Coming Soon

HD camcorders to keep your eye on.
April 24, 2008
Maria Wakem, Editor

Panasonic AG-HPX170

If you’re looking to hop onto the HD video wagon, it may pay to wait. Showcased at NAB, both Panasonic and Sony have camcorders slated for a fall 2008/third quarter release at approximately $6,000 and $13,000 respectively. And just so you know what you’re getting for your money, below is a brief cheat sheet on both products.

Panasonic AG-HPX170

The AG-HPX170 is a 4.2-pound, solid-state handheld camcorder that records in 20 HD and SD formats. Like all Panasonic’s P2 HD products, this model offers high-definition recording without the mechanical wear and environmental limitations of tape, hard disk and optical disc based systems. With its two P2 card slots, users can record up to 64 continuous minutes of the highest quality DVCPRO HD recording using currently available 32GB P2 cards.

Building on the success of it older sibling, the AG-HVX200, the recently announced HPX170 is equipped with new advanced 1/3-inch 16:9 3-CCDs and a high-performance digital signal processor with 14-bit A/D conversion and 19-bit processing to deliver broadcast-quality, independent frame recordings. It also boasts the widest zoom lens in its class—a 13X Leica Dicomar zoom lens with a 28mm wide-angle setting. For added flexibility, the camera provides auto or manual focus and iris.

The HPX170 offers a 20-step frame rate selection in 720p mode for variable-speed shooting in the 12fps to 60fps range to acquire fast- or slow-motion in-camera effects. Creative users can select from a variety of advanced gamma functions and settings including a CineGammaTM mode.

The camera also features a built-in stereo microphone and two-channel XLR audio input terminals supporting 48V phantom power supply with a selectable mic/line and manual audio level volume (two-channel). Other convenient operational features include clip preview on the camera’s 3.5” color LCD monitor; instant recording startup, scene files, assignable user buttons, focus assist and a camera remote function.

Upon release, the HPX170 will be covered by Panasonic’s five-year limited P2 HD warranty.

Sony PMW-EX3

SONY PMW-EX3

Sony’s PMW-EX3 camcorder features a similar body and functionality to the previously released PMW-EX1, which is already popular among newly converted photo pros. It uses the same SxS media format—a flash memory card comparable to Panasonic’s P2 card described above, and ships with a Fujinon lens identical to the EX1.
So what’s new? Perhaps the most notable modification in latest model is the ability to interchange lenses. The PMW-EX3 also features HD SDI with gen-lock and timecode in/out for multi-camera operation. For use in a studio configuration, model RM-B150/B750 remote controllers will adjust basic camera parameters such as gain, iris, white balance, pedestal, and gamma through the eight-pin remote connector on the camcorder.

Like all XDCAM EX camcorders, the PMW-EX3 ships with the Clip Browser Ver.2.0 software, which is scheduled for an upgrade this summer. The software will allow XDCAM EX video files to be used in a DV editing workflow. There are optional plug-ins for exporting XDCAM EX files on SxS cards to Professional Optical Disc and another to allow for simple upload to the Web.

A great, in-depth review of the camera by UK-based DOP/Editor/Director Philip Bloom can be found on-line at http://www.philipbloom.co.uk/Philip_Bloom/XDCAMEX3.html.