Panasonic AK-UC4000 High End System Camera Setting a New Standard in 4K/HD HDR Acquisition
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Panasonic AK-UC4000 High End System Camera Setting a New Standard i...
Product Overview
The Panasonic AK-UC4000 is a 4K/HD HDR system camera built for broadcast studios, live event production, and multi-camera control rooms that need a 2/3-inch B4 lens mount and long-distance fiber transmission. Operable in both native 4K and high-sensitivity HD modes, this studio camera head pairs with a Panasonic camera control unit for uncompressed transport and centralized control. It is a broadcast-grade 4K studio camera for facilities standardizing on a system-camera workflow with remote operation panels.
Product Description
The AK-UC4000 uses an 11.14-megapixel MOS sensor and delivers 2,000 TV lines of horizontal resolution in 4K and 1,000 TV lines in HD, with a signal-to-noise ratio of 62 dB or above. Production features include focus assist, flash band compensation, skew reduction from high-speed sensor scan, shockless gain from -6 dB to 36 dB, user gamma, black gamma, multi-step DNR, and easy matrix adjustment. When paired with the AK-UCU600 camera control unit, the head supports 4K production and uncompressed long-distance transmission of roughly 2,000 meters when powered from the CCU. The system integrates with the AK-HRP1000 and AK-HRP1005 remote operation panels for color-LCD control, and with the AK-HVF100 230 mm LCD viewfinder. For facilities building out a fleet, the AK-UC4000 sits alongside the AK-UC3300 and the IP-focused AK-UCX100, while the large-sensor AK-PLV100GSJ adds cinematic depth of field, and the AK-HCU250 control unit supports compatible system configurations.
Key Features
- 4K and HD Operation — A single head covers native 4K production and high-sensitivity, low-noise HD acquisition.
- 11.14-Megapixel MOS Sensor — Delivers 2,000 TV lines in 4K and 1,000 TV lines in HD with 62 dB or higher S/N.
- 2/3-Inch B4 Bayonet Mount — Accepts the broadcast lens ecosystem facilities already own.
- Long-Distance Fiber Transmission — Approximately 2,000 meters of uncompressed transport when powered from the AK-UCU600 CCU.
- Broadcast Image Tools — Flash band compensation, skew reduction, DRS, CineGamma, user gamma, and multi-step DNR.
- Shockless Gain Range — -6 dB to 36 dB for smooth exposure changes during live events.
- Remote Operation Panel Support — Works with AK-HRP1000 and AK-HRP1005 color-LCD panels for control-room operation.
Typical Applications
- Broadcast studio and control rooms
- Auditorium and house of worship live production
- All-hands rooms and large commercial meeting spaces
- Multi-purpose rooms with system-camera workflows
Technical Specifications
| Pickup Device | 11.14-megapixel MOS x 1 |
|---|---|
| Lens Mount | 2/3-type bayonet |
| Optical Filter (CC) | 3200 K, 4300 K, 6300 K, Cross, Diffusion |
| Optical Filter (ND) | CAP, Clear, 1/4, 1/16, 1/64 |
| Sensitivity | [High Sens] F10 (59.94 Hz) / F11 (50 Hz); [Normal] F6 (59.94 Hz) / F7 (50 Hz), 2000 lx |
| Horizontal Resolution | 4K: 2,000 TV lines or above (center, with AK-UCU600); HD: 1,000 TV lines or above |
| S/N Ratio | 62 dB or above |
| Gain | -6 dB to 36 dB (3 dB steps) |
| Video Outputs | HD-SDI1, HD-SDI2 (BNC, 3G/1.5G-SDI), AUX (BNC) |
| Long-Distance Transmission | Approx. 2,000 m with AK-UCU600 CCU (power supplied from CCU) |
| Power Supply | DC 12 V (external) or via AK-UCU600 CCU (AC 240 V) |
| Power Consumption | 119 W (camera only, external 12 V); 360 W (with AK-UCU600) |
| Operating Temperature | -10 °C to 45 °C (14 °F to 113 °F) |
| Weight | Approx. 4.5 kg (9.90 lb), body only |
| Dimensions | W 151 mm x H 267 mm x D 371.5 mm (excluding protrusions) |
Specifications sourced from Panasonic / vendor data. Supported recording/transmission frame rates and full IP capabilities are listed where confirmed; verify HDR format support and any firmware-dependent features against the current Panasonic AK-UC4000 spec sheet.
Competitor Comparison
| Criteria | Panasonic AK-UC4000 | Sony HDC-3500 | Grass Valley LDX 100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor | Single 11.14 MP 2/3-inch MOS for 4K and HD | Three 2/3-inch 4K CMOS (3-chip prism design) | Single large CMOS imager with native 4K modes |
| Lens Mount | 2/3-inch B4 bayonet, reuses existing broadcast glass | 2/3-inch B4 bayonet, same broadcast lens base | 2/3-inch B4 bayonet, same broadcast lens base |
| Transmission | Approx. 2,000 m uncompressed fiber via AK-UCU600 | Long-haul fiber via HDCU control units | Long-haul fiber via XCU base stations |
| Sensitivity | F10 (59.94 Hz) in high-sensitivity mode | Around F10, comparable broadcast sensitivity | High sensitivity with native-4K imager design |
| High Frame Rate | HD high-speed modes via sensor scan | Up to 8x HD high frame rate options | Up to 6x/ higher with software licensing |
| Ecosystem Fit | Integrates with Panasonic CCU and HRP panels you may already own | Sony HDCU/RCP ecosystem | Grass Valley XCU/OCP ecosystem |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the AK-UC4000 require a camera control unit? 4K production and uncompressed long-distance transmission are enabled when the head is paired with a Panasonic CCU such as the AK-UCU600. The camera can also run on external 12 V DC for standalone configurations.
