Panasonic AVCCAM Camcorder Due Oct. 2

Panasonic’s AG-HMC150 professional handheld AVCCAM camcorder, with both1080i and 720p HD recording with solid-state SD memory card recording, will be available on October 2 at a suggested list price of $3,995.
Panasonic says the HMC150 represents the next generation in affordable HD video production tools. The new handheld provides professionals and enthusiasts alike the flexibility of high-quality 1080/720 AVCHD recording at bit rates up to 24Mbps and a simple, solid-state SD memory card workflow.
“With features such as advanced, full 1920×1080 AVC Hi Profile HD recording, higher professional bit-rates, and an affordable and faster, solid-state SD card workflow, the HMC150 offers a state of the art professional handheld solution for those looking for the highest quality and flexibility at an affordable price,” said Robert Harris, Vice President, Marketing, Panasonic Broadcast. “The AG-HMC150 offers longer recording times and higher recording quality than is possible with current HDV formats.”
The HMC150 features three one-third-inch 16:9 progressive CCD imagers that improve signal-to-noise ratio and deliver excellent low-light performance. It is equipped with a 13X Leica Dicomar zoom lens and, for stable, precise shooting in any situation, the AVCCAM camcorder features a cam-driven manual zoom ring, auto or manual operation of focus and iris, and optical image stabilization (O.I.S.). The HMC150 offers a host of selectable gamma tools including Cine-like gamma to produce warm film-like images, as well as helpful shooting functions such as a waveform monitor and a vectorscope display, focus assist and Dynamic Range Stretch (DRS).
The HMC150 records in a range of HD formats including 1080/24p, 1080/30p, 1080/60i, 720/24p, 720/30p and 720/60p. The handheld records stunning high definition in four recording modes – the highest quality PH mode (average 21 Mbps/max. 24 Mbps), HA mode (approx.17 Mbps), HG mode (approx.13 Mbps) and HE mode (approx. 6 Mbps). It captures full horizontal resolution 1920×1080 images at its PH, HA and HG recording modes. The camera can also be set to capture 1280×720 images in its PH mode. The recorded AVCHD files can also maintain metadata for individual recorded clips.
Using just one 32GB SDHC memory card, users can record three hours of full pixel 1920×1080 video and audio at PH mode, four hours at HA mode and 5.3 hours at HG mode. In the HE mode, the camera can record up to 12 hours of 1440×1080 HD content – all on a single 32GB SDHC card.
The HMC150 comes standard with interface connections including HDMI out, USB 2.0, HD component out (mini D terminal), composite out as well as jacks to control zoom remotely, focus, iris and start/stop functions. Professional audio connections include XLR two-channel audio input (48V phantom power) with mic/line select, built-in stereo microphone, headphone out, manual two-channel audio level VR and RCA audio out jacks. The camera also offers a time/date stamp for legal depositions or surveillance, histogram display and time code/user bits. Other useful recording functions include pre-record, interval and shot marker, as well as new modes including last-clip delete and Rec check, which allows immediate review of the most-recently recorded clip.