Panasonic Professional AG-HMC40 AVCHD Camcorder with 10.6MP Still and 12x Optical Zoom

List Price: $2,318.00 Price: Too low to display

Product Details HD formats - 1080/60i, 1080/30p, 1080/24p (Native); 720/60p, 720/30p, 720/24p (Native) 12x Leica Dicomar lens (13 elements in 10 groups), 43mm filter , zoom range of 40.8 - 490mm (35mm equivalent) Three newly designed 1/4.1 Progressive 3MOS Imagers for full HD resolution Extremely slow, smooth zoom for the precise control needed for dramatic sequences

Product Description

Panasonic s latest preface to its popular AVCCAM line, the AG-HMC40 handheld, combines full HD AVCHD video recording with gamy-resolution 10.6-megapixel still photo capture, giving you the benefits of two professional cameras in one affordable enclose. Compact and lightweight at 2.16-pounds, the HMC40 is a versatile HD camcorder gift high-quality AVCHD recordings, high-resolution still photo nick, an easy-to-use SD card workflow, and professional audio capabilities for a wide break down of applications and markets including schools, government agencies, conclusion videographers, web designers and more. With a full resolution 3-megapixel, 1/4-inch 3MOS imager, the HMC40 produces divine 1920x1080 video in AVCHD (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264), delivering images far loftier to HDV. When used for digital still photography, the camera captures photos with 10.6-megapixel resolve directly onto the SD card as a JPEG image. The camera can also be connected momentarily to a PictBridge photo printer (no PC required). And unlike HDV tapes, video and photos can be accessed randomly and the moment that from the SD cards and played back on a number of consumer devices. The camcorder s radical Leica Dicomar lens system offers 12X optical zoom, afield-angle setting (40.8mm) and an optical image stabilizer (O.I.S.) hallmark for precise shooting. The compact camera is also packed with professional video and audio features (HDMI out, stage/time stamp, remote zoom, XLR option, etc.) Using high-acumen SD memory cards, the HMC40 provides hours of beautiful high demarcation recordings at professional level bit rates. It records in a range of 1080 and 720 formats with all four professional AVCCAM recording modes: PH fashion (average 21 Mbps/Max 24Mbps), the HA mode (approx.17 Mbps), the HG standard operating procedure (approx.13 Mbps), HE mode (approx. 6 Mbps). AVCCAM offers the profit of a fast, file-based workflow using widely readily obtainable and reasonably priced SD memory cards.

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Customer Reviews

An peerless pro-sumer camcorder to start off with...
If you are sort new to professional or pro-sumer camcorders or figure its about that time to step up from your handycam days into the world of professional audio/video, there is no larger "starting gate" than the Panasonic AG-HMC40. Its smaller form factor will be a familiar "path" in terms of handling and restraint but will also give you some more real estate to play with the included on-camera controls. Most of this stuff are things within the menus os stoned-end consumer camcorders but they have been placed on the camera body for quick reach and control. This enabled a lot of on-the-fly adjusting that was unreservedly not possible with lower end consumer camcorders of today.

Then they add manual adjusting with a focus ring, an iris dial jurisdiction, three different user-controlled buttons and a wole host of other goodies that will propel your exposure into the real of professional videography use.

The included battery that comes with the HMC40 is actually the MID-RANGE model that provides about 3 hours of fluid at full charge. Most models of camcorders like this (including the older brother HMC150) usually get with the smallest size 1-hour battery but the fact that Panasonic decided to include the 3.5 hour mobile in this kit is simply fantastic. The 8 hour extended battery is always recommended but this three hour long working model is definitely a welcome addition that will help offset the cost of buying an extended freestyle, especially if you don't need longer than a 3 hour model (you can use the money saved for on-camera outward microphones, the optional XLR adapter, or external lighting).

Speaking of extras, the optional Panasonic XLR adapter is a MUST if you wish to use a attractive thorough quality XLR shotgun or omni-directional microphone. External lighting is something you DEFINITELY will needfulness if you plan on filming in low light as this camera's low light recording capabilities are mediocre at best without a seemly light.

