Panasonic's New Prosumer AVCHD Camera Mock-up

[PVL2]

Dear Mr. Green
I just recently purchased the HVX Bootcamp DVD package, I am overwhelmed with the presentations and can only compare my excitement to the actual opening of the box my HVX 200 came in. I apologize for not staying on the topic of the AVCHD it looks high tech to me and will definitely fit between the DVX 100s and the HVX 200. It is a panasonic product and will have it's niche in film making.

 

[Barry_Green]

Hey PVL2, glad you liked the BootCamp DVDs! Thanks for saying so.

 

[Mitch_Ives]

The EX is just basically MPEG-2 HDV with variable bitrate instead of constant bitrate; the larger frame size will slow it down some but most NLEs have decent MPEG performance nowadays.

I admire you for saying that. This EX hype amazes me. Yes, the camera is designed the way we want the HVX successor to be, but the EX still uses a mediocre format, and even if they get it up from 35 to 50, it still doesn't match the quality of the true I-frame based DVCpro HD format...

Nice to see somebody providing some balance to all the EX fervor...

 

[Tzedekh]

When this mockup came up a year or two ago, I really liked it.

This would be something I would buy with an AVCHD codec, no doubt.

That mockup was shown nearly four years ago (see here). And it was supposed to be MPEG2 based. I wouldn't buy it with an AVCHD codec, though, unless it was demonstrated to be clearly superior to HDV, and even then I'd think, what's the point? In a new Panasonic model, I would want, at minimum, full 1,920 x 1,080, 10 bits and 4:2:2 -- and no GOP. I personally think we're also overdue for a larger, higher-res imager and possibly even a removable lens.

 

[Digigenic]

I personally think we're also overdue for a larger, higher-res imager and possibly even a removable lens.

I'm glad you addressed the need for a larger imaging unit and a removable lens.
I agree 100% with you on those two particular points of interest.
A small observation of the latest AVCHD mock-up show a slight - but noticeable curvature
of the lens barrel digressing into the body, which for the purpose of simply exhibiting a prototype
may have been molded in order to simply make it appear presentable.

However, these minor observations still call some things into question.

One of which being the imaging unit, and the other obviously the type of lens.

They do want 3 CCDs, as the "3CCD" badge would indicate, but the fact that the lens barrel would exhibit such an odd characteristic,
makes me wonder if they're attempting some sort of a solution to optimize the amount light into the camera in order to compensate for smaller sensors.
- > larger lens barrel (allow more light) - > smaller body (accomodate for smaller sensors).
As much as I dislike the prospect of them using smaller sensors, I know that Panasonic
compared to the competition has favored smaller sensors in the consumer/prosumer department.
While others are using 3 x 1/3" and even 3 x 1/2" imagers, Panny has stuck with 3 x 1/4" or 3 x 1/3".
Therefore, I am led to believe they will stick with the sensors they've been using, at least for this camera.

 

[ESTEBEVERDE]

SONY HVR-HD1000U

Looks like the same formula to me.

 

[Digigenic]

SONY HVR-HD1000U

Looks like the same formula to me.

Same formula?
Between the Panasonic AVCHD mock-up and Sony HD1000u?
In what ways?

If there were a camera that Panasonic produced utilizing a similar formula to the Sony HD1000u, it would be the AG-HMC70 (below).
However, that formua would only be limited to form-factor, and partially on functionality.

 

[ESTEBEVERDE]

The pro "but not" formula.

And you are spot on with the AG-HMC70 comparison.

 

[mikkowilson]

Don't you mean: the ""pro"", but not, formula.

- Mikko

 

[ESTEBEVERDE]

Actually I really meant the "not really pro" formula.

At any rate it's great they are playing with form factors.

 

[Camera Expert]

That mockup AVCHD camcorder is aimed against the Sony V1u, Z7U and the Canon XH-A1. If Panasonic uses 1/3” imagers, it’ll be no different in size compared to the Z7U and the Canon XH-A1.

The Sony EX1 is the only handheld camera with ½ chips. Since Panasonic managed putting 3 ¼” imagers inside the HSC1U, then I don’t see Panasonic having any problems what so ever putting ½ imagers inside the HVX200’s successor just as long as they get rid of the tape drive.