Panasonic AG-HPX500

[bjingbar]

Any further news on this new camera

[Christopher Barry]

Panasonic USA Pressroom (http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prModelDetail?storeId=11301&catalogId=13251&itemId=109541&modelNo=Content02152007014005489&surfModel=Content02152007014005489)

[eclaire]

Any more news on this camera? When can we expect to see some grabs or footage? I'm especially interested in the dynamic range of the cam. Any specs on those available?

[Jason Ramsey]

I believe Barry got to get his hands on one in AK this past week. Maybe he will have some comments on it soon.

jason

[eclaire]

Thanks, Jason.

Ashamed to ask, but what is "AK"? Arkansas?

And do you know any details of his time with the camera? Is this a working production model? Did he go there especially to test it?

Thanks for any additional info you (or anyone else) might have.

[Jason Ramsey]

Alaska. He was doing some filming at the Iditarod.

[eclaire]

Great! I hope he has some footage he can share with us.

Thanks for the info.

[Barry_Green]

Unfortunately I'm not allowed to talk about it yet. Basically I was up there to train the Iditarod production crew on the HVX200 and the workflow. Jan surprised us by bringing along an HPX500, and let me shoot with it a couple of days. I asked if I could come on here and make a report, and was told "nope, not until further notice."

You can see a bit of footage from it in the Panasonic.com/iditarod videos, but ... well, I mean, they're web videos so it's not quite like seeing raw footage!

[eclaire]

Thanks for the update, Barry.

Can you at least confirm that the camera you used is the final production camera? Is it still on target to ship in May?

[Barry_Green]

I'd recommend you ask Jan that question; I don't know what I can or can't confirm so I'd defer to Jan who is the "final answer".

[PowerMac84]

Is said to be 15,500 Euros incl. 4x16 GB P2-Cards in Germany…

[Red Malone]

The price I saw on line is $14,000 U.S. currency. I'm assuming that the price is without a lens. Can anyone confirm if the $14,000 MSRP is with or without a lens?

BTW, I got the price from Indiefilmer.com in case anyone wants to know where I got it from.

[Barry_Green]

All pricing info will be released at NAB. You can certainly assume that's without a lens; it's half the price of their other new 2/3" P2 camera, the $27,000 HPX2000 (which is also sold without a lens.)

[Spec-Comm]

The price I saw on line is $14,000 U.S. currency. I'm assuming that the price is without a lens. Can anyone confirm if the $14,000 MSRP is with or without a lens?

BTW, I got the price from Indiefilmer.com in case anyone wants to know where I got it from.

The $14,000 list price is without a lens. Panasonic has multiple lens configurations and P2 cards put together as packages. We are working on getting pricing together on these packages so that we can start taking orders on this beast. It's a great camera!

Best regards,

Andrew Hoffman

[jonnyh1968]

So why is it half the price of the HPX2000? What is it missing? And where is a good place to shop for lenses?

[Jan_Crittenden]

So why is it half the price of the HPX2000? What is it missing? And where is a good place to shop for lenses?


The HPX500 has 620,000 pixel CCDs vs. 1.1 million pixel CCDs. The HPX2000 has an optional card that will allow it to go to the AVC-Intra codec this fall, the HPX500 cannot. The HPX2000 has 5 P2 Slots the HPX500 has 4. But the HPX500 can do variable frame rate recording and the HPX2000 cannot and will not.

On the lens question, I do recommed one of the Chroma Aberration Correction lenses if you cannot afford an expensive HD lens. The @$10,000 price race is at the level where the CAC is required to rid itself of the CA, because at that price and lower the money cannot be spent to resolve the registration errors that are inherent in the lens design. The more expensive the lens the more money can be spent on this and thus the less apprent the CA is on the $20,000.

So we did put some very nice packages out with the lens and P2 cards included, and I think they make really nice packages.

I believe the website is up. Brochure due any minute.

Best,

Jan

[eclaire]

Hi Jan,

Just wondering when are you going to turn Barry loose to talk about his experiences with the HPX-500 during the Iditerod filming (or about any additional time he may get with the camera before NAB).

I've gone back and forth between this camera and the HVX-200, knowing that the latter is the one I can reasonably afford but that the former will likely have much better low light performance. I was very close to pulling the trigger on the 200 before the end of March because of the expiring P2 deal but held off after several 200 users warned about its low light limitations, which I can expect to encounter occasionally in the dance/theatre productions that form the bulk of my paying work.

I'm definitely going to need a new camera come early or mid summer and so am quite curious about how the 500 performs and the ultimate street prices we'll see for packages including an inexpensive HD lens and P2 cards.