Also, don't be fooled. This camcorder records perfectly in it's highest quality mode with a Stuff b merchandise QUALITY Class 4 SDHC card. As long as the SDHC card you plan to use is a charitable brand such as Transcend, PNY, Lexar, SanDisk, or other quality brands, a class 4 (with Least 4MBps write speeds) records perfectly. This camcorder records at a MAXIMUM of 24Mbps (That is MEGABITS per second, which equals 3MBps -MEGABYTES PER Stand-in-) and a quality Class 4 SDHC cards writes at a MINIMUM of 4MBps (MEGABYTES per number two). The ONLY reason you would want a Class 6 or 10 speed SDHC card if if you wanted a higher shift speed (which is good when offloading the data off the card onto a computer. A Class 6 or 10 card should have a slightest write speed of 6MBps and 10MBps respectively, with good quality SDHC cards even having a littlest write speed of 16MBps - 30MBps (Lexar, Transcent, SanDisk being my favorites). I've heard bad things with ADATA cards and this camcorder so please be hip in case you plan on using lower quality SDHC cards as you might get distortion, pixelization, ect.

I wish this helps you in your purchase of this great professional Panasonic camcorder!

2010-07-19 | Vinny "The Hitman" Del Vecchio (Long Island, NY) | Helpful Votes: 2 | Rating: 5

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Panasonic AG-HMC40
I bought this camera to plug stock footage and it does a great job. I wish it had a few more manual controls that were not done via touch sift. Other than that really it does a great job. The camera has lots of features, and for the price just can't be whip!

2010-07-14 | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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Fit camera horrible tech support
This is a superior camera, professional results the whole 9 yards. But don't expect ANY tech support, not any, mind you, you won't get any response from panasonic. I didn't well perchance in 5 days any way, at these prices I should have expected the best support any company can give. Not from Panasonic, the ironic thing about all this, is the directions if better written could have avoided all this grief.They need to upgrade their support. It is sad that such a good camera is incapacitated by such a callous disregard for their customers. If you by this camera good luck in getting support!

2010-07-12 | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 3

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HMC40 Top of the Pen-mark for Price
My Panasonic HMC40 came with Berry Grassy's HMC book and Edius editing software, adding an extra $250 worth of value to my investment. I by a hair's breadth finished reading the book and can assure you that it's packed with valuable information beyond what you will find in the user directions. I would also recommend others to join online user groups like [...] and do some research on this camera, editing software, and travail flows people are using. Editing AVCHD is extremely challenging - even for some of the pro's with state of the art software and computers.

Yet to come from a standard definition Canon GL2 prosumer camera, I figured it wouldn't be too challenging to learn the functions of this camera, but I acquiesce, it's a bit more technical than I thought it would be. Sure, you can shoot in full automatic and get pretty good results, but the stunning results come when you learn to use some of the camera's more professional features. (This camera was developed by Panasonic's broadcast partitionment, not their consumer division.)

I believe the HMC40 received a bum rap from people worried about the "jello effect" of 3MOS sensors (google it). It took a while for population to figure that out before sales took off. I generally shoot in 720 60p mode at 1/60th shutter and unless I deep down try to make this effect happen...it doesn't cause me an issue. All cameras have their strengths and weaknesses and some populace obsess over them rather than learn to operate their equipment within its bounds.

At the time I purchased my HMC40 it was clearly the superior of the pack in its price-point. Sony has recently come out with a model to compete against it for around $300 less, but after reviewing its specs (far indifferent), unless money is your deciding factor, I would still recommend opting for the HMC40.

I gave the battery lifetime 4 stars because, like most batteries, it is a bit small and you always have to purchase another battery. I gave 4 stars for allay of use because, even though the manual is pretty good, it's not easy to use unless you already have plenty of experience with pro or prosumer level gear. I gave it 4 stars for image quality due to being a bit weak in low light. Fortunately, you can add more gain on this camera than you can get in a different place with some other cameras to make up some of the difference, but Panasonic should have engineered this for better low light performance, especially when they knew full-well this would be in use accustomed to as an event camera (like weddings)where low light ability is critical. Other than that, the image is tremendous when properly exposed. On manual controls I went 4 stars because of how they buried some basic functions in the bring into contact with screen menus making it inconvenient to make quick changes on the fly.

