Panasonic has announced its third firmware upgrade to the EVA1 camera, providing greater cost efficiency and future-proofing for the handheld cinema camera. The free upgrade is now available with a key feature being a new HEVC H.265 codec that can record in 4K 50p/60p video with 4:2:0 10bit video sampling. Compared to the H.264 codec in version two, this allows up to twice the amount of compressed data, while maintaining the same high-quality resolution.
   

In addition, the upgrade sees support for a third-party’s USB-LAN adapter, with Internet Protocol control. This enables EVA1-Live multicam control with the advanced integration of CyanView Cy-RCP remote control panel.

Furthermore, new functions can be assigned to User Button for quick switching of shooting modes & framerates which simplifies system menu change.

Other functionalities added as part of the upgrade include still image capture in playback mode, enabling the EVA1 to capture still JPEG images and store them on to the SD card. Additionally, the camera now allows two auto white balance presets, a focus indicator in the LCD head-up display, and SDR monitoring when shooting in HDR (HLG).

Sivashankar Kuppusamy, Marketing Manager of Broadcast & ProAV solutions at Panasonic, said: “When it comes to the EVA1, we aim to provide more than just a camera, but an ongoing relationship with our customers that facilitates their photography needs now, and in the future. This free download enables less data to be transmitted, and even greater versatility in regards to capturing and editing content.”

The firmware update can be downloaded from the Panasonic website.