AC90: The AC90 now has a smaller Consumer Baby Brother: the new HC-X920 HD

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LanceOregon

Well-known member
The new top of the line consumer camcorder announced at CES 2013 by Panasonic, the HC-X920 HD appears to use much of the same technology that is in the AC90. It appears to have the same sensors, lens, and advanced Hybrid OIS system.

Of course it is quite small, and lacks the advanced controls of the AC90.

Here are links to two early review with lots of pictures of it:


http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/49000/panasonic-hc-x920-flagship-camcorder-pictures-and-hands-on


http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/camcorders/1296793/panasonic-hc-x920-review-hands-on
 
The HC-X920/HC-X920M are stated to have a new 3COMOS 1/2.3-type BSI MOS Sensors, while this appears to be a larger sensor than in the AG-AC90's 1/4.7-type BSI MOS Sensors the lens seem to be almost identical a F1.5 lens 29.8mm (35mm equivalent) wide-angle to 12x optical zoom. Jan if you are here can you clear up the info on the size of the sensor and is it the same as the one in the AG-AC90's or is this really a new larger sensor?
http://panasonic.net/avc/camcorder/h...fications.html

Video of the HC-X920
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ei2Sa...layer_embedded
 
Why would they put a bigger sensor on the consumer cam than the pro cam? It seems a bit strange. I'm interested in the ac90 but something about the tiny sensors makes me think twice.
 
thpriest said:
Why would they put a bigger sensor on the consumer cam than the pro cam? It seems a bit strange. I'm interested in the ac90 but something about the tiny sensors makes me think twice.
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Man, I did not spot that there was a difference in sensor size. Everything else about the sensor description seemed to point to it being the same new technology.
 
noirist said:
The Panasonic X920 promo video says "With new 3MOS System Pro with larger sensor and greater pixel count images become crystal clear in every details." So maybe the 1/2.3" sensor size isn't a typo!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ei2Sa6v02LU
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Wow, that sample video is indeed very impressive. If the sensor size really is 1/2.3", then it has bigger sensors than even the AC130 and AC160. This makes me think that replacements for the AC130A and AC160A will no doubt have larger sensors also.
 
I think we may have to be a little cautious until a full review is posted by actual users. My initial take was also wondering why a larger sensor for a camera in this category. Then, I looked at the specs. The chip, though larger than the 90 and other cameras , is crammed with a massive amount of pixels thus the 20 mb still picture capability. With this in mind, even though backlit sensors are used, the amount of pixels will require more light. More light plus more pixels equal more noise reduction equals a softer picture ......most likely more than the AG AC 90. Of course, this is conjecture on my part with experience using numerous cameras and only time will tell if more pixels on the actual chips require more light. That is why a 1/3 chip with bigger pixels and a low count, but still HD, requires less light.
 
I agree with so many pixels I expected the HC-X920 not be as good in low light as the AG AC-90 but the listed specs tell a different story

AG AC-90 "Minimum Illumination Appox. 5 lx (IA mode, auto slow shutter ON)"

HC-X920 "Minimum Illumination 1.6 lx (Scene Mode Low Light 1/30)"

So there seems to be a lot of questions about the HC-X920 and it's new sensors hopefully we get answers soon.
 
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Looking at the total size of the chip can be a bit misleading though especially if it's only a smaller portion of the chip being used. If the video portion was really that big than the lens specifications wouldn't be similar to the AC90's.

Here's the specs of the video portion of the X920 chips.
Motion Image 8.49 megapixels (2.83 megapixels x 3) [16:9]
 
Lou Bruno said:
I think we may have to be a little cautious until a full review is posted by actual users. My initial take was also wondering why a larger sensor for a camera in this category.
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Well, but if you look at that thread that Camera Expert posted earlier, in it Singer64 claims to have spoken to Panasonic's Camcorder Marketing Manager for Germany, who allegedly told him that the chip in the AC-90 was physically 1/2.3 inch in size too.
 
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