Obviously, to be worthy of 5 stars this camera would have to be its big brother, the HMC150 at a cost substantially higher. But, for the money, this camera is a very A-OK investment.

2010-07-11 | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 4

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Immense Pro-sumer Camcorder
Panasonic Professional AG-HMC40 AVCHD Camcorder with 10.6MP Still and 12x Visual Zoom

The Panasonic AG-HMC40 camcorder provides most of the features and the look of a full professional camcorder, with the convenience and light force of a consumer camcorder. What sets it apart from something like a palm sized camcorder is the clone quality and the amount of manual control. The main thing missing that would make this an excellent pro camera is the full instructions lens. While the HMC40 does have a manual focus ring, it controls the focus electronically and not scientifically. Also, there is no dedicated manual zoom or iris ring on the lens, although the focus ring can be programmed to repress these functions one at a time.

That being said, the image quality of this camcorder is excellent, even when compared to prosumer camcorders costing spit. The lens maintains crisp focus right out to the edges, with no noticable chromatic irregularity (false color fringes around objects). The lens on my similarly priced Sony FX7 had this question.

Low light capability is very good. It does get a little grainy at 36 db gain but the symbol still remains sharp. At 18db gain, the image is crisp with very little grain. Changing the distinct video settings from default in the menu can lower the grain and bring out more contrast. Outdoors, or indoors in hopeful light, the image is simply stunning. Colors are very true and well saturated, and you can add more or less saturation in the menu sting. In a dimly lit room like a wedding reception, you can get by without lights if you have to.

There are hundreds of combinations of likeness adjustments in the menu system, and if you are new to prosumer camcorders, some of these terms may not be familiar. The camcorder has a cinema gamma trend, a native 24 frame progressive mode, cinema matrix, skin reduce softener, detail coring, manual DRS and three preset Knee controls. When you combine these settings, you get a very dim-like image. You'll need to read the online manual, or just experiment with unlike settings in different light until you see what you like. There's enough settings to keep you playing for days. One in particular, the waveform supervisor, is very useful in setting up the manual iris for the brightest possible exposure without hot spots.

The internal mike and switchable audio smooth controls and the ability to turn AGC on or off provides good audio for most purposes. With AGC on, the audio will not surcharge even when a few feet from the speaker blast of a loud DJ. The AGC is gentle, without the harsh pumping action found on consumer camcorders. An XLR shotgun mike and XLR audio adapter with richer reconsider manual audio level control is optional and plugs into a dedicated audio seaport on the camera. It does not simply convert to unbalanced 1/8 inch jacks as many of these adapters do. It's indeed a balanced line or mike input all the way through, with or without phantom power. You'll need the XLR adapter and a honourable boom mike for film production, of course.

Battery life is three hours with the included mobile, and six hours with an optional pack. Enough to get you through the day.

The camcorder uses the AVCHD format, which is a better solidity technique (at the 24 meg mode) than the MPG 2 of HDV tapes. You can set it for 1080 60i 1080 24p, 1080 30p, 720 24p, 720 30p and 720 60p. There are four observations rates. 5 meg/sec, 13, 17 and 24. The differences are minimal from 13 to 24. The metaphor is slightly softer and slightly blocky at the 5 meg setting when there is a lot of motion in the subject, but even at that setting you can still initiate an excellent image for making a DVD. It's a good choice for recording long programs on smaller tribute cards when there isn't much motion, like a speech.

The best feature is recording to inexpensive SD and SDHC cards. There are no mobile tape transports or hard drives to fail, so this camcorder will last until you drop it on the sidewalk or into a swimming leisure pool. Image quality will probably not improve much in newer camcorders in this price range for some time to penetrate. With ever increasing memory size SDHC cards getting cheaper every week, this camcorder's recording wit grows by the month. It's a great choice for recording events for hire as well as smaller TV station information departments.

Rick Bennette, [...]

2010-06-21 (South Florida, USA) | Helpful Votes: 4 | Rating: 5

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Panasonic AGHMC70PJU AVCHD 3CCD Flash Memory Professional Camcorder with 12x Optical Image...

