New Camera announced. HPX250

JohnT

JohnT

Well-known member
I like this.


Panasonic Solutions Company today sets a new standard for video quality in mobile HD acquisition with the introduction of the AG-HPX250, a P2 HD handheld camcorder with 10-bit, 4:2:2 independent-frame, full 1920 x 1080 resolution AVC-Intra recording.

“The AVC-Intra codec is highly prized for the stunning, master-quality 10-bit, 4:2:2 sampled, independent frame images it produces,” said Joseph Facchini, Vice President of Sales and Product Management, Panasonic Solutions Company.”Now for the first time with the HPX250, Panasonic offers an ultra-portable handheld camera with full-resolution, 10-bit, intra-frame recording in a one-piece unit without the need for an add-on recorder. This is an unprecedented level of image quality in a lightweight camera.”

Weighing 5.5 pounds, the HPX250 incorporates high-sensitivity 1/3”, full-HD 2.2 megapixel 3-MOS imagers and a 20-bit Digital Signal Processor to acquire native 1920 x 1080 resolution images.
Offering a wide 28mm to 588mm (35mm equivalent) 21X HD lens with 3 independent adjustable rings, the HPX250 covers most shooting situations without the need for a wide-angle conversion lens. The 21X lens also features an Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S.) function that ensures stable images during shooting.

The HPX250 offers variable frame rate capability in 1080p up to 30fps as well as 720p up to 60fps for undercranking/overcranking to create fast or slow-motion effects.

In addition to AVC-Intra 100/50 recording, the HPX250 records in DVCPRO HD, as well as standard definition recording in DVCPRO50, DVCPRO and DV. The HPX250 supports international HD and SD standards, an added benefit to producers with global clients. In AVC-Intra 100/50 and DVCPRO HD, it records in 1080 at 59.94i, 29.97pN, 23.98pN, 50i and 25pN and in 720p at 23.98pN, 29.97pN, 59.94p, 50p and 25pN. In DVCPRO50/25 and DV, it records in 480 at 59.94i, 29.97p, 23.98p, 23.98pA, and in 576 at 50i and 25p over 50i.

The HPX250 offers Genlock/timecode input for multi-camera operation, as well as an HD-SDI output, an HDMI output, and an IEEE 1394 in/out. The camcorder is equipped with a Dynamic Range Stretch (DRS)* function to help compensate for wide variations in lighting, a waveform monitor and vector scope display, and two focus assist functions – a picture expanding function and a focus bar.

Equipped with two P2 card slots, the HPX250 can record for up to 320 minutes in AVC-Intra 100 at 720/24pN, 160 minutes in AVC-Intra 100 1080/24pN and 128 minutes in other AVC-Intra 100 or


DVCPRO HD formats on two 64GB cards. In AVC-Intra 50, the recording time is twice that as AVC-Intra 100.
 
Since this appears to be an HPX170 successor, will the HMC150 successor be far behind? I'm indifferent on the 3mos chips, but the lens has almost twice the reach of the HPX170/HMC150. Also a little surprised a Thunderbolt port wasn't included.
 
Here is the other two...

Panasonic Solutions Company (PSC) has introduced two new professional AVCCAM HD handheld camcorders, the AG-AC160 and AG-AC130, which incorporate high-sensitivity 1/3”, full-HD 2.2 megapixel 3-MOS imagers to capture native 1920 x 1080 resolution images, with a new, wider 21X HD zoom lens.

Key new features include two SD Memory Card slots for relay or simultaneous recording, compatibility with high-capacity SDXC media, an enhanced viewfinder and LCD display, and DV recording. The higher-end AC160 includes such top production features as variable frame rate recording in 1080p, Linear PCM audio, HD-SDI output, and switchability between 59.94Hz/50Hz.

“These new AVCCAM handhelds offer the longer lensing that customers have been clamoring for in a small form factor with state-of-the art, high-bandwidth AVCCAM, Panasonic’s implementation of MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 high-profile encoding,” said Jan Crittenden Livingston, Product Manager, PSC. “In addition, the AC160 adds the creative flexibility of Full HD off-speed recording and an HD-SDI out.”

