OTHER: Does Anyone Have Any Inside Info on the Upcoming Panasonic AG-AC30?

Panasonic hasn't sent us any information on the AG-AC30 other than the press release below and price of $1799.

I did find the video below:


NEWARK, NJ (July 18, 2016) – Panasonic today announced the introduction of the AG-AC30, a handheld camcorder with top professional features including a powerful 20X optical zoom, wide-angle 29.5mm lens, LED light for low-light shooting, two-channel XLR audio inputs and simultaneous record or relay record with hot swap. With Full HD (1080p) recording, the entry-level AC30 is ideal for shooting weddings, web videos, business conferences, exhibits, government activities and more.


The camcorder’s advanced functionality is defined by its 29.5mm/F1.8 lens that allows the operator to fit more people and background into the frame, especially useful in narrow spaces. Its powerful 20X optical/40x super-high resolution zoom facilitates shooting scenes that are difficult to access.


The effective area of the AC30’s 1/3.1-inch Back Side Illumination (BSI) sensor has been increased to achieve the high-image quality of 6.03M effective pixels, producing bright, beautiful shots even in dark places. The sensor’s processing speed is advanced to approximately 1.5 times conventional speed, and a new Noise Reduction function reduces noise for crisp, vibrant FHD images. The built-in LED Light – featuring color conversion and diffusion filters and an average illumination of 300 lux at 3.3 feet (1 meter) -- is ideal for shooting events like nighttime weddings.


With dual SD card slots and the capability to record on both cards simultaneously, the AC30’s Relay Auto Switch functionality provides dependable back-up recording or the ability to switch from one card to the other for extended recording times. The AC30 records in AVCHD to 28Mbps and MP4/MOV to 50Mbps.


The camcorder incorporates Intelligent AF (Auto Focus) with improvements in speed, tracking and stability. Focus assist functions include Focus Expand, Focus Peaking and Area Mode, which enables focusing in any desired area. Professional assist functions include a histogram display, color bar monitor and zebra pattern.

Other key features encompass powerful 5-Axis Hybrid Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S) that thoroughly suppresses blurring all the way from wide-angle to powerful zoom shots, and a three-manual, multi-purpose lens ring that provides fine adjustments and precise control of Focus, Zoom and Iris. An illuminating LED ring allows recording verification and serves as a tally light to make shooting smoother.

The AC30 offers a new 0.24-inch, 1.55 million-dot EVF, which can be tilted for added convenience. The versatile three-inch, slide-retractable LCD can serve as an HD monitor and menu-setting touch panel. The two-channel XLR audio inputs enable the use of professional, high-performance microphones for recording high-quality sound, including connection to mics requiring a +48V phantom power supply and to audio equipment with +4dB output. The camcorder is also equipped with an HDMI interface.

The AC30 weighs just over three pounds. A lightweight, durable magnesium-alloy frame is usedfor the camcorder handle, increasing strength, and a large lens hood blocks light more effectively to reduce lens flare while permitting subjects to be seen from behind the hood.

The AG-AC30 will ship in August at a suggested list price under $1,800.

panasonic_ag-ac30_b_web.jpgpanasonic_ag-ac30_a_web.jpg
 
nedcam said:
To be released in August, I am curious about its use for filming legal depositions. Anyone have any scuttle butt on it?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1263853-REG/panasonic_ag_ac30_full_hd_camcorder.html

If you are doing deps now, would you consider this model as a trade up or would it be a lateral move?

Thanks,

Ned
Click to expand...


I was thinking of using it for depositions as well. I have used the following cams for depositions:

1) AC130/160a
2) AC-90
3) HMC-150

The HMC 150 and AC130/160a are very similar in gaining up. HMC max stop for depos is 12db and AC130/160 15db (similar in maximum noise for a good depo)
The AC-90 is very unique. You can gain it up to 24db with no noise almost. Seems like they are trying to do this with the AC-30 with the high gain/noise control.

Personally I wish I had the AC160a in an AC90 Body...If this camera is the same size as the HC-X1000 and shoots like the AC90 and gives me similar options or better than the AC160a I would be stoked. TIMESTAMP PLEASE!
 