Thanks in advance for any info.

[zipper1022]

http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ModelDetail?displayTab=O&storeId=11201&catalogId=13051&itemId=112115&catGroupId=14571&surfModel=AG-HPX500


Anyone see that yet?
i was looking for the dimensions on the 100b and stumbled apon that on the products page...

[joe 1008]

Now the packages are out on the Panasonic homepage. Jan mentioned a package price for 22.000$, now it is at 27.000$ upwards. OK, they all ship with 4 16Giga P2s and tripode plate. But it's still a lot of money and all the packages to me seem very similar. Why not less packages that really mark a difference between each other in price and possibilities? I'm a bit confused and would like to know more about the lenses which seem to be the only difference...

[baremis]

HPX500 Packages??? Where is the battery in the packages ?

[Jan_Crittenden]

I chose not to put a battery in there as 1. Many customers may be coming in from other large camer ownership and will already have AB battteries. and 2. There are some people that wich to use Pag batteries, or IDx Batteries, instead of Anton Bauer. So if I put AB batteries in the package it would increase the price of the package and may not offer the customer the options on power that they really want.

Hope that aid in your understanding.

Best,

jan

[dregenthal]

Hi Jan- Nice going, and thanks for hitting another one out of the park!

Is it possible there will be a package exactly like any of those listed but without a lens? I'm thinking I may maximize my dollars by renting one (or more) lenses.

Thanks.

[joe 1008]

For those who know more about lenses:

Which one of the lenses offered in the packages is the best for drama, video clip, documentary (won't shoot little birds in the Himalaya, so no extra focal length is required)

1) Canon KJ16ex7.7B IRSD PS12 16X w/2X CAC lens

2) Canon KJ16ex7.7B KRSD PS12 16X CAC lens

3) Canon KJ20x8.5B KRS 20X non-CAC lens

4) Fujinon XA17x7.6BERM-M58B 17X w/2X CAC lens

5) Fujinon XA17x7.6BRM-M58B 17X CAC lens

[KEN BOGARDT]

How many pixels does the HVX 200 have?

[baremis]

Thanks jan, and one more question: what is cac lens ?

[Kevin Wells]

On the lens question, I do recommed one of the Chroma Aberration Correction lenses if you cannot afford an expensive HD lens. The @$10,000 price race is at the level where the CAC is required to rid itself of the CA, because at that price and lower the money cannot be spent to resolve the registration errors that are inherent in the lens design. The more expensive the lens the more money can be spent on this and thus the less apprent the CA is on the $20,000.



Baremis, this was briefly discussed earlier in the thread. I imagine it has been discussed more in depth in another thread. Try a search.

[powervideo]

I notice in the brochure that the Viewfinder, Microphone Mounting Kit and Tripod Plate are all "optional" extras. Adding the widescreen viewfinder and mic kit will add a few grand to the base 14K price. I've always though it crazy how Panasonic advertises its cameras with photos of a complete camera, and then say, "oh you wanted a viewfinder, microphone and plate with that?" I'm no Sony fan, but when you buy a DVCAM or DigiBeta, you get the lot as standard with no surprises.

Peter

[Jan_Crittenden]

I notice in the brochure that the Viewfinder, Microphone Mounting Kit and Tripod Plate are all "optional" extras. Adding the widescreen viewfinder and mic kit will add a few grand to the base 14K price. I've always though it crazy how Panasonic advertises its cameras with photos of a complete camera, and then say, "oh you wanted a viewfinder, microphone and plate with that?" I'm no Sony fan, but when you buy a DVCAM or DigiBeta, you get the lot as standard with no surprises.

Peter


Actually if you look at the brochure down on the bottom of the same page with the optional accessories, you will see that it shows that there is a VF included. The items that are the darker blue-gray are included. Then if you look at the product page on the website again you will see that there are packages that show all of the itmes you would want, except the microphone. I didn't include this because many folks would prefer to have or already have a microphone of their own choosing.

Hope that helps,

Jan

[Jan_Crittenden]

How many pixels does the HVX 200 have?


The 2/3" CCDs are the AJ-SDX900 PAL CCDs, and they have 620,000 pixels. We use the Horizontal and vertical offset to gain more resolution and then capture that analog signal at 1080P. It makes for some very nice looking pictures.

Best,

Jan

[Jan_Crittenden]

A Chroma Aberration Correction (CAC) lens corrects the chromatic aberrations that occur due to the registration errors that inevitably occur in the less expensive HD lenses. Take a look at the brochure, it gives a little before and after example there.

