Panasonic 4K box cameras target corporate and education

Panasonic is at IBC2024 with two new 4K multi-purpose cameras, the AW-UB50 and the AW-UB10, amongst other broadcast bits and pieces.

The AW-UB50 and AW-UB10 box-style cameras are both based on LUMIX digital interchangeable lens camera technology and equipped with a host of new functions designed to streamline video production workflows. 

Available in Q1 of 2025, the UB50 features a full-frame MOS sensor and the UB10 features a MFT (Micro 4/3) sensor. Both support all common IP protocols, such as the Panasonic AW control protocol and RTP, RTSP, RTMPS, SRT1 transmission protocols,  with NDI HX2 due to be supported in the future.

The UB50 has been optimised for cinematic video production, featuring a shallower depth of field than the UB10. Both the UB50 and UB10 use real-time recognition autofocus technology, enabling the cameras to automatically identify the subject and keep them in focus.

Both cameras also feature Dual Native ISO, with the UB50 supporting V-Log, and the UB10 supporting V-LogL capabilities, in order to provide video production teams with the required flexibility to model and build a camera ecosystem that’s optimised to the requirements of individual productions.

They also feature a compact chassis, with a sub-10cm height, width and depth, enabling installation in the tightest of spaces. They can also be used for hand-held shooting with a gimbal.

Both offer 3G-SDI OUT, HDMI Type A, LAN terminal, TC IN/OUT, GENLOCK IN, and USB Type-C input/output interfaces. The LAN terminal is Power of Ethernet (PoE+) compatible, with video transmission, control, and power delivered via a single cable – further reducing complexity and clutter.

When linked with remote camera systems on the same network, the UB50 and UB10 are fully compatible with Panasonic’s AK-HRP1010 remote operation panel, with future support planned with the AW-RP150GJ remote camera controller and Panasonic live switchers. The cameras can also be used for tally control. And by installing a colour profile compatible with the Panasonic AW-UE160 4K integrated camera, it is easy to match colours in mixed operation with remote cameras.

Other news

Panasonic also unveiled a new UCX100 studio camera. This supports 3G and 12G SDI outputs from the camera head and direct connection of the Remote Operation Panel, with sync and tally, so it can be operated as a standalone. The camera head can also operate in non-CCU mode by direct connection to a 25 Gbps network utilising a ST 2110 media transport network. By adding bidirectional SFP+ modules, this provides full redundancy of ST 2022-7.

Meanwhile, the new Camera Fiber Adaptor (CFA100) can insert camera power into a standard ST 311 hybrid fibre cable for standalone camera operation. Alternatively, the camera can be powered by a CCU or a local 12 V XLR power supply. Users can take advantage of either power supply mode and connection method like dark fiber or ST 2110 connection. When used in combination with the CFA100, it can supply power for approximately 2km (extending to a maximum of 10km with a fibre optic cable).

And finally, it will extend NDI support to its 4K integrated PTZ Cameras (AW-UE40W/K, AW-UE50W/K, AW-HE145 and AW-UE 150W/K) as well as the Memory Card Camera Recorder AG-CX350. The upgrades, which previously required a paid licence from Vizrt, will be made available via a free firmware update between December 2024 and April 2025, after which the models will ship with NDI pre-activated.