OTHER: Panasonic Broadcast US announces new member to the AG-AC AVCCAM camcorder family

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LanceOregon

Well-known member
Oddly enough, I cannot find any information available yet on any Panasonic websites about this new camcorder. But the Panasonic Broadcast Facebook page is talking all about it, and is posting a bunch of specs and photos. They just posted this info earlier this evening.

The new AG-AC90 is much smaller and lighter than any of the other members of the AG-AC AVCCAM camcorder family. Here is the information that they posted about this new little brother to the AG-AC130 and AG-AC160:

The AG-AC90:

equipped with new high-sensitivity 1/4.7”, full-HD 2.19 megapixel 3-MOS imagers to capture native 1920 x 1080 resolution images. The new AC90 is on display today and tomorrow at the WEVA show at the Universal Hilton Hotel in Universal City, CA. Targeted at the wedding and event, sports and corporate AV markets, the AC90 records in 1080/60p, 60i, 30p and 24p, as well as in standard definition (480/60i) in 60Hz. Its 12X zoom lens with three independent adjustable rings for zoom, focus and iris offers a wide 29.8mm to 357.6 mm (35mm equivalent) viewing angle, and Panasonic’s exclusive Nano Surface Lens Coating reduces ghosting and flares.

Key AC90 features include two SD Memory Card slots for simultaneous recording; a five-axis image stabilizer that dramatically improves stabilization over previous models for hand-held shooting; 4X pixel shifting technology for a sharper image; and an intelligent Auto (iA) Zoom 25X super-resolution function for automatic adjustments of edge, gradation and detail.

The AG-AC90 will be available late fall 2012, with a targeted suggested list price of $2,250 in the USA.


Here are two photos of the new camcorder:

246817_10151150880707922_572036195_n.jpg



555615_10151150879622922_500511588_n.jpg


For further information, visit the Panasonic Broadcast US Facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/panasonicbroadcast
 
Ah, I found another press release on the Panasonic Broadcast UK website, that has some additional details. At full wide angle, the lens is a super fast f/1.5 The LCD is 3.5 inches, but is a higher resolution than what the AC130 and AC160 offer. In addition, it is a touch screen, that allows options to be easily set by navigating menus and selecting options by touching the LCD.

It also says that the price in the UK will be €1800 ( excluding VAT ).

No word regarding ND filter support, however. This is the primary question that I have about this camcorder at this point in time.

Here is a link to the UK press announcement:

http://business.panasonic.co.uk/pro...-new-stylish-avccam-camera-recorder-ag-ac90-0
 
Hi Guys

I'm sure this will excite the HMC40 people as it has all the extras that the HMC40 doesn't have and a nice price range too!! It certainly looks like an upscaled 40 to me...I see the lens is a bit bigger diameter too..up from 43mm to 49mm so that will help the light. Yes, there is no ND switch so it looks like it has the same system as the 40 and 80 series with auto ND and I suspect it will have just two scene files but to select them you will have to reboot the camera like the older ones. For run 'n gun it will be great to use with the higher res LCD and it's positioning will also make fitting a rail, shoulder pad and loupe a lot easier.

About 4 weeks ago my PAL suppliers dropped both the HMC41 and 42 from their price list so this will be the reason. It will be nice to see some other specs too when they come out!!

Chris
 
So based on the smaller sensor, I'm assuming that using this as a secondary camera in a AC160/130 setup will be out of the question?

Pani probably couldn't justify using the same sensor in the lowest end model as the highest end (HPX 250). Too bad.
 
I have never been sure how that works mathematically!! so is 1/4.7 almost 1/5th" and the HMC40 1/4.1 is just under 1/4" ..if so then it is a smaller chip..I wonder why they used a smaller sensor instead of the normal 1/4"??? Practically during weddings I expected my 130's with 1/3rd chips to be vastly better than the 1/4" and they were not..I still needed to use lighting at wedding receptions!! The new camera does supposedly have a faster and bigger diameter lens (43mm filiter and 49mm filter) so that might compensate?

QUICK UPDATE : A 1/4.7 chip is actually 3.8mm across and a 1/4.1 chip is 4.0mm across so the difference is 0.2mm smaller!
 
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4.7 Chip means more depth of field, I think probably for the 1080 60P which is a great new option, again no Leica lens, so will be nice to see some test footage.
Being small not as small as the HMC40, Nice to know the weight.
 
