JVC unveils $18,000 4K interchangeable lens camcorder with Nikon F-mount

Lovers of 4K and Nikon glass, rejoice: JVC has just launched a 4K large-sensor camcorder that will use Nikon F-mount lenses. The JY-HMQ30 camera will operate in manual focus mode only -- even with AF glass -- though f-stop settings will be controllable in-camera for modern lenses with no aperture ring. As with the company's fixed lens GY-HMQ10, the interchangeable model will record AVC/H.264 4K video at up to 60 fps onto four separate SDHC cards, each capturing an HD-sized quadrant with a total maximum data rate of 144Mbps -- and also capture 1080/60p video at 28Mbps onto a single card. Other features include a JVC 4K clip manager that'll convert files to Apple's ProRes422 codec, live 4K, 60 fps output to a monitor or portable recorder, 4K time-lapse recording, a focus assist function and stereo XLR microphone inputs. Though the company's taking orders for the 1.7 million yen ($18,000) camera starting today in Japan, there's no word yet on availability or pricing stateside -- but you can probably start polishing up those Nikon lenses soon.