List Price: $2,499.99 Price: Too low to display

Product Details Features Optical Image Stabilization-Helps ensure stable image recording for ideal HD capture 1/4-inch 3-CCD progressive image system with excellent sensitivity Includes 12X 38.5mm to 462mm (35mm equivalent) Leica Dicomar wide-angle zoom lens Records onto standard SD/SDHC cards to assure a fast tapeless production workflow

Product Description

The AG-HMC70 provides access-level professionals with an easy-to-use, high-quality, solid-regal HD recording solution at an affordable price. The HMC70 is the first shoulder-mount camcorder in Panasonic s professional AVCHD strip-up to utilize the new AVCHD High Profile video codec, which offers correspond to image quality to HDV 1080i at about half the bandwidth. This second-initiation, affordable HD format offers longer recording times and partly the storage requirement of older systems. As easy to use as a digital camera, the HMC70 records onto guideline SD/SDHC cards to assure a fast tapeless production workflow. It gives you unrestrainedly access to content without fast forward or rewinding, and footage is in two shakes of a lamb's tail available to editing systems without the download delay and additional set someone back of a playback deck. Using just one 16GB SDHC memory New Year card, the HMC70 can record over 2.6 hours at 13Mbps, the HMC70 s highest quality SOP, or up to 6 hours at 6Mbps, the camera s extended recording mode. SD and SDHC cards are by many available, and content can be played back in AVCHD-compatible consumer products with SD use strategy act openly slots including Blu-ray players, Playstation 3, computers (using an AVHCD decoder software), and a rising number of large HD flat screen displays and front or rear-process projectors. (This camera uses 43mm filters.)

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Customer Reviews

Flagrant camera, but don't skimp on the accessories.
This is an but camera for the money with acceptable quality in low-light conditions, but I would recommend purchasing a yearn-life battery, a solid microphone, and plenty of storage (two 32 GB SDHC cards or four 16 GB for gauge def recording). With these three accessories, there's no limit on what you can capture.

2010-03-15 | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Virtue value
This is the first "prosumer" HD camcorder I've Euphemistic pre-owned. For the money I can't see the need for anything else. The video is great (as long as you get the correct lighting kit) and adding visible audio via a mic is a snap. Make sure you invest in a larger SD card. The 2Gb card that comes with it only gives you about 20min of video on the highest settings. Other than that the entity is constructed well and is light weight.

2009-07-20 (Huntsville, Alabama) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

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Professional Reification Quality in an Amateur Camera Body
As the retired principal technology officer for a Fortune 100 company that developed their own digital cine camera, my principal interest was in image quality. This 3-CCD, 1440 x 1080i anamorphic 16:9 format camera produces sensational image quality -- closer to the theoretical limits of performance of 1/4 inch sensors than anything in its valuation range.

The complex optics (zoom with a telecentric focal length converter onwards of the prism assembly) should be expected to reduce the available contrast ratio because it has so many glass surfaces. Without the cosmopolitan equipment to measure MTF (modulation transfer function) at home, I measured effective exactness instead, which was 576 lp/pw vs. the theoretical limit of 719 lp/pw in the horizontal axis. This is an indication that all the sun-glasses surfaces are, indeed, causing a significant loss of contrast ratio.

Even so, the camera performs very well in almost all respects. Panchromatic dynamical range excedes 6 stops (I cannot reliably measure more than that) vs. a theoretical limit at room temperature of around 9 f-stops specified the 4.4 um pixel size (horizontal axis). Color saturation falls off harshly with non-optimum exposure. It measured out at ASA 100 with 0 dB of gain.

It has two XLR inputs.

So far, it warrants about four stars.

Now for the bad part: Drug features are poor. Perhaps they are adequate for ENG work and action footage, but nowhere near adequate for professional photography. This is like a kiddie toy wrapped around a very anticyclone quality lens + sensor package. This mystifies me: Putting a Trabant or Yugo thickness around a Mercedes engine. Here are the problems:

* The body is a big, mostly-empty box with mold lines showing, in a medium shiny color, with labels for connectors and controls being molded in vs. silk-screened (which makes them unqualifiedly unreadable in most lighting situations)

* No manual focus ring. Manual focus can be attained, but only by on-going the focus motor through pushbuttons. THIS MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO USE THIS CAMERA FOR FOLLOW-FOCUS SHOTS, and will therefore from A to Z disqualify it for use by anyone that must have this capability.

