Panasonic Releases Firmware Upgrade For AG-DVX200PJ 4K Camcorder

Panasonic has released a firmware upgrade for its AG-DVX200PJ 4K large-sensor, 4/3” handheld camcorder. The upgrade, free to DVX200PJ customers, is labeled Ver. 1.25 and can be downloaded now.

The Ver. 1.25 upgrade encompasses several feature improvements and additions:

• A fast scan mode has been added to the menu options for 4K24p, UHD29.97p, UHD23.98p and UHD25p recording modes to minimize potential skewing.
• Color reproduction at higher brightness levels is improved to accommodate ranges of skin tones
• Potential black dot noise in 4K/UHD has been reduced
• Playback image aspect ratio has been corrected so that an image is properly displayed in 16:9 when a 480i/576i SQUEEZE video is played
• ISO gain value display in high-sensitivity mode has been improved (menu bug fix)

The DVX200PJ is the first in a new generation of large sensor, multi-format professional camcorders capable of capturing 4K/UHD, HD and SD, including cinematic DCI 4K 4096×2160. The camcorder is optimized for 4K/HD production, with stunning bokeh effects and a V-Log L curve (measured at 12 stops) emulating the natural grey-scale rendition of the VariCam 35. The DVX200PJ incorporates a newly-developed 4/3” large-format MOS sensor with high sensitivity of F11, and offers variable frame rate recording from 2fps to 120fps in 1080p mode, enhancing the camcorder’s utility in sports and VFX production. The handheld 4K camcorder offers an array of professional features including a newly-designed Leica Dicomar 4K F2.8~F4.5 zoom lens (4K/24p: 29.5 mm ~ 384.9 mm, HD: 28 mm ~ 365.3mm, 35 mm equivalent) with shallow depth-of-field, time-code in/out, 3G HD-SDI and HDMI 2.0 (4K) video outs (4:2:2 10-bit video), dual XLR audio inputs and 10 programmable user buttons.

Panasonic’s Varicam 35 4K Camera Imager Honored by Hollywood Post Alliance
Panasonic was honored with the Hollywood Post Alliance (HPA)’s 2015 Engineering Excellence Award for the company’s development of the 4K camera imager in its VariCam 35 4K camera/recorder.

In the photo, Panasonic’s Senior Technologist Steve Mahrer (right) accepts the Engineering Excellence Award from HPA presenters Barbara Lange and Joachim Zell (left, center) during the tenth annual HPA Awards gala at the Skirball Center in Los Angeles, CA.  Panasonic’s Takahiro Mitsui, Team Leader, Engineering, VariCam Group, also acknowledged the honor via a video greeting.

The Engineering Excellence Award spotlights companies and individuals who draw upon technical and creative ingenuity and apply it to real world post production demands while raising the profile of breakthrough technologies.