Affordable High Definition:

Why we chose the Panasonic AJ-HDC 27 VariCam:

We feel the VariCam is the most versatile, revolutionary HD camera in production today. This camera produces a richness and depth of color we’ve never seen in a video camera before. The VariCam has a remarkable ability to display subtle secondary colors and differentiate between pastels which are not the same. The VariCam has CineGamma software. This feature allows VariCam camera systems to more closely match the latitude of film stocks.

In testing this camera we captured a dynamic range of just over ten stops. In the 24p mode, we rate the VariCam at 320ASA. Because the camera is light weight and extreme light-sensitivity, we can travel lighter and spend less time lighting. The VariCam has twelve different, distinct camera set-up memories. This allows the DP to manipulate the image in the field to match shots or the look of a film stock. The need for color correction in post is dramatically decreased.

One of the greatest features of the VariCam is that it replicates many features of a film camera, including 24-frame progressive scan images, time lapse recording, and a wider range of variable frame rates (4-fps to 60fps in single frame increments) for “over cranked” and “under cranked” in-camera effects.

Over all, the versatility of this camera with a cinema quality 720p HD image lends the camera to high-end documentary projects, commercials, music videos and feature-filmmaking. This camera also works very well on Steadicam.

In October 2002 the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences presented Panasonic with a Technical Emmy Award for its development of the VariCam.