Camcorder News

April 13, 2008 – Panasonic sprung another new camcorder announcement at NAB 2008, the AG-HPX170, following on heels of announcements earlier in the year. The new professional camcorder records to P2 solid state memory cards, now available in capacities up to 64GB. The AG-HPX170 shoots in 1080 HD and SD with 14-bit A/D conversion and 19-bit processing. The AG-HPX170 reportedly features the widest zoom lens within its class, an HD-SDI interface, and a lightweight 4.2-pound body. (View UPDATED photo gallery, with images from the NAB Show floor.)

The AG-HPX170 is equipped with three 1/3-inch 16:9 native CCDs. The 13x optical zoom Leica Dicomar lens is non-removable and offers a 28mm wide angle setting, which is the widest within its class.

The AG-HPX170 can record in up to twenty 1080i and 720P HD and SD formats, including DVCPRO HD, 480i, DVCPRO 50, DVCPRO, and 480i in DV, switchable between 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios. The AG-HPX170 is capable of a twenty-step frame rate selection in 720P in the 12fps to 60fps range for achieving fast or slow motion effects. An advanced selection of gamma controls are available, including CineGamma mode.

The AG-HPX170 is equipped with two P2 card slots, which offer up to 64 minutes of continuous record time in the highest quality (DVCPRO HD) using two 32GB P2 cards. The new 64GB P2 cards will double that time, offering up to 128 minutes of record time in the highest quality. The P2 slots are hot-swappable for continuous recording and are capable of loop record, pre-record, interval, and one-shot recording.

The AG-HPX170 can support live feed and editing/monitoring via an HD-SDI output terminal. Other connectivity includes IEEE 1394 (FireWire), USB 2.0, composite in/out, component out, and two-channel XLR audio inputs. The AG-HPX170 has a 3.5-inch color LCD screen, Focus Assist, and user assignable buttons. 

The Panasonic AG-HPX170 is expected to ship this Fall. No MSRP has been set. 

(View UPDATED photo gallery, with images from the NAB Show floor.