PlanB said:
I was thinking of using it for depositions as well. I have used the following cams for depositions:

1) AC130/160a
2) AC-90
3) HMC-150

The HMC 150 and AC130/160a are very similar in gaining up. HMC max stop for depos is 12db and AC130/160 15db (similar in maximum noise for a good depo)
The AC-90 is very unique. You can gain it up to 24db with no noise almost. Seems like they are trying to do this with the AC-30 with the high gain/noise control.

Personally I wish I had the AC160a in an AC90 Body...If this camera is the same size as the HC-X1000 and shoots like the AC90 and gives me similar options or better than the AC160a I would be stoked. TIMESTAMP PLEASE!
Click to expand...

I love my AC90. I can light things and it looks great, but if I'm stuck, the gain is amazingly clean.
 
This looks a lot like like an improved AC90. Bigger (1/3.1) chip for better low light and much longer zoom. Plus built-in light and slow motion. If this was available I would not have bought the AC90a. On paper, this in a way combines many of the good things about the AC160a and AC90a.
I hope it has enough ND because that is my main issue with the AC90a.
 
firehawk said:
This looks a lot like like an improved AC90. Bigger (1/3.1) chip for better low light and much longer zoom. Plus built-in light and slow motion. If this was available I would not have bought the AC90a. On paper, this in a way combines many of the good things about the AC160a and AC90a.
I hope it has enough ND because that is my main issue with the AC90a.
Click to expand...
The AC90 is a 3 chip camcorder so we can't just go by the chip size unless the AC30's single chip was much bigger than 1/3.1" Plus, since it's a single chip, there's way more pixels in it than each of the AC90's chips.
The AC30 might still be slightly better at low light since it's a much newer camcorder. We'll just have to wait and see. We'll also need to wait and see how the colors compare to each other.
 
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Wow, imagine my surprise when I showed up on a job today and my client had one of these that he wanted me to check out for a shoot tomorrow.

I was very excited, and thought this would make a good AC90 replacement for my scholastic and collegiate sports crew, but at first glance I am somewhat put off.

1) I believe this camera suffers from the original DVX200 firmware lack of FINE focus ring drive control. It is very hard to nail exact focus numbers in a fast-paced situation like action sports. A quick search of the menus and I could not find any COURSE/FINE setting as DVX200 has, so unless someone can point me to such a setting, I'm afraid this camera is a no go for me.

2) Also, the numbers on the display are in a very thin font, and hard to read. I guess I am spoiled by the AC90 display font size and weight.

I still can't find a sports cam as wonderful to shoot with as the AC90.


I sure hope that the upcoming AG-UX180 will not have these same issues. I really am counting on it being a good all-around video camera. I will need fine control over manual focus and a font I can read.

Any thoughts?
 
bluesgeek said:
1) I believe this camera suffers from the original DVX200 firmware lack of FINE focus ring drive control. It is very hard to nail exact focus numbers in a fast-paced situation like action sports. A quick search of the menus and I could not find any COURSE/FINE setting as DVX200 has, so unless someone can point me to such a setting, I'm afraid this camera is a no go for me.

2) Also, the numbers on the display are in a very thin font, and hard to read. I guess I am spoiled by the AC90 display font size and weight.
Click to expand...

Here are some iphone shots of the two LCDs and it's easy to see that in shooting sports with the AC30 (especially with a light background such as ice or snow) would be very difficult to use the focus numbers for manual focus. The AC90 by comparison, is very easy to read at a glance. This combined with the fact that the focus ring control is very coarse makes the camera not a good fit for sports.
AC30 LCD IMG_8740.jpgAC90 LCD IMG_8742.jpg

I still can't find a sports cam as wonderful to shoot with as the AC90.
Click to expand...


I sure hope that the upcoming AG-UX180 will not have these same issues. I really am counting on it being a good all-around video camera. I will need fine control over manual focus and a font I can read.

I have been in touch with Panasonic engineering and they are now looking at my report. This is the same path I took in working with Panasonic on the DVX200 firmware improvements. Hopefully the UX180 will be better.
 
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