicated that they would like it available at all times so it’s available in all resolutions and ISOs. One of the advantages of a 5.7K sensor is that even at ISOs such as 2500 or even 5000, with SMOOTH mode the EVA1 shows less noise and yet retains higher resolving power than competing 4K cameras.
EVA 2.5 firmware also expands EF lens support. Added to the compatible lens list are the Canon 24-105mm F4L IS II USM, the Canon EF-S 17-55mm F2.8 IS USM, the Tamron SP 35mm F1.8 DI VC USD, and the Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 DI MACRO 1:1 VC USD. Panasonic continues to expand support of the two Canon CN Compact Cine Servo zooms (18-80 & 70-200), now adding One Push AutoFocus support. A programmable button on the lenses now mirrors one of the EVA1’s User Buttons, allowing from the lens’ servo handgrip on-demand One Push AutoFocus or any of 27 other additional functions available in the camera’s menu.
Also at Cine Gear, Panasonic announced the AU-EVA1 “Share Your Vision” Video Contest, open to video professionals throughout the United States and European Union countries.
To participate, submit videos shot with the EVA1 cinema camera from 25 seconds to five minutes in length from June 1st through August 24th, 2018. A distinguished panel of judges including cinematographers William Wages, Elle Schneider, Johnny Derango, and Matthias Bolliger will select two winners, one in the Fiction and Nonfiction categories. The two winners will be announced on September 14, 2018 at the International Broadcasting Conference (IBC) in Amsterdam. The winner from the United States will be awarded $6000 and the winner from Europe € 5000, respectively.
Contestants will be asked to submit proof that their project was shot with the EVA1 camera (e.g., a behind-the-scenes video or photos showing the camera in action on the submitted piece). Video must be uploaded in one of the following file formats: mp4, mov, avi (H264), The submission may previously have been publicly posted on YouTube, Vimeo or Dailymotion. Participants can submit multiple videos, but each entry must be submitted separately.
The free firmware upgrade is now available for download at: http://eww.pass.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/support/content/download/EN/ep2main/soft/upgeva1_e.htm
To participate in the "Share Your Vision Contest, contestants should register at: https://eva1contest.hscampaigns.com
