List of Panasonic camcorders: Difference between revisions
added HDC-HS350, HDC-HS250, and TM300K |
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The optical image stabiliser has been improved and now features two modes of operation (four for still photo mode). |
The optical image stabiliser has been improved and now features two modes of operation (four for still photo mode). |
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The HDC-TM300 is a new departure and features a built in 32Gb of [[Flash memory]] instead of a hard disc drive (The 'TM' in the model number stands for 'Twin Memory'). This model has been slightly restyled compared with its stable mate. |
The HDC-TM300 is a new departure and features a built in 32Gb of [[Flash memory]] instead of a hard disc drive (The 'TM' in the model number stands for 'Twin Memory'). This model has been slightly restyled compared with its stable mate. The HDC-TM350 has 64Gb of memory. |
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Both camcorders also feature an accessory shoe. It is built in on the HDC-HS300 but is an attachable accessory itself on the HDC-TM300. |
Both camcorders also feature an accessory shoe. It is built in on the HDC-HS300 but is an attachable accessory itself on the HDC-TM300. |
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Revision as of 19:01, 27 December 2009
This is a list of Panasonic camcorders.
Professional standard definition models
Panasonic AG-DVC7
The Panasonic AG-DVC7 is a low level professional-grade camcorder.[1] Its features include a shoulder-mount design and 1/4 in. CCD. It is mainly used for event videography because of its professional looks, but low cost. The DVC 7 does not have 3CCD technology or professional XLR microphone inputs. The DVC7 is the less professional version of the DVC10, DVC15, and Proline AG-DVC60.
Consumer standard definition models
NV-M5
The NV-M5 is a VHS recording camcorder, launched in 1986. As one of the first camcorders to record directly onto VHS, the M5 enjoyed commercial success throughout the late 1980s at a time when VHS was becoming increasingly established as the home video format of choice for consumers. Unlike other cassette types such as Hi-8 and VHS-C, cassettes recorded on the M5 could be played directly in a conventional VHS VCR, without the need for an adaptor or connections between the camcorder and television.
Among the M5 features are autofocus, high shutter speed for fast action shots and editing functionality such as audio dubbing and fade to black. The camera utilized a 6:1 Optical zoom lens, electronic viewfinder and came equipped with monophonic microphone. Although bulky (97x181x398 mm), at the time it was considered compact, especially in comparison to the Betacam which had separate camera and VTR units.
The M5 is notable for its AC Adaptor unit which supplies external power, charges the onboard battery and can be used as an RF modulator to supply AV signals from the camcorder to a television or another VHS deck.
Professional high definition models
Panasonic AG-HPX500
The Panasonic AG-HPX500 is a popular, highly-regarded,[2] versatile P2 HD camcorder debuted at the NAB 2007 trade show. It is notable for a number of features records on 3 2/3" progressive CCD's and utilizes a menu structure similar to the HVX200. The camera records at 1080i/p/50/60/25/30/24fps 720p/25/30/60/24fps as well as standard definition progressive and interlaced in PAL and NTSC. Variable frame rates are available for undercranking and overcranking. Sensitivity is rated at f10 at 2000lux.[3] It is related to the Panasonic Varicam.
Panasonic's cine-like gamma curves are included: Cinegama-V for video out and Cinegamma-D for film out.
AG-HVX200, AG-HVX200A
The AG-HVX200 is a fixed-lens hybrid camcorder released in December 2005 for 60 Hz market and April 2006 for 50 Hz market. The camcorder allows file-based recording onto P2 cards, as well recording onto traditional MiniDV cassettes.
The imaging section employs a 3CCD system with 1/3 inch sensors, each having about 520,000 photosites. High definition resolution is achieved by both horizontal and vertical spatial offset or pixel shifting, though the effective resolution does not exceed 600 lines either horizontally or vertically[4].
The camcorder is capable of recording in several standard-definition and high-definition video formats. The image is always scanned progressively at 1920×1080 resolution, then is downsized to target frame size.
