Panasonic AG-HPX255: maximum versatility in the field and studio

The new AG-HPX255 incorporates important new features such as compatibility with the extension of the Panasonic AG-EC4G control unit, which allows you to transform this compact P2 HD camera into a true studio camera.

The new AG-HPX255, which Panasonic presented at NAB 2012, improves all the advanced features of the HP250, also incorporating important new features such as compatibility with the extension of the Panasonic AG-EC4G control unit, which allows you to transform this compact P2 HD camera into a true studio camera.

And perhaps it is the versatility of this camera that draws the most attention. For field operation, the AG-HOX255 is a light camcorder, well balanced in terms of weight, which has two slots for P2 memory cards.

The camera has three high-sensitivity 1/3 processors of the 2.2 mega-pixel Full HD MOS type, it also has a 20-bit digital signal processor for image capture in native resolution 1920 x 1080. It incorporates a 22x HD lens from 28mm to 616mm (35mm equivalent) with three adjustable and independent rings (Zoom/Focus/Iris). Recording needs in a wide variety of situations can be met without having to use a wide-angle conversion lens.

When working in the studio, the camera does not need to attach any base station to the rear or any other accessory... it will be enough to connect it to the AG-EC4 remote connection or via HD-SDI, with genlock input and time code (input/output), thus guaranteeing full operability in a multi-camera environment.

The EC4 control unit (optional) has the ability to control virtually all menu functions and menu settings usually accessible from the camera itself, including shutter, iris, gain, filter position and other details.

The unit is provided with a ten meter cable, with the possibility of purchasing another fifty meter cable (AJ-C10050). Both the video and the menus can be viewed via BNC on a video monitor next to the EC4.

In addition to the remote terminal, Panasonic has also incorporated into the HPX255 support for the Proxy recorder that will be available this year, the Focus FS-P250. With this option it is possible to record the same new proxy modes and take advantage of the wireless metadata input that we find in the P2 AJ-HPX3100 camcorder, in a more accessible way and in a much lighter camera.

While recording proxy clips, the Focus FS-P250 also captures the corresponding timecode and metadata from the HPX255.