Release is scheduled around October I believe...The double frame rate is very nice ..I wonder if the autofocus will be as troublesome as the AC-130....It's always a good idea to let the gearheads buy cameras and then see if they have any issues. I bought my 130's as soon as they came out which was a mistake...rather see what issues the cameras might have before jumping in too soon. The concept is good ...Yeah, a leica lens would have been good. We haven't yet seen any specs apart from the sensor size and the fact it will shoot 50/60P at 28mbps ... I still love my shoulder mount cameras but these (with the front mount LCD ) have the ability to be used with a loupe. I suspect our PAL versions won't be released until closer to Christmas but it will be nice to know physical size..the weight will be pretty light I would say!! close to 2lbs at the most!!
 
ChrisHarding said:
Release is scheduled around October I believe...The double frame rate is very nice ..I wonder if the autofocus will be as troublesome as the AC-130....It's always a good idea to let the gearheads buy cameras and then see if they have any issues. I bought my 130's as soon as they came out which was a mistake...rather see what issues the cameras might have before jumping in too soon. The concept is good ...Yeah, a leica lens would have been good. We haven't yet seen any specs apart from the sensor size and the fact it will shoot 50/60P at 28mbps ... I still love my shoulder mount cameras but these (with the front mount LCD ) have the ability to be used with a loupe. I suspect our PAL versions won't be released until closer to Christmas but it will be nice to know physical size..the weight will be pretty light I would say!! close to 2lbs at the most!!
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No way Chris 2 lbs is the HMC40 This seems heavier but you could be right, as well let' see the footage or issues, in fact is not what I wanted for the HMC50, I want a 4.2.2 avc intra with build in ND for $ 2000, and that will come not this year but next or the next after. The HMC40 with 5-8 hours of use at week could last decades, and for sure makes the same video as this new one if not better. But for first time buyers this will be my number one option
 
Is the HMC40 that highly regarded? Has it been a sales success? It would seem that this new camcorder is a significant upgrade from the HMC40 feature-wise.
 
Felipe Henao said:
The HMC40 with 5-8 hours of use at week could last decades, and for sure makes the same video as this new one if not better.
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Panasonic's marketing statements are claiming that the AC90 has superior low light capability. As Chris noted, we will have to wait for sample footage. Then we will find out if these improvement claims are indeed noteworthy.

I know that low light performance is one area where the HMC40 was criticized.
 
looks like the new cam for the well paid daddy to film his kids in future...lol.. the tiny sensor won't show any difference to any consumer camcorder i guess... i would call this more a downgrade in quality...
 
LanceOregon said:
Is the HMC40 that highly regarded?
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Everyone I know who has one or used one, loves it. It's a great little camcorder.

Has it been a sales success? It would seem that this new camcorder is a significant upgrade from the HMC40 feature-wise.
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I don't know the numbers on it to determine whether it was a sales success or not, obviously they felt that the market was a good fit for them as they've brought out an enhanced model. The HMC40 is a little long in the tooth now, as it was introduced in 2009 and so is closing in on about three years old, which is about the typical lifespan of a camcorder in Panasonic's pro lineup.
 
Yes in fact what we need is more information about it and , number one what really cares at least for me is image quality, and could only be seen after extensive testing.
 
They should do a rx100 sensor with better lens on an ac90body. If rx100 can be that small i dont see why they cant do somethign similar.
 
dcloud said:
They should do a rx100 sensor with better lens on an ac90body. If rx100 can be that small i dont see why they cant do somethign similar.
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DITTO!!!!
I would buy it in a heartbeat with a big chip.

8 years ago I got a 7.2 megapixel 1/1.8" chip in my still camera for around $500. fast forward I can get 20.9 megapixel 1" in a still camera for around $650 (In 6 months I am sure it will be had for $500)

now video:
8 years ago I could buy a DVX100 1/3" 3-CCD chip video camera for about $2800. Fast forward to today I can buy a 1/3" 3-CMOS chip camera for about $3900. (AC130)
Can you say manufacturers are holding back??? HELL YEAH! :Drogar-BlackEye(DBG Very conservatively speaking using we should buying a 2/3" 3-CMOS chip for no more than $3500 street price.
Funny how they said CMOS where going to be so much cheaper to produce vs CCD..... well nothing is reflecting that.

they may argue well it's HD vs SD. and I would argue there is no more costly video head and transports with millions of parts. It's a $5 SD slot. They are taking advantage of us... and if it ever gets out that manufactures are in collusion to keep prices high and chip sizes small I will find the best lawyer. (It wouldn't be the first time competitors where in bed with each other to help give them a better bottom line)

ALL I ask of fellow board members is --- when we go to a trade show and the manufactures want to show us a new video camera. ask them the chip size & price ...and come back with... I would not buy a camera with such a small chip for that price. Perhaps they'll get the point.

RANT OUT :beer:
 
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