4K Panasonic VariCam 35 vs 3.2K Arri Alexa

4K Panasonic VariCam 35

3.2K Arriflex Alexa

Over the last few years, as 4K (and higher) resolution digital cinema cameras from other manufacturers have flooded the marketplace, Arri has steadfastly (some might say stubbornly) resisted giving its cameras the ability to record at resolutions higher than 2K.

In answer to a question at IBC 2012 on when there would be a 4K version of Alexa, for example, camera system product manager Marc Shipman-Mueller said  "...there is just not an urgent need for it...".

Suddenly however, the need must have suddenly become more "urgent" - because Arri has, in quick succession, announced UHD ProRes for Amira (August 2014) and 3.2K ProRes for Alexa (February 2015).

Perhaps coincidentally, the Amira upgrade was announced a few weeks before the new Panasonic VariCam 35 started shipping.  This is a camera that Panasonic seems to have aimed squarely at Arri.  With its 14+ stops of advertised dynamic range and true 4K 120fps ProRes recording, DPs are getting results like these:


 


 





For more examples of the stunning image quality this camera can produce - especially at its "dual native" ISOs of 800 and 5000, please join the new Panasonic VariCam 35 community I moderate over on Vimeo.

And if you're in the market for a high end 4K, 14+ stop cinema camera that can record 2K and 4K simultaneously, features slow motion at up to 120fps and a native ISO of 5000, you can buy or finance the VariCam 35 at Omega Broadcast for $55K.

As always, even if you're not in the market for a VariCam or an Alexa, please shop using the links above or the displays below and in the margins. It won't cost you anything extra, and it will help to keep these posts coming.

And for the latest deals, news, tips and techniques, please follow HCR on Blogger, Twitter and YouTube  - and circle us on Google+.

Panasonic releases firmware update v1.1 for the GH4

Updated!

A little mysteriously, Panasonic's description of the update (download it here) is limited to: "Improved [sic] the reliability of video recording performance."

Perhaps this is to reduce the incidence of crashes? My GH3 would crash sometimes (not often), but it was a PITA. I haven't shot with the GH4 enough to crash it, but, in his review, Dave Dugdale does mention a few crashes he had with his test camera. Hopefully, upgrading to firmware v1.1 means that my new GH4 will never crash :)

In LA? Arri Amira Available for Preview!

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Arri is previewing a prototype Amira at their offices in Burbank this week.  I'd call ahead to check on the camera's availability first, though (818-841-7070).

If you do stop by, please post a comment to the blog to tell us what you thought!

P.S. - sadly, it looks like the camera will be $40K rather than $30K when it is introduced in April - which will push it closer to $2000 a week for rental.  But, as I said in the earlier post, it will save you at least that much in time and money in post-production.