ALL: AC160 vs AF100 - ?

HotConductor

HotConductor

Well-known member
The price difference is $100 on B&H. I love the fact that the AF100 has interchangeable lenses (I have an HMC150 and two GH2s, so I already have a few lenses to start with). Both have similar outputs, dual SD card slots, so forth... I do NOT have a problem with the fixed lens on the AC160. 22x is solid. I am SLIGHTLY confused as to the variable frame rate. In my ideal world I would record everything at 48fps, all the time, but if that means I can't record linear pcm audio while doing so (or if one cam does this differently) then that would help me making my decision.

At the moment I am leaning toward the AF100 but I would like to consider all options. Budget is $5500 (including lens). I am only talking camera with regards to budget. Already have tripod/audio so forth so the camera is the ONLY thing to consider. I want to stay with Panasonic so please avoid suggesting Canon or for that matter any rediculously expensive awesome cameras. No budget for Scarlet, let alone a 4k workflow!

Thank you in advance for your help!
 
Ac160 is like an improved optimized hmc150. Af100 is a different beast, more of a perfected gh2. Aimed at totally different markets. The cams are functionally the same as each other, the difference is in the size of the sensor(s) and the dived 22x vs interchangeable lens.

If you want a sharper, better-low-light, longer-zoom replacement for the hmc150 and also get VFR, that's what the ac160 is.

The af100 is aimed at the shooter who wants the shallow dof of a 35mm adapter or a DSLR, but also needs all the tools and convenience and controllability and connectivity of a pro video camera.
 
Honestly I need the auto focus and servo zoom, so I guess the AC160 is what I need. Looked like a great camera to start with, but so does the AF100. In regards to sensor size, isn't the AC160 equipped with a very solid sensor? Is shallow depth of field impossible ala hmc/dvx?

I will be using the cam with two GH2s, so if I need shallow depth of field then I am not hurting for it, but I do love it.

Last question (for now)... Is there any difference between the two in terms of the codec? Both are avchd, same data rates..?
 
HotConductor said:
. In regards to sensor size, isn't the AC160 equipped with a very solid sensor?
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Of course its solid. But it is also small. The af100's sensor is 16x bigger than the ac160's.
Is shallow depth of field impossible ala hmc/dvx?
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the sensor is exactly the same size as the DVX and HMC150. At the same focal length the dof will be the same.
Is there any difference between the two in terms of the codec? Both are avchd, same data rates..?
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they are identical.
 
You are right about the two cameras being completely different beats. So either I get a solid run-n-gun camera that does everything in clutch situations, OR I get a giant GH2 sensor with great low-light performance and cool lens options, but I completely loose servo zoom...

I know that purchasing a camera is a completely personal preference/function choice... I just torn between my newfound love of DOF, and my need for all the normal controls. I will probably go with the AC160 for the time being.

Thank you again.
 
For what it's worth, shallow DOF really isn't always what you want. Especially when running and gunning, you want a lot of leeway on the focal length. But I know what you mean, preferring that shallow look. But if you do sports or events in large rooms, 22x (600+mm) is rather awesome.
 
Exactly. Since I already have two GH2s, I think I have that covered. Thank you for the feedback. I am with you on the focal length. There have been a ton of situations where shallow depth of field would have KILLED me. I like the option, but I don't think all the benefits are worth throwing away to be able to take off the 22x lens. Atleast not for me.
 
HotConductor said:
Honestly I need the auto focus and servo zoom, so I guess the AC160 is what I need.
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The Autofocus on my AC130 is working extremely well. And I've found the servo zoom easy to work with as well. The medium zoom speed is exactly what I was looking for in a camcorder servo zoom.

So if those are two key issues for you, I think that the AC160 will serve you very well.
 
Yeah, I was having the same dilemma. The af100 is a great camera and you can shoot that commercial looking STUFF with the shallow depth of field. But, I chose the Ac160 to have along side my 60D so I have the best of both worlds. I have no problem matching the footage close enough to piece together. So, if you have the Gh2's it is a no brainer on what to buy. So much easier to shoot on a AC160 vs the af100. You really have to set up your shots with the af100 vs the AC160. Good Luck!
 
LanceOregon said:
The Autofocus on my AC130 is working extremely well. And I've found the servo zoom easy to work with as well. The medium zoom speed is exactly what I was looking for in a camcorder servo zoom.

So if those are two key issues for you, I think that the AC160 will serve you very well.
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LanceOregon, we still have nothing from the AC130, can you put a clip or two from that camera? Launch pad is ready just about to press the lauch button.
 
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qap15 said:
LanceOregon, we still have nothing from the AC130, can you put a clip or two from that camera? Launch pad is ready just about to press the lauch button.
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My AC130 just arrived Friday evening at 5:30pm Since I'm totally new to using Panasonic pro camcorders, the camera and all its features has been a lot for me to review. It rained hard here in Oregon yesterday, but I think it is going to clear up enough today so I can get out and film our Veterans Day parade this afternoon. So I will try to get something up soon.

Since Jan at Panasonic confirms that the AC130 has the exact same lens and sensors in it that the AC160 has, I cannot imagine that video from it is going to look any different than AC160 video.
 
For the video shot and recorded IN camera, the AC130 and AC160 will be indistinguishable. Where you will see a difference is the footage that is recorded via HD-SDI on the 160, and even then, you may not notice a HUGE difference with the naked eye. The results of a little color work or green screen compositing might reveal greater visual differences, but the AVCHD codec is really quite capable for just straight recorded footage.

Functionally there are also very few differences between the two camcorders. They've been fleshed out frequently on the forum already so I won't repeat it, but suffice it to say that if you're looking around for samples of the AC130 footage, the samples from the AC160 shooters will probably be good enough.
 
Barry_Green said:
Of course its solid. But it is also small. The af100's sensor is 16x bigger than the ac160's. the sensor is exactly the same size as the DVX and HMC150. At the same focal length the dof will be the same. they are identical.
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16x? Is that a misprint?
 
So the AF100 can see in the dark, provided the right lens is in place...? When the AF100 came out I heard great reviews... Then in the last few months I have heard quite a bit of grumbling. To my ears and eyes it seems like most AF100 users are frustrated that the lowly GH2 can perform so remarkably given its price point.
 
lance have you tried the ac 130 auto focus in low light like a church i am having problem with my ac 160 auto focus can get thrown of even in wide angle
 
dhardjono said:
lance have you tried the ac 130 auto focus in low light like a church i am having problem with my ac 160 auto focus can get thrown of even in wide angle
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Auto focus requires a fairly high contrast ratio to work well on any video camera. As a comparison, have you used other cameras that work better in similar conditions?
 
yes my dvx 100 a and b plus my hmc 150 was better than my ac 160 any little thing throws it of i have done 5 job 4 was wedding and a volley ball game, weddings i would get out of focus on all 4 jobs .
It could be my ac 160 defective?
 
Lower frame rates (24p, or slower VFR settings) have a much tougher time than the higher frame rates (60i, 60p) when auto focusing. That's on all camcorders, not just the AC160.
 
yes that true but been shooting on 1080 60 I

I am going to post some video footage soon in the topic ac 160 versus hmc 150 i just want to know if any one else having this problem
 
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