The AVCCAM camcorders’ Full HD resolution imager produces stunning 1920 x 1080 or 1280 x 720 AVCHD video at high sensitivity. Because the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 codec provides a doubling of bandwidth efficiency and improved video performance over the older MPEG-2 compression-based formats, recordings look clean and crisp, even during fast motion, without image degradation or dropouts. Utilizing a 21X zoom lens with three independent adjustable rings for zoom, focus and iris, these new AVCCAM units offer a wide 28mm (35mm equivalent) viewing angle, covering most shooting situations without the need for a wide-angle conversion lens.

The AC160/130 record video in four professional AVCCAM HD recording modes, including the highest-quality PH mode (average 21 Mbps/Max 24Mbps), the HA mode (approx.17 Mbps), the extended recording HE mode (approx. 6 Mbps), and a PM mode (less than 10 Mbps, 720P only), which is ideal for shooting sports training and web video.

These latest AVCCAM camcorders are among the first to enjoy the benefits of advanced SDXC Memory Card compatibility in addition to existing SDHC card support. SDXC is the newest SD Memory Card specification that supports memory capacities above 32GB and up to 2TB. With two SD slots for continuous recording, the AC160/130 can record up to 12 hours on two 64GB SDXC cards in PH mode, with automatic clip spanning across the two cards. The two slots can also be utilized for simultaneous back-up recording.

At 60Hz, the camcorders support the following HD formats in PH mode: 1080/59.94i, 1080/29.97p, 1080/23.98pN, 720/59.94p, 720/29.97p, 720/23.98pN; in HA and HE modes, they record in 1080/59.97i; and in standard definition DV, they record 480/59.94i, 480/29.97p, 480/223.98p. At 50Hz, the AC160 also records in 1080/50i and 1080/25p, in 720/50p and 720/25p, and in 576/50i and 576/25p.

The AC160 offers variable frame rate capability in 1080/23.98pN, 29.97p and 25p, providing users the cinematic expression of higher-end cameras to support undercranking/overcranking for fast or slow-motion effects.
The AC160/130 include such desirable professional features as time code/UB recording; time/date stamp; and two wired remote control terminals (for zoom, focus, iris, REC start/stop controls). The camcorders’ lens system offers useful functions including Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS) for smooth stable shooting and Dynamic Range Stretch (DRS), which helps compensate for wide variations in lighting.
 
Mike Harvey said:
Since this appears to be an HPX170 successor, will the HMC150 successor be far behind? I'm indifferent on the 3mos chips, but the lens has almost twice the reach of the HPX170/HMC150. Also a little surprised a Thunderbolt port wasn't included.
Click to expand...

The AC160 sounds like it could be the HMC150 replacement - same chips and lens as the HPX250, overcranking/undercranking, 1080 24 30 and 60P - but AVCHD instead of the P2 AVC-INTRA. I don't know where it would sit in the line up other than being just above the HMC150, or it's direct replacement. HD-SDI included as well.
 
I havent seen any pics yet. Im sure some of the folks at NAB will upload some. Wish I could have gone this year, but work wouldnt allow me to.
 
pulpfiction007 said:
The AC160 sounds like it could be an HMC150 replacement - same chips and lens as the HPX250, overcranking/undercranking, 1080 24 30 and 60P - but AVCHD instead of the P2 AVC-INTRA. I don't know where it would sit in the line up other than being just above the HMC150, or it's direct replacement. HD-SDI included as well.
Click to expand...

Replied the same time you did.
 
Nice...seems like the true successor to the HVX-200. I always saw the HPX-170 as an incremental update, they just lobbed off the tape drive. Bit pricey though.
 
Ha! This is exactly what i predicted Panny would do! (Check my old posts somewhere in these forums.)
Panasonic would eventually put their full-raster 1/3" CMOS chips into a smaller body, with AVC-i P2 capability. This looks like the replacement for the long-in-the-tooth HVX200 and HPX170 cams. No more uprezzed SD chips with low-rez EFV and monitors.
Now they can give the Canon XF line a true competitor.
 
I think in one fell swoop they've replaced the HVX200/HPX170 with the HPX250 and replaced the HMC150 with the AC130 - The AC160 is interesting in that it's AVCHD, but with a lot of high end features. The new LCD screens/lens/3 lens rings sound awesome on all of them.
I for one will be pre ordering the AC130 as it sits right in my budget and fills all of my needs.
 
Hmmm...not crazy about the form factor...but hey...let's wait and see.

http://nab.mikkowilson.com/2011/

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