Last issue we were extolling the virtues of the latest Canon professional cameras (XA10 and XA300/305). This month, it’s Panasonic’s turn to announce a raft a new models ranging from approximately $4500 to $6700. All models are due on the shelves between late September and early November. All now use the common-of-the-garden SDHC memory cards for storage.

The AG-HPX250, is an ultra-portable handheld camera featuring full-HD 1080 resolution and 10-bit 4:2:2 intra-frame recording in a one-piece unit without the need for an add-on recorder. Panasonic claim this is an unprecedented level of image quality in a lightweight camera

The AG-AC160 delivers the longer lensing in a small form factor, high-bandwidth AVCCAM - Panasonic’s implementation of MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 high-profile encoding. The AG-AC160 offers the flexibility of Full HD off-speed recording and an HD-SDI out.

Weighing less than 2.5 kilograms, the AG-HPX250 incorporates high-sensitivity 1/3”, full-HD 2.2 megapixel 3-MOS imagers and a 20-bit Digital Signal Processor to acquire native 1920 x 1080 resolution images. Offering a 28mm to 616m (35mm equivalent) 22X HD lens with 3 independent adjustable rings, the AG-HPX250 is equipped for many shooting situations without the need for a wide-angle conversion lens. The 22X lens also features an Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S.) function to prevent handshake.

The AG-AC160 and the AG-AC130 incorporate high-sensitivity 1/3”, full-HD 2.2 megapixel 3-MOS imagers to capture native 1920 x 1080 resolution images, with a new, wider 22X HD zoom lens. New key features include two SD Memory Card slots for relay or simultaneous recording, compatibility with both SDHC and high-capacity SDXC media, an enhanced viewfinder and LCD display as well as DV recording.

The AG-AC160 includes additional top production features such as variable frame rate recording in 1080p, Linear PCM audio, HD-SDI output, and switchability between 59.94Hz/50Hz.

By Press Release

If you see this as an author, it is because we have received a press release that we decided to publish verbatim as we consider it is of interest. We make no promises as to its accuracy in any way.