Best,

Jan

[powervideo]

Actually if you look at the brochure down on the bottom of the same page with the optional accessories, you will see that it shows that there is a VF included. The items that are the darker blue-gray are included. Then if you look at the product page on the website again you will see that there are packages that show all of the itmes you would want, except the microphone. I didn't include this because many folks would prefer to have or already have a microphone of their own choosing.

Hope that helps,

Jan

Okeydoke Jan. I see it now. I've always bought my PRO50's and had to pay for all the "extras". Could you take the 2" 16:9 over the 1.5" 4:3 as an option or would you have to take the 1.5 and keep it or sell it and buy the 2" separately?

Thanks,
Peter

[JohnT]

I was reading the online brochure on the HPX500 and saw that it has a flip fuction in the LCD viewfinder. Thats interesting. This might be a stupid questioned, but can the RedRocks work with 2/3 inch chips and one of the pkg lens that Panny is offering?

[Barry_Green]

No reason why it wouldn't work, as long as the lens is capable of focusing on the ground glass...

[JohnT]

Great. Thanks for the reply Barry.

[dotconnproductions]

So, Barry.

I know you were'nt supposed to comment on the camera and give any official review comments about your experience with it up here in Alaska but are you free to comment on it now?

(By the way, I was bummed to hear you came through here to do some shooting up in Alaska... next time you come up we should schedule a meeting with the Alaska Professional Videographer's Association... we've got several dvxuser's up here. I actually live in Wasilla and know Stan and Chas from Iditarod quite well, go to Chamber with them all the time).

Anyway, I know you've had some experience with other 2/3" cameras and I was wondering generically what you thought about the camera. Will you be posting the official "Barry Green Review" any time soon or do you have to wait until after NAB? How does it compare in form and function to the more expensive 2/3" offerings currently out from Panny?

Anyway, I'm already putting project money aside for this one to augment the HVX. I'll probably have to buy without a lens for the time being, limp along with the lens from my DSR-500 (Yes I know this is bad... but....) and then pick up one of the CAC lenses.

Anyway, I'd love to hear some hands on experience.

Oh, and Jan... when you come up again, lets have coffee!

John Conn
dotConn Productions /Stage2Studios
www.stage2studios.com

[Barry_Green]

I'm working on a first-impressions article now.

[dotconnproductions]

awesome!

[Justin Kuhn]

This might be a stupid questioned, but can the RedRocks work with 2/3 inch chips and one of the pkg lens that Panny is offering?

I thought one of the pros of thise camera was that it offered interchangable lenses.

[smelni]

yes but with the m2 adapter you can use cheapo nikon lenses instead of the super duper billion dollar hd lenses

[JohnT]

It looks like B&H already has some special pricing on this camera with P2 cards, lens and camera plate. I emailed Spec Comm and there pricing on the above was excellent. Lot better than Retail..

[Barry_Green]

Wow -- a complete package of body, 17x Fujinon lens, 4 16GB cards, viewfinder, and tripod plate for under $20,000...

[JohnT]

With the lens and a lite weight mattebox,and my son's focus motor, He can fly this on his Steadicam Flyer.

[Martini Yernazty]

That cam is reallly nice.... if I only had the money!
well is Super 16 for me know ... will see later


Best

[robbo]

Wow -- a complete package of body, 17x Fujinon lens, 4 16GB cards, viewfinder, and tripod plate for under $20,000...

Wow, indeed.
Very aggressive/competitive pricing.

Onya Panny !

[jonnyh1968]

But all of those packages (with lenses) come without CAC... correct? and this is bad?

[robbo]

Hi jonny - I'm not sure about the actual lens specs but here http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ModelDetail?storeId=11201&catalogId=13051&itemId=112115&catGroupId=14571&surfModel=AG-HPX500&displayTab=O it says that most are and one of the Canon's isn't.

Perhaps Jan can clarify ? Also, Jan - are these package offerings really entry level lens ? (I suppose they are given your earlier postings about HD lens prices.)

[Bokes]

Is there a tentative release date for this?
End of April maybe?

[Terry_Lasater]

This camera needs its own forum. :)

[Barry_Green]

No release date has been given, other than to say "available in May."

[Alex.Mitchell]

Wow -- a complete package of body, 17x Fujinon lens, 4 16GB cards, viewfinder, and tripod plate for under $20,000...

Wait a sec, I thought that pack was $27,000?

[Jason Ramsey]

That's a package from B&H that Barry is referencing, I think.

[Barry_Green]

You're talking MSRP, I'm quoting street price. B&H has that $27,000 package available for order for $19,999.95.

[FutureDVXUser]

Hey Guys,

Sorry to but into the thread since I'm not worthy of or have the money for this cam, but... Does anybody know if this camera will record 4:4:4 uncompressed footage?

