List of Panasonic camcorders
The following is a list of camcorders from Panasonic.
Consumer standard definition models (VHS)
Panasonic NV-M1
Introduced in 1985, this was the first one-piece camcorder using full-size VHS cassettes. The camera uses a 1/2-inch colour Newvicon tube with a consumer-grade lens barrel giving a 6 times zoom with macro, normal focussing down to 4 feet, and a minimum illumination of 10 lux. The microphone and folding viewfinder are physically built-in with no external cables, though headphones and an external microphone can used. The system gives battery and picture quality information to the cameraman using on-screen displays, and a six-digit numeric code can be used to record the date onto the video, though this does not advance automatically. The system can be put into a Standby mode, which shuts down the tape transport and reduces power to the camera and viewfinder tubes, and quickly returned to full operating mode.The recorder section uses a full-size VHS transport fitted with a two-head VHS-C video head drum, and audio is carried on a mono 8 kHz linear track. Common problems are the brake band around the supply spindle coming off its plastic backing, and distortion of the microswitch which detects when the tape door is closed. Audio output is only produced when the system is in Record, Record-Pause, or Play modes; in other conditions, such as when there is no tape present, there is no audio output.
Panasonic NV-M3
Similar to NV-M1, but with ultrasonic autofocus and slightly different case styling.Panasonic NV-M5
Technically similar to NV-M3, but using a CCD instead of a vidicon tube, and in a significantly different case style.Professional standard definition models
Panasonic AG-DP800 "Supercam"
Introduced in 1994, the Supercam is a VHS/S-VHS Betacam-style camcorder, including a bayonet-mounted lens, SMPTE timecode functions, 26-pin VTR/CCU connector, genlock and colour bar generator, and is badged as using Digital Signal Processing. Two independent XLR-input audio channels record in Hi-Fi, and on stereo linear tracks with improved 12 kHz bandwidth. The camera is based on a 1/2-inch 3-CCD optical system, and the viewfinder features a generous 1 1/2-inch CRT. A variety of battery mounts are available, including Anton-Bauer and Sony NP-1. Minimum illumination is 0.1 lux, enabled using the "Super" gain setting.The machine is very convenient to service; many of the PCBs can be hinged down and inspected while operating, and an "Emergency Eject" is provided for by hinging down these boards and manually turning a gear wheel.
Panasonic AG-DVX100 (2002)
Introduced in 2002, AG-DVX100 was Panasonic's first affordable 3CCD digital progressive scan camcorder recording on MiniDV. Equipped with a 10x Leica Dicomar lens, sensor was a 1/3 inch, 470,000 pixel 3CCD. DVX100 boasts better specs and picture quality than its physically larger predecessors like AG-DVC7 or DVC15. Includes 2 native XLR microphone inputs.Two revisions, namely DVX100A and DVX100B, were introduced in 2004 and 2005, respectively.
Panasonic AG-DVC30 (2004)
Introduced in 2004, AG-DVC30 was a 3CCD prosumer model, recording on MiniDV. Essentially a step-down version of the renowned DVX100a, it is physically more compact, but uses a smaller CCD and lacks the true progressive scan mode. Also, XLR microphone input is not included by default; a 2-channel XLR adapter was offered as additional accessory. Features SNS mode and optical image stabilization.Professional high definition models
AG-HVX200, AG-HVX200A (2005, 2006)
The AG-HVX200 is a fixed-lens hybrid camcorder released in December 2005 for 60 Hz market and April 2006 for 50 Hz market. The camcorder allows file-based recording onto P2 cards, as well recording SD footage onto traditional MiniDV cassettes.The imaging section employs a 3CCD system with 1/3 inch sensors, each having about 520,000 photosites. High definition resolution is achieved by both horizontal and vertical spatial offset or pixel shifting, though the effective resolution does not exceed 600 lines either horizontally or vertically.
The camcorder is capable of recording in several standard-definition and high-definition video formats. The image is always scanned progressively at 1920×1080 resolution, then is downsized to target frame size.
Recording formats:
- DVCPRO HD: 720p, 1080i at 100 Mbit/s
- DVCPRO50: 480i for 60 Hz regions, 576i for 50 Hz regions at 50 Mbit/s
- DVCPRO: 480i for 60 Hz regions, 576i for 50 Hz regions at 25 Mbit/s
- DV: 480i for 60 Hz regions, 576i for 50 Hz regions at 25 Mbit/s
The updated model, AG-HVX200A, was released in late May 2008. Among other changes, the HVX200A featured improved CCDs and an adjusted lens. These changes improved image quality in addition to providing a wider angle of view.
