JVC said it will ship three inexpensive 4K Ultra HD camcorders in February and March 2015. All three cameras in the new 4KCam product line feature two SDHC/SDXC card slots, with simultaneous and relay recording modes available, a 3.5-inch LCD display, a 1.56 megapixel color viewfinder, and two-channel audio recording.

At the high end (and pictured, top) is the GY-LS300 ($4450 without lens), with a micro four-thirds (MFT) lens mount and a Super 35-format CMOS sensor. Interestingly, the camera uses something called Variable Scan Mapping to maintain a consistent angle of view when using an adapter with PL and EF lens types. "The combination of a Super 35 sensor and MFT mount is a brilliant solution to accommodate the largest variety of lenses and adapters without compromising image quality and lens characteristics," said JVC's general manager of engineering, Edgar Shane, in a prepared statement. "It gives filmmakers flexibility to use high-end cinema lenses or affordable glass to capture 4K/HD footage."

It will record 24p or 30p Ultra HD to .MOV files at 150 Mbps, and the live Ultra HD signal can be monitored via HDMI, or downconverted to HD for output over HDMI or SDI. It can also record 60p 4:2:2 HD at at up to 50Mbps as a .MOV, or to 4:2:0 AVCHD. H.264 proxy files (480×270 and 960×540) can be recorded simultaneously with full HD. Dual XLR audio inputs with phantom power are switchable between mic and line level. The LS300 also has JVC's network and streaming engines, allowing IP remote control and monitoring and bandwidth-dependent live streaming (HD only) over Wi-Fi and 4G LTE.

The GY-HM200 ($2995) is also billed as a "streaming camcorder," making it the least expensive camera JVC makes with a built-in HD streaming engine. The HM200 has a 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS sensor and has a fixed 12x zoom lens (corresponding to a 35mm equivalent of 29.5mm–354mm) with optical image stabilization. It records ultra HD, 4:2:2 50 Mbps HD, and SD, and live Ultra HD output is available via HDMI while HD is available over both SDI and HDMI. Also, that shotgun mic you see in the picture? It's not included.

Finally, the GY-HM170 ($2495) is similar to the HM200 but without the integrated handle, streaming capabilities, IP connectivity, HD-SDI, and XLR audio inputs. It has a built-in stereo mic and 3.5mm audio input.

 Source: JVC

The GY-HM200 and GY-HM170 are due in February; the GY-LS300 is expected in March.