Panasonic Announces New AG-HMC40 Camcorder

April 20, 2009 - At the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention in Las Vegas, Panasonic introduced the AG-HMC40, a new compact, budget camcorder in its professional AVCCAM line. As with all camcorders in Panasonic's AVCCAM line, the AG-HMC40 records AVCHD video to solid-state SD/SDHC memory cards. Panasonic has positioned the camcorder as a lighter, cheaper alternative to the AG-HMC150. The AG-HMC40 will be available in August with an MSRP of $3,195. (View Photo Gallery)

The AG-HMC40 includes three 1/4.1-inch CMOS image sensors (compared to the 3-CCD imagers on the AG-HMC150), and offers a 10.6-megapixel still photo capability. The camcorder can record full HD video at 1080/59.94i, 1080/29.97p, and 1080/23.98 native. Three 720p shooting modes are also offered—720/59.94p, 720/29.97p, and 720/23.98 native.

The AG-HMC40 features a highest quality setting of 24Mbps (the maximum bitrate for AVCHD footage). Lower quality settings of 17Mbps, 13Mbps, and 6Mbps are also available. With one 32GB SDHC memory card, you can record up to 3 hours of video at the highest quality setting.

The camcorder weighs a light 2.2 pounds, although this is without the optional handle and audio connectivity box that are available as accessories. On the optional audio connectivity box, which connects to the camcorder via its accessory shoe, are two XLR inputs, +48V phantom power switches, and audio level controls. The camcorder includes a number of pro features, like dynamic range control, cinema gamma mode, a waveform monitor, focus assist, zebra patterns, synchro-scan shutter, and three customizable buttons. The lens is also equipped with a large ring that can adjust either zoom or focus.

The optional handlebar, located in front of the viewfinder, connects via the camcorder's accessory shoe.	The AG-HMC40 is very compact.

One of the more unique features of the AG-HMC40 is its 10.6-megapixel still photo capability. Most pro camcorders don't bother including high-quality still image features, but with the AG-HMC40 Panasonic appears to be blurring the line between the consumer and professional. The camcorder also includes face detection, which is a popular feature on consumer camcorders, but isn't commonly found on pro models.

Another unusual feature of the AG-HMC40 is its LCD touchscreen system. The LCD is only 2.7-inches in size and many of the camcorder's features and controls are activated using the touchscreen. The LCD, as well as the camcorder's menu design, are very similar to the style featured on Panasonic's consumer camcorders. The camcorder also includes a large electronic viewfinder. The AG-HMC40 has an HDMI output, USB port, Composite-out, AV-out, 3.5mm mic, and headphone jack.

Panasonic's AVCCAM line are the only professional camcorders that record using the AVCHD codec. While the format is widely compatible with professional nonlinear editing systems, Panasonic offers a free transcoder that will convert AVCHD files to DVCPRO HD P2 or downconverted DV files for further workflow solutions. The AG-HMC40 will be available in August at a suggested list price of $3,195.