What lenses does it accept? The camera uses a 2/3-type B4 bayonet mount, so standard broadcast 2/3-inch lenses are compatible.
How far can the camera be from the control room? With power supplied from the AK-UCU600, fiber transmission of approximately 2,000 meters is supported.
Which control panels integrate with it? The AK-HRP1000 and AK-HRP1005 remote operation panels provide color-LCD control over the system.
What warranty applies? Coverage follows Panasonic's standard professional broadcast warranty; confirm current terms and extended-warranty availability at the time of purchase.
AK-UC4000 Model Codes and Connector Variants
Panasonic sells the AK-UC4000 under three model codes that differ by the camera-to-CCU connector. Getting this right at order time matters, because the connector must match the camera cable and CCU already installed in the facility. This listing is the AK-UC4000BGS, a LEMO connector model.
| Model Code | Connector Type |
|---|---|
| AK-UC4000BGS (this product) | LEMO connector model |
| AK-UC4000GSJ | LEMO connector model |
| AK-UC4000GJ | Tajimi connector model |
If you are unsure which connector standard your control room uses, check the camera cable termination at the existing CCU or wall panel before ordering, or ask Creation Networks to confirm against your system drawings.
Fibre Transmission Distance
Transmission reach depends on how the camera head is powered. Drawing power from the CCU over the composite camera cable is the simpler installation, but powering the head locally and running single-mode fibre extends the reach dramatically — which is what makes the AK-UC4000 viable for stadium, campus and remote-venue builds.
| Configuration | Maximum Distance, Camera to CCU |
|---|---|
| Powered from the CCU | Approx. 2,000 m of uncompressed video transmission |
| Camera powered locally, single-mode fibre | Approx. 10,000 m |
4K, HDR and HD High-Speed Modes
| Capability | Detail |
|---|---|
| HDR | High Dynamic Range acquisition including HLG |
| Wide colour gamut | ITU-R BT.2020 colour space |
| Sensor | Newly developed 4.4K sensor, 11.14 million pixels, MOS x 1, oversampled to 2,000 TV lines |
| HD high-speed output | 2x, 3x or 4x output at 1080p, 1080i or 720p, simultaneous with standard output |
| Maximum HD high-speed rates | 1080/59.94p at 240 fps; 720/59.94p at 240 fps |
The simultaneous standard-plus-high-speed output is the detail that matters for live sport: the programme feed keeps running at normal rate while the high-speed stream is available for replay, so a single AK-UC4000 covers both roles without a dedicated slow-motion camera.
Panasonic System Camera Comparison: AK-UC4000 vs AK-UC3300 vs AK-UCX100
All three Panasonic system cameras resolve 2,000 TV lines from an 11.14-megapixel class 4K sensor, so the decision is driven by transport architecture and IP capability rather than raw image resolution.
| Criteria | AK-UC4000 | AK-UC3300 | AK-UCX100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 11.14 MP MOS, 4.4K sensor, 2,000 TV lines | 11.14 MP 4K sensor, 2,000 TV lines | 2,000 TV lines horizontal and vertical |
| Lens mount | 2/3-type B4 bayonet | B4 mount | Refer to current Panasonic specification |
| Sensitivity | F10 (59.94 Hz) / F11 (50 Hz) high sensitivity | F10 (59.94 Hz) / F11 (50 Hz) high sensitivity | Refer to current Panasonic specification |
| S/N ratio | 62 dB or above | 62 dB or higher | Refer to current Panasonic specification |
| Compatible CCUs | AK-UCU600 series (legacy), AK-UCU700 series basic, AK-UCU710 series premium | AK-UCU600, AK-UCU700 and AK-UCU710 series | AK-UCU700 and AK-UCU710 series |
| Native IP standards | IP via the CCU; ST 2110 and Dante come from the AK-UCU710 premium CCU | IP via the CCU; ST 2110 and Dante from the AK-UCU710 | NDI High Bandwidth, SMPTE ST 2110 with network redundancy and JPEG XS, SRT, plus 12G-SDI x2 |
| Best fit | Facilities standardising on fibre-connected system cameras with long cable runs and HD high-speed replay | Fibre-connected 4K studio work where the AK-UC4000 high-speed modes are not needed | IP-first and hybrid facilities moving to ST 2110 or NDI without a traditional CCU-only path |
The AK-UCX100 is also noted by Panasonic as introducing an auto-focus function built into the camera head, delivered by firmware update — a genuine first for this class of system camera and worth weighing if operators are working without a dedicated focus puller.
