Panasonic AG-HPX301: the most affordable 4:2:2 10-bit sampling camera

The new AG-HPX301 has just hit the market with a price below 10,000 euros. With 1/3 inch with 2.2 megapixel native resolution, interchangeable lens, lightweight shoulder design and AVC-Intra recording, it offers a level of quality previously unknown at this price level.

4:2:2 intra-frame recording at 10 bits and Full HD sensors with native resolution of 2.2 megapixels are some of the most notable features of the AG-HPX301, Panasonic's new P2HD camcorder. At 1/3 inch, it has an innovative design with shoulder support, has an interchangeable lens and comes standard with a 17x Fujinon HD lens.
The AG-HPX301E camera incorporates advanced 2.2 megapixel 1/3" 3-MOS technology to achieve HD images in its native resolution. With a new optical block design and high-precision prism technology, these advanced
3-MOS images deliver exceptional image quality while reducing flare and chromatic aberration. The HPX301E's image quality performance is further improved with the new 20-bit digital signal processor (DSP).

There is no doubt that with this camcorder, Panasonic has established a new benchmark in terms of quality-price ratio since in addition to providing capture in native Full-HD resolution at 1920x1080, it works with 4:2:2 intra-camera sampling at 10 bits using the AVCIntra codec, thus replacing 4:2:0, Long GOP and 8-bit recording. Delivering the impressive quality of the AVC-Intra codec at 100 and 50Mbps, the HPX301E also records intraframe with the 100Mbps DVCPRO HD codecs and in standard definition in DVCPRO50, DVCPRO and DV, providing a faster workflow and less degradation in multi-generational playback.

The AVC-Intra 100 and 50 codecs allow you to select different HD video formats, such as NTSC and Pal frequencies. In addition, it also records in interlaced and progressive SD frequencies. The camera also supports 1080/23.98PsF output
(via HD-SDI) for use in high-quality film productions. The camera output can adjust the conversion to a lower resolution or for cross conversion with widescreen 16:9 or 4:3 or squeeze.

The HPX301E's interchangeable lens design gives video professionals the flexibility to use a wide range of HD lenses.

Advanced features

The camera incorporates a number of familiar features, including Chromatic Aberration Compensation (CAC) to maximize lens performance, reverse scanning for use with cinema lenses, DRS (Dynamic Range Extension) function to help compensate for variations in lighting, waveform monitor and two focus assist functions using both image magnification and the focus bar.

For even more creativity, the HPX301E also has variable frame functions to create fast and slow motion effects. In 720p mode, you can choose from 20 variable speed steps from 12p to 60p. Since the HPX301E records
images at the frame rate set in the camera, you can preview the effect on the spot, without having to use any frame rate converter. Working with the advanced 1080/480 24pA mode, users will be able to use 2:3:3:2 “Pull-Down”, allowing most non-linear editing systems to easily extract 24 frames on import.

Recording P2

Equipped with two P2 card slots, the new 64GB P2 cards provide the HPX301E with greater recording capacity than tape-based cameras. The HPX301E offers all the benefits of a faster workflow based on P2HD files and incorporates recording functions such as instant recording start, clip viewing for quick access to video content on all cards and a variety of quick recording modes including continuous recording, card selector, hot remove, loop recording, pre-recording (three seconds in HD and seven seconds in SD), continuous recording and interval recording. The camera also has an SD memory card slot for saving or loading scene files and user settings, or proxy data (requires optional AJ-YAX800G Proxy Card).

The HPX301E features advanced gamma capabilities with six shooting scenarios, including the popular Cine-Like Gamma modes available on Panasonic's popular VariCam camera, which delivers recordings with the warm tone characteristic of film shooting. A scene file selector on the side of the camera offers quick access to the six programmed settings; The selector can also be programmed with user-defined settings.

Camera interfaces include two SDI outputs (HD and SD-SDI outputs switchable), video output (converted SD video only), IEEE 1394, USB 2.0 interface supporting host mode, timecode input/output (with integrated SMPTE timecode reader/generator). Additional features include Genlock input, 4-position ND optical filter controls, DC power input, color bar selector, three XLR audio jacks (one on the front, two on the rear), wireless microphone slot (UniSlot compatible 2-channel wireless receiver), and programmable user buttons.

Following the latest firmware update for this camera, the multinational has introduced important improvements such as flash band compensation. Since in the case of MOS sensors, each line is read sequentially from top to bottom (rolling shutter), very low consumption is achieved in high-speed scanning. Due to the time difference between reading the top and bottom of an image, a flash can cause an image to be split into two segments, one illuminated by the flash and one not (this is known as 'flash bands'). After the latest firmware of the HPX341, for detecting flash bands, an algorithm is responsible for compensating the bands (FBC), using the image that contains the flash band and the previous image, obtaining an image correctly illuminated with the flash, just as happens when a global shutter is used (as in CCDs).

Panasonic has also improved noise in 1080/25p and 24p/30p mode. After the update, the signal processing circuits have been revised, and the parameters have been altered to improve image quality by reducing noise when working with cinema look.

Also in study

The HPX301E can also be used as a studio camera. It has a remote control terminal (RCU) for use with the AJ-RC10G remote control unit and compatible studio remote control systems. At just over 3.5kg, the HPX301E's ergonomic handling and balanced, lightweight design make it a comfortable camera to use. All card slots, volume controls and operation switches are located on the left side for easy operation. The HPX301E features a widescreen 1,226,000-dot LCOS color viewfinder and a 921,000-dot, 3.2-inch widescreen LCD color monitor. Power consumption is only 18 watts.

The HPX301E has a retail price of less than 10,000 euros and offers the security of the five-year Premium Service warranty program (1 year + 4 years of additional warranty, once the equipment is registered).

Download here the technical specifications.

HPX-301, main features

HD and SD support

Codecs AVC-Intra, DVCPROHD, DVCPRO50, DVCPRO y DV

Includes viewfinder and optics 3 1/3″ MOS sensors with native resolution 1920×1080 A/D 14 bits.

Curvas de Cine-Gamma

Variable frame rate, switchable 50/59.94 Hz. R

Wireless receiver slot

2 P2 slots

Premium Service 5 years warranty

Salidas 2x HD/SD-SDI y IEEE1394 (6-pin), USB 2.0 (Device/Host).

Accessories: AJ-RC10G remote control unit, AG-MC200 or AJ-MC700 shotgun microphone.

Includes viewfinder and HD Fujinon 17x optics.