PRICING/AVAILABLITY For AG-AC160/130 Announced $4,795.00 & $3,895.00 USD

[David Saraceno]

SECAUCUS, NJ (August 3, 2011) – Panasonic Solutions Company (PSC) today disclosed pricing and availability of two new professional AVCCAM HD handheld camcorders, the AG-AC160 and AG-AC130. The AC160/AC130 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 22X HD zoom lens, the longest in its category.

The AC160 will be available in September at a suggested list price of $4,795.00, and the AC130 will deliver in October at a suggested list price of $3,895.00.

 

[Phil vG]

I'm sure it was only an estimate. But these are better prices than B&H have on their page right now.
It's very, very annoying that here in AUS they will put a price of $8,795 on the 160 and $6,895 on the 130 (or something like that) even though the AUS Dollar is stronger than the US right now. :angry:

 

[dcloud]

thats SRP right? so im guessing it can still go down on street price?

 

[David Saraceno]

Yep. Those were USD retail prices, not street prices.

 

[SPZ]

This probably means the 250 is not far behind...

 

[Sumfun]

This probably means the 250 is not far behind...

Yes. There's already another thread stating that the 250 will be available by the end of the month for $5,995.

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...TY-FOR-AG-HPX250-Announced-August-5995.00-USD

 

[David Saraceno]

This probably means the 250 is not far behind...

It isn't.

In fact, it is expected by the end of August at $5995.00 retail.

 

[Barry_Green]

Full press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PANASONIC ANNOUNCES PRICING/AVAILABLITY OF NEW AVCCAM HD HANDHELD CAMCORDERS WITH FULL HD IMAGER AND 22X ZOOM LENS
Premium AG-AC160 Offers Variable Frame Rates, LPCM Audio, HD-SDI Output and Is 50Hz/60Hz Switchable for Worldwide Use
SECAUCUS, NJ (August 3, 2011) – Panasonic Solutions Company (PSC) today disclosed pricing and availability of two new professional AVCCAM HD handheld camcorders, the AG-AC160 and AG-AC130. The AC160/AC130 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 22X HD zoom lens, the longest in its category. The AC160 will be available in September at a suggested list price of $4,795.00, and the AC130 will deliver in October at a suggested list price of $3,895.00.

Key new AC160/AC130 features include two SD Memory Card slots for relay or simultaneous recording, compatibility with Panasonic’s new SDHC full Class 10 UHS-1 (Ultra High Speed) Memory Cards, an enhanced viewfinder and LCD display, and DV recording. The higher-end AC160 also 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 in 1080p 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 22X zoom lens with three independent adjustable rings for zoom, focus and iris, these new AVCCAM units offer a wide 28mm to 616 mm (35mm full frame 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 (approx. 8 Mbps, 720p only), which is ideal for shooting sports training and web video. These latest AVCCAM camcorders are compatible with Panasonic’s ultra high-speed UHS-1 Memory Card series (in addition to providing existing SDXC and SDHC card support), with transfer rates of 90MBs, four-and-a-half times as fast as the previous generation of SDHC media. With two SD slots for continuous recording, the AC160/130 can record up to 12 hours on two 64GB SDB 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 1080/59.94i; and in standard definition DV, they record 480/59.94i, 480/29.97p, 480/23.98p. 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 22-step 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 (O.I.S) for smooth stable shooting and Dynamic Range Stretch (DRS), which helps compensate for wide variations in lighting. Standard professional interfaces include an HD-SDI output (AC160 only), HDMI output (AVCHD only), USB 2.0 (mini B-type), IEEE 1394 output (DV only), and a built-in stereo microphone. The camcorders feature two locking XLR inputs with switches for mic/line, two RCA audio outputs, and +48V Phantom Power capability. The AC160 records two channels of LPCM audio in the PH and DV modes, and Dolby Digital in all HD modes. The AC130 records two channels of Dolby Digital in all modes. Other connectors include a camera remote for Zoom and Start/Stop recording, an index remote, and a pre-set time code in/out that doubles as a Video Out.

The AVCCAM handhelds offers useful solid-state recording functions including pre-record, interval recording, shot marker and metadata capture. Additional features include waveform and vectorscope display, focus assists, auto focus with face detection, white balance, mode display, zebra display, color bar, tally lamps, 4-position ND optical filter controls, slow shutter and synchro-scan shutter functions, a multi-language menu, and three programmable user buttons. A wireless remote is also included.

For editing or playback, professionals can transfer content by inserting the SD Memory Card into Mac or PC computers or by connecting the camera directly via its USB 2.0 interface. Panasonic’s new AVCCAM Importer software, a QuickTime plug-in component that eliminates the need to convert AVCHD files to ProRES422 files before editing in Final Cut Pro, will be available this summer as a free download from the company’s web site.

For easy HD viewing, the camcorders are equipped with a widescreen 1,226,000-pixel LCOS color viewfinder and a widescreen 921,000-pixel 3.45-inch LCD color monitor. Weighing just over five pounds, the AC160/130 offer a well-balanced, ergonomic design. Power consumption is low at under 12 watts. Panasonic will support the AC160/AC130 with a three-year limited warranty (one year plus two extra years upon registration).

About AVCCAM
Panasonic’s AVCCAM series brings the benefits of solid-state HD recording to budget-conscious professionals with a range of affordable camera and recorder products that record with inexpensive, widely-available SD/SDHC Memory Cards. The professional AVCCAM line includes the AG-3DA1 Full HD 3D camcorder, the AGAF100 large imager HD cinema camera, the AG-HMC40 compact handheld, the AG-HMC150 handheld, the AG-HMC80 shoulder-mount, the AG-HMR10 AVCCAM recorder and its optional AG-HCK10 camera head. AVCHD is supported by a wide range of editing options, including Apple Final Cut Pro 6 or 7, Adobe Premier Pro CS4 or CS5, Grass Valley EDIUS Pro 5 or 6, EDIUS Neo 2 or 3, and Avid Media Composer 5. For more information, visit www.panasonic.com/AVCCAM.


About Panasonic Solutions Company
Panasonic Solutions Company empowers people whose jobs depend on reliable technology. The company delivers collaboration, information-sharing and decision-support solutions for customers in government, healthcare, education and a wide variety of commercial enterprises. Products and services within the company’s portfolio include Panasonic Toughbook® mobile computing solutions, projectors, professional displays (including both plasma and LCD), and HD and 3D video acquisition and production solutions. As a result of its commitment to R&D, manufacturing and quality control, Panasonic is known for the reliability and longevity of its products. Panasonic Solutions Company is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, which is the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC).
All brand and company/product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies. All specifications are subject to change without notice. Information on Panasonic Solutions Company’s full line of products can be obtained by calling 877-803-8492 or at www.panasonic.com/broadcast.
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