Recording formats:
- DVCPRO HD: 720p (960x720), 1080i (1280x1080 for 60 Hz regions, 1440x1080 for 50 Hz regions) at 100 Mbit/s
- DVCPRO50: 480i for 60 Hz regions, 576i for 50 Hz regions at 50 Mbit/s
- DVCPRO: 480i for 60 Hz regions, 576i for 50 Hz regions at 25 Mbit/s
- DV: 480i for 60 Hz regions, 576i for 50 Hz regions at 25 Mbit/s
All formats can be recorded onto P2 cards. Only standard DV video can be recorded to MiniDV tapes. In 720p mode the camcorder offers variable shooting rates for overcranking/undercranking.
The updated model, AG-HVX200A, was released in late May 2008. Among other changes, the HVX200A features improved CCDs and an adjusted lens. These changes improved image quality in addition to providing a wider angle of view.
AG-HPX170
The AG-HPX170 can be thought of as the AG-HVX200A without a tape deck. The camcorder employs the same imaging section as the AG-HVX200A, and is similar to it in terms of physical appearance, layout of controls and functionality.
Compared to the AG-HVX200/200A, the AG-HPX170 is smaller and about 1.6 pound lighter. The lens thread size is reduced from 82mm to 72mm, and field of view is wider. The camera offers more frame rates for overcranking/undercranking. There are more focus assist options, including focus assist bar and focus assist graph. New functionality includes a waveform monitor and vectorscope. Revised neutral density filter offers three settings (1/4, 1/16, and 1/64) instead of two (1/8 and 1/64) for finer control.
AG-HMC150
The AG-HMC150 is an AVCCAM camcorder released in 2008. The camcorder employs the same imaging section as the AG-HVX200A and the AG-HPX170, and is very similar to these models in terms of physical appearance and functionality. The major difference is recording media (Secure Digital cards versus P2 cards) and encoding format (AVCHD versus DVCPROHD).
Video is recorded to an SDHC memory card in 720p, 1080i and 1080p formats with data rate up to 24 Mbit/s. A supplied 8GB SDHC card holds about 45 minutes of video recorded at highest quality setting. The camcorder can record up to 12 hours continuously, provided that a memory card has sufficient storage space.
The camcorder has different model numbers for different markets:
- AG-HMC150/AG-HMC150P is the North American version, which supports only 60 Hz scanning.
- AG-HMC151/AG-HMC151E is the European version which is switchable between 50 Hz and 60 Hz scanning rates, thus providing "world" capability out of the box.[5]
- AG-HMC152/AG-HMC152EN is the Australian version of the camera that supports only 50 Hz scanning.[6]
- AG-HMC153/AG-HMC153MC supports only 50 Hz scanning.
- AG-HMC154/AG-HMC154ER supports only 50 Hz scanning.
- AG-HMC155 is the Asian version, which supports only 60 Hz scanning.
AG-HMC40
The AG-HMC40 is an AVCCAM camcorder released in 2009.
The camcorder shares some components with the HDC-HS300/HDC-TM300/HDC-SD300 consumer series, in particular the 1/4.1-inch 3MOS imaging system, the 12x Leica Dicomar lens and the 2.7-inch touch-sensitive LCD screen. Video is recorded onto a Secure Digital card in 720p, 1080i and 1080p formats with data rate up to 24 Mbit/s.
The AG-HMC40 is the first Panasonic camcorder to include an automatic built-in neutral density (ND) filter. When the iris closes down from fully open position — either manually or automatically — it closes to F2.8, then the ND filter activates to absorb light while keeping iris at F2.8. After filter is fully engaged, the iris continues to close. Unlike Canon camcorders, which report constant aperture value when the ND filter is being engaged, the HMC40 reports virtual aperture values. That is, F2.8 means "F2.8, no ND filter", F3.0 means "F2.8, 1/6-stop ND", F3.2 means "F2.8, 1/3-stop ND", etc. With the ND filter fully engaged the camera displays F6.4, which in reality means "F2.8, 2 and 1/2-stop ND". [7] The operation of the automatic ND filter is fully transparent for a user, does not require use of an external ND filter, and allows achieving shallow depth of field.
