AG-HPX250 P2 HD: new Panasonic camcorder with AVC-Intra codec and 4:2:2 sampling at 10 bits

The new AG-HPX250 P2 HD handheld camcorder from Panasonic integrates the AVC-Intra codec with 4:2:2 sampling at 10 bits and 21x optical zoom with three control rings. Weighing 2.5 kg, the HPX250 incorporates three highly sensitive 1/3” MOS sensors, with 2.2 megapixel Full-HD resolution and a 20-bit digital signal processor to natively record images with a resolution of 1920 x 1080. The three rings on its lens allow independent control of focus, zoom and iris.

Panasonic Starting next fall, it will have a new handheld camcorder in the P2 HD range. The AG-HPX250, which incorporates the AVC-Intra codec with 4:2:2 sampling at 10 bits, aims to establish a new standard of image quality for recording outside the studio in Full HD high definition with 1920x1080 resolution.

The HPX250 is an ultra-portable handheld camera with full resolution recording and intra-frame compression in a single piece without the need for an external recorder.

Weighing 2.5 kg, the HPX250 incorporates three high-sensitivity 1/3” MOS sensors, with 2.2 megapixel Full-HD resolution and a 20-bit digital signal processor to natively record images with a resolution of 1920 x 1080.

In addition to AVC-Intra 100/50 recording, the HPX250 records high definition signals to DVCPROHD, as well as standard definition signals to DVCPRO50, DVCPRO and DV. The HPX250 supports all international HD and SD standards, which is an added advantage for producers with global customers. In AVC-Intra 100/50 and DVCPROHD, it records in 1080 at 59.94i, 29.97pN, 23.98pN, 50i and 25pN, and in 720p at 23.98pN, 29.97pN, 59.94p, 50p and 25pN. In DVCPRO 50/25 and DV, it records in 480 at 59.94i, 29.97p, 23.98p, 23.98pA, and in 576 at 50i and 25p.

The HPX250 offers variable frame rate in 1080p up to 30fps and in 720p up to 60fps, to create fast-motion or slow-motion effects.

Three independent control rings

Offering a 28mm wide-angle 21x optical zoom HD lens (28 to 588mm, 35mm equivalent) with 3 independent control rings (zoom, focus, iris), the HPX250 covers most situations without the need for a wide-angle conversion lens. The 21x lens also features an Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S.), a feature that ensures image stability during recording.

The HPX250 offers sync and timecode inputs for multi-camera recording, as well as an HD-SDI output, an HDMI output, and an IEEE1394 input and output port. The camera is equipped with a Dynamic Range Extender (DRS) function to help compensate for variations in lighting, waveform monitor and vectorscope and two focus assist functions – an image magnification function and a focus bar.

Equipped with two P2 card slots, the HPX250 can record up to 320 minutes in AVC-Intra 100 at 720/24pn, 160 minutes in AVC-Intra 100 at 1080/24pn, and 128 minutes in other HD formats (1080/50i in AVC-Intra 100 or DVCPROHD) on two P2 card slots. 64GB. In AVC-Intra 50, the recording time is twice that of AVC-Intra 100.

This P2HD handheld camcorder offers all the benefits of a fast workflow based on P2HD files, including features such as immediate start of recording, icons for viewing thumbnail clips and easy access to video content on all cards, and various recording time saving modes such as pre-recording (three seconds in HD and seven seconds in SD), loop recording, interval recording, hot card swapping, or single clip recording mode. The camera also has an SD memory card slot for saving or loading scene files and user settings.

For easy HD viewing, the camera is equipped with a 1,226,000-pixel color LCOS widescreen viewfinder and an 8.8 cm, 921,000-pixel (3.45-inch) color LCD monitor.