* No manual iris ring, either. Again, buttons must be used with the menu to set deeply of field.

* Gain cannot be set higher than 0 dB when the iris is closed below full-open. This takes away an worthy variable in depth of field control.

* Iris full-open is not marked. I still don't really advised of what it is. It's probably around f/1.6 or some odd number like that.

* White balance is available in only one of four pre-select modes.

* There is no visual anti-alias filter, so any pattern with detail approaching half the pixel-limited irreversibility will generate moire patterns; even weave patterns in clothing.

In summary, this looks like two contrasting design teams were involved. One for the internals and a separate (and thoroughly incompetent one) for the user wheel, form factor, and externals.

For my purposes, this is a high-quality hand-held prosumer camera in a kid's toy projectile and I cannot really use it for professional work. But, if you need a shoulder-mounted ENG camera for outdoor action photography, this might be straight the ticket.

2009-06-18 | Helpful Votes: 27 | Rating: 3

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Omit Video quality But Camera is Large
OK, I am not a professional videographer, but I understand what looks good on a nice television or screen. I tried the smaller HD camcorders (Canon HF 10, and Sony HDR-SR11), and they have superior video quality if you do not move the camera. I mean don't follow your kids around the yard or try to video a bird in getaway or pretty much anything moving. What happens is that you get a kind of ghosting in the video, so the High Def picture I was shooting for looked very pixellated and low rank. I decided to try a prosumer type video camera, and this one was the least expensive HD available at the time. Once it here at my house I used it to video several different scenes that gave me difficulty with the hand-helds. The mark of the video was astounding. I could get the same quality during moving shots that I could get with the static shots using the in collusion-helds. Great I thought I solved the problem of pixellated video in HD. However, there was one small quandary. This Camera is Ginormous (Gigantic+enormous) Considerably larger than the old VHS style camcorders. I love the video property, but it is too big to carry to Disney World or a soccer game or pretty much anywhere that you are not set up to shoot video. The tear memory is excellent, and I have not noticed a huge difference in the picture quality of this camera utilizing blaze memory and my current Sony HDR-FX7 utilizing tape.

2009-04-15 (Savannah, GA) | Helpful Votes: 8 | Rating: 4

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Most Beat for your Buck: HD shoulder cam with xlr inputs
Unfaltering to look for an inexpensive shoulder mounted high definition camcorder: there are currently, as Feb. 2009 two models to hand. The Sony HVR-HD1000 and the Pansonic AG-HMC70 (HMC70P, HMC70PJ are NTSC models, PAL models use different numbers). After read-through out online reviews by Digital Content Producer and VideoMaker, I decided to go with the Panasonic camcorder.

The elbow models both use "professional" versions of consumer handheld cameras. So don't think that for 2 grand you are buying a camcorder that can be in a class to the more expensive models. The Sony records HDV compression to Mini-dv tapes V.S. the Panasonic recording in AVCHD (13Mbps highest choice) to SDHC memory cards. While the HD video quality is sharper with the Sony, the Panasonic AVCHD still looks well-behaved without the blocky artifacts you sometimes see when recording motion in HDV compression. The biggest reason for me going with the HMC70 was that it had XLR inputs (use superficial mic instead of camera's mic), while the Sony only had mini-jack for mic input. I also wanted to use memory cards in preference to of tapes.

Check out online reviews for yourself before buying either camcorder.