Also, instead of p2 cards or a firestore, can you record footage to a Mac Mini instead?

I'm debating on getting an Andromeda or not on my DVX since it only records 24 frames. The Andromeda is also something I will not be getting (even if I wanted to) anytime too soon.

Please let me know...

Thanks

[Steve-O]

Hey Guys,

Sorry to but into the thread since I'm not worthy of or have the money for this cam, but... Does anybody know if this camera will record 4:4:4 uncompressed footage?

Also, instead of p2 cards or a firestore, can you record footage to a Mac Mini instead?

I'm debating on getting an Andromeda or not on my DVX since it only records 24 frames. The Andromeda is also something I will not be getting (even if I wanted to) anytime too soon.

Please let me know...

Thanks

NO its not 4:4:4
Yes you can firewire to a macmini

[FutureDVXUser]

cool, thanks for the info...

[themagickite]

can you use prime lenses on this camera?


or i should say: does anyone make prime lenses that would fit this camera?

how bout those old style 3 in 1 prime lenses that rotate?

would look so funky on a state of the art cam like this

[ddh]

This looks like the camera I've been waiting for! So far, so good on specs. Can't wait to get my hands on one. Waiting for Berry's review!

[alexdias]

I had the privilege to view the camera at NAB with Barry and as usual he was very generous with his time and insightful comments.
I’ll not discuss technical features since you can find all the info you want it on line, but I’ll give my first impression.
The camera looks great; it’s not heavy or big. It handles really well handheld and has an excellent balance. It’s not too different from the HPX2000 or the HDX900 but it’s certainly lighter.
The viewfinder is not exceptional but it’s appropriate ($ wise).
With increased sensibility (1 and 1/2 stop if I’m right), more “cinematic” depth of field due to the 2/3 chips, 4 P2 cards slots and variable frame rates “it’s the perfect upgrade for serious HVX users” (Barry’s quote).
Thankfully Panasonic kept the menu consistent with the HVX (which doesn’t look too different from the Varicam).
The price, as discussed here, is extremely competitive and it should be available next month.
For most people, like me, that has not an extensive experience with larger broadcast cameras I suggest a test run and I predict a certain adaptation curve. That said, the HPX500 is an excellent choice for independent filmmakers (narrative or documentary), corporate and any budget sensitive work that aims at high end, tapeless workflow.

[TedRR]

Just got back and gotta hit several forums, but that 500 was the best "toy" I saw at NAB.
Barry gave me a great demo and I eaves dropped on a few more.

I had always planned on the HVX as being our "first step" into true HD. But I have finally found my long term next step with the 500. The fact that it works so much like the HVX is all the better!

The ONLY negative I had, and I might be in the minority, but I wish it had a slightly more streamlined and slicker look. Maybe Panasonic can give it a little something more before release.
Oh, and I hope Panasonic covers that exposed Breaker at the bottom of the camera. I'm told it won't hurt the camera if it gets pushed, but I can see it getting hammered when trying to click the camera on a tripod or setting it on the ground.

Personally I'd go with a better lens then the sub $20,000 package, but it's a real winner in today's options.

[HVXguy]

Just got back and gotta hit several forums, but that 500 was the best "toy" I saw at NAB.
Barry gave me a great demo and I eaves dropped on a few more.

I had always planned on the HVX as being our "first step" into true HD. But I have finally found my long term next step with the 500. The fact that it works so much like the HVX is all the better!

The ONLY negative I had, and I might be in the minority, but I wish it had a slightly more streamlined and slicker look. Maybe Panasonic can give it a little something more before release.
Oh, and I hope Panasonic covers that exposed Breaker at the bottom of the camera. I'm told it won't hurt the camera if it gets pushed, but I can see it getting hammered when trying to click the camera on a tripod or setting it on the ground.

Personally I'd go with a better lens then the sub $20,000 package, but it's a real winner in today's options.

Hello Ted,
I did see you over at the workflow areas trying the HPX on for size. With the 4 -P2 slots and the 16 gig then 32 gig coming out the 500 was attractive for many shooters.

[David Jimerson]

The 500 appeared to sell very well.

[for_mlove]

Couldn't be at NAB, but definitely looking forward to the review from Barry.

[ahusain]

Wow -- a complete package of body, 17x Fujinon lens, 4 16GB cards, viewfinder, and tripod plate for under $20,000...

maybe now i'll be able to rent an sdx-900 for less than $500. :)

[ddh]

Barry wondering when that review will come out?

[Jason Ramsey]

Just posted it (the review)

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?p=945829#post945829

Later,
Jason