Panasonic announces aj-hpx3100 p2 hd camcorder

Matt Gottshalk

Matt Gottshalk

Resident Preditor
http://www.panasonic-broadcast.de/de/news/archiv.php?we_objectID=4049

WIESBADEN - 23. August 2010 - Panasonic will launch the AJ-HPX3100, a compact shoulder mounted HD camcorder featuring P2 solid-state memory card recording, in October 2010.

The AJ-HPX3100 offers high image quality and performance for high-end video production, incorporating a 2.2 megapixel, 2/3, type CCD image sensor (3CCD) and the latest AVC-Intra Codec for broadcasting (compatible with MPEG-4 AVC/H.264).

The camcorder supports multi-format HD capability as well as SD, DVCPRO50, DVCPRO and DV recording. The AVC-Intra 100 codec records high-quality images using 10 bit/4:2:2 sampling and also supports high-quality 24 bit audio recording whilst in AVC-Intra mode. The camera also offers a Chromatic Aberration Compensation (CAC) function to compensate variations in the lens and Dynamic Range Stretch (DRS) which suppresses blocked shadows and blown highlights.

The AJ-HPX3100 offers a number of improvements over its predecessor; a newly designed compact and lightweight body provides a low centre of gravity ensuring an unobstructed view for the camera operator. It is 3.9kg (8.6 lb) lighter than the previous model, offering the camera person enhanced mobility. The camera also consumes around 23% less power than conventional 2/3 3CCD camcorders.

The camcorder has two easily accessible slots for reusable P2 solid-state memory cards which offer up to 64 GB capacity and a high data transfer speed. The new camera also includes a range of functionality to improve workflow including wireless metadata input capability and a new video encoder board capable of proxy recording supporting Apple’s Final Cut Pro editing system.

The AJ-HPX3100G will be showcased at the BIRTV 2010 exhibition in Beijing, China between August 23 to 26 and will also be on the Panasonic stand #11.E60 at IBC from September 10th.
 
Time for a new forum...
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Is their a mention of pricing somewhere yet? What ever it is, I'm sure it'll be infinitely times what I'm able to afford but that's just in case I hit the jackpot. OK, it's not like it would really matter that much if in the millions that I won.

I could really use something like this.
 
What's the difference between HPX3100 and the HPX3000 or HPX3700?

Does anyone know how this cameras compare to other high-end 2/3" cameras like the Sony F900, Sony F23,etc?
 
Here's a couple of differences:

"The AJ-HPX3100 offers a number of improvements over its predecessor; a newly designed compact and lightweight body provides a low centre of gravity ensuring an unobstructed view for the camera operator. It is 3.9kg (8.6 lb) lighter than the previous model, offering the camera person enhanced mobility. The camera also consumes around 23% less power than conventional 2/3 3CCD camcorders."
 
bill totolo said:
That's a hot little camera. Too bad we just purchased 16 2700's.
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You'll still want the 2700 if you need slow motion, looks like this is just 1080 like the 3000. It would have been a real eye-opener if it had given you a 720 option for overcranking.

I'm quite baffled as to how it can be 3.9kg lighter than the 3000, that would mean that this new camera weighs 900g! The 3000 only weighs 4.8kgs.

Steve
 
steve phillipps said:
You'll still want the 2700 if you need slow motion, looks like this is just 1080 like the 3000. It would have been a real eye-opener if it had given you a 720 option for overcranking.

I'm quite baffled as to how it can be 3.9kg lighter than the 3000, that would mean that this new camera weighs 900g! The 3000 only weighs 4.8kgs.

Steve
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LOl, I think they meant fully rigged with lens and battery? Or maybe they meant 3.9 lbs lighter?

Steve, where do you hear it doesn't have 720? I have yet to read this anywhere. Can you post a link to the source?
 
3CCD? Interesting!
The same tiny body as the AG-Hpx300/370 but with a 2/3" lens mount.
Same viewfinder too?
 
steve phillipps said:
You'll still want the 2700 if you need slow motion, looks like this is just 1080 like the 3000. It would have been a real eye-opener if it had given you a 720 option for overcranking.

I'm quite baffled as to how it can be 3.9kg lighter than the 3000, that would mean that this new camera weighs 900g! The 3000 only weighs 4.8kgs.

Steve
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Slow motion has costs in image quality when dealing with CCDs of such high bandwidth (1920x1080p). The 720p frame rate from these chips wouldn't be very fast.

It has to be a typo. It's 3.9kg, lighter than the 3000 which is 4,8kg:) 900gr lighter.

It looks like $45,000.
 
How are these cameras compared to other high-end 2/3" cameras(Sony F900, Sony F23, Thomson Viper,etc.)???
 
Steve was correct! It only shoots in 1080 flavors of HD.
And it's total weight (I assume it means body only) is 3.9kg. Still lghter than the 3000.
 
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Otis Grapsas said:
Slow motion has costs in image quality when dealing with CCDs of such high bandwidth (1920x1080p). The 720p frame rate from these chips wouldn't be very fast.
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The only thing you could expect would be 720/60P, that's definitely technically feasible, for instance the Sony PDW700 does it. Would likely hit sales of the HPX2700 though, that'll be they don't have it. That's business I suppose.

Steve
 
steve phillipps said:
The only thing you could expect would be 720/60P, that's definitely technically feasible, for instance the Sony PDW700 does it. Would likely hit sales of the HPX2700 though, that'll be they don't have it. That's business I suppose.

Steve
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The hpx2700 is much cheaper, internal competition wouldn't be a problem. It's also half price now if you trade in another camcorder:)

A 1920x1080p 30p CCD is not capable of 1280x720 60p. That's CCD reality. The impact in noise performance and overall image quality would be severe. If it could do this it would as well do 1920x1080 60p, the entire sensor is read anyway. A cropped 720p mode would make wide angle problematic (it's an 1/2" sensor after this cropping) and it still would't be better than 35-40p, that's also CCD reality. If Panasonic had 1080/60p sensors, you would see then in their top of the line model first (a 3700 revision).

Since Panasonic are allowing a Sony 60p monopoly, you can bet it's a technical limitation. Panasonic started this slow motion thing with the Varicam but they didn't follow in 1080p. Some Panasonic CCD cameras do 60p but only with 960x540 sensors and 1280x720 sensors (25% and 50% the data compared to 1920x1080 sensors).

Sensor aside, 1080/60p also requires the rest of the chain to be capable of 2x rates. All internal processing, AVC-Intra and AVCHD formats and processing capable of 1080/60p.
 
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