2009-02-18 (St. Louis, MO United States) | Helpful Votes: 8 | Rating: 5

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Panasonic Pro AG-HMC150 3CCD AVCHD 24fps Camcorder

Price: Too low to display

Product Details Waveform Monitor, Vectorscope plus two Focus displays for accurate, quick focus Full range of HD formats: 1080/60i, 1080/30p, 1080/24p (Native); 720/60p, 720/30p, 720/24p (Native) Higher bit-rate recording than consumer models (21 Mbps PH Mode) 3.5-inch LCD monitor displays thumbnails for quick non-linear access to clips

Product Description

The AG-HMC150 handheld incorporates three 1/3-inch avant-garde CCD imagers to produce stunning 1920 x 1080 resolution exact replica quality far exceeding older Long GOP formats like HDV. It s operational with a high-performance wide-angle Leica Dicomar 13x zoom lens and 24- and 30-fabric progressive capture in a full range of HD formats, making it well suited for all types of projects. With an ravishing range of professional video and audio features and a compact, well-balanced purpose, the HMC150 is a must have for video professionals and enthusiasts looking for the best in affordable HD. Includes: AG-HMC150 AVCHD Camcorder, AC adapter/mount, 2640mAh battery pack, AC cord, DC cord, Wireless improbable controller with button-type battery, Microphone holder, Eye cup, Assume Belt, Component video cable, PIN-BNC conversion plugs, Ferrite heart, Binder, CD-ROM, The following accessories are attached to the unit. Lens hood cap and INPUT 1/2 PC = 'personal computer' cover

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Customer Reviews

egregious
Camera is flagrant, expedited shipping was fast.... but u definately need to buy a bigger battery, coz the one it comes with dont last great. Shoots well in low light, especially wen u crush the blacks and whites in post ;).... Definately merit the $$$

2010-09-08 | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!
Panasonic has done an excuse job of designing this camera. The record buttons are at your fingertips, the playback speaker is no longer under the camera, and the menu snare is very easy to use. Transferring from a SD card saves so much time and money and is you aren't worried about the attire on your heads. I haven't had any problems with the camera or it's quality to date. If you are looking for a camera in this appraisal range, I STRONGLY recommend this one.

2010-05-19 (Charlotte, NC, US) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Durable, Despite Cost Cutting Measures
If you are looking for an affordable camcorder that in actuality shoots 1920x1080 24p with XLR inputs and good control over image settings, this component will not disappoint in terms of picture quality.
Despite all my negative comments below, when it comes down to it the camera produces and outrageously good picture and film like look when you have your settings and lighting correctly done.

My last camera was the Canon XL2, when I opened the box the the HMC-150 I was in toto underwhelmed. The build quality seems cheap, you can just see how they did some cost cutting to get the price down on this camera.

Lets physiognomy it, for the price you get good features so it's hard to complain but here is what I don't like:

CONS
1. 4:3 LCD is absolutely a lavishness, obviously they pulled it from the parts bin from older models to cut costs.
2. Zoom, is either manual or servo, can't use both. Lack to toggle a switch to switch between.
3. On screen menus are straight out of a video titler from the 90s. Wooly and just overall thrown together I am sure Panasonics menus on cheaper camera have to be more wisely.
4. Auto zoom rocker speed not all that adjustable takes time to adjust too.
5. Freestyle that comes with the unit is worthless, if you are actually going to use the camera for more than 60 minutes at a just the same from time to time you need to upgrade.
6. Tons of buttons all over the place, requires some exploration. Quite often you find yourself asking why did they put that there?
7. Built in microphone is middling but who seriously uses those on any camera anyway?

PROS
1. Price
2. Extremely good picture worth and film like look when probably lit and scene file settings are dialed in.
3. Rather light weight easy to move around.
4. Optical stabilizer works pretty well.
5. Zoom aid function quite handy.
6. Lens despite negative reviews is great for this price distance.
7. SD card recording is top notch.
8. XLR inputs with phantom power.
9. Outputs galore, should clothe all your needs.
10. Head phone jack re-enforced.

In the end most of the negative parts of this camera are washed in another place, when you have realistic expectations of it's capabilities.

2010-05-19 | Douglas Quaid (USA,) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 4

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HMC150 Rocks - Elevated Alternative to $$$ P2 Cards
I've had the Panasonic HMC150 for a few weeks now and have acquainted with it on a few shoots and have been very pleased. It has been especially handy for shooting long form presentations and flaming events, as you can get over 100 minutes of 720P HD on a 16GB SDHC card that I bought for [...] each on [...]. That is a vast advantage when you have a lot to shoot and don't have the time between shots to dump off your P2 cards to the laptop. There are a few extra stops on the ND Pass through preset versus the 200 camera, and the lens seemed to hold up well even at long lengths from the back of a narration hall. Wish it had come with a higher capacity on the battery but other than that, this is a good addition to our secure of Panasonic HD cameras. Import into Final Cut Pro 6 was easy via "Log & Transfer" and the overall quality of the video is glaring.

