What came as sort of a surprise and some mitigated anger to current  recent owners of the camera, JVC announced that the JVC GY-LS300 4k, HD and SD capable camcorder will now be offered at $1,000 USD cheaper from a MSRP of $3,995 to $2,995. Furthermore it has a few new features added in a free firmware upgrade to current and new owners of the camera in April.

The update brings full HD 120fps capability to an already robust camera along with “JVC Log Gamma” recording mode.  The camera offers a Micro 4/3 mount for easy use of different lens mounts including Canon and Nikkor lenses which is a big strength of this setup.  Hundreds of adapted lenses can be used from almost any manufacturer.  The JVC Log mode is supposed to increase dynamic range by 800%. We find that claim a  little on the superlative side and probably will bring 2-3 real stops improvement in DR.

The rebate of $1,000 off will expire March 31st 2016 and is only offered through authorized JVC resellers like Amazon.com Here– Link and or Adorama Here-Link!

 The firmware update will be available in April this year. The full press release from JVC below:

JVC Press Release:

JVC ANNOUNCES GY-LS300 4KCAM CAMCORDER REBATE, SLO-MO UPGRADE

WAYNE, NJ (Feb. 17, 2016) – JVC Professional Video, a division of JVCKENWOOD USA Corporation, today announced a $1,000 instant rebate and new slow motion recording upgrade for the GY-LS300 4KCAM handheld Super 35 camcorder. Available via a free firmware upgrade in April, the slow motion mode records HD footage at up to 120 frames per second.

Designed for cinematographers, documentarians, and broadcast production departments, the GY-LS300 features JVC’s 4K Super 35 CMOS sensor and an industry standard Micro Four Thirds (MFT) lens mount. With its unique Variable Scan Mapping technology, the GY-LS300 adjusts the sensor to provide native support of MFT, PL, EF, and other lenses, which connect to the camera via third-party adapters.

The technology also drives the Prime Zoom feature, which allows shooters using fixed-focal (prime) lenses to zoom in and out without losing resolution or depth of field. Other features include the “JVC Log” gamma setting, which expands dynamic range by 800 percent with film-like latitude, and a built-in HD streaming engine with Wi-Fi and 4G LTE connectivity for live transmission to hardware decoders or content delivery networks (CDNs). The camera records 4K, HD, and SD footage in a variety of formats to dual SDHC/SDXC card slots.

The $1,000 instant rebate is valid only on new GY-LS300 camcorders purchased from an authorized JVC Professional Video Products dealer through March 31, 2016. The GY-LS300 is also eligible for a three-year extended parts and labor warranty. For more details, visit pro.jvc.com.”

JVC GY-LS300 CAMERA TEST by Marc Valdés:

HEIST – JVC GY-LS300 DEMO VIDEO BY DELIMEX:

JVC GY-LS300 SLOW MOTION by DELIMEX.BE by DELIMEXvideo:

Thanks to reader Werner for the link to the video sample above!