Major upgrade for JVC's flagship 4K camera, the GY-LS300

JVC LS300

We're intrigued by the JVC GY-LS300. We're still waiting to get one. Meanwhile, its big V2.0 firmware upgrade has finally hit the servers.

We haven't seen much of the JVC GY-LS300 yet. It's a promising-looking 4K super 35mm camera using JVC's internally developed sensor. It does seem to be in short supply for reviews but we'll keep trying to get one!

We have at least handled it at trade shows and we like the form factor and the performance at least promised by the specifications.

And that performance has just been significantly enhanced by an upgrade. Version 2.0 of the camera's firmware almost makes it look like a new camera.

First, there's "JVC Log", which expands the dynamic range by "800 percent", or around three stops, if our feeble arithmetic is correct. This is a big deal and should make the camera a genuine contender for serious filmmaking.

Also new to this software release are a Cinema 4K mode (4096 x 2180) and Cinema 2K mode (2048 x 1080). There's also a "spot meter" to monitor the dynamic range of selected areas of the image, a "black paint" setting to adjust the master black temperature, and a colour matrix adjustment.

Prime Zoom allows digital zooming with the camera's zoom rocker with, if we've understood this correctly, now deterioration in the image. This works by changing the active area of the Super 35 sensor, part of the Variable Scan Mapping Technology built into the camera.

The camera comes with a 150 Mbit/s mode for 4K recording, but this is now joined by a 70 Mbit/s 4K recording mode that allows recording onto Class 10 SDHC/SDXC cards. This is a much more economical way to shoot where the very highest quality isn't needed.

More details on this intriguing camera as soon as we can get hold of one.