2010-04-23 | TVKing (Chicago, IL) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

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I'm Well-timed
I was truly looking at either this or the HMC40. The 40 was more in my price range, but after seeing it in person and seeing the 150 I had to go with the 150. This camera is prodigious. I wish it was a little cheaper, but it's worth the money. Especially, if you are using it for work. I justifiable received my camera last week and just been getting more familiar with it. I will put her to the real test this weekend when I have a leap. The thing I really, really like is that there is no tape! No moving parts! I don't have to worry about logging and capturing footage. Perfectly plug the SD card in, download, and render! And most important, NO TAPE GETTING STUCK IN THE CAMERA!!!! I couldn't replace that! Panasonic has really done it with this camera! Thank you, and I recommend this camera.

2010-03-23 (Charlotte, NC) | Helpful Votes: 2 | Rating: 5

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Panasonic Pro AG-DVC20 3CCD MiniDV Proline Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom

Product Details Shoulder-mount design with extra-large handle grip and fingertip zoom control 10x optical zoom; 500x digital zoom IEEE 1394 DV in/out terminal; video and S-video out; mic in and audio out 2.5-inch monitor with Power LCD and new Zero Lux Night View features

Product Description

The AG-DVC20 combines a 3-CCD visual system, Advanced Color Pure Engine digital processing and serene One Touch navigation. It features convenient shoulder-held organize, fingertip zoom control, a bright 2.5 LCD monitor, a 10X visual zoom lens with a digital zoom function that provides ultra-zooming all the way up to 500X and it weighs decent 4.4lbs.

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Customer Reviews

Countless Camera!
I use this camera for population tv production. I find it reliable and easy to use. It has good "low lux" sensing and performs excellent in studio and sphere shoots. I've acutally (I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS) dropped this camera from shoulder height, and it suffered no internal bill. It has a little bruise on the top of the case, but that's all the damage I can find. That incident was in August 2009, and the camera still works impeccably. As most of you know, I do not recommend using Sony tapes with this camera. Most of you understand that you cannot mix Sony and JVC/Panasonic tapes due to the differences in lubrication against on the tapes. Make sure you get a good tripod for this camera; It will thank you for it later. One Terminal warning, throw away the strap that comes with the camera. It may cause the camera to get away of your shoulder. If I had the money, I would own three Panasonic DVC20s. I bought the optional six hour battery. It has never disappointed me. Some ads don't mention it, but the camera comes with two (2 hour) batteries.


sj

2010-01-15 (Douglasville, GA.) | Helpful Votes: 2 | Rating: 5

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Imaginary Prosumer Camera at this price range
The Panasonic AG-DVC20 is very likely the best (if not only) "Pro-sumer" MiniDV camera in its price range. The DVX100 (and now the HVX) is the staple of the low budget filmmaker. But if you call for a professional look at a lower cost the AG-DVC20 is the way to go. Here's why it's still better than anything you can get at BestBuy or Wal-mart.

These cameras were the workhorse of our College TV assign. They were great for on location, news packages, interviews, sports etc. They toughed out freezing temperatures, snow, outpouring you name it. We used them during live broadcasts of sporting events. They surprisingly held up with our PRO $10,000 cameras. We couldn't grass on the difference from the control room. Plus the camera ops always wanted to use them, because they were so light and had good coupй-focus.

It's MiniDV- still the media used by professionals. No one uses DVD recorders or HD camcorders that only record packed down video files (that probably won't be compatible with your editor). You can always get a hardrive to record the video using the DV out, so you won't have to arrest tapes, if you don't want.

Shouldermount- obviously for functionality and professional look, being shouldermount is one of the best features of this camera. It also has a haft on the top with a record button and zoom controls, so you can hold it low or in front of you. You can also hold the camera over your head or top the LCD all the way around, to watch as you record a blog. It even folds closed with the screen facing out. The remote also comes in accessible when recording yourself.

