This video is me taking a proper look at the Panasonic EVA1 in 2026, because it’s one of those cinema cameras that used to cost around $7,500, and now you can find it used for a fraction of that—sometimes as low as $1,000. The EVA1 is nearly a decade old, but I still think it’s absolutely worth considering today, mainly because of the value you get when you look at the whole package, not just specs on paper. I go through image quality first: the EVA1 has a 5.7K Super 35 sensor that downsamples to 4K, which gives you a rich, detailed image without looking overly sharp or clinical. The OLPF helps the footage feel more organic and less “digital,” and you get 14 stops of dynamic range plus dual native ISO (800/2500). I mostly shot 4K 4:2:2 10-bit LongGOP, which keeps file sizes small and lets you use cheap SD cards, and you can also go external for BRAW and 5.7K if you want. But the real reason I like the EVA1 is how practical it is: great ergonomics, internal NDs, light weight, lots of buttons for solo operating, small batteries that last, and two XLR inputs (with smart channel routing for safety). It’s not perfect—the monitor is bad, it feels plasticky, and the menu is convoluted—but as a “budget Sony FX”-style workhorse for features, docs, or commercial work, it still holds up shockingly well.