Panasonic System Communications Company of North America today began shipping the first of its new True 4K cameras, featuring a 12 megapixel 4K ULTRA HD imaging sensor.
The Panasonic True 4K cameras feature an advanced sensor and custom-built optics which the company said sets the highest standard in the surveillance category delivering True 4K resolution, True 4K optical performance and True 4K wide coverage for unmatched image quality. Models include outdoor vandal dome (WV-SFV781L) and outdoor vandal fixed (WV-SPV781L – available August 1, 2015) units available through authorized distribution.
“Bringing the new 4K cameras to market with the sharpest images is groundbreaking for Panasonic and our value-added resellers,” said Panasonic’s National Category Manager, Security and Mobile Video Solutions Charlie Hare. “With the clearest images possible in a 4K security camera, these devices take the first step to enabling a fully end-to-end True 4K solution from image capture to recording to playback.”
Hare said the custom-designed lens and sensor array produce genuine 4K resolution images with very consistent sharpness across the entire frame.
“Other 4K cameras cannot provide equivalent image quality because they often utilize inferior optics,” he said. “In some cases these competitive 4K cameras only produce about half the stated resolution due to weak lens performance. We designed a purpose-built optical system to ensure that Panasonic 4K cameras produce the highest quality True 4K images.”
Based on Panasonic’s high-performance imaging platform, the True 4K line-up features a highly responsive 12 megapixel 4K ULTRA HD sensor that produces a 12MP image at 15fps and a 4K2K image at 30fps for incredibly high resolution at standard frame rates. The enhanced resolution of True 4K can, in theory, Panasonic said, cover a four times wider view compared to a 1080p full HD camera, and a nine times wider view compared to a 720p HD camera.
In addition, Panasonic said True 4K cameras set a new standard for low-light performance, which is difficult to achieve in higher resolution cameras, delivering high-sensitivity in color at less than 0.3 lux illumination. Further, a built-in Smart IR-LED and true day/night function ensures solid low-light performance in 0 lux environments.
Panasonic’s True 4K line features a new custom, 4K-ready 6X optical zoom lens featuring a generous 17- to 100-degree field of view that meets the demanding resolution requirements of True 4K across the full zoom range. Other features include IK10 vandal-resistant housing for both models as well as Panasonic’s ClearSight coating to ensure better visibility and viewing even in rainy and dusty environmental conditions. In addition, Panasonic’s True 4K cameras meet IP66 standards for outdoor applications.
Finally, like all i-PRO cameras, Panasonic said its True 4K Series’ on-board processor has the ability to encode two H.264 recording streams simultaneously and offers JPEG modes for maximum flexibility and efficient compression. The cameras have an SDXC memory card slot for edge recording.
Panasonic’s True 4K cameras include many advantages that make them an ideal choice for a variety of applications. For example, in a stadium environment where a very wide area of coverage is required, as few as four True 4K cameras can effectively replace a 36-camera HD (720p) system due to their ultra-wide coverage area and high-resolution. Fewer cameras and installation locations mean improved operational efficiency by reducing system installation and maintenance costs, and also by requiring fewer recording channels.