Variants:
- AG-HMC40/AG-HMC40P/AG-HMC40U is a North American version, which supports only 60 Hz scanning.[8]
- AG-HMC41/AG-HMC41E is a European version, which supports only 50 Hz scanning.[9]
- AG-HMC45 is an Asian version, which supports only 60 Hz scanning.
The 60 Hz version records in the following formats: 1080/60i, 1080/30p (over 60i), 1080/24p (native), 720/60p, 720/30p (over 60p), 720/24p (Native). The 50 Hz version records in the following formats: 1080/50i, 1080/25p (over 50i), 720/50p, 720/25p (over 50p).
Consumer high definition models
HDC-DX1, HDC-SD1
The HDC-DX1 and the HDC-SD1 models were the first Panasonic AVCHD camcorders, released in 2006. The HDC-DX1 recorded onto a 8 cm DVD disc with maximum data rate of 12 Mbit/s, the HDC-SD1 recorded onto an SDHC memory card with maximum data rate of 13 Mbit/s. The HDC-SD1 became the first consumer high definition camcorder to record to solid-state media.
Both models recorded interlaced video only with frame size of 1440x1080 pixels and pixel aspect ratio of 1.33, similarly to HDV 1080i camcorders.
The camcorders were equipped with 1/4-inch 3CCD sensor block. This is the largest sensor size for a consumer 3CCD camera. Other camcorders either use a single CCD system, or a CMOS system, or a 3CCD setup with smaller sensors. Relatively large sensors with low pixel density provided good light sensitivity, while pixel shifting technology allowed obtaining high resolution.
Prosumer features, offered by the camcorders, included threaded lens barrel for attachments, external microphone jack, manual control of aperture, shutter speed and gain, zebra and focus assist.
Reviews:
- Review by CamcorderInfo
- Hands-on review by Danlin
- Hands-on review by Navagear
- Review by PCWorld
- Review and comparison to the Canon HF100
HDC-SX5, HDC-SD5, HDC-SD7
The HDC-SX5, the HDC-SD5 and the HDC-SD7 represented the second generation of Panasonic AVCHD camcorders. The HDC-DX5 was a hybrid model, which allowed recording onto either an 8-cm DVD disc or onto a built-in hard disk drive. The HDC-DX5 was the last Panasonic's AVCHD camcorder to record onto DVD media. The HDC-SD5 and the HDC-SD7 used Secure Digital memory cards as recording media. The HDC-SD7 was the smallest high definition camcorder and at the time of its release.
In the process of miniaturization Panasonic reduced the size of the lens and of the sensor block compared to the first generation of AVCHD camcorders. The lens thread size has been reduced from 43 mm to 37 mm, the sensor size has been reduced from 1/4-inch to 1/6-inch, but the 3CCD setup has been preserved.
Compared to the first generation, full 1920 x 1080 recording has been added to recording modes, and the maximum data rate has been increased from 13 Mbit/s to 17 Mbit/s.
HDC-SD9, HDC-HS9
The HDC-SD9 and the HDC-HS9 were the updated versions of the HDC-SD5 and the HDC-SX5, respectively. The cameras had the same lens, sensor block, and the input/output connectors as the preceding models. The location of the connectors was revised, and the menu joystick was moved from the back of the camcorder to the left side, inside the LCD cavity. The HDC-SD9 recorded onto Secure Digital memory cards, while the HDC-HS9 recorded onto a built-in hard disk drive. Starting from this series, Panasonic dropped support of DVD media in its AVCHD camcorders.
