August 23

Panasonic AG-HPX300 Video Camera

(Originally published in 2009)

The newly released Panasonic AG-HPX300 HD Camcorder is getting rave reviews.  People are calling it a game changer, a camera so advanced that it is re-writing the rules about what classifies as quality.

The AG-HPX300 is for pros or really serious amateurs.  Panasonic set the list price in the U.S. at $10,700.  B&H Photo is carrying it right now for significantly less, $8,495.

No doubt, this camera is worth the money if you are a serious videographer.   It records in multiple formats; Panasonic calls it a Varicam.  With just a simple flip of a switch you can record in any one of about half a dozen formats.  That in and of itself is amazing to me.

One format the camera shoots in is Panasonic’s premiere recording format, AVC-Intra. In this format,  the camera has the ability to shoot full-raster HD 1080p footage at 10-bit 4:2:2 color, something totally unheard of at this price-point.  The resulting video is incredibly crisp.  Panasonic claims this is twice the capacity of the popular DVCPro format specs.  I’ve shot on DVCPro a lot and always thought it gave an incredible picture, so if this is truly twice as good, that’s saying a lot.

The AG-HPX300 records on a P2 card, which is an advanced type of memory card.  Right now, they come in sizes up to 64GB and soon Panasonic promises 128GB cards.  Either one is an absolutely huge capacity.
Even more amazing is the fact that you can edit straight off the P2 card.  You do not have to transfer it to a computer first, although you can if you want.   This feature would be a time saver.

The AG-HPX300 comes with a Fujinon 17x lens.  As with any camera, what lens it has is going to determine much of the quality and versatility.  For the price range, a Fujinon 17X is tremendous and way beyond what I might expect.
The image sensors are 1/3 inch 3MOS chips, and you have a variable shutter for better quality slow-motion shots. Every feature you would expect in a professional grade video camera is there.

Panasonic has always been one of my favorite brands of video cameras.  This camera truly is innovative.  Saying it is the best video camera EVER is probably an exaggeration, but it sure is a beauty.


Read these specs and drool!

  • Records in AVC-Intra (1080/59.94i, 1080/29.97P and 1080/23.98P (native 24p/30p), and 720P with variable frames in 23.98pN, 29.97pN and 59.94P); DVCPRO HD (1080/59.94i, 1080/29.97P, 1080/23.98P, 1080/23.98pA, 720/59.94P, 720/29.97P, 720/29.97pN and 720/23.98pN); DVCPRO50, DVCPRO and DV (480/59.94i, 480/29.97p, 480/23.98p and 480/23.98pA)
  • The 1080P and 480P signals are recorded with 2:3 pull down (23.98p) or 2:3:3:2 advanced mode (23.98pA)
  • Equipped with six gamma modes – including the VariCam’s popular Cine-Like Gamma – for various shooting scenarios
  • Output of the camera can be set for down conversion or cross-conversion with letterbox, 4:3 crop or squeeze
  • variable frame rates in 20 steps between 12p and 60p for fast- or slow-motion effects (undercranking/overcranking)
  • Advanced P2 recording features including hot swapping, loop record, shot-marking, pre-record functions (three seconds in HD and seven seconds in SD), one-shot and interval
  • Key interfaces include two SDI outputs, video output (down-converted SD video only), IEEE 1394, USB 2.0 (host mode), built-in SMPTE time code (in/out terminals), genlock and three audio XLR jacks
  • Additional features include 4-position Neural Density optical filter, SD memory card slot, wireless microphone slot with 2-channel UniSlot wireless receiver compatibility and programmable user buttons
  • Very low power consumption of 18 watts
  • Remote controllable with AJ-RC10G (via 10-pin RCU terminal)
  • Can be used in studio configuration
  • Comes standard with high-performance 17x HD Fujinon lens

 


Tags

camcorder reviews., panasonic ag hpx300 p2hd, panasonic video camera, professional video cameras


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  1. Hi Heiner
    Both of them are utterly fantastic. If Santa Clause wishes to leave either under my tree I would be one happy gal.

    Right now the price is virtually the same. The Panasonic has a better lens. That would be significant for me. However the image sensors on the Sony are bigger, 1/2 compared to 1/3 inch.

    The Panasonic has more variety of record formats. That’s HUGE.

    They both have a good variety of user features like variable shutter, gain control, etc.

    This is like choosing between Double Fudge Crunch and Creamy Pecan Swirl. Yummy on both but my final vote goes to the Panasonic. In part that is also because over the years I have grown more fond of Panasonic than Sony, but I love both brands.

    What do you think? Everybody has their preferences.

    Lorraine

  2. Hi Lorraine,

    thank you for your views. A 1/2 inch chip should be better for a selective depth of field. That is what they say but I’m not sure the difference shows on the finished video.

    As you write about Panasonic: There are much cheaper camcorders that also do hdtv and are called profesional e.g. the AG-HMC150. What is your view on these?

    Best wishes
    Heiner

  3. Hi Heiner

    I had never heard that a 1/2 inch chip would be better for selective DOF. That’s interesting and always glad to learn more. I side with you though, I bet the effect of that would be fairly negligible. Of course as a videographer, selective dof is great and usually a tad hard to do with video unless you have a variety of neutral density filters.

    I think the cheaper hd camcorders are all great for the proper application. I went and looked at b&h photo for the panasonic ag-hmc150. For the $3,500 price I thought it was fantastic. variable gain and shutter, 2 xlr audio inputs, 3 chips, 13x leica lens. All that rests well with me.

    It is not at all in the same league as the ag-hpx300 but it is less than half the cost.

    Thanks
    Lorraine

  4. Hi Lorraine,

    you name it. I do interviews quite often and I usually use three cameras: One for each person and one for the long shot. Going for two cheaper and still professional cameras would result in a better video than just one camera, even if this is perfect.
    One thing I was thinking about was to get a DMC-GH1K for the socond camera. Are these any good?

    Best wishes
    Heiner

  5. I always like the idea of multiple cameras. Indeed gives you more interesting final video. I love having a second angle on the person being interviewed.

    I am not personally used the dmc-gh1k but the specs look good. I haven’t actually USED the hpx 300 or any of these we are discussing, just looking at the specs on b&h photo website.

  6. I keep hearing about the slow motion variable frame rate but no methodology about it…can you give a brief overview of how to make slow motion?

  7. Hi Thomas.
    Good question! In order to get a good slow motion shot, you have to have very crisp individual frames. In slow motion, the individual frames will be seen much more than in standard motion. So if the individual frames are not crisp, clean and well-focused, the slow mo will look more like a blur. This issue is magnified by the fact that usually, when you are wanting slow mo, the original motion was quite fast. Fast motion tends to blur on video shot with standard shutter speeds.
    To get a shot that will look good slowed down, you need to shoot it with a high shutter speed, high frame rate, plus have really good lighting. More sophisticated video cameras have variable shutter, which is essential for good slow mo. If you try to slow mo some fast moving video taken with a standard inexpensive camcorder, it will not work because it will be nothing BUT blur.
    Here is a detailed post on slow motion film and video and the Casio Ex-F1 which was designed to get good slow mo.
    http://www.videoproductiontips.com/featured-video/video-production-getting-a-great-slow-motion-shot/
    I hope this helps you.
    Lorraine

  8. Well, I am a proud user and owner of HVX200a and had the opportunity to test this one. I must say, I was impressed, but not as much as to switch from my HVX. =) Double price is just not compensating.

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