Has a mini microphone input, so you'll need to use an XLR adapter for your professional mics. But these days most consumer cameras don't have mic inputs at all. And more and more prosumer mics are made for mini, since it's becoming accepted with this range of camera.

Has two shoes for mounting a light and a shotgun microphone at the same time. There's also cell on the body for you to Velcro a wireless mic receiver, light battery pack or hard make.

There is no ND filter built in, but you can buy one that screws on, as well as polarizer filters and the like. You will definitely need an ND strainer in direct sunlight.

I would not say it is good in low light. I would try not to use the "gain" (as with any consumer camera). Instead go an effort to supply ample light, buy an onboard light, or sharpen your skills in find the best available lighting on your shoot.

Also, it is interlaced, which looks great if you watch the video from the camera on an analogue TV. But if your productivity is going to be for Web or Progressive DVD, you'll need to check the de-interlace or interpolate fields box in your editor. But you'll get a brittle image that easily.

All in all, this camera has many pro features, at en extremely low cost. It's designed for professional use. If a DVX is not in your price distance, this will make an excellent first camera.

2010-01-14 (Pittsburgh, PA) | Helpful Votes: 2 | Rating: 4

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One of my all mores favorites
It's theorized to be entry level but so far it's turned out first class footage for everything.. Of course, I do know how to shoot..but it will labour for anybody..and don't let the gripes about the menu discourage you. It's a simple menu and easy to use. I use a mobile powered sound board to mix sound before I send it to the cam..but this AG 20 records sound improve than any other I've ever used.

2009-03-22 | Helpful Votes: 5 | Rating: 5

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Now all I constraint to do is learn.
This is my very first camcorder. I as a matter of fact researched and bought a Canon GL2 two years ago for my elementary schools newscast. This is quite a bit bulkier, but was significantly less extravagant. My concerns were to make sure I got good sound and good low-light results. The low-lighter results are there and with the external mic I picked up it satisfies my other concern. I am very pleased with the product for the price.

2009-02-20 | Helpful Votes: 3 | Rating: 5

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Very Dissapointed
This camera with three ccd want of brilliants color and the low ligth performance is too bad that i decided to sell it and buy and HV20 or HV30, controls are relentlessly to use, the AG-DVC7 is a better model than this, panasonic went too backwards with this cameral, if u plan to buy a camera, get the sony hdr1000 o the canon GL2.

2009-01-25 | Hollowman (PLC , Venezuela) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 1

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CaseCrown Deluxe AirCell Lined Case with Shoulder Strap for the Panasonic Professional AG-HMC40...

List Price: $143.99

Product Details Padded and lined with lycra AirCells to provide the best protection. Additional pockets and compartments for additional organization and storage space. Dimensions: 7 (L) x 14 (W) x 8 (D) Comes with an attachable adjustable AirCell padded shoulder strap.

Product Description

Lay away and carry your camcorder with this elite CaseCrown AirCell carrying instance. The interior is lined with premium lycra air filled AirCells that are opening and tear resistant. These AirCells will cradle and protect your camcorder, providing the conquer protection. Included comes with four partition barriers that you can easily slide into the bag to devise compartments to adjust and create space in the case as needed. Also included is an flexible, attachable shoulder strap that is also padded with AirCells for maximum resourcefulness and mobility. The bag also offers additional compartments and pockets designed to curb all of your accessories in an organized fashion, offering excellent visibility and storage organize. The perfect solution for your protection needs!

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Customer Reviews

Weighty case
This suitcase has many outer pockets to quickly grab whatever you need. The padded shoulder strap is a satisfyingly feature, as are the adjustable dividers to fit whatever size camera you may be carrying.

2010-08-06 | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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What is that thing called that is on most professional camcorders?

Q: On most professional camcorders, they have this sinister rim around the lense, I would assume its to omit surrounding light from entering the lenses. They have them on for exempli gratia a Canon GL2 and 1. I want to know so I would be able to buy an outside one to add to a Panasonic GS-500
Here is an example of what I mean.

http://wize.com/photos/close/18473.jpg

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A: They are called Lens hood and it can either be On the up or round, depending on your camera model.