The largest functional difference of the new models was a possibility to record progressive video. The 50 Hz version of the camcorder could shoot 25-frame/s progressive video, recording it within interlaced stream using progressive segmented frame technique. The 60 Hz version was capable of shooting and recording native 24-frame/s progressive video.[10]
Reviews:
HDC-SD100, HDC-HS100
The HDC-SD100 and the HDC-HS100, released in 2008, signified Panasonic's switch from CCD to CMOS technology. Traditionally for Panasonic, these camcorders used a 3-sensor setup, which was called 3MOS. As in the previous generations, the sensors used pixel-shift technology, having 520,000 effective pixels each.
Both camcorders recorded high definition video in AVCHD format. The HDC-SD100 recorded to a removable SDHC memory card only, while the HDC-HS100 was also capable of recording onto a built-in 60GB hard disk drive. These camcorders also feature a built in viewfinder not present in the smaller models above.
Interlaced video was the main recording format for both camcorders, though there was an option of recording progressive video. The 50 Hz versions were capable of shooting 25-frame/s progressive video, recording it within interlaced stream using progressive segmented frame technique. The 60 Hz versions were able to shoot and record native 24-frame/s progressive video, which was an unusual feature for a consumer camcorder.[11][12]
The camcorders offered the same frame size and quality settings as earlier models: HA (17 Mbit/s), HF (13 Mbit/s), HN (9 Mbit/s), and HE (6 Mbit/s). A supplied 8GB SDHC card holds up to one hour of video recorded at highest quality setting.
In these models Panasonic brought back many manual controls that had been lost in prior AVCHD models, like manual focus ring, external microphone jack, headphone jack and accessory shoe.
Reviews:
- Panasonic HDC-SD100 Camcorder Review, by CamcorderInfo.com
- Panasonic HDC-SD100 Review, by TrustedReviews.com
HDC-HS300, HDC-TM300
The HDC-SD300 is essentially the same as the HDC-SD100 above except that it features a 120 Gb hard disk drive and newer higher density sensors of approx 3 megapixels each. It is thus not necessary to use pixel shift technology to achieve high definition images. Also, the camera features vastly improved resolution when used to take still pictures (up to 10.6 megapixels). The sensors are the same physical size as the HDC-HS100 and just a little smaller than the HDC-SD1.
The optical image stabiliser has been improved and now features two modes of operation (four for still photo mode).
The HDC-TM300 is a new departure and features a built in 32Gb of Flash memory instead of a hard disc drive (The 'TM' in the model number stands for 'Twin Memory'). This model has been slightly restyled compared with its stable mate. The HDC-TM350 has 64Gb of memory.
Both camcorders also feature an accessory shoe. It is built in on the HDC-HS300 but is an attachable accessory itself on the HDC-TM300.
HDC-HS200
This is a lower cost version of the HDC-HS300 with a smaller hard disc drive of 80 Gb, but the viewfinder and accessory shoe have also been deleted.
HDC-TM350
This is identical to the HDC-TM300 except for a larger 64 Gb built in Flash memory and being coloured grey instead of black.
This camera is limited edition model. In the UK, only 200 will be sold.
HDC-HS350, HDC-HS250, and TM300K
Camcorders to describe.
References
- ^ Panasonic's AG-DVC7 webpage
- ^ P2 AG-HPX500 review
- ^ AG-HPX500 User's Site
- ^ "Texas Shootout, part 2".
- ^ "Panasonic AG-HMC151 memory-card camera recorder" (PDF).
- ^ "Panasonic AG-HMC150 series" (PDF).
- ^ "HMC40: first look".
- ^ "Panasonic AG-HMC40/AG-HMC40U brochure" (PDF).
- ^ "Panasonic AG-HMC41/AG-HMC41E brochure" (PDF).
- ^ "Panasonic SD9 shoots true 24p footage".
- ^ "Shoot 1080p24 with the Panasonic HDC-HS100 and HDC-SD100".
- ^ "Panasonic HDC-SD100 review". by Alex Lindsay, Macworld.com. Retrieved 2009-07-10.