The camcorder is popular with independent and professional film and television companies. The BBC used the HVX to shoot all their coverage of the 2006 and 2010 Olympics, the Fox network is using P2 exclusively at all network owned-and-operated stations, Raycom has over 85 HVXs at their 21 television stations; NDTV, the largest private producer of news and entertainment in India uses several dozen HVXs and New York 1 uses the HVX for all its one-person news crews.
AG-HPX170
The AG-HPX170 can be thought of as the AG-HVX200A without a tape deck. The camcorder employs the same imaging section as the AG-HVX200A, and is similar to it in terms of physical appearance, layout of controls and functionality.Compared to the AG-HVX200/200A, the AG-HPX170 is smaller and about 1.6 pound lighter. The lens thread size is reduced from 82mm to 72mm, and field of view is wider. The camera offers more frame rates for overcranking/undercranking. There are more focus assist options, including focus assist bar and focus assist graph. New functionality includes a waveform monitor and vectorscope. Revised neutral density filter offers three settings instead of two for finer control.
The AG-HPX170 also contains an SDI output terminal enabling the serial transfer of uncompressed video and audio data.
AG-HPX500 (2007)
The Panasonic AG-HPX500 is a popular, highly regarded, versatile P2 HD camcorder debuted at the NAB 2007 trade show. It is notable for a number of features records on three " progressive CCD's and utilizes a menu structure similar to the HVX200. The camera records at 1080i/p/50/60/25/30/24fps 720p/25/30/60/24fps as well as standard definition progressive and interlaced in PAL and NTSC. Variable frame rates are available for undercranking and overcranking. Sensitivity is rated at f10 at 2000lux. It is related to the Panasonic Varicam.Panasonic's cine-like gamma curves are included: Cinegama-V for video out and Cinegamma-D for film out.
AG-HSC1 (2008)
Released in 2008, this camcorder was nothing more than the consumer model HDC-SD1 rebadged and restyled for the professional market. Although it acquired a professional price tag, the blow was softened by the inclusion of a 40 GB portable disc drive.AG-HMC150 (2008)
The AG-HMC150 is an AVCCAM camcorder released in 2008. The camcorder employs the same imaging section as the AG-HVX200A and the AG-HPX170, and is very similar to these models in terms of physical appearance and functionality. The major difference is recording media and encoding format.Video is recorded to an SDHC memory card in 720p, 1080i and 1080p formats with data rate up to 24 Mbit/s. A supplied 8 GB SDHC card holds about 45 minutes of video recorded at highest quality setting. The camcorder can record up to 12 hours continuously, provided that a memory card has sufficient storage space.
The camcorder has different model numbers for different markets:
- AG-HMC150/AG-HMC150P is the North American version, which supports only 60 Hz scanning.
- AG-HMC151/AG-HMC151E is the European version which is switchable between 50 Hz and 60 Hz scanning rates, thus providing "world" capability out of the box.
- AG-HMC152/AG-HMC152EN is the Australian version of the camera that supports only 50 Hz scanning.
- AG-HMC153/AG-HMC153MC supports only 50 Hz scanning.
- AG-HMC154/AG-HMC154ER supports only 50 Hz scanning.
- AG-HMC155 is the Asian version, which supports only 60 Hz scanning.
AG-HMC40 (2009)
The camcorder shares some components with the HDC-HS300/HDC-TM300/HDC-SD300 consumer series, in particular the 1/4.1-inch 3MOS imaging system, the 12× Leica Dicomar lens and the 2.7-inch touch-sensitive LCD screen. Video is recorded onto a Secure Digital card in 720p, 1080i and 1080p formats with data rate up to 24 Mbit/s.
The AG-HMC40 includes an automatic built-in neutral density filter. When the iris closes down from fully open position – either manually or automatically – it closes to 2.8, then the ND filter activates to absorb light while keeping iris at 2.8. After filter is fully engaged, the iris continues to close. Unlike Canon camcorders, which report constant aperture value when the ND filter is being engaged, the HMC40 reports virtual aperture values. That is, F2.8 means "2.8, no ND filter", F3.0 means "2.8, 1/6-stop ND", F3.2 means "2.8, 1/3-stop ND", etc. With the ND filter fully engaged the camera displays F6.4, which in reality means "2.8, 2 and 1/2-stop ND". The operation of the automatic ND filter is fully transparent for a user, does not require use of an external ND filter, and allows achieving shallow depth of field.
Variants:
- AG-HMC40/AG-HMC40P/AG-HMC40U is a North American version, which supports only 60 Hz scanning.
- AG-HMC41/AG-HMC41E is a European version, which supports only 50 Hz scanning.
- AG-HMC45 is an Asian version, which supports only 60 Hz scanning.