Breaking Into New Territory, Panasonic Introduces AG-DVC30 Three Chip Camcorder

by News Editor
Published on Feb 4, 2004 12:00 AM



Panasonic USA today announced the AG-DVC30 MiniDV three chip camcorder into their professional line. Poised to compete in the competitive sub $2,500 price range, the AG-DVC30 is Panasonic's first introduction into this price group in many years. The AG-DVC30 features three CCDs and a movie progressive shutter mode.

The AG-DVC30 features three 1/4 in. 410K pixel CCDs. The AG-DVC30 also features a 3.5 in. LCD screen, a 16X optical zoom, and an optical image stabilizer.

The AG-DVC30 features a new ''Movie-Like Recording Mode.'' The new mode attempts to create a progressive shutter 30 frames per second frame system by, according to the press release, ''electronically interpolates interlaced images to create frames, producing images that are remarkably film-like.'' The AG-DVC30 also offers a cine-style gamma curve for the movie recording mode.

The AG-DVC30 offers full manual control of white balance, shutter speed, focus, zoom, and neutral density. The camcorder includes a simple auto / manual button for switching between the two shooting modes. The AG-DVC30 includes one focus ring, which can be switched to either control zoom, focus or iris. The camcorder also allows you to preset four shooting modes with settings for chroma level, chroma phase, color temperature, master pedestal, AE shift and skin detail.

The new camcorder is priced to compete with Sony's DCR-VX2100 and Canon's GL2. ''Its innovative features and economical price will make it attractive to a broad range of professionals, from law enforcement officers to sports videographers, wedding photographers and video journalists,'' said Stuart English, Vice President, Marketing, Panasonic Broadcast.

In the past, Panasonic has not had a major impact in this sector of the industry. Although Panasonic produces the highly popular AG-DVX100 at around a $3,500 street price and a companion, the AG-DVC80 at around $3,000 - their introductions over the past three years into the $2,000 - $3,000 price group have been less than memorable. This is a bold move by Panasonic, as the $2,000 - $3,000 pricegroup is filled with camcorders with huge followings and users who are making very informed purchases.

Some users will note that the Sony camcorders in the price group includes 1/3 in. CCDs while the Panasonic includes smaller 1/4 in. CCD. Canon's entry the GL2, has 1/4 in. CCDs and Sony's other prosumer three chip camcorder, the DSR-PDX10 also has 1/4 in. CCDs. The chip size is will likely be a major drawback for many users when looking at the new Panasonic AG-DVC30 against the Sony DCR-VX2100. The AG-DVC30 is offering a larger LCD than the similarly priced Canon and Sony models.

The AG-DVC30 will be available in March for a suggested list price of $2,595.