Required System Components
The AK-UC4000 is a system camera head, not a standalone camcorder. A working multi-camera channel needs the following alongside it.
| Component | Options | Why It Is Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Camera control unit (CCU) | AK-UCU600 series (PJ, EJ, PSJ, ESJ), AK-UCU700 series basic model, AK-UCU710 series premium model with ST 2110 and Dante interfaces installed | Enables 4K production and uncompressed long-distance fibre transmission, and can supply power to the camera head |
| Remote operation panel (ROP) | AK-HRP1000GJ, AK-HRP1005GJ, AK-HRP1010GJ, AK-HRP1015GJ, AK-HRP250GJ | Colour-LCD shading and paint control from the control room; current panels support PoE and IP control |
| Viewfinder | AK-HVF100GJ (22.9 cm LCD), AK-HVF75GJ (17.8 cm LCD), AK-HVF70G, AJ-CVF50G, AJ-CVF25GJ, AG-CVF15G, AJ-HVF21KG | Operator monitoring at the camera; size choice depends on studio pedestal versus handheld or robotic use |
| 2/3-inch B4 lens | Any standard broadcast 2/3-inch B4 bayonet lens | Not supplied with the camera head; existing broadcast glass can be reused |
| Camera cable | Composite fibre camera cable terminated to match the LEMO connector on this BGS model | Carries video, power, intercom and control between head and CCU |
What Is Supplied and What You Order Separately
The AK-UC4000BGS is supplied as a camera head, or body — the specification weight of approximately 4.5 kg (9.90 lb) is quoted body-only. The following are ordered separately as part of the system build:
- CCU — AK-UCU600, AK-UCU700 or AK-UCU710 series.
- Remote operation panel — one of the AK-HRP panels listed above.
- Viewfinder — for example the AK-HVF75 studio camera viewfinder, which is listed for AK-UC4000 compatibility.
- 2/3-inch B4 lens — not included with the head.
- Composite fibre camera cable — terminated for the LEMO connector standard on this model.
- Pedestal, head or robotic mount, plus tally, intercom and prompter integration as the installation requires.
Documentation and Resources
- Panasonic AK-UC4000 official product page (GSJ, BGS, GJ variants)
- Panasonic AK-UC4000 brochure and specification catalogue (PDF)
- Panasonic Connect: AK-UC4000 4K HDR and HD slow motion camera system
- Panasonic AK-UC3300 product page, for cross-model comparison
- Panasonic AK-UCX100 product page, for IP-first comparison
AK-UC4000 Configuration and Compatibility FAQs
What does the BGS suffix mean on the AK-UC4000BGS? BGS designates a LEMO connector model. Panasonic lists AK-UC4000GSJ and AK-UC4000BGS as LEMO connector models, and AK-UC4000GJ as the Tajimi connector model. The imaging specification is the same across the variants; the difference is the camera-to-CCU connector standard.
Which CCU should I pair with the AK-UC4000? Three families are compatible. The AK-UCU600 series is the legacy compact CCU and is the unit the roughly 2,000 m transmission and 4K resolution figures are quoted against. The AK-UCU700 series is the current basic model with optional interfaces, and the AK-UCU710 series is the premium model that ships with SMPTE ST 2110 and Dante interfaces already installed. Choose the AK-UCU710 if the facility is moving to IP video and networked audio.
How far can the camera be from the CCU? Approximately 2,000 m of uncompressed video transmission when the head takes power from the CCU. If the camera is powered locally and single-mode fibre is used, the distance extends to approximately 10,000 m.
Does the AK-UC4000 support ST 2110 or Dante? Not at the camera head. IP transport comes from the CCU, and the AK-UCU710 premium series is the model that arrives with ST 2110 and Dante interfaces installed. If native camera-head IP including NDI High Bandwidth, SRT and JPEG XS over ST 2110 is the requirement, the AK-UCX100 is the model designed for that.
What HDR formats does it handle? The camera supports High Dynamic Range acquisition including HLG, and works in the ITU-R BT.2020 wide colour space.
Can it shoot slow motion for replay? Yes, in HD high-speed mode. It produces 2x, 3x or 4x output at 1080p, 1080i or 720p simultaneously with the standard output, reaching 1080/59.94p at 240 fps and 720/59.94p at 240 fps. Because the standard feed continues alongside the high-speed feed, one camera can serve both programme and replay duties.
Is a lens or viewfinder included? No. The AK-UC4000 is supplied as a camera head with a 2/3-type B4 bayonet mount, and the quoted approximate 4.5 kg weight is body only. Lens, viewfinder, CCU, remote operation panel and camera cable are all ordered separately.
AK-UC4000 or AK-UC3300 — what is the practical difference? Both use an 11.14-megapixel class 4K sensor resolving 2,000 TV lines at F10 (59.94 Hz) sensitivity and 62 dB or better S/N, and both work with the AK-UCU600, AK-UCU700 and AK-UCU710 CCUs. The AK-UC4000 is the higher-tier head, and its HD high-speed modes with simultaneous standard output are the main reason to specify it over the AK-UC3300 for live sport and replay-heavy productions.
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